Osteochondrosis: symptoms, causes and methods of treatment.

For a long time, osteochondrosis was a disease of the elderly. But a sedentary lifestyle, overeating and bad habits have significantly rejuvenated this disease. Even in children, postural disorders, weak back muscles are often observed. All of this leads to irreversible changes in the spine.

What is osteochondrosis

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

Osteochondrosis can cause serious complications:

• protrusion of disc segments;
• hernia;
• kyphosis;
• scoliosis;
• paresis
• paralysis.

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

Symptoms of the disease.

The disease has 4 groups of symptoms. Let's take a 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 nerve tissues. 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, goose bumps, tingling sensations, numbness may appear.

Vascular

These symptoms can occur for the following reasons:

• the blood vessels are compressed. Most of the time, this occurs with damage to the cervical spine. The result can be a deficiency of oxygen 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 internal organs.

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

Causes of osteochondrosis.

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

Other factors that affect the chance of getting sick are:

• genetic predisposition: people with low inheritance have to make a lot of efforts to avoid this ailment;
• improper metabolism, intoxication, bad environmental situation;
• malformed spine - children from childhood sit incorrectly, which leads to poor posture. Recovery can begin at any age, preferably with swimming;
• constant stress on the spine caused by hard physical work;
• 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. Diets, some weight loss products, and uncomfortable shoes can lead to osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

This ailment 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. Often osteochondrosis in the cervical spine is the result of an old injury. This disease is very common 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 the temples. The discomfort may be worse after sleeping or from prolonged sedentary work.

What else can indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis?

• sensitivity in the shoulder girdle and arms is disturbed, in advanced cases, the upper extremities can be completely paralyzed;
• the blood supply to various parts of the brain is disturbed, tinnitus appears, and the head often becomes dizzy. In the future, some parts of the brain may be completely deprived of nutrition;
• vision begins to decrease, patients complain about the appearance of flies in front of their eyes;
• older people can faint suddenly;
• if the phrenic nerve is constantly irritated, there are attacks of hiccups, shortness of breath;
• the neck loses its mobility.

Important!Cervical osteochondrosis is not completely cured. It is necessary to change the usual course of life, take preventive actions. You can also learn how to treat cervical osteochondrosis at home.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.

The lumbar spine is characterized by increased mobility and constant heavy loads. Anyone can get this disease; lifestyle and occupation don't really matter.

1. Many people, by the nature of their service, have to be in a crooked position for a long time. This almost always leads to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
2. An injury to the spine can develop into osteochondrosis. You can damage your spine if you don't exercise properly.
3. In the case of a sudden cessation of loads on the intervertebral joints, degenerative processes begin. Which also leads to osteochondrosis.

Signs of an affected lumbar spine include:

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

Lumbar osteochondrosis is the most dangerous, complications often arise. Unstable vertebrae can shoot out of the sacrum at any time. Which will lead to damage to internal organs.

Osteochondritis of the spine

More than 70% of back pain complaints are associated with osteochondrosis. Spinal tissue dystrophy is inherent in every second inhabitant of the planet, whose age has crossed the 30-year mark.

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

The disease has typical symptoms:

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

Important!Cartilage and bone tissue have the ability to self-renew. Moderate and regular exercise helps strengthen your back muscles and increases blood circulation.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

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

Pain syndrome is practically not inherent in thoracic osteochondrosis. Therefore, many may not even be aware of the presence of the disease. If pain occurs, the sensations are manifested 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 ulcer. With osteochondrosis, pain increases during turns, deep breathing, and coughing.

In the future, the disease is manifested by the reflex tension of the muscles located in the sternum and upper dorsal region. If the disease progresses to an advanced stage, men can develop erectile dysfunction.

Which doctor treats

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

Attention!Learn more about your doctor's appointment.

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

After that, a CT scan, X-ray and a nuclear magnetic resonance study are prescribed.

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

Treatment at home

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

You should start by reviewing the diet. Excess cholesterol leads to impaired blood flow, blood vessels lose elasticity, this leads to the development of osteochondrosis. Therefore, fatty foods, eggs, rich broths, pork should be excluded, and the skin of chicken should be removed.

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

The most effective home treatments are:

• daily performance of an individual complex of physiotherapy exercises;
• self-massage: includes rubbing and stroking, helps shiatsu well;
• the use of specially designed devices and applicators;
• Exposure to a magnetic field: This helps improve blood circulation in the muscles. The magnet is selected by a specialist, the application method 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 therapy at home, you should listen to the doctor's recommendations.

Treatment with medication

To relieve pain, other symptoms of osteochondrosis, the doctor prescribes painkillers. Pain relief patches are used to treat neuropathic syndromes. They contain lidocaine, which relieves painful sensations.

1. Non-steroidal drugs are designed to relieve inflammation, they act powerfully and effectively. But side effects do not allow taking such drugs for a long time.
2. For pain relief, you can use harmless but equally effective warming ointments.
3. If the pain persists for more than 3 months, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants. They have a calming effect, reduce the manifestation of pain.

