How to treat osteochondrosis

Unfortunately, osteochondrosis is common for people over the age of 30. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs and bones of the spine are most often associated with a passive lifestyle, nutrition, extra weight, heavy physical work, etc. occurs as a result. The disease manifests itself in stage 2-4, with severe symptoms during the formation of the structure. completely regenerated cartilage tissue will no longer function. Complications of osteochondrosis (protrusions, disc herniations, osteophytes, etc. ) can lead to reduced quality of life and disability.

Timely treatment of osteochondrosis increases a person's chances of a full life. It is recommended to start therapy in the early stages of development. All measures should be taken to stop the development of pathology and improve the general state of health: drug treatment, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, manual exposure. Surgical treatment is performed only in advanced cases, when complications are already present.

Features of the disease

Osteochondrosis of the back begins with the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Under the influence of adverse factors, the discs compress the lining of the cartilage, disrupting the integrity of its outer shell. The height of the disc decreases, gradually collapses, and then the pathology spreads to the vertebral tissues.

There are many factors that affect the development of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• Sit in the wrong position for a long time.
• Passive lifestyle.
• Overweight.
• Heavy physical work.
• Back injury.
• Frequent nervous disorders.
• Malnutrition.
• Hypothermia.
• hereditary predisposition.
• Wearing high-heeled shoes, pregnancy in women, etc.

Reference. Stage 1 - 2 osteochondrosis can still be treated.

Doctors distinguish 4 stages of osteochondrosis:

• Grade 1 - cracks appear in the fibrous ring, the height of the disc decreases. There is discomfort in the affected area, the back gets tired more quickly.
• Grade 2 - the height of the disc continues to decrease, muscles, ligaments relax, vertebral mobility increases. There is pain, especially after physical exertion.
• Grade 3 - the discs are slightly displaced, protrusions are visible, the likelihood of subluxation or arthrosis of the spinal joints increases. An obvious pain syndrome is seen, mobility is limited, sensitivity is impaired in the affected area.
• Grade 4 - Osteophytes appear in the vertebrae, so the body stabilizes the spine. Bone growth compresses nerves, damages vertebrae, and increases the risk of fibrous ankylosis (fusion of the spinal joints).

Important. Osteochondrosis can affect the cervical, thoracic and lumbar segments of the spine.

The disease of the cervical region manifests itself with pain in the neck, upper extremities, cephalgia (headache). In addition, dizziness, hearing and vision disorders, etc.

Thoracic osteochondrosis is easily confused with heart disease because the pain syndrome is localized in the chest area.

Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis - excruciating pain, limited mobility, aches, impaired sensitivity of the lower body.

The clinical picture of osteochondrosis is different, so you should not diagnose it yourself. If you have any suspicious symptoms, consult a doctor.

The scheme of treatment of osteochondrosis

In most cases, conservative methods are used when osteochondrosis is detected. It is important to carry out comprehensive treatment to get rid of pain, normalize spinal function and prevent complications.

The treatment regimen for osteochondrosis is as follows:

• Limit physical activity.
• Take medicine.
• Physiotherapy procedures.
• Physiotherapy.
• Massage.
• Manual therapy.
• Elongation of the spine.

Osteochondrosis can be treated only by combining the above methods. The treatment plan for each patient is developed separately by the doctor, taking into account the degree of the disease, age and characteristics of the organism.

Effective treatment will help to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis for 1 to 3 months. Then maintenance therapy is carried out for 12 months. This will help to consolidate the results and prevent relapses.

Posterior chondrosis (stage 1 osteochondrosis) can be treated without medication. The patient can do physiotherapy exercises, reduce the load on the damaged area of the back, use applicators (Lyapko roller, Kuznetsov applicator), improve nutrition, give up bad habits.

Medications

It is treated with drugs recommended for the exacerbation of osteochondrosis. Medications will help relieve pain, inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area and normalize motor function.

The following medications are used with osteochondrosis:

• NSAIDs relieve pain and inflammation.
• Drugs with vasodilating effect. They are used due to muscle tension, narrowing the lumen of blood vessels to expand and improve blood circulation.
• Muscle relaxants relax spasmodic muscles, normalize blood flow, relieve pain, improve mobility and accelerate tissue repair.
• Chondroprotectors stop the destruction of the cartilage lining.
• Psycholeptics based on herbal or synthetic components calm or reduce emotional stress without creating a hypnotic effect.
• Preparations based on B vitamins accelerate the recovery of damaged nerve fibers.

All of these medications help fight chronic osteochondrosis and can only be taken for medical reasons.

Opioid non-narcotic analgesics are used to relieve severe pain in the acute phase of the disease. Glucocorticoids are used for the same purpose. However, these drugs have a negative effect on the body, so they can be taken as a last resort.

