Hello dear readers. Diseases of the spine are one of the most pressing medical problems of humanity today. More and more young people are complaining of pain in various parts of the spine, although not so long ago this pathology mainly worried 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 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 are pressed 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 is accompanied by severe pain.
Depending on the location of the lesions in the spine, several types of disease are distinguished:
Cervical osteochondrosis
It is characterized by pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, head, vertigo, mild visual disturbances and noise effects.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Back pain radiates into the chest, sometimes strikingly similar to heart pain.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The pain is concentrated in the pelvis, peritoneum, lower back and radiates to the lower limbs.
Simultaneous damage to different spinal departments is possible.
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 development of osteochondrosis.
Chondrotic changes will only be noticeable on an X-ray, i. e. they can only be discovered by chance. Since there are no prerequisites for intentionally undergoing an X-ray examination.
Stages of chondrotic changes in the spine
- Cartilaginous dystrophy, initial tissue degeneration.
- Separate foci of inflammation in the cartilage and microcracks are noted. There is discomfort and stiffness in the movements of the spine. Sometimes the cartilage is squeezed out, forming protrusions - protrusions.
- Cartilage is replaced by bone formations. 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 the bone tissue, the cartilage is almost completely destroyed. The inflammation is extensive, complications appear. Some areas of the spine completely lose their mobility.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The causes of the pathological changes in the cartilaginous structures of the spine have not yet been fully studied by medicine. However, scientists have identified several risk groups that are most likely to develop osteochondrosis.
These are people who lead a passive life, whose work is associated with a sedentary position. Patients with excess body weight and metabolic disorders are also at risk of disease.
Spinal health among hard-working workers and professional athletes is also at risk.
The factors that provoke the formation of pathological changes include
- prolonged lack of fluid in the body;
- improper diet causing lack of minerals;
- 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 drugs, intoxication of different etiology;
- overweight, obesity;
- sleeping on a too soft mattress and high pillow.
Methods of treatment
The 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, a strong will and a high level of self-discipline. Success can be guaranteed only if there is an insatiable desire to recover and a set of therapeutic and preventive measures.
It is extremely undesirable to limit yourself to self-medication. You must clearly understand that just taking painkillers without changing your lifestyle will not give any results other than temporary relief.
The disease will continue to actively develop. In addition, dependence on anesthetics and analgesics is formed.
Combined therapy provides not only pain relief, but also fight against degenerative changes, restoration of mobility, relief of inflammation, prevention of complications and attempts to regenerate damaged structures.
Therefore, they connect:
- medication and, if necessary, surgical intervention;
- therapeutic and preventive gymnastics;
- physical procedures;
- various types of manual therapy, including traditional massage, reflexology;
- removal of staples, spinal traction.
All this is prescribed and monitored by the doctor. The patient can use non-traditional methods, but in agreement with the doctor. The patient should also report any successes and the occurrence of adverse reactions. This will allow timely correction of the treatment regimen.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
In a familiar home environment, effective treatment of osteochondrosis is quite possible. Your doctor will tell you how to get rid of the pain in the spine not only with the help of anesthesia. The patient will need to follow his instructions and perhaps slightly modify the standard approach to treating the spine.
We are primarily talking about adjusting the load when performing a set of exercises and when stretching the spinal structures. In this case, you should focus on personal endurance and sensitivity.
Medicines - medicines for osteochondrosis
You should immediately emphasize that osteochondrosis cannot be overcome with drugs alone. But they are an important and even necessary part of the healing process. Pharmacological drugs are used, as a rule, during an exacerbation of the disease to relieve symptoms and relieve inflammation. As for the restoration of cartilage tissue, nutritional supplements are used here, although with varying degrees of success.
The healing effects are aimed at:
- pain relief in various parts of the body;
- limiting inflammation and stopping this pathological process;
- increased blood circulation;
- improving metabolism;
- increased nutrition of damaged tissues;
- return of spine mobility;
- restoration of cartilaginous layers;
- preventing the development of depression due to ill health.
Different groups of drugs are used to solve the problems. If the effectiveness of one of them is low, more effective drugs are used with caution, as they have a greater number of possible side effects.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A group of nonsteroidal multipurpose drugs. Relieves inflammation, relieves pain, lowers temperature. In osteochondrosis, pain-relieving creams, ointments and tablets are most often used.
