Osteochondrosis - causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention methods

A man has spinal osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis are a violation of the structure of vertebrae and discs between them.The distance between the vertebrae is getting smaller, their elasticity and shape suffer.Muscle tissue is constantly tension.The nerves that extend from the spinal cord can be compressed.

Varieties

Depend on destination.

Cervical osteochondrosis.The vertebrae in the cervical region are tuned, the functions of the thyroid gland are disturbed, arterial channels are squeezed.The patient suffers from migraine, it is difficult for him to move his hands and heads.The fingers are numb.

Thoracic.Symptoms are similar to heart and blood vessel diseases.In the scapa and chest area, the pain appears.Pain can be intense or even chronic instead of vertebrae deformation.Toracic osteochondrosis negatively affects the kidneys and pancreas.

Lumbar osteochondrosis.Intensive painful sensations appear in the muscle tissues of the buttocks.The pain can be given to the perineum.The patient feels uncomfortable during the inclinations.With lumbar department osteochondrosis, muscle tissue atrophy may arise, problems may arise with the operation of the reproductive system.

Polysegmented osteochondrosis.This is the development of the disease in various parts of the spine at the same time.In the patient, the work of the speech apparatus is interrupted, the Nape area becomes insensitive.

Generalized osteochondrosis.This is a defeat of various parts of the spine, along with joint tissues.The patient suffers from metabolic processes and weakens immunity.The disease is distinguished by frequent exacerbations.

Reasons

Inadequate load in the spine is the main reason for the appearance of osteochondrosis.The fact is that, with large and prolonged stress, the structure of cartilage changes.

Other reasons:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • sloppy;
  • uncomfortable long pose;
  • Curvature of the spine;
  • temperature contrast;
  • Hypothermia of the body;
  • Intensive physical activity;
  • sharp curves with the body;
  • Height transport;
  • carrying a child;
  • fracture and other damage to vertebrae;
  • inconvenient shoes;
  • weakened muscle tissue;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • inadequate nutrition;
  • metabolic violation;
  • Lack of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus;
  • alcohol, cigarettes and drugs;
  • stress;
  • heredity.

Osteochondrosis symptoms

In the early stages of osteochondrosis, the patient is worried:

  • back pain, neck or other body parts;
  • discomfort when moving and rigidity during inclinations or curves;
  • constant tension and muscle spasm;
  • migraine and dizziness crises;
  • heart pain;
  • Muscle hypotension - reduced tone and muscle strength;
  • dormancy of the members;
  • weapons and legs;
  • fly in front of the eyes;
  • reduction in limb temperature;
  • Firing painful sensations.

With neglected osteochondrosis, there may be:

  • loss of consciousness;
  • decreased limb sensitivity;
  • Vascular circulatory violation;
  • lesion or inflammation of the nerves;
  • narrowing and blocking of the arteries.

Osteochondrosis development stages

There are four steps:

  1. Patients complain of constant fatigue, which is discarded for work, and suffer discomfort in the area of damage.The first stage of the disease can be diagnosed during a comprehensive preventive examination.
  2. The patient has painful sensations.The cartilage fabric begins to collapse.In the absence of a treatment course, the squeezing of nerve roots and arterial channels progresses.To get rid of pain, there are enough drugs.
  3. The column structure is changing.At this stage, lordosis, the curvature of the posture is diagnosed.A hunchback may appear.With timely treatment, these consequences can be minimized.
  4. It is difficult for the patient to move.When body position changes, clear painful sensations appear.The change of vertebra, the cartilage becomes dense.Osteophytes develop.At this stage, irreversible consequences appear that may end in disability.

Exacerbation of osteochondrosis

It can occur after excessive physical activity, hypothermia or trauma of the spine.At this point, the patient suffers from intense pain, sometimes he cannot move completely.The duration of exacerbation depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's general condition and is 1-2 days to several weeks.

With the exacerbation of osteochondrosis, you should consult a doctor.

In the acute pain phase, it is very easy to make an error and send the patient to unnecessary operation.The doctors, in the face of complications, begin to dry out.Therefore, before visiting a neurosurgeon, it is proposed to undergo a two -week treatment course and relieve the severity of symptoms.This reduces the likelihood of surgery, because when a person does not hurt, the doctor treats the patient much calmer.

Complications

  • protrusion,
  • hernia,
  • Salt deposits between vertebrae,
  • kyphosis,
  • Reducing the limbs muscles,
  • spinal cord blow,
  • radiculitis,
  • limb paralysis.

Diagnosis

To diagnose osteochondrosis, the doctor examines the patient and conducts a hardware examination.

