There are probably few people who, after 30-35 years, do not occasionally complain of discomfort and pain in various 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, due to various reasons, the cartilage tissue of the spine changes, loses its mobility and flexibility.This disease can develop anywhere in the spine, but usually affects the discs between the vertebrae.If you exercise little or sit for a long time at work, the probability of developing osteochondrosis is very high.
People pay attention to discomfort and other changes associated with this disease, usually closer to the second half of life.
The chance of acquiring the disease increases significantly if:
- you already know what age-related changes are;
- had back injuries (regardless of when);
- had to undergo excessive physical exertion;
- you are constantly in stressful situations;
- his work involves strong vibrations.
And in the last few decades, osteochondrosis of the spine has also become noticeably "younger".
Early onset of the disease is possible if:
- the person has poor physical fitness or poor posture;
- a person eats prematurely or incorrectly;
- suffer from flat feet or curvature of the spine;
- the person has bad habits - overeating or smoking.
In addition, the load on the spine increases during pregnancy, so it is often the cause of osteochondrosis in girls and women.
The danger of osteochondrosis
How to treat osteochondrosis?In the early stages (first or second) of osteochondrosis, the symptoms are poorly expressed or do not bother a person at all.This is dangerous because, in addition to discomfort and pain, advanced osteochondrosis can "give" complications in the form of serious diseases such as kyphosis, radiculitis or intervertebral hernia.
What to do with osteochondrosis?- Treat it, because if it is detected in the early stages of osteochondrosis, you can get rid of it completely.
Modern methods used in the treatment of osteochondrosis
In the comprehensive treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, two methods are used: complex therapy (conservative) and surgical intervention.
Complex therapy (conservative)
The therapy of osteochondrosis consists of a number of medicinal and additional methods.This therapy is prescribed if you are in the early stages of the disease.
Grade 1 osteochondrosis is treated as follows:
- use of drug therapy;
- local and general massage;
- a series of physical therapy exercises;
- a wide range of reflexology and physiotherapy methods.
In addition, the treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis requires the use of the traction method of the spine.Traction of the spine is carried out using a load that is individually selected for each patient.Special equipment is used for this.The spinal traction procedure not only relieves acute pain, but also restores the correct position of the spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Medicinal methods
- use of various anti-inflammatory and pain relievers;
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Ways of using drugs during drug treatment:
- all kinds of external rubbing and poultices.
- oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- procedures such as IVs and injections.
With the medical treatment of osteochondrosis, the pain is alleviated, the acute inflammation subsides, the muscle tissue gradually relaxes, some of the affected cartilages are restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are improved.Such treatment of the disease is necessarily prescribed in case of exacerbation of the disease.
More methods
- specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- light underwater hydromassage;
- pulling (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- spas;
- a series of physical therapy exercises;
- work with a psychotherapist.
Surgical treatment (surgery)
Surgical treatment is used in the later stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other tried treatments no longer help.The treatment of the later stages is more complex, since the main disease itself is already accompanied by other diseases of the spine - radiculitis, hernia.The indication for surgical intervention is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is even necessary to completely remove the affected disc.
The treatment of grade 4 osteochondrosis requires an extremely complex operation, which poses a high risk of damage to the nerves of the spinal cord.Therefore, surgical treatment is performed extremely rarely, if attempts to cure a patient with osteochondrosis with other methods have not helped.
How long does the treatment of osteochondrosis take?
How to quickly cure osteochondrosis?This depends on the presence of pronounced age-related changes, the variety of symptom manifestations and the variety of treatment methods used.The patient himself can also actively contribute to healing if he carefully follows the requirements of his treating therapist.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis usually lasts one to four months.In class 4, the recovery period after surgery lasts from one to one and a half years.The treatment also depends on the patient's personality.You must be positive, persistent, strong-willed and highly motivated.
Treatment of various types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is distinguished by the location (location) of the spinal lesion.Localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervical;
- chest;
- lumbar;
- widespread.
Main complaints:
- with neck localization - a person regularly experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to the compression of the arteries, there is sometimes noise in the ears, colored spots, "floating" in front of the eyes, slight dizziness.
- with chest localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "a stake was put in the chest", "shots" in the heart, stomach or lungs.
- with lumbosacral localization - a person complains of severe lumbar pain, which can spread to the sacrum, groin, and even legs.Some patients experience numbness in the leg muscles.
- in addition to widespread localization, complaints related to a wide variety of symptoms arise.With this form of the disease, a person complains of several symptoms at once.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Treatment methods for cervical osteochondrosis today include:
- pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics;
- stimulants for tissue repair, anti-inflammatory gels, ointments for external use;
- manual therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- reflexology;
- traditional medicine;
- surgical intervention if the case is particularly severe.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Measures to treat breast type:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxotherapy (warming with wormwood cigars).
Exercise therapy for chest-type disease is used not only as a supplement to general therapy, but also as a way to build muscle ligaments;among other things, movement therapy prevents possible relapses.
How do we treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
At different stages of therapy, it 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);
- lower back massage;
- traditional medicine;
- hirudotherapy (leeches);
- Exercise therapy.
Stage 4 lumbosacral osteochondrosis usually requires surgical intervention.
How to treat frequent osteochondrosis?
Treatment of common osteochondrosis is as follows:
- prescription of appropriate medication;
- use of all types of manual therapy;
- Physiotherapy exercises;
- application of acupuncture methods;
- various physiotherapy methods;
- creating a special diet.
In the case of any type of spinal osteochondrosis, only ten percent of cases require surgical intervention.The operation is prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient consulted a specialist late.If the diagnosis is made in time and you have already started therapy, then it will be good to add traditional methods of treatment of the disease to the traditional methods.Traditional methods have proven themselves in the treatment of any type of osteochondrosis.
Treatment with traditional methods
Folk remedies for the disease are used only in conjunction with drug treatment.Their goal is to relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine - with the help of various traditional medicine or only with medical methods.
Popular folk remedies:
- taking tonic pine baths;
- placing copper plates and coins on the spine.
- compresses with the addition of aloe juice;
- honey massage, honey wraps;
- decoctions of fresh herbs: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;St. John's wort, dandelion and burdock root;
- application of horseradish leaves to a sore spot;
- applying rye or potato cake to the sore spot;
- sunflower medicinal tea;
- red elder tincture;
- he rubs it on his burdock.
When starting treatment for osteochondrosis, you may find that your pain only increases.This is a completely expected reaction of the body to unusual influences.Soon such pain will disappear completely.The best way to treat osteochondrosis is a combination of conservative therapy and postoperative rehabilitation in specialized centers.
How to get rid of osteochondrosis?
Here 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 differently, because the speed of recovery depends not only on the form of the disease, but also on the time at which the patient seeks treatment.
Experts can only guarantee complete recovery in the first and second stages of the disease.Therefore, consult a therapist immediately, even if you have only discovered a few symptoms.Although all modern methods of treating osteochondrosis are quite effective, doctors consider the most effective therapy to be a combination of traditional methods with constant training in stationary rehabilitation equipment.This treatment helps to completely rebuild the muscle ligament and forget about the disease for a long time.
Why should a patient with osteochondrosis not be treated at home?
- Treatment at home is not recommended for patients with osteochondrosis, as the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special exercise equipment can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the treatment;
- Not all patients can follow the daily routine, take the prescribed medicines on time, eat according to the diet or participate in all medical procedures.In addition, many patients need regular 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 using widely traditional treatment methods, but the best solution would still be to go to a clinic or hospital specializing in this profile, under the constant supervision of a highly qualified therapist.