Symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease caused by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, vertebrae and small joints of the spine.Osteochondrosis is a faithful companion of old age.However, the diagnosis is increasingly being made in young people, which is probably due to predominantly sedentary work, an unhealthy lifestyle and little physical activity.We can safely assume that most of the adult population has signs of osteochondrosis.

Reasons

The elasticity of the spine, its mobility and resilience depend primarily on the condition of the intervertebral discs.The basis of the pathological process in osteochondrosis is malnutrition of the structures of the spine, especially the intervertebral disc.This leads to changes in the normal tissue structure, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and its shape changes.Such metamorphoses lead to narrowing of the intervertebral discs and, as a result, to compression of the nerve roots.In fact, these changes explain the appearance of neurological symptoms, especially back pain due to osteochondrosis.

Subsequently, degenerative processes occur in the small joints of the spine and bone growths form on the surface of the vertebrae.All of these changes lead to a reduction in the flexibility of the spine.

Such changes in cartilage and bone tissue are the result of physiological aging of the body.However, under the influence of certain unfavorable factors, dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints occur prematurely.These factors include:

• Obesity;
• lack of exercise;
• Heavy physical work;
• Occupations that require prolonged standing or sitting during working hours;
• flat feet, hallux valgus;
• spinal deformities;
• autoimmune connective tissue diseases;
• Fluctuations in hormone levels (pregnancy, menopause);
• practicing sports;
• Stress;
• spinal injuries etc.

Types of osteochondrosis

Features of the clinical picture depend on which segment of the spine the pathological process occurs.The following forms of osteochondrosis are distinguished:

1. Cervical;
2. Breast;
3. Lumbar spine.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is common.The muscular frame of the neck is quite poorly developed, therefore, against the background of osteochondrosis, even with a slight load, displacement of the vertebrae occurs and, as a result, compression of the vessels and nerves of the neck.This explains the specificity of the clinical picture in osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

The main signs of cervical osteochondrosis include:

• Constant pain in the neck and back of the head, aggravated by movement in the neck;
• Hemicranial type pain – in one hemisphere;
• dizziness, tinnitus;
• pain in arms;
• Numbness and tingling in the hands.

Breast osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is quite rare.The main prerequisite for the development of the disease is the presence of spinal deformities.

Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

1. Dull, aching pain in the chest area, which often has a belt-like character;
2. Increased pain when turning the body, sneezing, coughing, laughing;
3. Visceral pain in the heart, right hypochondrium, abdomen;
4. Numbness, paresthesia in the skin of the chest.

Lumbar osteochondrosis

The most common type of osteochondrosis.This is probably because the greatest load falls directly on the lumbar region.Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis:

• Aching, less often acute pain in the lower back, which increases with movement or prolonged stay in a static position;
• feeling of stiffness in the lower back;
• To relieve pain, a person assumes a forced position;
• Aching or stabbing pain (like lumbago) in the buttocks, thighs, lower legs;
• Tingling, paresthesia in the legs.

Diagnosis of osteochondrosis

To detect osteochondrosis, radiation research methods are used: radiography, computer and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine.The most characteristic and, most importantly, the earliest sign of osteochondrosis is a decrease in the height of the intervertebral space.

In later stages of the degenerative process, marginal growths (osteophytes) appear on the surface of the vertebrae.They are easier to see on lateral x-rays because the osteophytes are located in front of and behind the vertebrae.

In addition, with osteochondrosis there is a displacement of the bodies of neighboring vertebrae, which can also be detected on an X-ray.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Treatment of osteochondrosis is more effective the earlier it is started.As already mentioned, osteochondrosis is a change in the structure of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae.Unfortunately, many people ignore back pain for a long time and do not consult a doctor in a timely manner.You miss the moment when it is still possible to stop the pathological process.

Treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out with the help of medication, physiotherapy, massage and surgery.

Drug therapy:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections for pain relief;
• muscle relaxants;
• Chondroprotectors – promote the regeneration of damaged cartilage;
• vitamin and mineral complexes;
• vasodilators;
• Medicines that normalize metabolism in tissues.

After the exacerbation of the disease is eliminated, you should proceed to rehabilitation.Therefore, physiotherapy is a very important aspect in the fight against osteochondrosis.Performing certain exercises contributes to the formation of a muscle corset.This is extremely important because the strong muscle corset distributes the physical stress evenly across the spine.With regular performance of a set of exercises, the stiffness of the spine disappears and the range of motion increases.Massage, physical therapy, reflexology, and spinal traction help enhance the effects of physical therapy.

If complications occur in the form of intervertebral hernias, radiculitis and conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgical intervention is resorted to.The goal of surgical treatment is to eliminate compression of nerve roots and blood vessels, as well as to stabilize the structure of the intervertebral disc or vertebra.

Treatment of osteochondrosis at home

Folk remedies help relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, but in no case can they replace the main treatment.You can find a variety of traditional treatment methods on the Internet, but not all of them are safe.Therefore, be sure to consult your doctor.

Traditional medicine

The general principle of folk treatment of osteochondrosis is the use of substances with an irritating effect.The result is an improvement in blood supply to a specific area of the body as well as a reduction in pain.

The following rub recipe is known in folk medicine: mix 0.25 cups of vodka with 0.5 cups of honey, add 0.75 cups of grated radish and two tablespoons of salt.The resulting mixture should be rubbed into the problem area of the back twice a day.The process must be repeated within a week.

To relieve pain, you can place a potato compress on your back.Grated raw potatoes must be mixed with honey in equal proportions.Then wrap the resulting mixture in gauze, apply it to your back and wrap it with a scarf.You can also use a compress with burdock.To prepare it, pour a glass of boiling water into a spoonful of finely chopped burdock leaves.Wrap the mixture in gauze and apply to your back for half an hour.After removing the compress, be sure to wrap your back with a warm scarf.

It's even easier: grate the radish, put it in a cotton stocking and then lie on your back on it.

Please note: When using folk remedies, it is important to be careful and not touch your face with your hands.Radish and other plants can cause corneal burns if they come into contact with the eyes.

Therapeutic gymnastics

Physical exercises can only be performed outside of periods of exacerbation.If you have acute pain, you should avoid gymnastics as this will only lead to increased pain.

An approximate practice set could look like this:

1. Lie on your back and stretch your legs.Pull the bottom of your right foot toward you and the tip of your left foot away from you.This must be done individually.
2. While lying on your back, place your hands behind the back of your head.The legs must be brought together and bent at the knees.Your knees should be tilted to the left and your head should be turned in the opposite direction.Just hold for a few seconds.Then move your knees to the right and your head to the left.
3. Lie on your back with your arms along your body.You need to bend your knees and lift your pelvis.Stay in this position for a few seconds.As you exhale, lower your pelvis.
4. Roll onto your side.Straighten your top leg and swing it back and forth.
5. Starting position on all fours.Arch your back, hold for a few seconds, and then bend your waist.
6. Roll onto your back.Pull your bent left knee toward your right elbow and then vice versa.