Osteochondrosis of the spine is a pathology of the articular cartilage, which is part of the intervertebral discs. According to statistics, the disease in varying degrees of severity occurs in more than 60% of middle-aged people. The disease cannot be ignored, therefore, it will be useful for everyone to know the main points of prevention and treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine. The article will consider in more detail the principles and directions of pathological therapy.
Causes of disease and who is at risk
The main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine include the following:
- Scoliosis or pathological kyphosis of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Deficiency of trace elements (Ca, Mg, P), hormonal metabolism disorders.
- Spinal injury or postponed surgery.
- Serious working conditions or sedentary lifestyle, overweight or pregnancy.
- Nervous tension, smoking and alcoholism, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people of almost all ages. Elderly people suffer more often, since, 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 Degrees of Osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is classified according to the location of the pathological process in individual segments of the spine: the cervical (SHOP), thoracic (GOP), lumbar (POP) and sacral (COP) spine. If 2 or more departments are affected, the disease is called common spinal osteochondrosis. Other forms of the disease are much less common and stand out separately: osteochondrosis of the lower extremities, upper extremities and other joints. In Russian literature they are often called osteochondropathies.
Furthermore, depending on what changes have occurred in the spinal intervertebral discs, there are 4 stages of the disease. The degree of spinal osteochondrosis is determined based on the analysis of the clinical picture as well as data from radiation research methods. The main method for diagnosing the disease is X-ray of the spine in the frontal and lateral projections.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis
Before starting treatment, the disease must be properly diagnosed. Many of the symptoms are often overlooked due to fatigue. The main signs of the disease are as follows:
- Pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, aggravated by exertion or overexertion.
- Irradiation of pain in the limb (in case of damage to the STORE - in arms, shoulders, headaches are possible, POP - in legs, buttocks, etc. ).
- In case of damage to the STORE: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Feeling of numbness and weakness in the limbs.
For osteochondrosis of the spine, a gradual increase in disease symptoms with age is characteristic. In the absence of adequate treatment, pain will significantly reduce work capacity, quality of life and complications may occur. Therefore, in the presence of the first symptoms of the disease, it is worth looking for a doctor to prescribe the treatment.
It is possible to completely cure osteochondrosis
It is widely accepted that osteochondrosis cannot be treated, many suffer from it, so you should not pay attention to the pathology. This approach is fundamentally wrong. The disease will progress without treatment.
It is impossible to cure osteochondrosis forever, as most intervertebral disc changes are irreversible. But it is possible to weaken the manifestations of the pathology, to stop its progression. Success, of course, depends on the stage of the disease, and the earlier treatment is started, the more effective the therapy will be.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine
The course of treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed by a physician after an accurate diagnosis and is carried out using various conservative methods. Optimal methods are selected individually and depend mainly on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes taking medication, exercise therapy, physical therapy, kinetic tape, etc.
In exceptional cases, when the main conservative methods of treatment are ineffective, spinal surgery is performed. More often, the indication for surgery is a pronounced pain syndrome caused by a complication of the disease (herniated or protrusion of the spinal intervertebral disc, sciatica, etc. ). It is also important to note that treatment in childhood and old age has its own distinctive features, so we will consider this issue in more detail.
therapy in children
Osteochondrosis in children is a relatively rare occurrence and is usually caused by an injury, a developmental abnormality, or a congenital disease. It is better to use safer methods, such as MRI, to make a diagnosis. The treatment of osteochondrosis in children is carried out according to general principles as in adults, but in moderation.
The complex of therapeutic measures and procedures is individually selected. The safest drugs with minimal toxic effects, which do not cause allergic reactions, are selected. Manual therapy, massage must be performed by specialized and 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 must be carried out without fail, taking into account the general state of health, taking other medications. If a person is taking additional medications, their interaction should be considered.
With osteochondrosis of the spine in the elderly, massage is not recommended. Manual therapy should also be performed taking age characteristics into account by a qualified physician. Exercise therapy exercises are selected taking into account the physical abilities of an elderly person, they are necessary to strengthen the back muscles and reduce the load on the spine. Otherwise, treatment of the disease is carried out in accordance with general principles.
How osteochondrosis is treated: medications
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis with the help of medications is carried out in two main directions: pain elimination, improvement of the body's regenerative processes and the structure of cartilage tissue. Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis pain syndrome depends on its severity. With negligible pain, drugs from the NSAID group are used. Severe pain syndrome for several weeks with decreased work capacity may become an indication for the appointment of opioid analgesics. For pain that bothers for several months, antidepressants may be prescribed in addition to NSAIDs.
