There are probably few people who after 30-35 years don't periodically complain of discomfort and pain in different areas of the back, temporary numbness of legs or arms.Such manifestations may indicate the possibility of developing osteochondrosis.This disease is quite common and appears when, under the influence of various reasons, the cartilage tissue of the spine begins to change, loses mobility and flexibility.This disease can develop in any part of the spinal column, but usually affects the discs between the vertebrae.If you move a little or sit for a long time at the workplace, then the probability of developing osteochondrosis is very high.
People notice the discomfort and other changes associated with this disease, usually near the second half of life.
The chance of getting the disease increases significantly if:
- You already know what age-related changes are;
- you had (doesn't matter when) back injuries;
- you had to exercise excessively;
- You are constantly in stressful situations;
- Your 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:
- A person has poor physical fitness or bad posture;
- A person eats untimely or incorrectly;
- suffer from flat feet or curvature of the spine;
- A 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 deal with osteochondrosis?In the early stages of osteochondrosis (first or second), its symptoms may be poorly expressed or may not bother a person at all.This is dangerous, because advanced osteochondrosis, in addition to discomfort and pain, can "bring" you complications in the form of serious diseases such as kyphosis, sciatica or intervertebral hernia.
What to do with osteochondrosis?- Get treated, because if osteochondrosis is detected at an early stage, then you can get rid of it completely.
Modern methods of treatment of osteochondrosis
In the complete treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, two methods are used: complex therapy (conservative) and surgical intervention.
complex therapy (conservative)
Osteochondrosis therapy includes a whole spectrum of medical and complementary methods.This therapy is prescribed if you are in the early stages of this disease.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis is carried out in the following way:
- use of drug therapy;
- local and general massage;
- a set of physical therapy exercises;
- The use of reflexology and a whole variety of physiotherapeutic methods.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the 2nd degree additionally requires the use of the spinal traction method.Traction of the spine is carried out using a load selected individually for each patient.Special equipment is used for this.The spine traction procedure not only relieves acute pain, but also restores the correct position of the spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Methods of medication
- use of various anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
- The use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Methods of using drugs during drug treatment:
- All kinds of external rubs and compresses.
- Oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- Procedures such as IVs and injections.
With medical treatment of osteochondrosis, pain is relieved, acute inflammation is relieved, muscle tissue is gradually relaxed, some damaged cartilage is restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are improved.Such treatment of the disease is definitely prescribed in case of exacerbation of the disease.
additional methods
- specially designed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- Physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- light underwater hydromassage;
- traction (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- medical baths;
- a set of physical therapy exercises;
- Work with a psychotherapist.
surgical treatment (operative)
Surgical treatment is used in the later stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other tried treatments no longer help.The treatment of later stages is more difficult, since the main disease itself is already accompanied by other diseases of the spine - sciatica, hernia.The indication for surgical intervention is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is even necessary to completely remove the damaged disk.
Treatment of grade 4 osteochondrosis requires extremely complex surgery with a high risk of spinal cord nerve damage.Therefore, surgical treatment is carried out extremely 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?It depends on the presence of pronounced age-related changes, the variability of symptoms and the variety of treatment methods used.The patient himself can also actively contribute to recovery by carefully following the requirements of his treating therapist.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis usually lasts from one to four months.In grade 4, after surgery, the recovery period can take a year and a half.Treatment also depends on the personality of the patient.He is required to be positive, persistent, strong willed and highly motivated.
Treatment of different types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is distinguished by the location of damage to the spine (its location).Localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervix;
- breast
- the waist
- widespread.
Main complaints:
- With cervical localization - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Sometimes ringing in the ears due to constriction of the arteries, colored spots before the eyes and "floating" and mild dizziness.
- With chest localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "boxed in the chest", "shot" in the heart, stomach or lungs.
- With lumbosacral localization - a person complains of severe pain in the lower back, which can spread to the groin, groin and even legs.Some patients experience numbness in the leg muscles.
- With wide localization, complaints arise about various symptoms.In 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:
- Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodic drugs;
- stimulators of tissue regeneration, 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?
Breast type treatment measures:
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- strap massage;
- traditional medicine;
- Moxotherapy (warming with worm cigars).
Exercise therapy for chest type disease is used not only as a supplement to general therapy, but also as a means of forming a muscular corset;Among other things, exercise therapy prevents possible relapses.
How to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
Therapy is carried out conservatively and surgically at different stages.
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 (lice);
- Exercise therapy.
Stage 4 lumbosacral osteochondrosis usually requires surgical intervention.
How to treat common osteochondrosis?
Treatment of common osteochondrosis is carried out:
- prescribing appropriate medical treatment;
- use of all types of manual therapy;
- physical therapy exercises;
- using acupuncture methods;
- different methods of physiotherapy;
- Developing a special diet.
Osteochondrosis of any type of spine requires surgical intervention in only ten percent of cases.Surgery can be prescribed both for patients with complications, and if the patient referred to specialists for treatment late.If the diagnosis is made on time and you have already started therapy, then it would be good if the traditional methods of treatment of this disease are added to the traditional methods.Traditional methods have proven themselves in the treatment of any type of osteochondrosis.
Treatment with traditional methods
Folk remedies for this disease are used only in combination with medical treatment.They aim to relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine - using various traditional medicine or only medical methods.
Popular folk remedies:
- taking tonic pine baths;
- Applying copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compresses with the addition of aloe juice;
- Massage with honey, honey packs;
- Fresh herb decoction: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;St. John's wort, dandelion and burdock roots;
- Applying milkweed leaves to the painful area;
- applying rye or potato cakes to the painful area;
- Sunflower herbal tea;
- red elderberry tincture;
- Burdock compresses.
When starting treatment for osteochondrosis, you may find that your pain only gets worse.This is a completely expected reaction of your body to unusual influences.Soon such pain will stop 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?
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 timeliness of the patient seeking treatment.
Experts can guarantee a complete cure only for the first and second stages of the disease.Therefore, you should immediately consult a therapist, even if you only find some symptoms.Although all modern methods of treating osteochondrosis are quite effective, doctors consider the most effective therapy to be a combination of traditional methods for rehabilitation with constant training on stationary equipment.This treatment helps to fully restore the muscle corset 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 a patient suffering from osteochondrosis, because the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special exercise equipment can significantly reduce the effectiveness of treatment;
- Not all patients are able to consistently follow a daily routine, take prescribed medications on time, eat according to a diet, or undergo all medical procedures.In addition, 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, using traditional treatment methods, but the best solution would still be to go to a specialized clinic or hospital for this profile, constantly under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.