How to treat osteochondrosis

Unfortunately, osteochondrosis is already common in people over 30 years of age. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs and the bones of the spine most often occur due to a passive lifestyle, malnutrition, extra pounds, hard physical work, etc. The disease manifests itself with severe symptoms at stages 2-4, when the structure of the cartilage tissue is fully restored, it will no longer function. Complications of osteochondrosis (protrusions, herniated discs, osteophytes, etc. ) can lead to a decrease in quality of life, disability.

Timely treatment of osteochondrosis increases a person's chances of having a full life. It is recommended to start therapy in the early stages of its development. To stop the development of pathology and improve the general state of health, it is necessary to carry out a wide range of measures: medication, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, manual exposure. Surgical treatment is carried out only in advanced cases, when complications are already present.

Characteristics of the disease

Osteochondrosis of the back begins with the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Under the influence of negative factors, the discs compress the cartilage lining, violating the integrity of its outer shell. The height of the disc decreases, it gradually collapses, and then the pathology spreads to the tissues of the vertebrae.

There are many factors that influence the development of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• Prolonged sitting in the wrong position.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Over weight.
• Hard physical work.
• Back injury.
• Common nervous disorders.
• Wrong nutrition.
• Hypothermia.
• hereditary predisposition.
• Use of shoes with heels, pregnancy in women, etc.

Reference. In stages 1 - 2, osteochondrosis can still be cured.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis:

• Grade 1 - cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the height of the disc decreases. There is discomfort in the affected area, the back gets tired faster.
• Grade 2 - the height of the disc continues to decrease, the muscles, ligaments sag, the mobility of the vertebrae increases. There is pain, especially after physical exertion.
• Grade 3 - the discs are slightly displaced, bulges appear, the likelihood of subluxation or arthrosis of the spinal joints increases. A pronounced pain syndrome appears, mobility is limited, sensitivity is impaired in the damaged area.
• Grade 4 - osteophytes appear on the vertebrae, due to which the body stabilizes the spine. The bony growths compress the nerves, injuring the vertebrae and increasing the risk of fibrous ankylosis (fusion of the spinal joints).

Important. Osteochondrosis can affect the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the spine.

Disease of the cervical region is manifested by pain in the neck, upper limbs, headache (headache). In addition, dizziness, hearing and vision disorders, etc. may occur.

Thoracic osteochondrosis is easily confused with heart disease, since the pain syndrome is localized in the chest area.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis: aching pain, limited mobility, aches, decreased sensitivity of the lower body.

The clinical picture of osteochondrosis is diverse, so you should not make a diagnosis yourself. See a doctor if you have any suspicious symptoms.

The scheme of treatment of osteochondrosis.

In most cases, when osteochondrosis is detected, conservative methods are used. It is important to carry out a comprehensive treatment to eliminate pain, normalize the functionality of the spine and prevent complications.

The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis is as follows:

• Limitation of physical activity.
• Taking medications.
• Physiotherapy procedures.
• Physiotherapy.
• Massage.
• Manual therapy.
• Spinal stretch.

It is possible to cure osteochondrosis only by combining the above methods. The treatment plan for each patient is drawn up by a doctor separately, taking into account the degree of the disease, age and characteristics of the organism.

Effective treatment will help eliminate the symptoms of osteochondrosis in 1-3 months. Then maintenance therapy is carried out for 12 months. This will help consolidate the results, prevent relapse.

It is possible to treat chondrosis of the back (stage 1 of osteochondrosis) without medication. The patient can perform physiotherapy exercises, reduce the load on the damaged area of the back, use applicators (Lyapko roller, Kuznetsov applicator), improve nutrition, give up bad habits.

medicines

It is treated with drugs recommended for exacerbation of osteochondrosis. Medications will help relieve pain, inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, normalize motor activity.

With osteochondrosis, the following drugs are used:

• NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation.
• Drugs with vasodilator effect. They are used due to muscle tension, the blood vessels are narrowed to expand their lumen and improve blood circulation.
• Muscle relaxants relax spasmodic muscles, normalize blood flow, relieve pain, improve mobility, and speed tissue repair.
• Chondroprotectors stop the destruction of the cartilage lining.
• Herbal or synthetic psycholeptics calm or reduce emotional stress without causing a hypnotic effect.
• Preparations based on B vitamins accelerate the recovery of damaged nerve fibers.

All these drugs help fight chronic osteochondrosis, they can only be taken for medical reasons.

Non-narcotic opioid analgesics are used to relieve severe pain in the acute period of the disease. Glucocorticoids are used for the same purpose. However, these drugs negatively affect the body, so they can be taken as a last resort.

In addition to tablets and injections, during the exacerbation of osteochondrosis, creams and gels with a locally irritating and warming effect are used.