- Spasmolytics, combined analgesics, local anesthetics. It helps to get rid of muscle pains and headaches.
- Medicines that dilate blood vessels. It helps to get rid of headache and numbness.
- Muscle relaxants. They relieve tightness and spasms, which allows you to eliminate the resulting muscle pain and swelling.
- Vitamin preparations (vit. B, A, E, C, multivitamins), mineral supplements. They supply the body with the necessary compounds for cartilage tissue.
- Sedative drugs: tincture of valerian, motherwort. Help relieve the stress of constant pain and normalize sleep.
- Hormonal drugs based on the substances methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone. They are strong anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotective agents. Restore cartilage.
Physical exercises
Spinal injuries have their limitations when performing special exercises. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct classes under the supervision of an instructor.
Therapeutic gymnastics will help to get rid of pain, restore the 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 with caution. If discomfort or pain occurs, gymnastics should be stopped until the sensation disappears. After resumption of 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
Folk medicine has in its arsenal many simple, effective and safe recipes against osteochondrosis. They are used in the form of teas, tinctures, lotions, compresses, rubs, applications, ointments.
Herbal medicine will help maintain the body, strengthen it, normalize its functioning and relieve unpleasant symptoms. These funds can be purchased at any pharmacy or herbalist at an affordable price.
Effective compresses
The use of compresses will help to get rid of painful attacks, swelling and inflammation of cartilage tissue. For this purpose, irritating and warming agents are used.
- Horseradish with apples. Horseradish root and a small apple are grated on a fine grater. The puree is mixed in equal parts and smeared on the affected area. Cover on top with a film and apply a warming bandage overnight. Treatment continues until the pain disappears.
- For the same purpose, you can use compresses from other products: grated turnip, onion pulp, burdock leaves, cabbage. To enhance the anti-inflammatory effect, you can add honey.
- Vodka, mustard powder, camphor spirit - 50 g each are mixed with three beaten egg whites. The mixture is infused for about 10 hours and used as a compress for 3 days in a row, morning and evening. Then move on to the next recipe.
- 50 g of aloe leaf extract are 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 remedies are applied consecutively for 3 days, without interruption, until the symptoms disappear.
Tinctures 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.
cones
Decoction: wash 4 unripe cones, cut them, add half a liter of water, boil for a few minutes. Drink ¼ tbsp 1-3 times a day.
Tincture: pour 5 ripe crushed cones with seeds with a glass of alcohol (strong vodka), leave for 2 weeks, shaking the container every day. Drink a teaspoon after a meal.
Birch buds and blueberry leaves
1 tsp each, brew a glass of boiling water. Drink a little throughout the day.
Herbs
Teas from plants such as horsetail, mint, St. John's wort, calendula, calendula, linden, milk thistle, chamomile, plantain, thyme, gentian, sage, immortelle are also useful. They are used in different combinations or separately.
Applications with honey
With osteochondrosis, applications and lotions of aloe juice and honey help. They are used alone or in a mixture.
A piece of gauze should be moistened in the product and applied to the sore spot under a warming bandage for at least 40 minutes. You can also simply smear the desired areas with them several times a day.
Rubbing
Rubbing the medicinal composition accelerates blood circulation, ensures deep penetration of the product into the body, warms it, stimulates active centers, relieves tension and removes numbness.
Suitable for rubbing in osteochondrosis:
- bear/badger fat;
- turpentine;
- alcoholic herbal tinctures;
- decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants;
- fir oil;
- special compounds.
Rubbing for severe pain: crush a pack of analgin (10 pcs. ), combine with a glass of alcohol, a small bottle of iodine, 10 ml of camphor spirit. Rub your back only in the painful areas. May cause a burning sensation.
Therapeutic baths for osteochondrosis
Similar procedures are performed during remission. Warm water is used with the addition of herbal decoctions and essential oils. It should be used before going to bed.
Baths help to relax, calm, relieve swelling and tension, remove numbness, pain, heaviness in muscles. Here, decoctions are used in higher concentrations than when taken orally. But the same plants will do.