Osteochondrosis

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

What is vertebral 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 already observed between the ages of 20 and 25.This can lead to 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 to 34 vertebrae connected to each other by intervertebral discs.They perform a number of important functions, ensuring mobility of the spine.

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by drying out and a change in the size of these discs and the space between them, which leads to a decrease in their strength and elasticity.A high load on the spine leads to displacement of the discs, leading to pain during movements, and then an intervertebral herniation develops.

The movement of the vertebrae is caused by pinching of nerve endings and compression of blood vessels.Curvature of the spine, damage to individual parts, their deformation is an irreversible process.The ossification of the ligaments further reduces the mobility of the spine.

What types are there

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

• Cervical spine, most often observed in young people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and work at the computer for a long time;
• Thoracic spine disease, a rare type of disease, can be caused by changes in the thoracic spine due to various factors (e.g., trauma);
• Lumbosacral region, the most common disease, often affects people over 30 years old;
• Common chondrosis, when several parts of the spine are affected at once.

The disease goes through several stages:

1. The first step often goes unnoticed.Instability of the vertebrae appears, caused by their movement, and slight discomfort appears during movement.This is a dangerous stage where injuries are most likely to occur.
2. In the second stage, the annulus fibrosus of the vertebral disc is destroyed, which leads to a decrease in the distance between them.
3. The third stage is accompanied by a rupture of the fibrous rings, the core of the disc comes out of its place.At this stage, intervertebral hernias appear, leading to spinal deformity.
4. The last stage is characterized by severe pain syndromes.Bony growths 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.This results in degeneration of the vertebrae and discs, narrowing of the openings between the vertebrae, and compression of the nerve roots.

Symptoms

The symptoms of this disease depend on the damaged area.It should be noted that people individually attribute most of the symptoms of this disease to other problems.For example, headaches are thought to be caused by tension and stress, and hearing loss is thought to be caused by the use of headphones.

1. Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are manifested as follows:

   • Headaches that get worse when you try to move your head;
   • Pain in the neck, extending to the area of the shoulder blade, arms and chest;
   • Sensitivity is often impaired, the fingers become numb and weakness is felt;
   • Tongue movement is limited, which affects speech, 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 appears.It is usually caused by spinal injuries.The cause may be scoliosis.Symptoms of this disease:

   • Sharp pain in the chest area, it becomes stronger when you try to breathe deeply 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 itself as intense pain in the lumbar region.Symptoms may be different, but in the first period of development they are not very pronounced.But over time or in a “successful” situation, the disease worsens.Appears:

   • Aching or sharp pain that intensifies with movement in the area just above the tailbone;
   • The pain radiates towards the hip region, the sensitivity of the legs is altered;
   • Restriction of body movements, it is impossible to bend or turn;
   • 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 answer this question unequivocally, 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 in classical and traditional medicine.

It should be noted that this disease can be treated quite effectively, especially at the initial stage 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 to two days.The duration of treatment is prescribed by the doctor;it can range from seven days to a month;as a rule, 12-15 procedures are enough.The acupuncturist performs a visual and manual examination of the patient.A procedure takes about half an hour.The needles are placed for 15-20 minutes.

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

2. Vacuum therapy.

   To carry out the procedure, special vacuum jars 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 jars, pressure differences are created, the skin and part of the muscle are sucked into the jar.Thanks to the 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 vast;the doctor himself selects and assigns the areas for the procedure.The spots that appear during the procedure begin to dissolve after the fourth procedure, so you should not be afraid of them.

3. Manual therapy.

   These are gentle and very effective treatment methods 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 is outwardly reminiscent of a regular massage, but more limited localization and moderate force of influence.A qualified chiropractor is able to cure illnesses that cannot be treated with medication.

   In order to treat the spine, this method aims to increase muscle elasticity and improve the movement of each vertebra.The procedures are not carried out daily, but at certain intervals of up to seven days.Manual treatment combined with physiotherapy and folk remedies, as well as physiotherapy, is more effective.

   

4. Pharmacopuncture.

   This method involves active points of the human body, into which drugs indicated for a specific disease are injected in minimal quantities.These can be vitamin complexes, homeopathic remedies, biostimulants, corticosteroids.The injection is carried out using a microneedle, practically without unpleasant sensations.

   An adapted version is used to treat the spine, which helps 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 gives positive and lasting results.

5. Magnetopuncture.

   This method involves exposing biologically active points to a magnetic field.For this purpose, tape recorders are used on which certain properties of polarity, size and power are defined.This device is made 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 through intact areas of the skin.In most cases, low-power red light lasers are used;they show the greatest activity.Through 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.

Outpatient therapy often includes a medication component designed to relieve pain.For this purpose, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antispasmodics, antioxidants are used, as well as drugs that correct psychosomatic disorders and reduce degeneration of cartilage tissue.

Traditional methods

In traditional medicine, there are many remedies that relieve 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 should be carefully wrapped to retain heat.It is enough to perform the procedure 3-4 times a day.
2. Compresses with ointment help relieve inflammation and pain.Cover the greased area with plastic wrap, you can put fresh mint or lemon balm leaves under it;burdock or white cabbage leaves work effectively.Wrap it in a woolen scarf and attach the 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 infused with herbs - oregano, St. John's wort.For half a liter of vegetable oil, about 500 grams of raw materials are consumed.Fresh oregano cake is infused for 24 hours, and dried St. John's wort is poured 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 good nutrition and an active lifestyle.It is necessary to constantly monitor your posture when sitting in a chair or at the computer;it is advisable to sleep on a surface of medium hardness.

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 effective and simple 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, grasp the forehead area with interlaced fingers.Make movements with your head down while holding with your hands.The opposite movement involves trying to raise the head to an inclined position and, with the hands clasped behind the head, counteract its movement.Each movement takes 10 seconds.
2. Impact on biologically active points using the palm of the hand and fingers: first massage the forehead area, press on the skin and move it with gentle movements.Exposure time is 20 to 40 seconds.Then move on to the temporal zones, the effect is carried out in the same 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 by pressing your chin with your palm.Exercise duration – 10-30 seconds.Then you can turn your head slightly to one side or the other, staying in this position for 10-15 seconds.
4. This is an excellent exercise for the prevention of cervical osteochondrosis.It 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 slightly by placing your hands on the back of your head, pressing forward and upward.Sit in this position for about a minute, rest for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat the exercise.
5. The warm-up affects the upper spine, while simultaneously pulling your shoulders toward your 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 neck with your palms.

To get rid of physical suffering caused by cervical osteochondrosis, you can take an aspen stick or rolling pin and slowly tap it on the shoulder, scapula and spine on one side, then on the other.You can give him a little massage to relieve tension and pain.

To quickly eliminate pain in the lumbar region, you need to lie on a hard surface, ideally on the floor, with your legs bent at the knees.Twist your legs back and forth, trying to touch the ground 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 constantly take medications, but there are ways to get rid of acute pain without resorting to medications.

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

Lie down on a hard surface and try to repair the sore spot.If you experience pain, it is advisable to place a soft cushion under your lower back to relieve tension in this area.It is 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 no relief occurs, you should call a doctor.To relieve severe pain, take a pain reliever.

Prevention - how to prevent the appearance of osteochondrosis

Before embarking on prevention, you need to clarify the most common causes of osteochondrosis.The risk of this disease is increased by poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, bad habits (smoking, alcohol dependence), intense physical activity and poor posture.

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

The fight against 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 protein, 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 this together will help protect the spine from problems.