Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis has long been a disease of the elderly. But a sedentary lifestyle, overeating, bad habits significantly rejuvenated this disease. Even in children, posture disorders and weak spinal muscles are often observed. All this leads to irreversible changes in the spine.

What is osteochondrosis

The disease can affect the cervical, thoracic, lumbar. Pathology occurs due to a violation of physiological processes in the cells of the discs and vertebrae. The structure of tissues changes, elasticity is lost. In the future, the gaps between the vertebrae narrow, a certain vertebral segment becomes unstable.

Osteochondrosis can cause serious complications:

• protrusion of disk segments;
• kyphosis;
• paresis;
• paralysis.

Important! Osteochondrosis is quite difficult to diagnose. Frequent headaches, sudden pressure surges, a feeling of muscle heaviness, dizziness during sudden movements can be hidden manifestations of this disease.

Symptoms of the disease

The disease has 4 groups of symptoms. Let's look at each of them.

Statistical

These manifestations are associated with a violation of the physiological shape of the vertebrae. In this case, a violation of posture occurs, it is difficult for a person to turn his head, he cannot fully straighten his back.

neurological

The disease is characterized by damage to the nerve tissue. This violates the sensitivity of the skin, reduces the intensity of muscle contractions.

At the initial stage of the disease, pain manifests itself locally, only in the affected area. But when the pathology begins to progress, the pain syndrome affects distant areas. In this case, goosebumps, a feeling of tingling, numbness may appear.

Vascular

These symptoms may occur due to the following reasons:

• blood vessels are compressed. Most often this occurs with the defeat of the cervical region. The result can be oxygen deficiency in certain areas of the brain, dizziness, often nausea;
• changes in the sympathetic nervous system. It is characterized by prolonged spasms and chronic ischemia in the internal organs.

Important! There are also trophic symptoms of the disease - a symbiosis of vascular and neurological factors that lead to the appearance of skin defects and ulcers.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Hypodynamia, bad habits, excess weight most often provoke the development of osteochondrosis.

Other factors that affect the possibility of getting sick are:

• genetic predisposition - people with poor heredity have to make a lot of efforts to avoid this disease;
• improper metabolism, intoxication, poor ecological situation;
• incorrectly formed spine - children from childhood sit incorrectly, which leads to a violation of posture. Recovery can begin at any age, swimming is best;
• constant stress on the spine caused by heavy physical labor;
• frequent stress and prolonged nervous tension;
• sore and crooked feet.

Important! Women are more susceptible to this disease. The reason is the constant changes in the hormonal background caused by pregnancy or menstruation. Provoke osteochondrosis can diet, some means for weight loss, uncomfortable shoes.

This disease is one of the most common pathologies in the musculoskeletal system.

People spend more and more time in a sitting position, concentrating on one point, the neck is in a motionless state. All this leads to the appearance of the disease. It is often the result of an old injury. Very often this disease occurs in professional athletes.

Such osteochondrosis begins with a prolonged headache, which cannot be eliminated with the help of conventional painkillers. The pain affects the occipital region and temples. Discomfort may increase after sleep or prolonged sedentary work.

What else may indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis:

• sensitivity in the shoulder girdle and arms is disturbed, in advanced cases the upper limbs can be completely paralyzed;
• the blood supply to various parts of the brain is disturbed, tinnitus appears, and the head is often dizzy. In the future, some parts of the brain may completely lose nutrition;
• vision begins to fall, patients complain of the appearance of flies before their eyes;
• older people may suddenly lose consciousness;
• if the diaphragmatic nerve experiences constant irritation, then there are bouts of hiccups, shortness of breath;
• the neck loses its mobility.

The lumbar spine is characterized by increased mobility and strong constant loads. Everyone can get this disease, lifestyle and occupation do not really matter.

1. Many people, by the nature of their service, have to be in a bent position for a long time. This almost always leads to osteochondrosis in the lumbar region.
2. A spinal injury can develop into osteochondrosis. Injury to the spine can be caused by improper exercise.
3. In the event of a sudden cessation of stress in the intervertebral joints, degenerative processes begin. Which also leads to osteochondrosis.

Signs of an affected lower back include:

• pain and shooting in the legs and lower back, which increase after physical exertion;
• in the lower extremities, numbness of the skin is observed, paresis and paralysis may occur;
• skin in painful areas begins to peel off;
• pelvic functions are disturbed, there is a problem with erection and urination.