Blood tests for osteochondrosis.Based on the results of a general blood test, the first signs of osteochondrosis can be identified: an increase in red blood cell precipitation rate and a low calcium level.To confirm the diagnosis in case of suspected osteochondrosis, a biochemical analysis is performed.Thus, evaluate coagulation indicators, enzyme activity, zinc, cobalt, iron and other components.

Radiography.Check each column separately, take photos in straight, side and two oblique projections.If necessary, a functional radiography is prescribed and the images are taken in the flexion position, side inclinations or extension.According to special nominations in the vertebral artery, the intervertebral canal or damaged intervertebral disc is introduced by an contrasting matter.

Computed tomography (CT).TC is usually performed after radiography to clarify the condition of a particular intervertebral disc.For example, see your height, identify edge growth or vertebrae instability.To do this, take pictures of one or two segments of the spine.

Magnetic Resonance Tomography (Magnetic Resonance).Magnetic resonance imaging is made or beyond the CT.According to tomography photos, blood vessels, nerve processes, intervertebral discs are studied.

Which doctor contact

Osteochondrosis treats a neurologist.He performs an initial inspection, sends exams, makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes a comprehensive treatment.The neurologist also adjusts the course of treatment if it does not bring results.

Prevention of osteochondrosis

It is important to bring the right lifestyle, alternate work modes and rest, relax on vacation and take weekends, as well as:

  • Avoid intense physical effort;
  • Walk in the fresh air;
  • By sitting down the work once a hour, make an easy gymnastics of the body and neck;
  • Sleep use an orthopedic mattress;
  • perform a proper diet;
  • Treat infectious diseases in due course.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Some treatment techniques or even massage or manual therapy may be against -indicated for a specific case;Therefore, it is important individual consultation.Most of the time, motor therapy, massage, manual therapy and acupuncture are used as treatment.They try not to use medications.

The doctor also provides recommendations on the daily and sleep regime.The reason for the problem may be an uncomfortable sleeping place or an incorrectly organized workplace.

Motor therapy

Treatment is preferred in all leading countries with a good level of medicine.In addition, this method is good as rehabilitation and with a slight curvature of the spine.

These are classic physiotherapy exercises, treatment and physical education classes in water complexes, swimming, gym training and computed hardware.Styles are selected by a doctor: it turns out that one style is against it, but another is allowed.With swimming, you should also be careful: If the patient does not have the correct technique, this type of physical activity can be harmful.

Generally, people with osteochondrosis need asymmetrical loads.For example, on the right side of the muscles, it is better developed.Due to this imbalance, distortions occur in the musculoskeletal system and the bone ligament apparatus.The curvature of the thoracic spine is characteristic of people with a well -developed right hand: reinforcement, boxers.

Manual therapy for osteochondrosis

This type of treatment is used in the early stages of the disease.Manual therapy strengthens muscle structure and eliminates blocking and pinching nerve roots.This type of treatment is not recommended when the form of vertebrae has changed and the bone growth formed.

Proper manual therapy improves the spine configuration.There may be persistent functional blocks - areas of spine stiffness and pelvic sacred - that the patient is difficult to remove independently with therapeutic exercises.

Modern manual therapy is not what they have practiced before.Many doctors no longer use difficult techniques that are accompanied by crispness, but use soft techniques.They are based on knowledge of biomechanics, joint joints, muscle contraction laws and relaxation.The risk of side effects of such techniques is lower and effectiveness has not changed.

Acupuncture

In certain parts of the body, the doctor has special needles.After that, blood circulation, lymphatic circulation and metabolic processes are accelerated, the condition of the spine and the entire body improves.Acupuncture with osteochondrosis is performed at the early stages of the disease, with intense pain and poor mobility of vertebrae.

There is also a dry needle method when a needle without medication is introduced into a spasmodic muscle, usually in the shape of pear.Back pain and pelvic area to.This method is effective even in chronic cases.

Cinerserapia

This is one of the safest methods.It is actively developing in South Korea and is often used in sports medicine.

KinesiTeype is a cotton adhesive with a thermal.There are special types of therapeutic applications for neck pain, chest problems, back and joints.Now they conduct many home recording training seminars, but you need to be more careful with independent tape - there may be complications.

With Kinesiote, you need to consider the restrictions: for girls, it's pregnancy and critical days.Some patients may have an allergic reaction to an adhesive.

