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, so 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 pathology therapy.
Causes of the disease and who is at risk
The main causes of osteochondrosis of the spine include the following:
- Pathological scoliosis or kyphosis of the spine.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Deficiency of trace elements (Ca, Mg, P), hormonal metabolism disorders.
- Spinal injury or postponed surgery.
- Severe working conditions or a sedentary lifestyle, overweight or pregnant.
- Nervous exertion, smoking and alcoholism, etc.
Osteochondrosis of the spine affects people of almost all ages. Older people suffer more often, as irreversible changes in cartilage occur in connection with aging. In young and middle-aged people, osteochondrosis is most often caused by scoliosis of the spine, trauma, obesity.
Types and degrees of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is classified according to the location of the pathological process in the individual segments of the spine: cervical (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 much less common and are distinguished separately: osteochondrosis of the lower limbs, upper limbs and other joints. In Russian literature, they are often called osteochondropathies.
Also, depending on what changes have occurred in the intervertebral discs of the spine, there are 4 stages of the disease. The degree of osteochondrosis of the spine is determined on the basis of the analysis of the clinical picture, as well as data from radiation research methods. The main method of diagnosing the disease is the x-ray of the spine in the frontal and lateral projections.
Signs of various types of osteochondrosis
Before starting treatment, the disease must be correctly diagnosed. Many of the symptoms are often ignored due to fatigue. The main signs of the disease are the following:
- Aching pain and discomfort in the affected area of the spine, aggravated by overexertion or overexertion.
- Irradiation of pain in the limb (in case of damage to the STORE - in the arms, shoulders, headaches are possible, POP - in the legs, buttocks, etc. ).
- In case of SHOP damage: tinnitus, frequent dizziness, nausea, etc.
- Feeling of numbness and weakness in the limbs.
For osteochondrosis of the spine, a gradual increase in the symptoms of the disease with age is characteristic. In the absence of adequate treatment, pain will significantly reduce the ability to work, quality of life, and complications are possible. Therefore, in the presence of the first symptoms of the disease, it is already worth contacting a doctor to prescribe treatment.
Is it possible to completely cure osteochondrosis?
It is widely believed that osteochondrosis cannot be cured, 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 changes in the intervertebral discs are irreversible. But it is possible to weaken the manifestations of the pathology, stop its progression. Success, of course, depends on the stage of the disease and the sooner treatment is started, the more effective the therapy will be.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the spine
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine is prescribed by a doctor after an accurate diagnosis and is carried out using several conservative methods. The optimal methods are selected on an individual basis and mainly depend on the stage of the disease. The course of treatment includes medication, physical therapy, physiotherapy, kinesio taping, etc.
In exceptional cases, when the main conservative methods of treatment are ineffective, surgery is performed on the spine. More often, the indication for surgery is a pronounced pain syndrome caused by a complication of the disease (hernia or protrusion of the intervertebral disc of the spine, sciatica, etc. ). It is also worth noting 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 event and is most often caused by an injury, developmental abnormality, or congenital disease. It is best to use safer methods such as MRI to make a diagnosis. Treatment of osteochondrosis in children is carried out according to the general principles as in adults, but more sparingly.
The complex of therapeutic measures and procedures is selected on an individual basis. The safest drugs with minimal toxic effects, which do not cause allergic reactions, are selected. Manual therapy, massage should be performed by trained specialized specialists, taking into account the characteristics of the child's body. Apitherapy is an unacceptable treatment method 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 drugs. 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 carried out taking into account age characteristics by a qualified doctor. Physical 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 from the spine. Otherwise, the treatment of the disease is carried out according to general principles.
How osteochondrosis is treated: drugs
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine with the help of drugs is carried out in two main directions: elimination of pain, improvement of regenerative processes in the body and structure of cartilage tissue. Treatment of pain syndrome in osteochondrosis of the spine depends on its severity. With insignificant pain, drugs from the NSAID group are used. Severe pain syndrome for several weeks with a decrease in working capacity can 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 osteochondrosis of the spine, antispasmodics can be used. For general health purposes and to improve metabolic processes, vitamin and angioprotective preparations are used.
The role of physiotherapy
The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis of the spine must necessarily contain one or more methods of physiotherapy. Such complex therapy, along with taking medications, will significantly alleviate the condition and accelerate recovery. The following methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine 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 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, the metabolism and blood supply to the tissues are improved, and when the drugs are administered together, their penetration improves.
- Magnetotherapy. This method of treatment helps reduce inflammation and also helps normalize blood supply and metabolism.
- Spinal traction. The method allows you to increase the distance between the vertebrae, which relieves pain and improves the mobility of the spine, the muscular and ligament apparatus is trained.
- Laser treatment. The method helps reduce pain and swelling of the tissues surrounding the spine, improves local metabolic processes and reduces inflammation.
With an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the spine, physiotherapy is not used, treatment is carried out only during the period of remission. The procedures are prescribed in courses lasting 1-2 weeks. The frequency of treatment is 2-3 times a year.
Hospital care
Standards for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine suggest outpatient therapy, that is, in a polyclinic. In hospital, therapy is indicated only in the presence of complications. Hence, patients with sciatica need hospitalization.
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 and laser radiation and other methods of physiotherapy. Thanks to the hospital program, patients receive comprehensive and timely treatment, which allows them to achieve high results. In modern home health care, special institutions are being developed for the treatment of disease (for example, a medical center 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 inexpensive method of physical therapy for osteochondrosis of the spine (see the advantages of the procedure above). The procedure is carried out only by a qualified specialist and only during the period of remission. Acute conditions are a contraindication to manual therapy.
The classic spine massage includes the following techniques: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration, etc. The procedure begins with an impact on the lumbar region, then a transition is made to the collar area. Subsequently, a segmantar reflexogenic massage is performed.
apitherapy
Apitherapy is an alternative method of treating bee osteochondrosis. The method is prohibited for people allergic to bee stings. During the procedure, one or more insects are brought to the affected area for the bee sting. At the beginning of treatment, 1-2 bees are used, later 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 metabolic processes in the body and helps restore the connective tissue structures of 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 workout. The main feature of the exercises is the observance of gymnastic hygiene, as well as self-confidence.
The technique includes more than 60 exercises. Exercise helps tone the muscles of the spine and relieve tension. Helps relieve pain, improves mobility and range of motion of the spine.
Traditional medicine for osteochondrosis
As part of complex therapy, the use of traditional medicine methods is allowed. For example, the treatment of osteochondrosis with rice is widely used. For about a month and a half, a person follows a rice-based diet. Also, kvass is prepared from rice, which has healing properties.
Sometimes osteochondrosis is also treated with nettle. For this, vodka-based tinctures are prepared. 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 the prevention of osteochondrosis. But if you adopt certain habits, the risk of developing the disease will be reduced. Doctors recommend to be guided by the following principles:
- Avoid physical exertion and excessive injury.
- Use orthopedic mattresses or semi-firm beds.
- Treat other diseases in a timely manner.
- Avoid nervous tension, stress.
- Eat completely rationally, engage in physical education.
With already identified osteochondrosis of the spine, all therapeutic procedures performed should be agreed with the doctor. Home self-medication can provoke the development of complications. The use of questionable methods that have no proven effectiveness (treatment with hydrogen peroxide, stretching the spine by hanging it on a hook, and so on) is excluded. Correct treatment for osteochondrosis of the spine will significantly improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the likelihood of an exacerbation of the disease.