The most dangerous, complications often occur. Unstable vertebrae can fly off the sacrum at any time. Which will cause damage to internal organs.

Osteocondritis of the spine

More than 70% of back pain complaints are associated with osteochondrosis. Degeneration of spinal tissues is inherent in every second inhabitant of the planet, whose age has crossed the mark of 30 years.

Injuries, heavy physical exertion, work in conditions of constant vibration can provoke the manifestation of the disease.

The disease has typical symptoms:

• aching, chronic pain that causes increased fatigue, increased discomfort occurs when lifting weights, sudden movements, coughing and sneezing;
• the affected spine begins to go numb;
• the range of motion decreases.

Important! Cartilage and bone tissue has the ability to self-renew. Moderate, regular exercise helps strengthen the spinal muscles, increase blood circulation.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Often, pathological changes in the cervical and thoracic vertebral segment are present simultaneously.

Almost no pain syndrome. Therefore, many may not even be aware of the presence of the disease. If pain occurs, then sensations appear in the intercostal and scapular region, sometimes affecting the upper abdomen.

The first symptoms of the disease are similar to a heart attack, inflammation of the gallbladder, gastritis or stomach ulcers. With osteochondrosis, the pain intensifies during turns, deep breathing, coughing.

In the future, the disease is manifested by reflex tension of the muscles located in the sternum and upper dorsal region. If the disease enters an advanced stage, erectile dysfunction may begin in men.

Which doctor treats

Osteochondrosis has many clinical manifestations. The patient has to visit various specialists to understand the cause of the ailment. For proper diagnosis, you should contact a neurologist and an orthopedist. Private clinics provide vertebrologist services.

After the interview, the specialist will examine the spine and nearby soft tissues in various positions, determine the degree of mobility of each department. Instrumental examination plays a key role in making a diagnosis.

After that, computed tomography, x-rays, and a study using magnetic nuclear resonance are prescribed.

Important! In addition to the spine, the work of blood vessels and peripheral nerves is analyzed.

Treatment at home

Treatment of this disease with folk methods is recognized as effective even by traditional medicine. The discipline of the patient, the use of various techniques can significantly reduce the time required to restore the tissues of the spine.

Start by changing your diet. Excess cholesterol leads to impaired blood flow, blood vessels lose their elasticity, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, fatty foods, eggs, rich broths, pork should be excluded, be sure to remove the skin from the chicken.

The patient needs to get rid of harmful addictions, reduce the consumption of caffeinated drinks.

The most effective home treatments are:

• daily performance of an individual complex of physiotherapy exercises;
• self-massage - includes rubbing and stroking, shiatsu helps well;
• the use of specially designed devices - Kuznetsov and Lyapko applicators;
• exposure to a magnetic field - this helps to improve blood circulation in the muscles. The magnet is selected by a specialist, the method of application is easy to master;
• massage beds have recently appeared on the market.

Important! Self-activity is very dangerous in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Therefore, even when choosing home therapy, you should listen to the doctor's recommendations.

Medication treatment

To stop the pain, other symptoms of osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes analgesics (drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid, ketanov, baralgin, pentalgin). Versatis anesthetic patch is used to treat neuropathic syndromes. It contains lidocaine, which relieves any pain.

1. Non-steroidal drugs (diclofenac, voltaren, ibuprofen) are designed to relieve inflammation, they act powerfully and effectively. But side effects do not allow long-term use of such drugs.
2. To relieve pain, you can use harmless, but equally effective warming ointments (Kapsicam).
3. If the pain continues for more than 3 months, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants - amitriptyline, fluoxetine. They have a calming effect, reduce the manifestation of pain.

During treatment, it is important to restore intervertebral discs and cartilage. For this, chondoprotectors (chondroxide, structum) are intended. They should be taken for at least 4 months.

1. Pentoxifylline is indicated to improve blood circulation. It should be taken in combination with drugs containing nicotinic and thioctic acid (berlition).
2. Diuretics help relieve swelling - furosemide, diacarb.
3. It is also mandatory to take B vitamins and calcium during treatment.

injections

In case of lumbar osteochondrosis, special blockades are made for pain relief (milgama is most often used). A specialist with a long needle injects an analgesic. The procedure allows you to temporarily relieve pain, but there is no therapeutic effect.

1. Muscle relaxants are used to relieve spasms. From this group, tubocurarine is prescribed.
2. Chondroitin sulfate promotes the restoration of cartilage tissue.
3. To restore the nervous system in the affected areas, an injection of vitamin B is given.
4. For the treatment of inflammation, the best injectable drug is movalis. It belongs to modern non-steroidal drugs, and does not harm the work of the stomach and intestines.

