Spinal osteochondrosis is a pathology of articular cartilage, which is part of the intervertebral disc. According to statistics, the disease in various degrees of severity occurs in more than 60% of middle -aged people. This disease can not be ignored, therefore, it will be useful for everyone to know the main points of prevention and treatment of spinal osteochondrosis. The article will consider in more detail the principles and directions of pathological therapy.
The cause of the disease and who is at risk
The main causes of spinal osteochondrosis include the following:
- Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Deficiency of trace elements (Ca, Mg, P), disorders of hormone metabolism.
- Spinal cord injury or delayed surgery.
- Severe work conditions or inactive lifestyle, overweight or pregnancy.
- Nervous tension, smoking and alcohol, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people of almost all ages. The elderly suffer more often, because in connection with aging, irreversible changes in cartilage occur. In young and middle -aged people, osteochondrosis is most often caused by spinal scoliosis, trauma, obesity.
Types and stages of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is classified depending on the localization of pathological processes in individual segments of the spine: cervical spine (SHOP), thoracic (GOP), lumbar (POP) and sacral (COP). If 2 or more departments are affected, the disease is called common osteochondrosis of the spine. Other forms of the disease are less common and stand out separately: osteochondrosis of the lower leg, upper leg, and other joints. In Russian literature, they are often referred to as osteochondropathies.
Also, depending on what changes are taking place in the intervertebral disc of the spine, there are 4 stages of the disease. The degree of spinal osteochondrosis is determined based on analysis of clinical pictures, as well as data of radiation research methods. The main method for diagnosing this disease is X-ray of the spine in frontal and lateral projections.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis
Before starting treatment, the disease must be properly diagnosed. Many symptoms are often overlooked due to fatigue. The main symptoms of this disease are as follows:
- Pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, exacerbated by energy or too much energy.
- Radiation of pain in the limbs (in case of damage to the SHOP - in the arms, shoulders, headaches are possible, POP - in the legs, buttocks, etc. ).
- In case of damage to the STORE: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Numbness and weakness in the limbs.
For spinal osteochondrosis, a gradual increase in disease symptoms with age is characteristic. In the absence of proper treatment, pain will significantly reduce the ability to work, quality of life, and possible complications. Therefore, with the presence of the first symptoms of the disease, it is appropriate to contact a doctor to prescribe treatment.
Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis
It is widely believed that osteochondrosis is incurable, many suffer from it, so you should not pay attention to the pathology. This approach is fundamentally wrong. The disease will develop without treatment.
It is not possible to cure osteochondrosis forever, as most changes in the intervertebral disc are irreversible. But it is possible to weaken the pathological manifestations, to stop its development. Success, of course, depends on the stage of the disease, and the earlier treatment is started, the more effective the therapy.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine
The course of treatment of spinal osteochondrosis is prescribed by a doctor after an accurate diagnosis and is carried out using several conservative methods. The optimal method is chosen individually and depends mainly on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes taking medications, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, kinesio recordings, etc.
In exceptional cases, when primary conservative treatment methods are ineffective, surgical intervention on the spine is performed. Often, the indication for surgery is a significant pain syndrome caused by complications of the disease (hernia or protrusion of the intervertebral disc of the spine, sciatica, etc. ). It should also be noted that treatment in childhood and old age has its own characteristics, so we will consider this issue in more detail.
Therapy in children
Osteochondrosis in children is a relatively rare occurrence and is most often caused by injury, developmental anomalies, or congenital disease. It is better to use a safer method such as MRI to make a diagnosis. Treatment of osteochondrosis in children is carried out according to the same general principles as in adults, but more rarely.
The complex of therapeutic measures and procedures is chosen individually. The safest drugs with minimal toxic effects are selected, which do not cause allergic reactions. Manual therapy, massage should be performed by specially trained specialists, taking into account the characteristics of the child's body. Apitherapy is an unacceptable method of treatment in childhood.
Therapy in the elderly
Osteochondrosis occurs almost everywhere in the elderly. Treatment should be carried out without fail taking into account the general state of health, taking other medications. If a person is taking additional medications, their interactions must be considered.
With spinal osteochondrosis in the elderly, massage is not recommended. Manual therapy should also be carried out taking into account age characteristics by a qualified physician. Exercise therapy exercises are selected taking into account the physical abilities of the elderly, it is necessary to strengthen the back muscles and reduce the load from the spine. Otherwise, the treatment of the disease is carried out according to general principles.
How osteochondrosis is treated: medications
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis with the help of drugs is carried out in two main directions: the elimination of pain, improvement of regenerative processes in the body and the structure of cartilage tissue. Treatment of pain syndrome in spinal osteochondrosis depends on its severity. With insignificant pain, drugs of the NSAID group were used. Severe pain syndrome for several weeks with decreased work capacity may be an indication for the appointment of opioid analgesics. For pain that persists for several months, antidepressants can be prescribed in addition to NSAIDs.
