There are probably few people who, after the age of 30-35, do not periodically complain of a feeling of discomfort and pain in different areas of the back, temporary numbness in the legs or arms.Such manifestations may indicate the possibility of developing osteochondrosis.This disease is quite common and occurs when, under the influence of various reasons, the cartilaginous tissue of the spine begins to change, losing its mobility and flexibility.This disease can develop in any part of the spine, but usually affects the discs between the vertebrae.If you move little or sit for a long time at work, the probability of developing osteochondrosis is very high.
People pay attention to the discomfort and other changes associated with this disease, usually closer to the second half of life.
The possibility of acquiring the disease increases significantly if:
- You already know what age-related changes are;
- have had (regardless of when) back injuries;
- has had to exert excessive physical effort;
- you are constantly in stressful situations;
- His work involves strong vibrations.
And in recent decades, spinal osteochondrosis has also become noticeably "younger."
Early onset of the disease is possible if:
- the person has poor physical condition or poor posture;
- a person eats untimely or incorrectly;
- suffer from flat feet or curvature of the spine;
- the person has bad habits: overeating or smoking.
In addition, during pregnancy the load on the spine also increases, which is why it often becomes the cause of osteochondrosis in girls and women.
Danger of osteochondrosis
How to deal with osteochondrosis?In the early stages of osteochondrosis (first or second), its symptoms may be little pronounced or not bother the person at all.This is dangerous because advanced osteochondrosis, in addition to aches and pains, can "cause" complications in the form of such serious diseases as kyphosis, radiculitis or intervertebral hernia.
What to do with osteochondrosis?- Treat, because if osteochondrosis is detected in the early stages, you can get rid of it completely.
Modern methods used to treat osteochondrosis.
In the complete treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, two methods are used: complex (conservative) therapy and surgical intervention.
Complex therapy (conservative)
Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of a wide range of medicinal and additional methods.This therapy is prescribed if you are in the early stages of this disease.
Treatment of first degree osteochondrosis is carried out by:
- use of drug therapy;
- local and general massage;
- a series of physiotherapy exercises;
- the use of reflexology and the whole variety of physiotherapy methods.
Treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis additionally requires the use of the spinal traction method.Spinal traction is performed using a load selected individually for each patient.For this, special equipment is used.The spinal traction procedure not only relieves acute pain, but also restores the correct position of the spine and increases intervertebral space.
Medication methods
- the use of various anti-inflammatories and analgesics;
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Methods of drug use during drug treatment:
- all types of external rubbing and compresses.
- Oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- procedures such as intravenous and injections.
With drug treatment of osteochondrosis, pain is relieved, acute inflammation is relieved, muscle tissue is gradually relaxed, part of the affected cartilage is restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are improved.This treatment of the disease is necessarily prescribed in cases of exacerbation of the disease.
Additional methods
- specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massages and self-massages;
- physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- light underwater hydromassage;
- pulling (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- medicinal baths;
- a series of physiotherapy exercises;
- working with a psychotherapist.
Surgical (operative) treatment
Surgical treatment is used in the later stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other tried treatments no longer help.Treatment of the later stages is more complex, since the main disease itself is already accompanied by other diseases of the spine: radiculitis, hernias.The indication for surgical intervention is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is even necessary to completely remove the affected disk.
Treatment of grade 4 osteochondrosis requires an extremely complex operation with a high risk of damaging the nerves of the spinal cord.Therefore, surgical treatment is carried out very rarely if attempts to cure a patient with osteochondrosis by other means have not helped.
How long does it take to treat osteochondrosis?
How to quickly cure osteochondrosis?This depends on the presence of pronounced age-related changes, variability in the manifestation of symptoms and the variety of treatment methods used.The patient himself can also actively contribute to recovery by carefully following the requirements of the treating therapist.
Treatment of first degree osteochondrosis usually lasts from one to four months.In grade 4, after surgery, the recovery period can take from a year to a year and a half.Treatment also depends on the patient's personality.You are required to be positive, persistent, strong-willed and highly motivated.
Treatment of different types of osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is distinguished by the location of the spinal lesion (its location).The location of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervical;
- chest;
- lumbar;
- widespread.
