There are probably few people who, after 30-35 years, do not periodically complain of a feeling of discomfort and pain in various areas of the back, temporary numbness in the legs or hands.Such manifestations may indicate the possibility of developing osteochondrosis.This disease is quite common and occurs when, under the influence of various 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 probability of developing osteochondrosis is very high.
People pay attention to the discomfort and other changes associated with this disease, usually closer to the second half of life.
The probability of acquiring the disease increases significantly if:
- you already know what age-related changes are;
- you have had (regardless of when) back injuries;
- you have been subjected to excessive physical exertion;
- you are constantly in stressful situations;
- your work involves strong vibrations.
And in the last few decades, spinal osteochondrosis has also become significantly "younger".
The early onset of the disease is possible if:
- the person has poor physical fitness or poor posture;
- a person eats untimely or improperly;
- 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 also increases, so it often becomes the cause of osteochondrosis in girls and women.
Danger 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 of treatment of osteochondrosis
In the complete treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, two methods are used: complex therapy (conservative) and surgical intervention.
Complex therapy (conservative)
Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of a whole range of medicinal 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 by:
- 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 additionally requires the use of the spinal traction method.Spinal traction is performed with an individually selected load for each patient.Special equipment is used for this.Spinal traction not only relieves acute pain, but also restores the correct position of the spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Medicinal methods
- the use of various anti-inflammatory and pain relievers;
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Methods of using drugs during drug treatment:
- all types of external rubs and compresses.
- oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- procedures such as IVs and injections.
With medical treatment of osteochondrosis, pain is alleviated, acute inflammation is alleviated, muscle tissue gradually relaxes, some affected cartilages are restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are enhanced.Such treatment of the disease is necessarily prescribed in cases of exacerbation of the disease.
Additional methods
- specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- light underwater hydromassage;
- pulling (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- medicinal 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 the later stages is more complicated, 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 disk.
The 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 treat a patient with osteochondrosis in other ways 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 variability of 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 grade 4, after surgery, the recovery period can take from 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 lesion on the spine (its localization).The localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervical;
- chest;
- lumbar;
- widespread.
Main complaints:
- with cervical localization - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to compression of the arteries, there is sometimes tinnitus, colored spots and "floaters" in front of the eyes and slight dizziness.
- with chest localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "a stake is driven 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 of a wide variety of symptoms arise.In 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;
- tissue repair stimulants, anti-inflammatory gels, ointments for external use;
- manual therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- reflexology;
- traditional medicine;
- surgery if the case is particularly severe.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Measures to treat breast type:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual impact;
- vacuum therapy;
- physical therapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxa therapy (warming with wormwood cigars).
Exercise therapy for the chest type of disease is used not only as a supplement to general therapy, but also as a way to form a muscle 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);
- back massage;
- traditional medicine;
- hirudotherapy (leeches);
- Exercise therapy.
Stage 4 of lumbosacral osteochondrosis usually requires surgical intervention.
How to treat simple osteochondrosis?
Treatment of general osteochondrosis is carried out:
- appointment of appropriate drug treatment;
- use of all types of manual therapy;
- physical therapy exercises;
- use of acupuncture methods;
- various methods of physiotherapy;
- development of a special diet.
Any type of spinal osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention in only ten percent of cases.The operation can be prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient has turned to specialists for treatment late.If the diagnosis was made on time and you have already started therapy, then it will be nice if the traditional methods of treating 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 conjunction with medical treatment.They are aimed at relieving inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine - with the help of various traditional medicines 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;
- fresh herbal decoctions: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;St. John's wort, dandelion and burdock roots;
- applying horseradish leaves to a sore spot;
- applying rye or potato cakes to a sore spot;
- sunflower herbal tea;
- tincture of red elderberry;
- burdock compresses.
When you start treatment for osteochondrosis, you may find that the pain will only get 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 the combination of 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 to seek treatment.
Experts can guarantee a complete cure only for the first and second stages of the disease.That is why 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 believe that the most effective therapy is a combination of a set of traditional methods with constant training on stationary rehabilitation equipment.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 to treat a patient with osteochondrosis at home, since the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special exercise equipment can significantly reduce the effectiveness of treatment;
- Not every patient can consistently follow a daily regimen, take prescribed medications on time, eat according to a diet or undergo all medical procedures.In addition, many patients require periodic reminders to continue treatment.
- At home, it is difficult to stick to the right 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 will still be to go to a specialized clinic or hospital for this profile, being constantly under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.