During treatment, it is important to restore the intervertebral discs and cartilage. For this, deep protectors are used. They must be taken for at least 4 months.

1. To improve blood circulation, a special drug is shown, which must be taken in combination with drugs containing nicotinic and thioctic acid.
2. Diuretics help relieve swelling.
3. It is also imperative to take B vitamins and calcium during treatment.

Injections

With lumbar osteochondrosis, special locks are performed to relieve pain. The specialist uses a long needle to inject a pain reliever. The procedure allows you to temporarily relieve pain, but does not have any therapeutic effect.

1. Muscle relaxants are used to relieve spasms.
2. Chondroitin Sulfate helps restore cartilage tissue.
3. To restore the nervous system in the affected areas, an injection of vitamin B.
4. For the treatment of inflammation, modern non-steroidal drugs are used that do not harm the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

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

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

Treatment with home remedies.

Herbalists offer several natural remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Water procedures

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

The following rates are valid for the bathrooms:

• Mix birch leaves (270 g) with mint and lemon balm (55 g each). Pour the mixture into 7 liters of boiling water. After cooling, pour into water;
• in 5 liters of water, boil 1500 g of conifers or pineapples for half an hour.

Compress

For the preparation of compresses, black radish porridge, horseradish root, garlic is suitable. The mass should be applied to the affected area, carefully wrap. Store as long as possible.

To relieve pain, you can make a compress by mixing chopped raw potatoes and honey in equal proportions. Stay in a sore place 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. The bay leaf (4 g) should be filled with water (240 ml).
2. Boil for 4 minutes. Insist in a warm place for 3 hours.
3. The resulting drug should be drunk slowly before going to bed.
4. Repeat the procedure for another 2 days. The broth should always be prepared fresh.
5. Take a week off. Then repeat the treatment.

Two sessions are enough to avoid discomfort during the year.

Celery

The celery infusion will help remove 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 should be infused overnight.

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, 12 ml.

Ointments and rubs

Ginger salve

This remedy helps with lumbago.

1. Fry the ginger powder with melted butter.
2. Grind the fresh garlic into mush.
3. Mix the components in equal parts.
4. The ointment should be rubbed into the affected area.

Oregano rub

Place 25 g of chopped oregano in a container with 450 ml of oil. It is better to use olive or sunflower oil. Let the product mature for 8 hours. Squeeze the herb and discard it.

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

Exercises for osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy is an integral part of 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 done for 4 minutes.

A set of exercises for the treatment of pathologies in the cervical spine.

1. Lie on your back. One hand is placed on the stomach and the other on the chest. Breathe as deeply as possible, hold your breath. On the count of 10, exhale and relax. You can do 5 approaches per day.
2. Lie on your stomach, stretch your legs. Slowly raise your head and upper thoracic region. Go down and pause for half a minute.
3. Lie on your back, bend your legs at the knee joints. Turn to the right and then to the left, without changing the starting position.

Gymnastics for thoracic osteochondrosis.

1. Lie on your stomach, focus on your outstretched arms. Lean back, fix position, count to 10. Rest for 20 seconds.
2. Lie on your back, raise your head and legs at the same time. Stop for 15 seconds. Take a 20 second break between exercises.

Exercises for lumbar spine injuries.

1. Lie on your back, tuck your legs toward your chest. In 2 minutes, roll from the back to the sacrum. Then relax and lie down quietly.
2. Double on all fours.
3. In a standing position, perform circular movements, mimicking the rotation of the hoop.

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

Massage for osteochondrosis.

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

Honey

At home you can give yourself a massage with honey. To do this, warm honey should be applied to the affected area. Then gently press and lift the palms from the segment to be massaged. This procedure is best done after visiting the bathhouse. At the end of the session, the back should be covered with compressed paper and carefully wrapped.

Vacuum massage

Good results are noticed after vacuum cupping massage. For this, vegetable mineral oil is applied to the back. And then a special medical bench performs sliding movements along certain trajectories. This procedure helps improve blood circulation, inflamed areas are enriched with oxygen and nutrients, and the regeneration process begins.

Disease prevention

With regular preventive measures, osteochondrosis can be avoided.

Important! Swimming and hardening are the best preventive measures.

1. It is also necessary to strengthen the muscular corset with special exercises.
2. Correct and balanced nutrition is also important.
3. Frequent stressful situations, hypothermia can accelerate the development of the disease.
4. Women and children should not constantly carry weights in one hand.
5. It is also contraindicated for a long stay at the computer or near the TV. Every 30 minutes you need to get up, get up, warm up.

Pain is often caused by improper lifting. This should be done squatting a bit and not bending over. If you have to stand for a long time, the supporting leg should be changed periodically. At each opportunity, lean your back against an object to relieve tension.

Important!For the prevention of osteochondrosis, you need to buy orthopedic items for sleep.

A large number of people suffer from osteochondrosis. There are many methods to treat it. But it is better to conduct prophylaxis in a timely manner than to be treated for a long time.