Main complaints:
- with cervical localization - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to the compression of the arteries, noises in the ears, colored spots and “floaters” before the eyes and slight dizziness sometimes occur.
- with thoracic localization: a person complains of pain such as: “a stake was inserted into the chest”, “injections” into the heart, stomach or lungs.
- with lumbosacral localization - a person complains of severe lower back pain, which can spread to the sacrum, groin and even the legs.Some patients experience numbness in the leg muscles.
- with widespread localization, complaints arise about a wide variety of symptoms.With this form of the disease, a person complains of several types of symptoms at the same time.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the neck today are:
- analgesics, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodics;
- stimulants for tissue restoration, anti-inflammatory gels, ointments for external use;
- manual therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- reflexology;
- traditional medicine;
- Surgical intervention if the case is especially serious.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Measures for the treatment of breast type:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications;
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxotherapy (warming with wormwood cigars).
Exercise therapy for diseases of the chest is used not only as an adjunct to general therapy, but also as a way to form a muscle corset;Among other things, exercise therapy prevents possible relapses.
How to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
Therapy at different stages is carried out conservatively and surgically.
Conservative treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis in the early stages includes:
- drug therapy, in some cases hormones;
- manual influence;
- general health supplements;
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- lumbar massage;
- traditional medicine;
- hirudotherapy (leeches);
- Exercise therapy.
Stage 4 lumbosacral osteochondrosis usually requires surgical intervention.
How to treat common osteochondrosis?
Treatment of common osteochondrosis is carried out:
- prescribe appropriate pharmacological treatment;
- using all types of manual therapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- using acupuncture methods;
- various physiotherapy methods;
- development of a special diet.
Any type of spinal osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention only in ten percent of cases.The operation can be prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient came late to specialists for treatment.If the diagnosis is made in a timely manner and therapy has already begun, it would be good if traditional methods of treating this disease are added to traditional methods.Traditional methods have proven effective in the treatment of any type of osteochondrosis.
Treatment with traditional methods.
Home remedies for this disease are used only in conjunction with drug treatment.They aim to relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat spinal osteochondrosis: using various traditional medicines or only medical methods.
Popular folk remedies:
- take tonic pine baths;
- applying copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compresses with the addition of aloe juice;
- honey massages, honey wraps;
- fresh decoctions of herbs: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;Roots of St. John's wort, dandelion and burdock;
- apply horseradish leaves to a sore spot;
- apply rye or potato cakes to the painful area;
- sunflower herbal tea;
- red elderberry tincture;
- burdock compresses.
When starting treatment for osteochondrosis, your pain may only intensify.This is a completely expected reaction of your body to unusual influences.Soon that pain will disappear completely.The best way to treat osteochondrosis is to combine conservative therapy with postoperative rehabilitation in specialized centers.
How can a person get rid of osteochondrosis?
These are the three most common questions that concern patients with osteochondrosis:
- How to get rid of osteochondrosis?
- How to quickly cure osteochondrosis?
- Where is the best place to treat osteochondrosis?
Doctors answer these questions in different ways, because the speed of recovery depends not only on the form of the disease, but also on how quickly the patient seeks treatment.
Experts can guarantee a complete cure only in the first and second stages of the disease.Therefore, you should immediately contact a therapist, even if you have only discovered some of the symptoms.Although all modern methods of treating osteochondrosis are quite effective, doctors consider the most effective therapy to be a combination of a set of traditional methods with constant training on stationary equipment for rehabilitation.This treatment helps to completely recreate the muscle corset and forget about the disease for a long time.
Why should a patient with osteochondrosis not be treated at home?
- It is not recommended that a patient with osteochondrosis be treated at home, since the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special exercise equipment can greatly reduce the effectiveness of treatment;
- Not all patients can consistently follow a daily routine, take prescribed medications on time, eat according to a diet, or undergo all medical procedures.Additionally, many patients need periodic reminders to continue treatment.
- At home it is difficult to follow the correct diet recommended by a nutritionist.
Hence the conclusion: you can try to treat osteochondrosis at home, widely using traditional treatment methods, but the best solution would be to go to a clinic or hospital specialized for this profile, constantly being under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.