Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the spine through the development of changes in the intervertebral discs of one or another department.The danger lies in the fact that the development of the disease goes unnoticed.Currently, this disease has become much younger.

What is spinal osteochondrosis

Doctors define this disease as a chronic degenerative dystrophic change in the spine and its structure.It affects around 80 percent of the world's population and the first signs of this disease are observed at the age of 20-25.It can cause more serious health problems in the future.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs most often;cervical and thoracic chondrosis is more rarely observed.A person has 33-34 vertebrae, which are connected to each other by intervertebral discs.They perform a number of important functions, thus ensuring the mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by dryness and changes in the size of these discs and the space between them, which leads to a decrease in their resistance and elasticity.The high load on the spine leads to displacement of the discs, resulting in pain during movement, and an intervertebral hernia subsequently develops.

Displacement of the vertebrae is caused by compression of nerve endings and compression of blood vessels.Curvature of the spine, damage to individual parts, its deformation is an irreversible process.Ossification of the ligaments further reduces spinal mobility.

What types are there

Depending on the damaged areas, the following types of osteochondrosis differ:

• Cervical spine, most often seen in young people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and work for a long time at the computer;
• Thoracic spine disease, a rare type of disease, can be caused by changes in the thoracic spine due to various factors (e.g., trauma);
• In the lumbosacral region, the disease is more widespread, frequently affecting people over 30 years of age;
• Common chondrosis, when several parts of the spine are affected at the same time.

The disease goes through several stages:

1. The first phase often goes unnoticed.Instability of the vertebrae appears, caused by their displacement, and slight discomfort appears when moving.This is a dangerous phase where injuries are more likely to occur.
2. In the second stage, the fibrous ring of the vertebral disc is destroyed, which leads to a decrease in the distance between them.
3. The third stage is accompanied by the rupture of the fibrous rings, the nucleus of the disc moves out of place.At this stage, intervertebral hernias appear, which lead to deformation of the spine.
4. The last stage is characterized by severe pain syndromes.Bone growth and ossification of ligaments interfere with the freedom of movement of the spine.

Osteochondrosis is caused by muscle tension, which leads to muscle spasms.This leads to limited mobility of the joints and spine.The result is degeneration of the vertebrae and discs, narrowing of the openings between the vertebrae, compression of the nerve roots.

Symptoms

Symptoms of this disease depend on the damaged area.It is worth noting that people attribute most of the symptoms of this disease individually to other problems.For example, headaches are believed to be caused by tension and stress, and hearing loss is believed to be caused by using headphones.

1. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis manifest themselves as follows:

   • Headache that gets worse when you try to move your head;
   • Pain in the neck, spreading to the shoulder blade region, arms and chest;
   • Sensitivity is often impaired, fingers become numb and weakness is felt;
   • Tongue movement is limited, which affects speech and snoring may occur;
   • The voice changes, becomes weak and hoarse;
   • Possible dizziness, loss of consciousness;
   • Loss of coordination of movements, loss of orientation when walking;
   • The condition of the teeth worsens;
   • Hearing decreases, ringing in the ears appears.

2. Rarely, but osteochondrosis of the chest occurs.It is usually caused by injuries to the spine.The cause may be scoliosis.Symptoms of this disease:

   • Sharp pain in the chest area, it gets stronger when you try to take a deep breath and move;
   • Pain may appear in the stomach, liver and heart areas;
   • Sometimes there is a feeling of numbness in the chest.

3. The most common variant of the disease is lumbosacral osteochondrosis.It manifests as severe pain in the lower back.Symptoms can be different, but in the first period of development they are not very pronounced.But over time or in a “successful” situation, the disease gets worse.Appears:

   • Sharp or stabbing pain that intensifies with movement in the area just above the tailbone;
   • The pain radiates to the hip region, the sensitivity of the legs is impaired;
   • Restriction of body movements, it is impossible to bend over or turn over;
   • At the last stage, it is often impossible to sit down, it is difficult to get up and muscle weakness appears.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Many people are interested in the question of how to treat osteochondrosis and whether this disease can be completely cured.Doctors unequivocally answer this question no, but it is possible and necessary to start treatment on time and stop the development of the disease.There are many ways to treat osteochondrosis, both with classical and traditional medicine.

It is important to highlight that this disease can be treated quite effectively, especially in the initial phase of the disease.On an outpatient basis, a special comprehensive program is used, which is aimed at quickly eliminating the symptoms of the disease and correcting the causes of suffering.