Physiotherapy

Complex therapy of osteochondrosis is always supplemented by therapeutic exercises. However, the exercises for different parts of the spine are different.

In order not to overload the neck, other muscle groups should also be involved during classes. The training begins with a warm-up and ends with relaxation exercises.

Complex for cervical osteochondrosis:

• Lie on your back, raise your head, fix for 5-7 seconds.
• Do not change the starting position (IP), put your hands on your shoulders, turn your elbows in different directions.
• IP is the same, alternately raise your hands above your head, tearing one, and then the second shoulder blade from the floor.
• Press the back of your head into the ground, hold for 4 seconds.
• Connect the shoulder blades, stay for 5 seconds.
• Roll over on her side, support your head on your hands, lift the free limb with your head, fix it for 4 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
• Lie on your stomach, put your hands on the back of your head, raise your head, fix for 4 seconds.

If you experience severe pain and dizziness, stop exercising and see a doctor.

Reference. Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common than cervical or lumbar, since this is the least mobile department. In addition, it is strengthened with muscles and ribs.

Exercises for injuries of the thoracic segment of the spine:

• Lie on your back, bend your knees, press them to your chest with your hands, slightly raise your lower back off the floor, tighten your abdominal muscles, hold for 5 seconds.
• SP the same, raise your arms, straighten your legs, grasp the opposite arm and leg, fix. Repeat for other extremities.
• Roll onto your stomach, extend your arms to the sides. Raise your hands and head off the ground, hold for 3 seconds.
• Get on all fours, lift your head, arch your back as you inhale, lower your head as you exhale, round your back.

Move gently, avoid sudden movements.

For the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, the following exercises are used:

• Lie on your back, alternately pull your knees to your chest.
• PI the same, apart the right arm and leg, and then the left extremities.
• Put your hands behind your head, lift it off the floor, at the same time pull your socks towards you.
• Bend your legs at the knees, stretch your right knee toward your left foot, and then vice versa.
• Do the "Bike" exercise back and forth.
• Roll onto your side, swing your leg up.
• PI the same, bring your knees to your chest.
• Get on all fours, take turns moving your hands to the sides.

These exercises help stretch and relax tense muscles, increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow.

There are many more exercises. To make a complex that suits you, consult a doctor.

Physiotherapy procedures

Physiotherapy helps relieve pain, reduces inflammation, improves blood circulation and trophism.

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the following physiotherapeutic procedures are used:

• Medicated electrophoresis helps relieve pain in the presence of neurological disorders.
• Electrotherapy improves blood circulation, tissue nutrition.
• Laser therapy relieves inflammation, anesthetizes, accelerates tissue healing, activates biological processes in nerve tissues.
• Shock wave therapy improves local blood circulation, metabolic processes, reduces swelling and pain.
• Tensioner therapy: traction on the spine under the weight of your own body weight. Helps to get rid of excruciating pain syndrome.
• Balneotherapy is a complex of procedures using fresh, mineral or sea water. After a course of treatment, pain is relieved, blood microcirculation improves.

Also, diadynamic therapy, amplipulse therapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, and vibration method can be used for osteochondrosis.

Reference. Osteochondrosis is treated with bees, this technique is called apitherapy. During the procedure, bee venom is injected into biologically active points to increase the effect of complex treatment. Insect venom relieves pain, improves mobility, blood microcirculation, conduction through nerve pathways, increases the elasticity of intervertebral discs.

Manual therapy

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the patient is shown not only massage, but also manual exposure (soft and hard).

With the help of massage, the specialist normalizes muscle tone, improves blood circulation and restores the activity of nerve cells. The session begins with kneading and rubbing, these techniques help prepare the body for further exposure.

After a warm-up massage, the doctor proceeds to mobilization and mobilization. During the procedure, he gently acts on the joints of the spine, gradually increasing the amplitude. Automation consists of carrying out movements by the patient himself under the supervision of a doctor. These procedures help to increase the interarticular gap, reduce blood stasis in the veins and improve trophism.

To restore the correct position of the displaced vertebrae, the doctor proceeds to the manipulation technique. He makes sharp and rapid movements in the affected areas, putting the vertebrae in their usual place. Helps relieve pain, muscle spasm, improve mobility.

Attention. Manual therapy for osteochondrosis can cause serious complications (fracture, displacement of a vertebra, damage to nerves, blood vessels, ligaments or muscles). To prevent this from happening, you need to find an experienced specialist.

Treatment of hardware and orthopedic devices

Devices for the treatment of osteochondrosis can be used at home, but only after the approval of the doctor.

Also, for the health of the back, the patient can use braces. A special pillow or roller helps to unload the neck and lower back, it is used during rest or in transportation. To support the physiological curves of the neck, a medical collar is used. Posture correctors, corsets improve posture, unload the thoracic and lumbosacral segment of the spine.

