There may be some people who, after 30-35 years, do not periodically complain of discomfort and pain in different areas, temporary numbness of the legs or arms.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 mobility and flexibility.The 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 at work for a long time, then the chances of you developing osteochondrosis are very high.
People pay attention to the discomfort and other changes associated with this disease, usually closer to the second half of life.
The likelihood of acquiring this disease increases significantly if:
- You already know what age-related changes are;
- You have (regardless of when) a back injury;
- You have to undergo excessive physical work;
- You are always in stressful situations;
- Your work involves strong vibrations.
And over the past few decades, osteochondrosis of the spine has also become "younger."
Early onset of the disease is possible if:
- The person has poor physical fitness or poor posture;
- A person does not eat for long or not properly;
- suffer 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 is often the cause of osteochondrosis in girls and women.
Dangers of osteochondrosis
How to deal with osteochondrosis?In the early stages of osteochondrosis (first or second), the symptoms may be less pronounced 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 at an early stage, then you can get rid of it completely.
Modern methods used to treat osteochondrosis
In the full treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, two methods are used: complex therapy (conservative) and surgical intervention.
Complex Therapy (Conservative)
Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of various medical and complementary methods.This therapy is prescribed if you are in the early stages of the 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 various physiotherapy methods.
Grade 2 treatment of osteochondrosis also requires the use of spinal traction methods.Traction of the spine is performed 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 correct position of your spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Medicine method
- the use of various anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
- The use of modern medicine that restores cartilage tissue.
Methods of using drugs during drug treatment:
- All types of external rubbing and compresses.
- Oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- Procedures such as IVs and injections.
With 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 improved.Such treatment of this disease must be prescribed in cases of disease hunting.
Additional methods
- a specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- Hydromassage under light water;
- attractive (attraction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- medical bath;
- a set of physical therapy exercises;
- Work with psychotherapy.
Surgical Treatment (Operation)
Surgical treatment is used in the final stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other treatments are no longer helpful.The treatment of later stages is more complex, because the main disease itself has been accompanied by other diseases of the spine - radiculitis, hernia.An indication for surgical intervention is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is necessary to completely delete the affected disk.
Treatment of grade 4 osteochondrosis requires a very complex operation with a high risk of damage to the spinal cord.Therefore, surgical treatment is performed very rarely if attempts to cure patients with osteochondrosis by other means do not help.
How long does it take to treat osteochondrosis?
How to quickly cure osteochondrosis?This depends on the presence of age-related changes, variability in the manifestation of symptoms, and various treatment methods used.The patient himself can also actively contribute to the recovery by carefully complying with the needs of the treating therapist.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis usually lasts from one to four months.In grade 4, after surgery, the recovery period may take a year to a year and a half.Treatment also depends on the patient's personality.He is required to be positive, persistent, strong 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;
- lumbar;
- widespread.
Main complaints:
- With cervical localization - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to arterial compression, sometimes there is a ringing in the ears, colored spots and "floaters" in front of the eyes, and a little dizziness.
- With thoracic localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "Stake inserted in the chest", "shot" 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 about various symptoms.With 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 neck osteochondrosis today are:
- painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics;
- stimulants for tissue recovery, anti-inflammatory gels, ointments for external use;
- manual therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- Hirudotherapy;
- reflexology;
- traditional medicine;
- surgical intervention if the case is very severe.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Steps for breast type treatment:
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxotherapy (warming with worm cigars).
Exercise therapy for this 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 the possibility of relapse.
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 influence;
- 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 osteochondrosis is usually carried out:
- prescribing appropriate drug treatment;
- use all types of manual therapy;
- physical therapy training;
- using acupuncture methods;
- various physiotherapy methods;
- development of a special diet.
Any type of spinal osteochondrosis requires surgical intervention in only ten percent of cases.This operation can be prescribed for patients who have complications, and also patients turn to specialists for late treatment.If the diagnosis is made on time and you have already started therapy, then it will be good if traditional methods of treating this disease are added to 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 only used in conjunction 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:
- take a pine tonic bath;
- Apply copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compress with the addition of aloe juice;
- Massage with honey, honey wrap;
- Fresh herbal decoctions: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;St John's Wort, Dandelion and Burdock Roots;
- apply radish leaves to the sore spot;
- apply rye or potato cake to the sore spot;
- sunflower herbal tea;
- Red Elderberry Tincture;
- Burdock compresses.
When starting treatment for osteochondrosis, you may find that your pain will only increase.This is the expected reaction of your body to an unusual influence.Soon the pain will stop completely.The best way to treat osteochondrosis is a combination of conservative therapy with postoperative rehabilitation in a specialized center.
How can one 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.
Specialists can guarantee complete healing only for the first and second stages of the disease.Therefore, you should immediately contact a therapist, even if you have found only a few symptoms.Although all modern methods of treating osteochondrosis are quite effective, doctors consider the most effective therapy to be a combination of a set of traditional methods with continuous training on stationary equipment for rehabilitation.This treatment helps to recreate the muscle corset and forget about this disease for a long time.
Why are patients with osteochondrosis not treated at home?
- It is not recommended for patients with osteochondrosis to be treated at home, because the lack of special orthopedic beds, physiotherapy equipment and special training equipment can reduce the effectiveness of treatment;
- Not every patient is always able to follow a daily routine, take prescribed medication 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 adhere to the correct diet recommended by nutritionists.
Therefore, 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 clinic or hospital specialized for this profile, always under the supervision of a qualified therapist.