Complex therapy includes the following techniques:

1. Acupuncture.

   Acupuncture is performed once every one or two days.The course of treatment is prescribed by the doctor;it can vary from seven days to a month;as a rule, 12 to 15 procedures are enough.The acupuncturist performs a visual and manual examination of the patient.One procedure lasts about half an hour.The needles are placed for 15 to 20 minutes.

   To carry out the operation, sterile disposable acupuncture needles are used;They are inserted under the patient's skin and a slight sting, similar to a mosquito bite, is felt.When the needle reaches a biologically active point, the person feels numbness, pain or a sensation of fullness in this location;pain appears extremely rarely.

2. Vacuum therapy.

   To carry out the procedure, special vacuum pots are used.The effectiveness of this method is very high, there is practically no pain.This method of treatment allows you to quickly and safely eliminate the symptoms of the disease.It is based on the mobilization of the body's own resources and is used in rehabilitation medicine.

   Under the influence of the flasks, pressure differences are created, the skin and part of the muscle are pulled into the flask.Thanks to deep treatment of a large area, blood microcirculation improves, stagnation is eliminated, harmful substances are removed and tissues are renewed faster.

   The areas of influence of vacuum therapy are extensive;the doctor himself selects and assigns areas for the procedure.The stains that appear during the procedure begin to dissolve after the fourth procedure, so do not be afraid of them.

3. Manual therapy.

   These are gentle treatment methods that are highly effective among non-drug options.A chiropractor can eliminate many problems associated with the muscles and spine and is used in the treatment of neurological diseases.

   The effect externally resembles a regular massage, but with a more limited localization and moderate strength of influence.A qualified chiropractor is able to cure illnesses that cannot be treated with medication.

   To treat the spine, this method aims to increase muscle elasticity and improve the movement of individual vertebrae.The procedures are not performed daily, but at certain intervals of up to seven days.Manual treatment in combination with physiotherapy and folk remedies, as well as physiotherapy, is more effective.

   

4. Pharmacopuncture.

   This method involves active points on the human body, into which medications indicated for a specific disease are injected in minimal quantities.These can be vitamin complexes, homeopathic remedies, biostimulants, corticosteroids.The injection is performed with a microneedle, with virtually no unpleasant sensations.

   An adapted version is used to treat the spine, which makes it possible to cure osteochondrosis, spinal hernia and other problems.It is used for rehabilitation after spinal surgery.Pharmacopuncture improves metabolism, improves connective tissue trophism and blood circulation in the affected area.Even a small treatment complex shows positive and lasting results.

5. Magnetopuncture.

   This method involves exposing biologically active points to a magnetic field.For this purpose, recorders are used, in which certain polarity, size and power properties are defined.This device consists of rubberized magnets;they generate a constant magnetic field.To treat various diseases, metal plates of different shapes, areas and thicknesses and magnetic balls are used.

6. Laser therapy.

   This is a laser effect on special acupuncture points on intact areas of the skin.In most cases, low-power lasers with red light are used;they show the greatest activity.As a result of treatment, inflammation and pain, spasms are relieved, blood vessels dilate, metabolic processes improve and cell regeneration increases.

7. Electrical stimulation.

   Electric current is used to influence certain points.It is effective for electrical stimulation of motor muscles and nerve endings.Single pulses, exponential currents, rhythmic direct current, and sinusoidal modulated currents are used.Severe pain can be eliminated in just 1-3 procedures.The full course requires 10 to 15 sessions.

Often, outpatient therapy includes a medication component designed to relieve pain.To this end, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antispasmodics, antioxidants are used, as well as medications that correct psychosomatic disorders and reduce the degeneration of cartilaginous tissue.

Traditional methods

In traditional medicine there are many remedies that alleviate the condition of osteochondrosis.

For external use, the following options are used:

1. Apply a small amount of ointment to the affected area, gradually rubbing it into the skin.The treated area must be carefully wrapped to retain heat.Simply perform the procedure 3 to 4 times a day.
2. Ointment compresses help relieve inflammation and pain.Cover the greased area with plastic wrap, you can place fresh mint or lemon balm leaves underneath;Burdock leaves or white cabbage work well.Wrap a woolen scarf and secure with a compress.Fresh crushed birch leaves give a good effect;they are applied to the problem area and wrapped for half an hour.
3. For rubbing, you can use vegetable oil with herbs - oregano, St. John's wort. About 500 grams of raw materials are consumed per half liter of vegetable oil.Fresh oregano cake is infused for 24 hours and dried St. John's wort is watered with oil for 21 days.
4. You can prepare a mixture of 1/3 cup of black radish juice, 200 g of fresh honey, 100 ml of vodka and a handful of fresh lilac flowers.Leave for a day in a warm place, after which the composition can be used for rubbing.