In addition to tablets and injections, creams and gels with local irritants and warming effects are used in the exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Physiotherapy

Complex therapy of osteochondrosis is always complemented by therapeutic exercises. However, the exercises are different for different parts of the spine.

Other muscle groups should also be involved during classes to avoid neck strain. Training begins with warm-ups and ends with relaxation exercises.

Complex for cervical osteochondrosis:

• Lie on your back, lift your head, straighten for 5-7 seconds.
• Do not change the starting position (IP), put your hands on your shoulders, turn your elbows in different directions.
• The IP is the same, take turns raising your hands above your head, one, then the second shoulder blade off the ground.
• Press the back of your head on the floor, straighten for 4 seconds.
• Combine shoulder blades, stretch for 5 seconds.
• Roll to your side, rest your head on your hands, lift your free limbs with your head, straighten for 4 seconds. Repeat for the other party.
• Lie on your stomach, put your hands behind your head, lift your head, straighten for 4 seconds.

If you feel severe pain and dizziness, stop exercising and consult a doctor.

Reference. Thoracic osteochondrosis is less common in the cervical or lumbar region because it is the least mobile department. In addition, it is strengthened by muscles and ribs.

Exercises for damage to the thoracic segment of the spine:

• Lie on your back, bend your knees, press your hands to your chest, lift your back slightly off the ground, squeeze the abdominal muscles, hold for 5 seconds.
• SP is the same, raise your arms, straighten your legs, understand the opposite arm and leg, straighten. Repeat for other limbs.
• Roll on your stomach, spread your arms to the sides. Lift your hands and head off the ground and straighten for 3 seconds.
• Stand on all fours, raise your head, bend your back as you breathe, lower your head as you breathe out, and round your back.

Move smoothly, avoid sudden movements.

The following exercises are used to treat lumbar osteochondrosis:

• Lie on your back, alternately pull your knees to your chest.
• PI same, pull the right arm and leg, then the left limbs aside.
• Put your hands behind your head, pull them off the ground, and at the same time pull your socks towards you.
• Bend your legs at the knees, bring your right knee to your left leg, and then vice versa.
• Perform the "cycling" exercise back and forth.
• Roll to your side, lift your legs up.
• PI is the same, pull your knees to your chest.
• Stand on all fours, taking turns turning your hands to the sides.

These exercises help to stretch and relax tense muscles, increase blood circulation and lymph flow.

There is more training. Consult a doctor to prepare a complex that suits you.

Physiotherapy procedures

Physiotherapy helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation and trophism.

The following physiotherapeutic procedures are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis:

• Medication electrophoresis helps relieve pain in the presence of neurological disorders.
• Electrotherapy increases blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
• Laser therapy eliminates inflammation, anesthetizes, accelerates tissue healing, activates biological processes in nerve tissues.
• Shock wave therapy improves local blood circulation, metabolic processes, reduces swelling and pain.
• Detensor therapy - stretching the spine under the weight of its own weight. Helps get rid of unbearable pain syndrome.
• Balneotherapy is a set of procedures using fresh, mineral or sea water. After a course of treatment, pain decreases, blood microcirculation improves.

In addition, diadynamic therapy, amplipulse therapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy and vibration can be used for osteochondrosis.

Reference. Osteochondrosis is treated with bees, this method is called apitherapy. During the procedure, bee venom is injected into biologically active points to increase the effect of complex treatment. Insect venom relieves pain, improves mobility, blood microcirculation, nerve conduction, increases the elasticity of intervertebral discs.

Manual therapy

In the treatment of osteochondrosis, the patient is shown not only massage, but also manual exposure (soft and hard).

With the help of massage, the specialist normalizes muscle tone, improves blood circulation, restores the activity of nerve cells. The session begins with kneading and rubbing, these techniques help prepare the body for more exposure.

After a warm-up massage, the doctor moves on to mobilization and automation. During the procedure, it gently moves to the joints of the spine, gradually increasing the amplitude. Automation consists of the patient's own actions under the supervision of a physician. These procedures help to increase the interarticular space, reduce blood stasis in the arteries and improve trophism.

The doctor uses manipulation techniques to restore the correct position of the transplanted vertebrae. Makes sharp and rapid movements in the affected areas, puts the vertebrae in place. Helps relieve pain, muscle spasms & improve mobility

Attention. Hand therapy for osteochondrosis can cause serious complications (fractures, vertebral displacement, damage to nerves, blood vessels, ligaments or muscles). To avoid this, you need to find an experienced specialist.

Hardware and orthopedic devices

Devices for the treatment of osteochondrosis can be used at home, but only with the consent of a doctor.

In addition, the patient can use orthopedic devices for back health. A special pillow or roll helps to loosen the neck and lower back, used at rest or in transport. A medical collar is used to support the physiological curves of the neck. Posture correctors, corsets improve posture, relax the thoracic, lumbosacral segment of the spine.

Reference. You can wear corsets and concealers no more than 2-3 hours a day. This regimen will help not to weaken the muscles.