Osteochondrosis massage

There are many against -indications for this type of treatment;Therefore, the neurologist prescribes an individual course for the patient.Together with him, you need to choose a competent massage therapist.Massage sessions must be regular.Usually, the doctor prescribes at least 2-3 sessions a week for 1-3 months.

Suitable medical massage for spine osteochondrosis:

  • Provides additional muscle loads and increases its tone;
  • accelerates lactic acid accumulations and relieves muscle spasm;
  • Improves blood circulation in the affected area and adjacent tissues;
  • Relieves the pain.

Only medical massage is suitable for treatment, Thai is dangerous.Most Thai massage masters use hard manual therapy techniques and are not interested in the physical condition of the patient.

Physiotherapy for spinal osteochondrosis

Depending on the location and stage of the disease, patients are prescribed:

Magnetotherapy.This is the effect of a magnetic field with a constant frequency that triggers a cellular reaction.

Electrophoresis for osteochondrosis.The effect on the electric field tissue, which accelerates blood circulation and activates regeneration processes.

Laser therapy.Activates biological processes in nerve fibers, has an anti -inflammatory effect, wound healing and analgesic.

Shockwave therapy.The impact on the sick body of the body with acoustic waves improves metabolic processes and microcirculation, relieves swelling and pain.

Hirudotherapy

This treatment with medical leeches.It prevents increased blood coagulation and the formation of blood clots, expands blood vessels, eliminates inflammatory processes and has an analgesic effect.Lying on osteochondrosis, it is placed to improve the blood supply of the cells and, due to this, to activate the restoration of damaged intervertebral discs.

Drug treatment of osteochondrosis

Modern medicine is trying to move away from medicines.Some medications are very serious and may negatively affect the patient's health.

Pain for osteochondrosis usually occurs against the bottom of small changes in the spine.And if the doctor selects the correct treatment of the patient without medications, the patient is unlikely to find pain again.If the patient takes medications for a long time, the structural changes in the spine will probably get worse and the tablets will no longer act.There are also situations in medicine where medicines are against -Indicated.

In modern medicine, kinesiiothepe is used as painkillers.This is a long patch that is no more expensive than drug packaging.Its effectiveness and safety are greater than drug therapy.

Other treatment methods

Sometimes the following medicines and procedures are prescribed:

Corset.It corrects the column and additionally supports the rear.

Darsonvalization for osteochondrosis.This is the effect of the alternating current through a gas electrode with gas.Improves microcirculation and blood supply.

Plaster and Mustard CompenseThey have a heating effect and activate the bloodstream.

Vitamins for osteochondrosisImprove the condition of bones, joints, muscle tissue and nerve fibers.

Injections and chondropoprotectorsAvoid additional destruction of cartilage.

In severe cases, surgery is prescribed for the treatment of osteochondrosis.

Osteochondrosis diet

The power supply for osteochondrosis should be balanced.A sufficient amount of substances for the synthesis of the cartilage tissue should enter the body.It is useful to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, protein products and dishes with mucopolysaccharides - for example, fruits jam, jelly or flooded fish.

Osteochondrosis exercises

Exercise therapy for spine osteochondrosis is prescribed when the pain passes.The set of exercises is selected individually, depending on the form, degree, stage of the disease.For example, in the initial phase of the cervical form of the disease, doctors advise:

  • Perform inclinations with your head;
  • Turn the head to the right and left;
  • Describe the chin number from 0 to 9 in the air;
  • Move your chin forward forward in the horizontal plane.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a temperature for osteochondrosis?

Yes. This symptom may be with concomitant diseases, for example, with spinal canal stenosis, vertebral artery syndrome and disc protrusions.

How to sleep with osteochondrosis?

In the pose where pain is convenient and less concerned with you.If you sleep on your back, select a small pillow and put a soft roll under your knees, in your stomach - a pillow under the lower abdomen.

Also buy an orthopedic mattress and pillow.

Can there be arrhythmia of osteochondrosis?

Yes, in advanced cases of osteochondrosis.One of the possible reasons is to pinch the vertebral artery, which can squeeze the spasmodic muscles or osteophytes covered with vegetation.But it is better to go through a complete exam and ensure that you do not have heart disease.

What are the injections of osteochondrosis?

Now they are trying to leave medical treatment.The doctor prescribes injections only in extreme cases.For osteochondrosis, non -anti -inflammatory drugs, analgesics, anesthetics and chondroprotectors are used.

Is it possible to warm osteochondrosis?

Before examining a doctor, it is better not to be worth it.

How to anesthetize osteochondrosis?

Kinesioteype.This is a cotton sticker with a thermosta.There are special types of therapeutic applications for neck pain, chest problems, back and joints.