Hello dear readers. Diseases of the spine are one of the most urgent medical problems of humanity today. More and more young people are complaining of pain in different parts of the spine, although not so long ago this pathology mainly concerned the older generation. That is why the effective treatment of osteochondrosis is so actively discussed everywhere. How to get rid of back pain is the topic of this article. Due to the effects of gravity, as a punishment for walking upright, as well as due to other factors, the structures of the spine wear out prematurely.
What is osteochondrosis?
Insufficient nutrition of the cartilage tissue leads to weakening of the cartilage. The intervertebral layers lose their ability to withstand excessive load. The vertebrae press against each other, literally crushing the intervertebral cartilage cushions. This is how osteochondrosis develops.
At first, the cartilage tissue suffers, and later the vertebrae themselves are involved in the pathological process. The disease is chronic and accompanied by severe pain.
Depending on the location of the lesions in the spinal region, several types of the disease are distinguished:
Cervical osteochondrosis
It is characterized by pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, head, dizziness, mild visual abnormalities and noise effects.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Pain in the back is reflected in the chest, sometimes remarkably similar to heart pain.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The pain is concentrated in the pelvis, peritoneum, lower back and radiates to the lower extremities.
Simultaneous damage to different vertebral sections may occur.
As the disease progresses, there are 4 main stages of the disease. An unpleasant feature of the pathology is the low probability of its detection at the beginning. This is due to the asymptomatic nature of the initial stage of the development of osteochondrosis.
Chondrotic changes will only be visible on an x-ray, that is, they can only be detected by chance. Since there are no prerequisites for intentionally undergoing an X-ray examination.
Stages of chondrotic changes in the spine
- Cartilage dystrophy, initial tissue degeneration.
- Individual foci of inflammation in the cartilage and microcracks are visible. There is discomfort and stiffness in the movements of the spine. Sometimes the cartilage is squeezed outward, forming protrusions - protrusions.
- Cartilage is replaced by bone formations. The mobility of the affected area is increasingly limited. Nerve roots and blood vessels are compressed, which provokes the development of chronic pain in the back and surrounding areas. Dislocations and hernias may occur.
- The disease affects bone tissue, the cartilage is almost completely destroyed. The inflammation is extensive, complications appear. Some areas of the spine completely lose mobility.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The causes of pathological changes in the cartilaginous structures of the spine have not yet been fully studied by medicine. However, scientists have identified certain risk groups that are more likely to develop osteochondrosis.
These are people who lead a passive life, whose work involves a sitting position. Patients with excess body weight and metabolic disorders are also at risk of getting sick.
Spine health among hard workers and professional athletes is also at risk.
Factors that provoke the formation of pathological changes include
- prolonged lack of fluids in the body;
- improper diet causing mineral deficiency;
- hormonal changes;
- emotional outbursts, stress;
- injuries, overload;
- staying in static positions that are not anatomically correct;
- foci of infectious lesions in the body;
- flat feet of any severity;
- congenital predisposition;
- muscle weakness;
- pregnancy;
- aging of the body, natural wear and tear of tissues;
- harmful addictions;
- taking medications, intoxication of various etiologies;
- overweight, obesity;
- sleeping on a very soft mattress and a high pillow.
Treatment methods
Therapy consists of an active phase and a rehabilitation process. Even if there are no lasting results for a long time, you cannot give up. Recovery is very slow.
All this requires patience, strong will and a high level of self-discipline. Success can only be guaranteed if there is an insatiable desire to recover and a series of therapeutic and preventive measures.
It is highly undesirable to limit yourself to self-medication. You must clearly understand that taking painkillers alone without changing your lifestyle will not give any results other than temporary relief.
The disease will continue to develop actively. In addition, addiction to anesthetics and analgesics is formed.
Combined therapy offers not only pain relief, but also the fight against degenerative changes, restoration of mobility, relief of inflammation, prevention of complications and efforts to regenerate damaged structures.
Therefore they relate:
- medication and, if necessary, surgical intervention;
- therapeutic and preventive gymnastics;
- physical procedure;
- various types of manual therapy, including traditional massage, reflexology;
- removing the clips, pulling the spine.
All this is prescribed and monitored by the doctor. The patient can use unconventional methods, but in agreement with the doctor. The patient must also report all successes and the occurrence of adverse reactions. This will allow timely adjustments to be made in the treatment regimen.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
In a familiar home environment, effective treatment of osteochondrosis is quite possible. Your doctor will show you how to get rid of pain in the spine not only with the help of anesthesia. The patient will have to follow his instructions and, perhaps, slightly modify the standard approach to the treatment of the spine.
We are mainly talking about adjusting the load when performing a set of exercises and when stretching the vertebral structures. In this case, you need to focus on personal stability and sensitivity.
Medicines - medicines for osteochondrosis
You should immediately point out that osteochondrosis cannot be overcome only with medicines. But they are an important and even necessary part of the healing process. Pharmacological drugs are used, as a rule, during the exacerbation of the disease to relieve symptoms and relieve inflammation. As for the restoration of cartilage tissue, dietary supplements are used here, although with varying degrees of success.
