There are probably few people who after 30-35 years do not periodically complain of a feeling of discomfort and pain in different areas of the back, temporary numbness of the legs or arms.Such manifestations may indicate the possibility of developing osteochondrosis.This disease is quite common and appears when, under the influence of a number of reasons, the cartilage tissue of the spine begins to change, losing its mobility and flexibility.This disease can develop in any part of the spine, but usually affects the discs between the vertebrae.If you move a little or sit at work for a long time, then the chances of developing osteochondrosis are very high.
People pay attention to restlessness and other changes associated with this disease, usually closer to the second half of life.
The possibility of getting the disease increases significantly if:
- you already know what age-related changes are;
- you have had (regardless of when) back injuries;
- you had to undergo an excessive physical strain;
- you are constantly in stressful situations;
- your work involves strong vibrations.
And over the past decades, osteochondrosis of the spine has also become significantly "younger".
The early onset of the disease is possible if:
- the person has poor physical ability or poor posture;
- a person eats prematurely or incorrectly;
- suffers from flat feet or curvature of the spine;
- the person has bad habits - overeating or smoking.
In addition, during pregnancy, the load on the spine increases, so it often becomes the cause of osteochondrosis in girls and women.
The risk of osteochondrosis
How to deal with osteochondrosis?In the early stages of osteochondrosis (first or second), its symptoms may be weak or not bother the person at all.This is dangerous because advanced osteochondrosis, in addition to discomfort and pain, can "give you" complications in the form of such serious diseases as kyphosis, radiculitis or intervertebral hernia.
What to do with osteochondrosis?- Treat, because if osteochondrosis is detected in the early stages, then you can completely get rid of it.
Modern methods used for the treatment of osteochondrosis
Two methods are used in the complete treatment of spinal osteochondrosis: complex (conservative) therapy and surgical intervention.
Complex therapy (conservative)
Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of a number of medicinal and additional methods.This therapy is recommended if you are in the early stages of this disease.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis is carried out through:
- use of drug therapy;
- local and general massage;
- a set of physical therapy exercises;
- the use of reflexology and the whole variety of physiotherapy methods.
Treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis also requires the use of the spinal traction method.Traction of the spine is carried out using a load selected individually for each patient.For this, special equipment is used.The spinal traction procedure not only relieves acute pain, but also restores the proper position of the spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Treatment methods
- the use of various anti-inflammatory and sedative drugs;
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Methods of using drugs during drug treatment:
- all kinds of external frictions and compresses.
- oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- procedures such as IVs and injections.
With the drug treatment of osteochondrosis, pain is alleviated, acute inflammation is alleviated, muscle tissue gradually relaxes, some affected cartilage is restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are improved.Such treatment of the disease is necessarily prescribed in cases of aggravation of the disease.
Additional Methods
- specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- light underwater hydromassage;
- traction (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- medicinal baths;
- a set of physical therapy exercises;
- working with a psychotherapist.
Surgical treatment (operative)
Surgical treatment is used in the later stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other proven treatments no longer help.The treatment of later stages is more complex, since the main disease itself is already accompanied by other diseases of the spine - radiculitis, hernias.The indication for surgical intervention is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is even necessary to completely remove the affected disc.
Treatment of grade 4 osteochondrosis requires an extremely complex operation with 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 by other means have not helped.
How long does it take to treat osteochondrosis?
How to quickly cure osteochondrosis?This depends on the presence of significant age-related changes, the variability in the manifestation of symptoms and the variety of treatment methods used.The patient himself can also actively contribute to recovery by carefully adhering to the requirements of his treating therapist.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis usually lasts from one to four months.In class 4, after surgery, the recovery period can last a year to a year and a half.Treatment also depends on the patient's personality.He is required to be positive, persistent, strong-willed and highly motivated.
Treatment of various types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is distinguished by the location of the spinal lesion (its location).Localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervix;
- chest;
- the middle;
- widespread.
Main complaints:
- with cervical localization - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to the compression of the arteries, from time to time there is ringing in the ears, colored spots and "floaters" before the eyes, as well as light dizziness.
- with chest localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "a pin was inserted into 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.
- with widespread localization, complaints arise for a wide variety of symptoms.With this form of the disease, a person complains of several types of symptoms at the same time.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
The methods of treating osteochondrosis of the neck today are:
- pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics;
- stimulants for tissue restoration, 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 for the treatment of breast type:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual impact;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxa therapy (warming with wormwood cigars).
Exercise therapy for the type of chest disease is used not only as an addition to general therapy, but also as a way to form a muscular corset;among other things, exercise therapy prevents possible relapses.
How to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
Therapy at different stages is carried out conservatively and surgically.
Conservative treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis in the early stages includes:
- drug therapy, in some cases hormones;
- manual impact;
- 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 common osteochondrosis?
Treatment of common osteochondrosis is carried out:
- prescription of appropriate drug treatment;
- using all types of manual therapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- the use of acupuncture methods;
- different methods of physiotherapy;
- development of a special diet.
Any type of spinal osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention only in ten percent of cases.The operation can be prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient turns to specialists for delayed treatment.If the diagnosis is made at the right time and you have already started therapy, then it will 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 together with drug treatment.They are intended to relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat spinal osteochondrosis - using various traditional medicines, or only with medical methods.
Folk folk remedies:
- taking pine tonic baths;
- applying copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compresses with the addition of aloe juice;
- honey massage, honey wrap;
- fresh herbal decoctions: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;St. John's wort, dandelion and burdock roots;
- application of horseradish leaves to a sore spot;
- application of rye or potato cakes to the injured area;
- sunflower herbal tea;
- tincture of red elderberry;
- Burdock compress.
When you start treatment for osteochondrosis, you may find that your pain will only intensify.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 post-operative 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 right time 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 contact a therapist, even if you have only discovered some of the symptoms.Although all modern methods of treating osteochondrosis are quite effective, doctors consider the most effective therapy to be a combination of a number of traditional methods with continuous training on stationary equipment for rehabilitation.This treatment helps to completely recreate the muscle corset and forget about the disease for a long time.
Why should a patient with osteochondrosis not be treated at home?
- It is not recommended that a patient with osteochondrosis be treated at home, as the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special training equipment can greatly reduce the effectiveness of the treatment;
- Not every patient can consistently follow a daily routine, take prescribed medications on time, eat according to a diet or undergo all medical procedures.Additionally, many patients need periodic reminders to continue treatment.
- At home, it is difficult to adhere to the proper diet recommended by a nutritionist.
Hence the conclusion: you can try to treat osteochondrosis at home, widely using traditional treatment methods, but the best solution would still be to go to a clinic or hospital specialized for this profile, constantly being under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.