There are probably few people who, after 30-35 years, do not periodically complain of discomfort and pain in various areas of the back, temporary numbness of the legs or arms.Such manifestations may indicate the possible development of 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 attacks the discs between the vertebrae.If you move little or sit for a long time at work, then your chances of developing osteochondrosis are very high.
People notice discomfort and other changes associated with this disease, usually towards the second half of life.
The chances of contracting this disease increase significantly if:
- You already know what age-related changes are;
- You've had (no matter when) a back injury;
- you have to undergo excessive physical activity;
- you are constantly in stressful situations;
- your work involves strong vibrations.
And over the past 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;
- someone eats prematurely or incorrectly;
- suffer from flat feet or a curved spine;
- the person has bad habits - overeating or smoking.
In addition, during pregnancy the load on the spine also increases, which is often 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), the symptoms may be mild or not bother the person at all.This is dangerous because advanced osteochondrosis, in addition to discomfort and pain, can “give” 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 eliminate it completely.
Modern methods are used to treat osteochondrosis
In the complete treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, two methods are used: complex (conservative) therapy and surgical intervention.
Complex therapy (conservative)
Osteochondrosis therapy consists of a wide variety of medication and additional 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;
- use of reflexology and various physiotherapy methods.
Treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis also requires the use of spinal traction methods.Spinal traction is performed using weights 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.
Treatment methods
- use of various anti-inflammatory and pain relievers;
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
How to use the drug during drug treatment:
- all kinds of rubbing and external compresses.
- oral administration of tablets and capsules.
- procedures such as infusions and injections.
With drug treatment of osteochondrosis, pain decreases, acute inflammation decreases, muscle tissue gradually relaxes, some of the affected cartilage is restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are improved.Treatment of such a disease should be prescribed in cases of exacerbation of the disease.
Additional Methods
- specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapeutic 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 (operative) treatment
Surgical treatment is used in the late stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other treatments that have been tried no longer help.The next stage of treatment is more complex, since the underlying disease is already accompanied by other spinal diseases - sciatica, hernia.The indication for surgical intervention is the appearance of an intervertebral hernia.Sometimes it is even necessary to completely erase the affected disk.
Treatment of grade 4 osteochondrosis requires a very complex operation with a high risk of damage to the spinal cord nerves.Therefore, surgical treatment is rarely resorted to if attempts to cure the patient's osteochondrosis by other means do not help.
How long does osteochondrosis treatment take?
How to quickly cure osteochondrosis?This depends on the presence of marked age-related changes, the variability of symptom manifestation, and the variety of treatment methods used.The patient himself can also actively contribute to recovery by carefully complying with the requirements of the therapist treating him.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis usually lasts from one to four months.In grade 4, after surgery, the recovery period may take one to one and a half years.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 differentiated based on the location of the spinal lesion (its location).Localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervix;
- chest;
- waist;
- wide-spread.
Main complaints:
- with cervical localization - a person periodically experiences pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.As a result of compression of blood vessels, sometimes there is noise in the ears, colored and “floating” spots before the eyes, as well as slight dizziness.
- with thoracic localization - a person complains of pain such as: "a pole inserted into the chest", a "shot" in the heart, stomach or lungs.
- with lumbosacral localization - a person complains of severe low back pain, which can spread to the sacrum, groin and even legs.Some patients experience numbness in the leg muscles.
- with wide localization, complaints about a wide variety of symptoms arise.With this form of the disease, a person complains of several types of symptoms simultaneously.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Current methods of treating neck osteochondrosis are:
- painkillers, 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 very severe.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Breast type treatment measures:
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxotherapy (warming up with wormwood cigars).
Exercise therapy for diseases of the chest type is used not only as an addition to general therapy, but also as a way to form the muscle corset;among other things, exercise therapy prevents the possibility of relapse.
How to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
Therapy at various stages is carried out conservatively and surgically.
Conservative treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis in the early stages includes:
- drug therapy, in some cases hormonal;
- 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?
Common osteochondrosis treatment is carried out:
- prescribe appropriate drug treatment;
- using all types of manual therapy;
- physical therapy exercises;
- using acupuncture methods;
- various physiotherapy methods;
- development of special diets.
All types of spinal osteochondrosis require surgical intervention in only ten percent of cases.Surgery may be prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient is late in seeing a specialist for treatment.If the diagnosis is established on time and you have started therapy, it would be good if traditional methods of treating the disease are added to the traditional methods.Traditional methods have proven themselves well in the treatment of all types of osteochondrosis.
Treatment using traditional methods
Folk remedies for this disease are used only in conjunction with drug treatment.They are aimed at eliminating inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat spinal osteochondrosis - using various folk remedies, or simply by medical methods.
Popular folk remedies:
- pine tonic bath;
- applying copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compress with the addition of aloe juice;
- massage with honey, honey wrap;
- fresh herbal concoctions: oregano, hop cones, and chamomile;St. John's RootSt. John's wort, dandelion, and burdock;
- applying horseradish leaves to sore spots;
- applying rye or potato cakes to sore spots;
- sunflower herbal tea;
- red elderberry tincture;
- burdock compress.
When starting treatment for osteochondrosis, you may find that your pain increases.This is an expected reaction of your body to an unusual influence.Soon this pain will stop completely.The best way to treat osteochondrosis is a combination of conservative therapy with postoperative rehabilitation in specialized centers.
How can one get rid of osteochondrosis?
Here are the three most common questions that concern osteochondrosis patients:
- 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.
Experts can guarantee complete cure only for the first and second stages of the disease.Therefore, you should immediately contact a therapist, even if you only notice 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 constant 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 osteochondrosis patients not be treated at home?
- Patients suffering from osteochondrosis are not recommended to be treated at home, since the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special sports equipment can greatly reduce the effectiveness of treatment;
- Not every patient can always follow a daily routine, take prescribed medications on time, eat according to a diet, or undergo all medical procedures.Additionally, many patients require periodic reminders to continue treatment.
- At home, it is difficult to adhere to the correct diet recommended by nutritionists.
Hence the conclusion: you can try to treat osteochondrosis at home, widely using traditional medicine methods, but the best solution is still to go to a specialized clinic or hospital for this profile, constantly being under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.