Medicinal effects are aimed at:
- relief from pain in different parts of the body;
- inhibition of inflammation and termination of this pathological process;
- increased blood circulation;
- improving metabolism;
- increased nutrition of damaged tissues;
- return of mobility to the spine;
- restoration of cartilage layers;
- preventing the development of depression due to poor health.
Different groups of medications are used to solve problems. If the effectiveness of one of them is low, more effective drugs are administered with caution, as they have a greater number of possible side reactions.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A group of multifunctional nonsteroidal drugs. Relieves inflammation, relieves pain, lowers temperature. For osteochondrosis, soothing creams, ointments and tablets are most often used.
- Antispasmodics, combined analgesics, local anesthetics. It helps to get rid of muscle aches and headaches.
- Medicines that dilate blood vessels. It helps to relieve headaches and numbness.
- Muscle relaxants. They relieve tightness and spasms, which allows you to eliminate the pain and swelling of the resulting muscles.
- Vitamin preparations (vit. B, A, E, C, multivitamins), mineral supplements. They supply the body with compounds necessary for cartilage tissue.
- Calming medications: tincture of valerian, apple. Help relieve stress from constant pain and normalize sleep.
- Hormonal medications based on the substances methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone. They are strong anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotective agents. Restore cartilage.
Physical exercises
Spinal cord injuries have their limitations when performing specific exercises. Therefore, it is recommended to take classes under the supervision of an instructor.
Therapeutic exercises will help relieve pain, restore mobility of the spine and release compressed nerves and blood vessels. The exercises are aimed at developing the affected areas, strengthening and stretching the muscles.
The set of gymnastic techniques is more or less standard. But the duration, intensity and number of repetitions are determined individually.
With osteochondrosis, the probability of injury is high, so all actions are performed carefully. If discomfort or pain appears, gymnastics should be suspended until the sensation goes away. After resuming the action.
You may need to reduce the load or replace this exercise with a similar but more suitable one.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has in its arsenal many simple, effective and safe recipes against osteochondrosis. They are used in the form of teas, tinctures, creams, compresses, rubs, applications, ointments.
Herbal medicine will help support the body, strengthen it, normalize its functioning and relieve unpleasant symptoms. These medicines can be bought at any pharmacy or herbalist at an affordable price.
Effective compress
The use of compresses will help to remove painful attacks, swelling and inflammation of cartilage tissue. Irritating and heating agents are used for this purpose.
- Horseradish with apples. Horseradish root and a small apple are finely grated. The puree is mixed in equal parts and applied to the diseased area. Cover the top with film and apply a heating pad at night. Treatment continues until the pain is eliminated.
- For the same purpose, you can use compresses from other products: grated radish, onion pulp, burdock leaves, cabbage. To increase the anti-inflammatory effect, you can add honey.
- Vodka, mustard powder, camphor alcohol - 50 g each, mix with three beaten egg whites. The mixture is injected for about 10 hours and used as a compress for 3 consecutive days, in the morning and in the evening. Then move on to the next recipe.
- 50 g of aloe leaf extract is mixed with 150 g of vodka and 100 g of honey. Compresses are also used twice a day for three days. Then go back to the previous recipe. These two medicines are used consecutively, for 3 days each, without interruption until the symptoms disappear.
Infusions and decoctions for osteochondrosis
This group of folk remedies is used for systemic effects on the body to provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, strengthening and soothing effects.
Pine cones
Boiling: wash 4 unripe cones, chop, add half a liter of water, boil for a few minutes. Drink ¼ tbsp. 1-3 times a day.
Tincture: pour 5 crushed ripe cones with seeds with a glass of alcohol (strong vodka), leave for 2 weeks, shaking the container every day. Drink a teaspoon after meals.
Birch buds and blackberry leaves
1 spoon each, make a glass of boiling water. Drink a little throughout the day.
Plants
Teas from herbs such as horsetail, mint, St. John's wort, calendula, sturgeon, milk thistle, chamomile, plantain, thyme, yarrow, sage, and sage are also helpful. They are used in different combinations or separately.
Applications of honey
For osteochondrosis, applications and lotions made from aloe juice and honey help. They are used individually or in combination.
A piece of gauze should be moistened in the product and applied to the injured area under a heating bandage for at least 40 minutes. You can also simply paint the desired areas with them several times a day.
The friction
Rubbing the medicinal composition accelerates blood, ensures deep penetration of the product into the body, warms it, stimulates active centers, removes tension and eliminates numbness.
Suitable for rubbing for osteochondrosis:
- bear/badger fat;
- turpentine;
- alcoholic herbal tinctures;
- decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants;
- fir oil;
- special compounds.
Rubbing for severe pain: crush a package of analgin (10 pieces), combine with a glass of alcohol, a small bottle of iodine, 10 ml of camphor alcohol. Rub your back only on painful areas. It may cause a burning sensation.
Therapeutic baths for osteochondrosis
Similar procedures are carried out during the forgiveness phase. Warm water is used with the addition of herbal decoctions and essential oils. It should be used before bedtime.
Baths help to relax, calm down, relieve swelling and tension, eliminate numbness, pain, heaviness in muscles. Here, decoctions are used in higher concentrations than when taken orally. But the same plants will do.