Chondroprotectors can be used to improve cartilage regeneration. Also, during an exacerbation of spinal osteochondrosis, antispasmodics may be used. For general health purposes and to improve metabolic processes, vitamin and angioprotective preparations are used.
The role of physical therapy
The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the spine must necessarily contain one or more methods of physical therapy. This complex therapy, along with taking medications, will significantly alleviate the condition and speed recovery. The following methods of treating spinal osteochondrosis are used:
- Acupuncture or acupuncture. The essence of the method resides in the effect of special needles in certain active points of the human body, which allows to eliminate muscle spasm and improve metabolic processes.
- Massage. During the procedure, muscle tension, pain are relieved, local metabolic processes and blood circulation are improved.
- Electrophoresis. The essence of the method is to pass a small current through the body. As a result of the treatment, metabolism and blood supply to tissues are improved, and when drugs are administered together, their penetration is improved.
- Magnetotherapy. This method of treatment helps to reduce inflammation and also helps to normalize blood supply and metabolism.
- Spinal traction. The method allows to increase the distance between the vertebrae, which relieves pain and improves the mobility of the spine, the muscular and ligament apparatus being trained.
- Laser treatment. The method helps to reduce pain and swelling in the tissues around the spine, improve local metabolic processes and reduce inflammation.
With the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, physical therapy is not used, the treatment is carried out only during the period of remission. Procedures are prescribed in courses lasting 1–2 weeks. The frequency of treatment is 2-3 times a year.
hospital treatment
The standards for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine suggest outpatient therapy, that is, in a polyclinic. In a hospital, therapy is indicated only in the presence of complications. Therefore, patients with sciatica need hospitalization.
The treatment of osteochondrosis in China has long been carried out on the basis of special institutions, where manual therapy is performed by qualified personnel, osteochondrosis is treated with ultrasound, magnetic radiation and laser, and other physical therapy methods. Thanks to the hospital schedule, patients receive comprehensive and punctual treatment, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern home health, special institutions are developed for the treatment of the disease (for example, a medical center for the treatment of osteochondrosis), where vertebrologists or neuropathologists constantly monitor patients, there are the most modern devices and devices for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
Manual therapy
Massage is the most common and affordable method of physical therapy for spinal osteochondrosis (see benefits of the procedure above). The procedure is performed only by a qualified specialist and only during the remission period. Acute conditions are a contraindication to manual therapy.
Classic spinal massage includes the following techniques: caressing, rubbing, kneading, vibrating, etc. The procedure begins with an impact on the lower back, then transitions to the collar area. Then, a segmantar reflex massage is performed.
apitherapy
Apitherapy is an alternative method for the treatment of osteochondrosis caused by bees. The method is prohibited for people allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are brought into the affected area for bee stings. At the beginning of the treatment 1-2 bees are used, thereafter their number gradually increases to 20-30.
As a result of a bee sting, apitoxin or bee venom enters the body. This substance has pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Bee venom has detoxifying properties, stimulates the body's metabolic processes and helps restore connective tissue structures in the spine.
Gymnastics by the author's method
As an exercise option for osteochondrosis, special gymnastics can be used. The method involves a long daily training. The main characteristic of the exercises is the observance of gymnastics hygiene, as well as self-confidence.
The technique includes more than 60 exercises. Exercise helps tone your spine muscles and relieve tension. Helps relieve pain, improves spinal mobility and range of motion.
Traditional Medicine for Osteochondrosis
As part of the complex therapy, the use of traditional medicine methods is allowed. For example, rice treatment of osteochondrosis is widely used. For about a month and a half, a person goes on a rice diet. In addition, kvass is made from rice, which has healing properties.
Sometimes osteochondrosis is also treated with nettles. For this, tinctures based on vodka are prepared. The treatment of osteochondrosis with cinquefoil is also carried out with the manufacture of tinctures or decoctions, extracts or ointments.
Preventive measures
There are no specific methods for preventing osteochondrosis. But if you adopt some habits, the risk of developing the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend being guided by the following principles:
- Avoid excessive physical exertion and injuries.
- Use orthopedic mattresses or semi-rigid beds.
- Treat other illnesses in a timely manner.
- Avoid nervous tension, stress.
- Eat completely rationally, practice physical education.
With osteochondrosis of the spine already identified, all therapeutic procedures performed must be agreed with the physician. Home self-medication can lead to the development of complications. The use of questionable methods without proven efficacy is excluded (treatment with hydrogen peroxide, lengthening of the spine hanging from a hanger, and so on). Proper treatment for spinal osteochondrosis will significantly improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the likelihood of disease exacerbation.