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 of 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 little or sit for a long time at your workplace, then the possibility 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 probability of developing the disease increases significantly if:
- You already know what age-related changes are.
- you had (regardless of when) back injuries.
- you had to undergo excessive physical exercise.
- you are constantly in stressful situations.
- Your work involves strong vibrations.
And in recent decades, osteochondrosis of the spine has also become noticeably "younger".
Early onset of the disease is possible if:
- the person has poor physical condition or poor posture.
- a person eats untimely 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 also increases, so it often becomes the cause of osteochondrosis in girls and women.
Risk of osteochondrosis
How to treat osteochondrosis?In the early stages of osteochondrosis (first or second), its symptoms may be minimal 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 serious diseases such as kyphosis, radiculitis or intervertebral hernia.
What to do with osteochondrosis?- Treat, because if osteochondrosis is detected in the initial stages, then you can get rid of it completely.
Modern methods used to treat osteochondrosis
In the complete treatment of vertebral osteochondrosis, two methods are used: complex treatment (conservative) and surgery.
Complex treatment (conservative)
Treatment for osteochondrosis consists of a whole range of medicinal and complementary methods.This treatment is prescribed if you are in the initial 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 all the variety of physical therapy methods.
Treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis additionally requires the use of the spinal traction method.Traction of the spine is performed using a load that is 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 your spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Medication methods
- the use of various anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Methods of using drugs during drug therapy:
- all kinds of external friction and compresses.
- oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- procedures such as IVs and injections.
With the drug treatment of osteochondrosis, pain is relieved, acute inflammation is relieved, muscle tissue gradually relaxes, some affected cartilage is 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 whirlpool.
- pulling (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- Meditative relaxation;
- thermal baths;
- a set of physical therapy exercises.
- collaboration with a psychotherapist.
Surgical treatment (surgery)
Surgical treatment is used in the last 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, hernias.The indication for surgery is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is even necessary to completely remove the affected disk.
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 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 pronounced 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 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 last from a year and a half.Treatment also depends on the patient's personality.Must be positive, persistent, strong-willed and highly motivated.
Treatment of different types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is distinguished by the location of the spinal cord injury (its location).Localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervical;
- bosom;
- lumbar;
- extensive.
Main complaints:
- with localization of the cervix - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to compression of the arteries, from time to time there is noise in the ears, colored spots and "floating" in front of the eyes and slight dizziness.
- with chest localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "a stake was inserted into the chest", "shootings" 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.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:
- painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants.
- tissue repair stimulants, anti-inflammatory gels, ointments for external use.
- manual therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- irudotherapy?
- reflexology;
- traditional medicine;
- surgery if the case is particularly severe.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Measures to treat breast type:
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxa therapy (heating 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 muscle corset.among other things, exercise therapy prevents possible relapses.
How to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
Treatment in various stages 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;
- irudotherapy (leeches);
- Exercise therapy.
Stage 4 lumbosacral osteochondrosis usually requires surgery.
How to treat osteochondrosis joint?
Treatment of common osteochondrosis is carried out:
- prescribing appropriate medication;
- use of all types of manual therapy.
- physical therapy exercises;
- using acupuncture methods;
- various physiotherapy methods.
- development of a special diet.
Any type of vertebral osteochondrosis requires surgery in only ten percent of cases.The operation can be prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient turned to specialists late for treatment.If the diagnosis is made in time and you have already started treatment, then it will be nice if the traditional methods of treating this disease are added to the traditional methods.Traditional methods have been proven 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 aim to relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat osteochondrosis of the spine - using various traditional medicines or only with medical methods.
Popular folk remedies:
- taking tonic pine baths.
- applying copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compresses with the addition of aloe juice.
- honey massage, honey wraps.
- fresh herbal teas: oregano, hop cones and chamomile.Balsam, dandelion and burdock roots.
- application of horseradish leaves to a sore spot.
- application of rye or potato cake to the sore spot.
- sunflower herbal tea;
- red elderberry tincture;
- burdock compresses.
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 this pain will stop completely.The best way to treat osteochondrosis is to combine conservative treatment 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 timely condition of the patient seeking treatment.
Specialists can guarantee full treatment 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 believe that the most effective treatment is a combination of a set of traditional methods with continuous training in stable 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 for a patient with osteochondrosis to be treated at home, as 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 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 stick to the right diet recommended by a nutritionist.
Hence the conclusion: you can try to treat osteochondrosis at home, using widely traditional methods of treatment, but the best solution would be to go to a specialized clinic or hospital for this profile, under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.