How to treat osteochondrosis: causes and symptoms

how to treat osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a common disease of the musculoskeletal system. It manifests itself as a slight discomfort, and severe pain, limiting the activity of a person. In advanced cases, pathology can lead to the need for surgical intervention and even disability. Prevention and prevention of the disease reduces the risk of its occurrence or helps to achieve positive results of treatment.

Causes

Osteochondrosis is a pathology that occurs as a result of a combination of factors such as genetic predisposition, human lifestyle, environmental conditions.

The disease is characterized by damage to the articular cartilage, as well as the underlying bone tissue. Normally, it is the cartilages that provide the flexibility and mobility of the spine, but they can wear out, lose their properties, elasticity and deform under the pressure of other vertebrae.

The most common causes of the development of pathology are:

  • hereditary predisposition.
  • Weakness of the muscular corset.
  • Postural disorders and scoliosis.
  • Mechanical injury of the spine.
  • Excessive physical activity.
  • Neuro-emotional stress.
  • Passive lifestyle.
  • Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Tight uncomfortable shoes, high heels.
  • General dehydration.
  • Lack of important nutrients, beriberi.

Types of osteochondrosis

Cervical

This disease is included in the list of the most frequent complaints of patients of working age who spend up to 8-10 hours a day at the computer. Often, patients do not attach importance to pain, which leads to the development of complications. If you do not want to experience constant pain in the neck, head, shoulders, it is important to do prevention as soon as possible, and if necessary, see a doctor as soon as possible.

thoracic

The disease may be asymptomatic. Often it is accompanied by pain in the back, neck, forearm. In the advanced stage, thoracic osteochondrosis is characterized by symptoms that are manifested by a painful condition of the arms and legs, tinnitus. Also, chest chondrosis may be accompanied by nausea, headache in the morning, pain and flickering in the eyes, sweating. For the treatment of the disease, taking medications and therapeutic exercises are sufficient measures.

Lumbar

The lumbar spine is very vulnerable. If you do not engage in strengthening the back muscles and do not monitor your posture, there is a risk of developing unpleasant symptoms. Chondrosis is characterized by girdle pain in the lower back, pain in the hip region, and the so-called backache.

Take precautions. Keep your lower back warm, try not to overcool it. Do not carry or lift objects weighing more than 10 kg. If you are lifting something heavy, do not jerk or make sudden movements. Refuse any physical work in an inclined position. If you are going to mop the floor, use a mop or squat down.

Stages and symptoms of development of osteochondrosis

The disease goes through 4 stages, accompanied by various symptoms. In the initial stage, the pathology occurs in the region of the pulpal nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Excessive load provokes a decrease in the height of the disc and the appearance of cracks in the fibrous ring. A person may feel a little discomfort when they are in a static position for a long time or, conversely, when they move too actively.

At the 2nd stage, the distance between the vertebrae continues to decrease, the vertebral muscles and ligaments lose their tone and sag. This leads to increased mobility of the vertebrae with affected discs, the risk of displacement or subluxations. At the second stage, discomfort and pain appear, especially with certain types of loads or in certain positions.

With osteochondrosis of the 3rd degree, prolapses and protrusions of the intervertebral discs are formed, the development of arthrosis of the intervertebral joints is possible. A person experiences stiffness, becomes inactive. At this stage of the pathology, pain is clearly felt depending on the location of the lesion.

At the 4th stage, the body tries to adapt to functional disorders of the spine. This can be expressed in bone neoplasms - osteophytes. They act as a vertebra fixator. But it can cause pinched nerves and other injuries.

Diagnostics

When examining a patient and taking an anamnesis, a specialist conducts a primary diagnosis, suggesting the presence of a disease by a visually detectable curvature observed in the transverse or longitudinal plane of the spinal column. After the initial consultation, the surgeon or neurologist may prescribe additional examinations. After determining the localization of the disease and its stages, treatment can begin, the purpose of which is to get rid of the causes of pain.

The most common diagnostic methods:

  • x-ray;
  • CT;
  • MRI;
  • doppler ultrasound.

Treatment methods for osteochondrosis

Treatment brings good results only when it is regular, consistent and systematic. The therapeutic strategy of the first stage is aimed at neutralizing pain, the second stage is to activate the blood supply and metabolic processes in the affected areas of the spine, and the third stage shows physiotherapy and manual procedures.

With osteochondrosis of any department in the acute stage, accompanied by severe pain, the doctor may prescribe a paravertebral blockade by administering novocaine, lidocaine and other drugs to relieve muscle tension in the spinal motion segment, reduce swelling and muscle tension.

Combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, analgesics and vitamin complexes (group D, nicotinic acid) are considered effective. As a local therapy, ointments are prescribed - chondroprotectors and agents with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components.

It is important to remember that medications help to cope only with severe pain in the moment. Physiotherapy treatment helps to get rid of the unpleasant manifestations of the disease in the longer term.

The most commonly used therapies include:

  • reflexology;
  • acupuncture;
  • electrophoresis;
  • manual therapy;
  • massage;
  • physiotherapy.

What does the lack of treatment lead to?

Osteochondrosis is best corrected in the initial stage of formation before the appearance of syndromes of vertebral pathologies, accompanied by chronic headaches and pain in the shoulder blades, heart, and lower back. Over time, the disease leads to a change in the overall structure of the spinal column due to the active compensatory expansion of the connective, fibrillar and bone tissues.

The clinical picture of the disease depends on the localization of the pathology, the degree of development of the process, and the individual characteristics of patients. Displacement of the intervertebral discs, protrusions and hernias lead to unpleasant consequences.

Frequent manifestations:

  • violation of blood circulation in tissues;
  • pinched nerves;
  • dysfunction of the spinal canal;
  • edema and tissue fibrosis.

Therefore, the treatment of osteochondrosis should be started as early as possible and carried out in a complex manner with an emphasis on neutralizing inflammation and eliminating pain. If the disease manifests itself for years, is in an advanced stage, and herniated vertebral discs are diagnosed, a surgical operation may be required.

Prevention

Prevention of osteochondrosis and its treatment are inextricably linked with each other. Their goal is to improve the quality of life of the patient. If you have a sedentary job, take regular breaks. Get up every hour and a half and do simple exercises that relieve tension in the muscles of the neck and back. Try to sit at the table correctly: your back is straight, your shoulders are relaxed. Choose such chairs, the back of which can provide maximum support to the spine: so it will not overstrain.

To prevent the onset of the disease, it is good to periodically undergo a massage course. Massage can improve blood circulation and lymph flow, enhance metabolic processes in muscle tissues, and stop stagnant processes. As a result, there is an improvement in overall well-being, increased vitality, and some painful symptoms disappear.

Recommendations for the prevention and prevention of the development of osteochondrosis:

  • Limit yourself when lifting weights. Permissible weight up to 10 kg.
  • Carry weights evenly on both hands.
  • Systematically do simple exercises aimed at strengthening the spine, muscles, ligaments and joints.
  • Go swimming if possible.
  • Try not to sit for a long time in one position.
  • Take dietary supplements containing mucopolysaccharides - elements that make up cartilage.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine is a less difficult task than its further treatment. Think about your health and start taking care of it before it reminds you of itself.