Doctors believe that oral administration of drugs is the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis. Injections are made only in a hospital setting.

Important! To get rid of osteochondrosis, a systematic approach is needed. It is impossible to fulfill the instructions of a specialist partially. Only strict adherence to the treatment regimen can guarantee a positive result.

Treatment with folk remedies

Herbalists offer various natural preparations for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Water procedures

Herbal baths help relieve pain and inflammation. A good therapeutic effect is observed after using a nettle broom in the bath.

For baths, the following fees are good:

• (270 g) mix with and (each 55 g). Mixture pour 7 liters of boiling water. After cooling, pour into water;
• in 5 liters of water for half an hour, boil 1500 g of conifers or k.

Compresses

For the preparation of compresses, gruel from black radish, horseradish root, garlic is suitable. The mass should be applied to the affected area, carefully wrapped. Hold for as long as possible.

For pain relief, you can make a compress by mixing chopped raw potatoes and honey in equal proportions. Keep it on the affected area for at least an hour.

Decoctions and infusions

Treatment with a decoction of common laurel is quite effective. But it is necessary to strictly follow the scheme.

1. Bay leaf (4 g) must be filled with water (240 ml).
2. Boil 4 minutes. Infuse in a warm place for 3 hours.
3. The resulting drug must be slowly drunk before bedtime.
4. Repeat the procedure for 2 more days. The decoction should always be prepared fresh.
5. Take a week break. Then repeat the treatment.

Two sessions are enough to not feel discomfort for a year.

Celery

Celery infusion will help get rid of salt deposits. This drink is rich in vitamins. To prepare it, you will need 4 g of crushed roots and 950 ml of slightly cooled boiling water. The mixture must be infused all night.

After which it should be filtered. Take 7 ml three times a day. In season, you can prepare fresh juice from celery roots. You can use it three times a day for 12 ml.

Ointments and rubs

Ginger ointment

This tool helps with lumbago.

1. Fry the ginger powder using melted butter.
2. Grind fresh garlic into a paste.
3. Mix the components in equal proportions.
4. The ointment should be rubbed into the affected areas.

Rubbing from oregano

Place 25 g chopped into a container with 450 ml of oil. It is better to use olive or sunflower oil. Leave the product to mature for 8 hours. Squeeze the grass and discard.

Rubbing is suitable for the treatment of all types of osteochondrosis.

Exercises for osteochondrosis

Therapeutic exercise is an integral part in the treatment of osteochondrosis. The complex is compiled by a specialist. This takes into account the diagnosis, the degree of stress and the level of physical fitness of the patient.

All exercises are performed for 4 minutes.

A set of exercises for the treatment of pathologies in the cervical region

1. Lie flat on your back. One hand is placed on the stomach, the other on the chest. Take a deep breath, hold your breath. On the count of 10, exhale and relax. You can do 5 sets per day.
2. Lie on your stomach, straighten your legs. Slowly raise your head and upper chest. Get down and take a break for half a minute.
3. Lie on your back, bend your legs at the knee joints. Roll over to the right, and then the left side, without changing the starting position.

Gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis

1. Lie on your stomach, focus on straight arms. Bend back, fix the position, count to 10. Rest 20 seconds.
2. Lie on your back, raise your head and legs at the same time. Hold for 15 sec. Take a break of 20 seconds between exercises.

Exercises for lesions of the lumbar

1. Lie on your back, pull your legs to your chest. Roll from back to sacrum for 2 minutes. Then relax and lie down quietly.
2. Perform backbends while standing on all fours.
3. In a standing position, make circular movements, simulating the rotation of the hoop.

Important! Physical education should not be practiced during the acute stage of the disease.

Classical massage is performed only by trained people in specialized rooms.

Honey

At home, you can do a honey massage. To do this, warm honey should be applied to the affected area. Then lightly press and tear off the palms from the massaged segment. This procedure is best done after visiting the bath. At the end of the session, the back should be covered with compress paper and carefully wrapped.

vacuum massage

Good results are noted after canned vacuum massage. To do this, vegetable, mineral oil or chondroxide ointment is applied to the back. And then sliding movements along certain trajectories are made by a special medical jar. This procedure helps to improve blood circulation, inflamed areas are enriched with oxygen and nutrients, and the regeneration process starts.