Don't forget about proper nutrition and an active lifestyle.It is necessary to constantly monitor your posture when sitting in a chair or at a computer;It is advisable to sleep on a medium hard surface.

The spine must be constantly supported;for this you can use special exercises and avoid prolonged monotonous positions.

Exercises for osteochondrosis at home

At home, you can perform simple and effective gymnastics, which should be part of a set of measures for the treatment of spinal diseases.It is recommended to perform the following exercises for osteochondrosis.

1. Tilt your head forward and hold your forehead area with interlaced fingers.Make movements with your head down, holding it with your hands.The reverse movement consists of trying to lift the tilted head and, with hands crossed behind the neck, neutralize the movement.Each movement takes 10 seconds.
2. Impact on biologically active points with the palm and fingers: first massage the forehead area, press the skin and move it with gentle movements.Exposure time is 20 to 40 seconds.Then move on to the temporal areas, the effect is carried out in a similar way.The procedure ends with an ear massage, the ear is stretched in all directions.
3. To improve brain nutrition, you should sit on a flat surface and keep your back straight.The head is slowly pulled back;you can easily help yourself with your hands, pressing your chin with your palm.Exercise time – 10-30 seconds.Then, you can slightly turn your head to one side or the other, remaining in this position for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. This is an excellent exercise for preventing cervical osteochondrosis.Helps improve the functioning of the nerve plexus located in the neck.IP - sitting on a flat surface with your back straight.Slowly move your head towards your chest, trying to touch it with your chin.You can help yourself lightly with your hands placed at the back of your head, pressing forward and upward.Sit in this position for about a minute, rest for 10-15 minutes and repeat the exercise.
5. The warm-up affects the upper spine while also pulling the shoulders toward the ears as high as possible.Then lower them freely and easily.Repeat for 15 seconds.Then repeat the exercise, but for each shoulder joint separately.

At the end of the gymnastics, rub the back of your head with the palms of your hands.

To get rid of the physical suffering caused by cervical osteochondrosis, you can take a stick or rolling pin and slowly hit the shoulder, shoulder blade and spine on one side and then the other.You can have a small massage to relieve tension and pain.

To quickly get rid of pain in the lower back, you need to lie down on a hard surface, preferably the floor, with your legs bent at the knees.Curl your legs in one direction and the other, trying to touch the floor with your knees.

In case of exacerbation - how to relieve pain

Often, during an exacerbation of the disease, a person does not know where to go.It is not possible to take medication constantly, but there are ways to get rid of acute pain without resorting to medication.

First of all, heat must be applied to the problem area.You can wrap this area with a woolen scarf.Exposure to cold is also possible, but only within the first day after the problem occurs and under the supervision of a doctor.

Lie down on a hard surface and try to fix the sore spot.If you feel pain, it is advisable to place a soft pillow under your lower back to relieve tension in that area.It's better to bend your legs.The chest can be wrapped in a tight bandage and a cardboard and cotton splint can be applied to the neck, as if there were an injury.

If relief does not occur, you should call a doctor.To relieve severe pain, take a painkiller.

Prevention - how to prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis

Before starting prevention, you should clarify what the most common causes of osteochondrosis are.The risk of this disease is increased by poor diet, inactive lifestyle, excess weight, bad habits (smoking, alcoholism), intense physical activity and poor posture.

Obviously, to prevent the development of the disease, you must first improve your diet and introduce physical activity.Just do basic morning exercises, stretching, light self-massage of the lower back and neck, swinging your arms and legs.At your workplace, you should take 2 to 3 minutes to warm up.All types of pool swimming work well.

Combating excess weight will help eliminate the risk;you should not allow hypothermia or traumatic situations.It is worth engaging in the prevention of stressful situations and giving up bad habits.Attention should be paid to proper nutrition;the body should receive a sufficient amount of proteins, but salty, floury and fatty foods should be limited.

In some cases, if there is a lack of vitamins, the doctor may prescribe additional vitamin and mineral complexes.All of this together will help protect your spine from problems.