A special strap is used for the lower back. It can be worn at work or while exercising.

Folk remedies

Complex therapy can be completed with effective folk remedies. However, cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis are accompanied by different symptoms, so different prescriptions are used to treat them.

Folk remedies for neck treatment:

• Leave the burdock leaves on the steam for 5-10 minutes, stick to the neck and fasten with a bandage. You can also soak burdock in burdock decoction and use it as a compress.
• Make a decoction of maple leaves, apply a compress to the affected area.
• Peel a horseradish root, squeeze the juice, mix with vodka (1: 1), rub the neck.
• Pour 250 g of needle into 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink after meals twice a day.

Also, with cervical osteochondrosis, you can take a bath with coniferous decoction.

If the chest area is affected, use the following recipes:

• Mix dandelion root, mint, maple buds, coriander in equal proportions. Pour 3 tablespoons 100 ml boiling water. l. collection, cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add 75 g of butter and sunflower oil to the warm mixture and cook for another 20 minutes. Rub the warm ointment on your back.
• Grind black radish or horseradish, squeeze the juice, rub the affected area.
• Steam the wormwood or flax seeds, place them in a one-piece bag, and apply to the back of the thorax.

At home, you can knead your back with a ribbon massage.

If the lumbar-sacral region is affected, use the following means:

• Drink lingonberry leaves, thyme, hop cones, cinquefoil decoctions.
• Apply a compress of horseradish juice or raw potatoes.
• Rub the lower back with an ointment of 200 g of melted fat mixed with beeswax and marshmallow roots.

Also, with lumbar osteochondrosis, you can wear a wool belt that has a warming effect.

Consult your doctor before using any folk remedies.

Surgical intervention

Surgery is prescribed when there are complications such as numbness of the extremities, severe prolonged pain, forced urination or defecation. Also, surgical treatment is required for cauda equina syndrome (compression of the nerve endings of the lower spinal cord).

Surgical techniques will help to eliminate the cause of pain and stabilize the spine:

• Facetectomy is the removal of facet joints that compress nerve nodes.
• Foraminotomy - enlargement of the lumen of the root canal with the removal of osteophytes. After the procedure, the nerve is released from the disorder.
• Laminectomy is the removal of the back of a deformed vertebra that compresses the spinal cord.
• Laminotomy is used to widen the opening where the nerve roots pass.
• Discectomy - removal of the affected disc or part of it with an intervertebral hernia. This is a minimally invasive endoscopic operation, after which the patient recovers faster.
• Corpectomy is the removal of the entire vertebrae and adjacent discs. The empty space is then filled with a bone graft.

Spinal fusion (vertebral fusion) is performed to prevent stabilization of the spine. Also, special screws, rods, boards are used to straighten the vertebrae.

Attention. There is a risk of complications after surgery: damage to the spinal cord, nerve endings, infection of the affected area, urinary incontinence, etc. Therefore, surgery is performed only in extreme cases.

Rehabilitation after surgery can take several months. During this period, the patient should refrain from physical activity, bad habits and follow the recommendations of doctors.

Reviews

According to patients, it is very difficult to completely cure osteochondrosis. In the early stages of the pathology, those receiving complex therapy were relieved of pain and improved their physical shape. Patients seeking help in the advanced stages of the disease still suffer from relapses of osteochondrosis.

First look, woman, 42 years old

"I was diagnosed with grade 2 osteochondrosis of the neck. I was first treated with analgesics and muscle relaxants (needles, tablets), then I took a chondroprotector and did gymnastics. In addition, he visited a hand specialist. After a few months, the pain disappeared. I plan to take another course to strengthen the result. I do gymnastics every day.

Second review, female, 38 years old

"About 2 years ago, my back pain started. When I could not stand it anymore, I went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the neck, rheumatologist prescribed medication, physiotherapy, massage. About 2 weeks after the start of treatment, the symptoms almost disappeared. Now I do gymnastics, preventionI'm going to the pool for.

Third review, female, 41 years old

"I was diagnosed with osteochondrosis of the neck, as well as a C5-C6 hernia. I took medicine, went to a massage, went to an osteopath and have been doing gymnastics regularly for 2 years. But nothing helped, the pain just disappeared for a while, and my hands disappeared. The doctor prescribed a discectomy, the condition improved after the operation, but it did not last long. I think you will have to be treated for life. "

The most important

As you can see, osteochondrosis requires long-term treatment and self-education. Therapy should be comprehensive: medication (in the acute period), exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage, manual exposure. The patient must change his lifestyle, exercise regularly, give up bad habits, eat properly, and use orthopedic devices. You can supplement therapy with medical devices and folk remedies, but only with the consent of your doctor. In case of complications, an operation is performed, followed by a long rehabilitation. The patient should strictly follow the doctor's recommendations to speed recovery.