Reference. You can wear corsets and correctors for no more than 2-3 hours a day. This mode will help prevent weakening of the muscles.

A special belt is used for the lower back. It can be worn at work, while playing sports.

Home remedies

Complex therapy can be supplemented with effective folk remedies. However, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis are accompanied by different symptoms, so different prescriptions are used to treat them.

Folk remedies for the treatment of the neck:

• Hold the burdock leaves over the steam for 5-10 minutes, attach them to the neck and fix with a bandage. You can also soak gauze in burdock decoction and use it as a compress.
• Make a decoction of birch leaves, apply a compress to the affected area.
• Peel the horseradish root, squeeze the juice, mix with vodka (1: 1), rub the neck.
• Pour 250 g of needles in 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink twice a day after a meal.

Also, with cervical osteochondrosis, you can take baths with coniferous decoction.

If the thoracic region is affected, use the following recipes:

• Mix dandelion root, mint, birch buds and coriander in equal proportions. Pour 100 ml of boiling water 3 tbsp. Icollection, cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add 75 g of butter and sunflower oil to the warm mixture, cook for another 20 minutes. Rub the warm ointment on your back.
• Grind black radish or horseradish, squeeze the juice, rub the affected area.
• Steam wormwood or flax seeds, put them in a cloth bag, apply to the thoracic back.

At home, you can massage your back with a belt massager.

If the lumbosacral region is affected, use the following remedies:

• Drink decoctions of lingonberry leaves, thyme, hop cones, cinquefoil.
• Apply a compress of horseradish juice or raw potatoes.
• Rub the lower back with an ointment of 200 g of melted lard mixed with beeswax and marshmallow roots.

Also, with lumbar osteochondrosis, you can wear a woolen belt, which has a warming effect.

Before using any folk remedy, consult your doctor.

Surgical intervention

The operation is prescribed in the presence of complications, which are accompanied by numbness of the limbs, severe and prolonged pain, involuntary urination or defecation. Also, surgical treatment is necessary for cauda equina syndrome (compression of the nerve endings of the lower spinal cord).

Surgical techniques will help eliminate the cause of the pain and stabilize the spine:

• Facetectomy is the removal of the facet joints that compress the nerve bundles.
• Foraminotomy: increase in the light of the root canal by removing the osteophyte. After the procedure, the nerve is freed from the infringement.
• Laminectomy is the removal of the back part of a misshapen vertebra that is compressing the spinal cord.
• A laminotomy is used to widen the opening through which the nerve roots pass.
• Discectomy - removal of the affected disc or part of it with an intervertebral hernia. This is a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, after which the patient recovers faster.
• A corpectomy is the removal of the entire vertebra and the discs adjacent to it. The free space is then filled with a bone graft.

Spinal fusion (fusion of the vertebrae) is done to prevent destabilization of the spine. In addition, special screws, rods and plates are used to fix the vertebrae.

Attention. After the operation, there is a risk of complications: damage to the spinal cord, nerve bundles, infection of the affected area, urination disorders, etc. Therefore, surgical intervention is performed only in extreme cases.

Rehabilitation after surgery can take several months. During this period, the patient should give up physical activity, bad habits, follow the recommendations of doctors.

Reviews

According to patients, it is very difficult to completely cure osteochondrosis. Those who underwent complex therapy at an early stage of the pathology got rid of pain and improved their fitness. Patients who sought help in advanced stages of the disease still suffer from relapses of osteochondrosis.

First review, female, 42 years old.

"I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the neck of the second degree. At first she was treated with painkillers and muscle relaxants (injections, pills), and then she took a chondroprotector and did gymnastics. In addition, she visited a manual specialist. After a few months, the pain disappeared I plan to take the course again to consolidate the result I do gymnastics every day.

Second review, female, 38 years old.

"I started having lower back pain about 2 years ago. When I couldn't take it anymore, I went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the neck, the rheumatologist prescribed medication, physiotherapy, massage. About 2 weeks after the start of treatment, the symptoms disappeared almost completely Now I do gymnastics, I go to the pool for prevention.

Third review, female, 41 years old.

"I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the neck, as well as a hernia of C5-C6. I took medications, went to a massage, to an osteopath and have been doing gymnastics regularly for 2 years. However, nothing helped, the pain just disappeared for a while , plus my hands started to get numb. The doctor prescribed a discectomy, after the operation the condition improved, but not for long. I think you will have to be treated for the rest of your life. "

The most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis requires long-term treatment and self-discipline. Therapy should be comprehensive: medication (in the acute period), exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage, manual exposure. The patient needs to change his lifestyle, regularly perform gymnastics, give up bad habits, eat right, wear braces. You can supplement therapy with medical devices and folk remedies, but only after doctor's approval. In the presence of complications, an operation is performed, followed by a long rehabilitation. The patient must strictly follow the recommendations of doctors to speed up recovery.