Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected. In turn, the focus of the lesion involves the tissues surrounding the vessels and the nervous system in the process. This is the reason for the changes in the musculoskeletal system, in the bone and muscle tissues.
Young people often ignore the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, which occur en masse at age 25 or before. This usually happens among students whose occupation involves a sedentary lifestyle, therefore, the elderly often seek medical attention when chronic osteochondrosis is already observed, whose treatment can be difficult.
Dystrophic phenomena in the spine can have a pathological effect on internal organs. In medical practice, the relationship between the health of internal organs and the spine has been confirmed.
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis has been confirmed, it means that a long procedure for its treatment is ahead, despite the frivolous attitude towards this disease that exists in society.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. The course consists of several stages, each with the objective of achieving a specific result.
First step
Sensations of pain are eliminated. The doctor may suggest using a device that supports the neck and back in the most physiologically correct position. Together, they prescribe painkillers and physiotherapy procedures, in addition to traditional medicine methods, for example, acupuncture, which is proven in official sources and makes up the range of services of medical-sanitary institutions approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second level
The task is to restore the spinal discs and avoid changes in the dystrophic nature.
Treatment involves adjusting the diet, physiotherapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.
With symptoms of a neurological nature, a neurologist can perform novocaine blockade or use more serious medications to relieve muscle spasms. They may return after a while, but prolonged work on the joints and tendons restores their healthy functionality.
It is noteworthy that, in the initial phase, treatment is possible without the use of medications. In the complex of therapeutic measures, it is enough to introduce physiotherapy, decrease heavy physical efforts, use applicators, physiotherapeutic procedures.
Drug therapy
The drugs start to be used with the progression of the disease and when the patient has already started osteochondrosis of the back. Drug treatment can affect not only the symptoms, but also the causes of the disease and its consequences.
Medicines allow you to solve the following tasks:
- relief of pain syndrome;
- reduction of inflammation and edema of the tissue;
- strengthening of biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- restoration of cartilage tissue, return of motor activity to the joints;
- elimination of a depressive state due to constant pain and concerns about one's own health.
Medicines that are prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Relieves pain and swelling of tissues, can be used in the form of injections, ointments and gels, tablets and capsules. Among them: diclofenac, meloxicam, ibuprofen, nimesulide, ketoprofen, vasodilators (vasodilators). The vessels are able to contract due to chronic pain syndrome. To ensure normal tone, the doctor prescribes: pentoxifylline (to reduce vascular tone), thioctic acid (for better recovery). (muscle relaxants) and painkillers. Treatment takes longer without these drugs. Providing a relaxing effect, the mobility of the joints increases, the blood flow normalizes and the pain processes disappear. Drugs in this group: baclofen, tetrazepam. Chondroprotectors (symptomatic drugs with delayed action). They contain easily digestible forms of collagen fibers that can relieve inflammation, slow down and reverse degenerative phenomena in cartilage and bone tissues. The effect of medications occurs after prolonged use (at least 6 months). Among the drugs in this group: chondroitin, a bioactive concentrate of 4 species of marine fish, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid. Sedatives (sedatives). They relieve stress and depression in the context of illness. There are synthetic and natural origins. These include: motherwort tincture, valerian; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, derivatives of barbiturates and benzodiazepines). Complexes of vitamins and minerals. Preference is given to preparations containing vitamin "B", which is capable of having a regenerating effect on the affected nerve areas and relieving pain.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when choosing one of the methods of treating osteochondrosis with massage, doctors recommend listening to the prescriptions of the neurologist or therapist responsible for the care.
Any type of massage therapy is prescribed only in case of remission of the disease. If an exacerbation has occurred, it is not recommended to use it, in order not to aggravate the situation.
Among the types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis are:
- classic;
- self-massage;
- to point;
- Thai;
- segmental reflex;
- vacuum;
- periosteum.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to achieve a healing effect and the ability to feel relief in the first few sessions.
To achieve a permanent effect, the duration of the course is 10 to 15 procedures. There follows a pause of several months, after which the course of massage therapy is repeated again, and as long as necessary at the discretion of the attending physician.
Third degree osteochondrosis, treatment
At this stage, the fibrous ring of connective tissue undergoes destruction. This, in turn, causes protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral disc. In this case, painful sensations are not expressed, but they persist due to the possibility of pinching the roots of nerve endings.
It can manifest as numbness of the extremities, loss of control over the functions of Organs pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, decreased sense of coordination and balance. Really confirming the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis is only possible with the aid of radiography, which will show defragmentation (appearance of cracks) and deformation of the spinal joints and formation of osteophytes (bone protuberances).
On magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, hernias and dislocations with sheath rupture and clamping of nerve endings are visible, these complications often accompany stage 3.
The treatment of spinal osteochondrosis in patients at this stage does not always have a favorable prognosis. Most are unable to completely get rid of the manifestations of the disease.
The therapeutic effect is achieved in the complex therapy of conservative and surgical methods.
Conservative method
It consists of drug treatment, massage treatment, exercise therapy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding weight lifting, sudden spinal turns, abandoning bad habits).
Injecting drug treatment
They block with novocaine, joint block, epidural and paravertebral block, use corticosteroids (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
In the treatment with injections, the active substance immediately enters the paravertebral region or directly into the vertebra, which guarantees the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
It is often used due to the destruction and displacement of the intervertebral discs and consists of the following operations:
- removal of the intervertebral disc, partially or totally;
- connection (osteosynthesis) of adjacent vertebrae to protect the spinal cord.
Hirudotherapy Method
Medicine, by various methods, makes it possible to influence osteochondrosis. Treatment with leeches helps to increase the activity of the joints, and the active substance (hirudin) in your saliva thins the blood, helps to restore and regenerate the affected tissues due to the better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, compression of thenerves and increases the effect of other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and in a session, which lasts 30-60 minutes, 5-7 individuals from a pharmacy or medicinal leech are used.
The course of treatment consists of 8 to 10 procedures with periods of 5 days between them.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of people have spinal osteochondrosis of varying severity and the disease is underestimated in its consequences, it makes sense to contact the clinic as soon as possible to get medical help from our generalists and conduct treatment. appropriate, preliminary diagnosis of the disease. . .