There are probably few people who, after 30-35 years, do not periodically complain of a feeling of discomfort and pain in different areas of the back, temporary numbness in 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 a number of reasons, the cartilaginous tissue of the spine begins to change, losing 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 at work for a long time, the probability of you 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 chance of contracting the disease increases significantly if:
- you already know what age-related changes are;
- you have had (no matter when) back injuries;
- you had to undergo excessive physical effort;
- you are constantly in stressful situations;
- your work involves strong vibrations.
And in recent decades, spinal osteochondrosis has also become significantly “younger”.
Early onset of the disease is possible if:
- the person has poor physical shape or bad posture;
- a person eats prematurely or incorrectly;
- suffer from flat feet or curvature of the spine;
- the person has bad habits: eating too much 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.
Danger of osteochondrosis
How to deal with osteochondrosis?In the early stages of osteochondrosis (first or second), its symptoms may be poorly expressed 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 in the early stages, you can completely eliminate it.
Modern methods used to treat osteochondrosis
In the comprehensive treatment of spinal osteochondrosis, two methods are used: complex (conservative) therapy and surgical intervention.
Complex (conservative) therapy
Therapy for osteochondrosis consists of a whole range of medicinal and additional methods.This therapy is prescribed if you are in the early stages of this disease.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis is carried out through:
- use of drug therapy;
- local and general massage;
- a series of physiotherapy exercises;
- the use of reflexology and all variety of physiotherapeutic methods.
Treatment of grade 2 osteochondrosis also requires the use of the spinal traction method.Spinal traction is performed using a load selected individually for each patient.Special equipment is used for this.The spinal traction procedure not only relieves acute pain, but also restores the correct position of the spine and increases the intervertebral space.
Dressing methods
- the use of various anti-inflammatories and painkillers;
- the use of modern drugs that restore cartilage tissue.
Methods of using drugs during drug treatment:
- all kinds of external rubs 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 is gradually relaxed, part of the affected cartilage is restored, blood supply and metabolic processes are improved.Such treatment of the disease is necessarily prescribed in case of exacerbation of the disease.
Additional methods
- specially developed therapeutic diet;
- massage and self-massage;
- physiotherapy methods;
- manual therapy;
- underwater light hydromassage;
- pulling (traction therapy);
- acupuncture;
- traditional medicine;
- meditative relaxation;
- medicinal baths;
- a series of physiotherapy exercises;
- work with a psychotherapist.
Surgical (operative) treatment
Surgical treatment is used in the later stages of the disease (third and fourth), when other proven treatments no longer help.Treatment of later stages is more complex, 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 very rarely if attempts to cure a patient with osteochondrosis by other means have not helped.
How long does it take to cure osteochondrosis?
How to cure osteochondrosis quickly?This depends on the presence of pronounced age-related changes, the variability in the manifestation of symptoms and the variety of treatment methods used.Even the patient himself can actively contribute to healing by scrupulously following the prescriptions of the treating therapist.
Treatment of grade 1 osteochondrosis usually lasts one to four months.In grade 4, after surgery, the recovery period can take from a year to a year and a half.Treatment also depends on the patient's personality.He is required to be positive, persistent, strong-willed and highly motivated.
Treatment of different types of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is distinguished by the location of the spinal lesion (its location).The localization of osteochondrosis can be:
- cervical;
- Chest;
- lumbar;
- extended.
Main complaints:
- with cervical localization: a person periodically feels pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as headaches.Due to compression of the arteries, noises in the ears, colored spots and “flying springs” in front of the eyes, and mild dizziness sometimes occur.
- with thoracic localization - a person complains of pain of the type: "a stake was driven into the chest", "blows" 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 a wide variety of symptoms.With this form of the disease, a person simultaneously complains of several types of symptoms.
How to treat cervical osteochondrosis?
Treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the neck today are:
- painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics;
- stimulants for tissue restoration, anti-inflammatory gels, ointments for external use;
- manual therapy;
- physical therapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- reflexology;
- traditional medicine;
- surgery if the case is particularly serious.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
Measures for the treatment of breast type:
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- acupuncture;
- manual influence;
- vacuum therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- cupping massage;
- traditional medicine;
- moxotherapy (warming up with absinthe cigars).
Physical therapy for 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, physical therapy prevents possible relapses.
How to treat lumbosacral osteochondrosis?
Therapy in different stages is performed conservatively and surgically.
Conservative treatment of lumbosacral osteochondrosis in the initial stages includes:
- pharmacological therapy, in some cases hormonal;
- manual influence;
- general health supplements;
- reflexology (acupuncture);
- lower back massage;
- traditional medicine;
- hirudotherapy (leeches);
- Physical therapy.
Stage 4 lumbosacral osteochondrosis usually requires surgery.
How to treat common osteochondrosis?
Treatment of common osteochondrosis is carried out:
- prescribe appropriate pharmacological treatment;
- using all types of manual therapy;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- using acupuncture methods;
- various methods of physiotherapy;
- development of a special diet.
Any type of spinal osteochondrosis requires surgery in only 10% of cases.The operation can be prescribed for patients with complications, as well as if the patient belatedly turned to specialists for treatment.If the diagnosis is made in a timely manner and you have already started therapy, then it would be nice if traditional methods of treating this disease were added to the traditional methods.Traditional methods have proven effective in treating any type of osteochondrosis.
Treatment with traditional methods
Folk remedies for this disease are used only together with drug treatment.They are intended to relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.Decide for yourself how to treat spinal osteochondrosis - using various traditional medicines or just medical methods.
Popular folk remedies:
- take pine tonic baths;
- application of copper plates and coins to the spine.
- compresses with the addition of aloe juice;
- honey massages, honey compresses;
- fresh herbal decoctions: oregano, hop cones and chamomile;roots of St. John's wort, dandelion and burdock;
- apply horseradish leaves to a sore spot;
- apply rye or potato cakes to the sore spot;
- sunflower herbal tea;
- red elderberry tincture;
- burdock compresses.
When you begin 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 such pain will cease completely.The best way to treat osteochondrosis is the combination of conservative therapy with postoperative rehabilitation in specialized centers.
How can a person get rid of osteochondrosis?
Here are the three most common questions regarding patients suffering from osteochondrosis:
- How to get rid of osteochondrosis?
- How to cure osteochondrosis quickly?
- What 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 a complete cure only for the first and second stages of the disease.Therefore, you should immediately contact a therapist, even if you have discovered only some of the symptoms.Although all modern methods of treating osteochondrosis are quite effective, doctors consider the most effective therapy to be a combination of a number of traditional methods with constant training on stationary rehabilitation equipment.This treatment helps to completely recreate the muscle corset and forget about the disease for a long time.
Why shouldn't a patient suffering from osteochondrosis be treated at home?
- It is not recommended to treat a patient with osteochondrosis at home, since the lack of a special orthopedic bed, physiotherapy equipment and special exercise equipment can significantly reduce the effectiveness of treatment;
- Not all patients can consistently follow the 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 a nutritionist.
Hence the conclusion: you can try to cure osteochondrosis at home, widely using traditional treatment methods, but the best solution would still be to go to a clinic or hospital specialized for this profile, constantly being under the supervision of a highly qualified therapist.