Chondroprotectors can be used to enhance cartilage regrowth. In addition, during the exacerbation of spinal osteochondrosis, antispasmodics may be used. For general health purposes and to improve metabolic processes, vitamin preparations and angioprotectors are used.
The role of physiotherapy
The treatment regimen for spinal osteochondrosis necessarily contains one or more methods of physiotherapy. Such complex therapy, along with taking medications, will significantly reduce the condition and speed up recovery. The following methods for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis are used:
- Acupuncture or acupuncture. The essence of the method lies in the effect of special needles on certain active points of the human body, which allows you to get rid of muscle spasms and improve metabolic processes.
- massage. During the procedure, muscle tension, pain disappears, local metabolic processes and blood circulation improve.
- Electrophoresis. The essence of this method consists of flowing a small current through the body. As a result of treatment, metabolism and blood supply to tissues improve, and when drugs are given together, their penetration improves.
- Magnetotherapy. This method of treatment helps reduce inflammation, and also helps normalize blood supply and metabolism.
- Spinal traction. This method allows you to increase the distance between the vertebrae, which relieves pain and increases the mobility of the spine, muscular apparatus and ligaments being trained.
- Laser treatment. This method helps reduce pain and swelling of the tissues around the spine, improves local metabolic processes and reduces inflammation.
With exacerbation of spinal osteochondrosis, physiotherapy is not used, treatment is carried out only during the remission period. This procedure is prescribed in a course that lasts for 1-2 weeks. The frequency of treatment is 2-3 times a year.
Hospital treatment
Standards for the treatment of spinal osteochondrosis recommend outpatient therapy, that is, in a polyclinic. In the hospital, therapy is indicated only in the presence of complications. So, patients with sciatica require hospitalization.
Treatment of osteochondrosis in China has long been carried out on the basis of special institutions, where manual therapy is performed by qualified staff, osteochondrosis is treated with ultrasound, magnetic and laser radiation and other methods of physiotherapy. Thanks to the hospital schedule, patients receive full and timely treatment, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern domestic health care, special institutions are developed to treat diseases (for example, medical centers for the treatment of osteochondrosis), where vertebrologists or neuropathologists constantly monitor patients, there are the latest devices and devices for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Massage is the most common and affordable method of physiotherapy for spinal osteochondrosis (see benefits of the procedure above). This procedure is performed only by a qualified specialist and only during the remission period. Acute conditions are contraindications to manual therapy.
Classic spine massage includes the following techniques: rubbing, rubbing, kneading, vibration, etc. The procedure begins with an impact on the lumbar region, then a transition is made to the collar zone. After that, a segmantar reflex sequence is performed.
Apiterapi
Apitherapy is an alternative method of treating osteochondrosis by bees. This method is prohibited for people who are allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are brought to the affected area to be stung by bees. At the beginning of treatment, 1-2 bees are used, then their number gradually increases to 20-30.
As a result of bee stings, apitoxin or bee venom enters the body. This substance has pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Bee venom has detoxifying properties, stimulates metabolic processes in the body and helps restore the structure of the connective tissue of the spine.
Gymnastics according to the author's method
As an exercise option for osteochondrosis, special gymnastics can be used. This method involves long daily training. The main feature of training is adherence to gymnastic hygiene, as well as self -confidence.
This technique includes more than 60 exercises. Exercise helps strengthen the muscles of the spine and relieve tension. It helps relieve pain, increase mobility and range of motion of the spine.
Traditional medicine for osteochondrosis
As part of complex therapy, the use of traditional medical methods is allowed. For example, the treatment of osteochondrosis with rice is widely used. For about a month and a half, a person goes on a rice diet. Also, kvass is prepared from rice, which has healing properties.
Sometimes osteochondrosis is also treated with nettles. For this, a vodka -based tincture is prepared. Treatment of osteochondrosis with cinquefoil is also carried out by making tinctures or decoctions, extracts or ointments.
Preventive measures
There are no specific methods for the prevention of osteochondrosis. But if you practice some habits, the risk of getting the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend to be guided by the following principles:
- Avoid excessive physical effort and injury.
- Use an orthopedic mattress or a semi -rigid bed.
- Treat other diseases in a timely manner.
- Avoid nervous tension, stress.
- Eat fully rationally, engage in physical education.
With spinal osteochondrosis that has been identified, all therapeutic procedures performed must be agreed with the physician. Self-medication at home can trigger the development of complications. The use of questionable methods that have no proven effectiveness is excluded (treatment with hydrogen peroxide, stretching the spine by hanging on a hanger, etc. ). Proper treatment for spinal osteochondrosis will significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and reduce the chances of disease progression.