Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease in which the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is affected. In turn, the lesion focus involves the surrounding tissues of the vessels and the nervous system in the process. This is the reason for changes in the musculoskeletal system, in bone and muscle tissues.
Young people often ignore the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, which occur en masse at the age of 25 and earlier. This often happens among students whose occupation involves a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, older people often turn to medical care when chronic osteochondrosis is already observed, the treatment of which may be difficult.
Dystrophic phenomena in the spinal column can have a pathological effect on the 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 was confirmed, this means that a long procedure for its treatment is ahead, despite the frivolous attitude towards this disease existing in society.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. The course consists of several stages, each of which is aimed at achieving a specific result.
First stage
Pain sensations are eliminated. The doctor may suggest wearing a device that supports the neck and back in the physiologically most correct position. Together, they are prescribing painkillers and physiotherapy procedures, as well as methods of traditional medicine, for example, acupuncture, which is confirmed in official sources and makes up the range of services of medical health institutions approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second phase
The task is to restore the discs of the spinal column and prevent changes in dystrophic nature.
Treatment involves adjusting the diet, physical therapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood circulation in the intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues.
With symptoms of a neurological nature, the neurologist can perform novocaine blockade or use more serious drugs to relieve muscle spasms. They may return after a while, but prolonged work on the joints and tendons restores their healthy functionality.
It should be noted that at the initial stage, treatment is possible without the use of drugs. In the complex of therapeutic measures, it is enough to introduce exercise therapy, reduce heavy physical exertion, use applicators, physiotherapy procedures.
Drug therapy
Medicines begin to be used with the progression of the disease and when the patient has already started osteochondrosis of the back. Treatment with drugs 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 tissue inflammation and edema;
- 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 from constant pain and worries about their own health.
Drugs that are prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Relieve 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 capable of constricting from chronic pain syndrome. To ensure normal tone, the doctor prescribes: pentoxifylline (to reduce vascular tone), thioctic acid, (for better recovery). (muscle relaxants) and pain relievers. Treatment takes longer without these drugs. Providing a relaxing effect, the mobility of the joints increases, the blood flow is normalized, and pain processes go away. Drugs from 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 the drugs 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 against the background of illness. There are synthetic and natural origin. These include: tincture of motherwort, valerian; antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, derivatives of barbiturates and benzodiazepines). Vitamin and mineral complexes. Preference is given to preparations containing vitamin "B", which is able to have a regenerating effect on the affected nerve areas and relieve pain.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when choosing one of the methods for treating osteochondrosis with massage, doctors recommend listening to the prescriptions of the attending neurologist or therapist.
Any type of therapeutic massage is prescribed only in case of remission of the disease. If an exacerbation has occurred, it is not recommended to use it, so as not to aggravate the situation.
Among the types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis are:
- classical;
- self-massage;
- point;
- Thai;
- segmental reflex;
- vacuum;
- periosteal.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to achieve a healing effect and the ability to feel relief already in the first sessions.
To achieve a permanent effect, the duration of the course is 10-15 procedures. This is followed by a break for several months, after which the course of therapeutic massage is repeated again, and as long as it takes at the discretion of the attending physician.
Osteochondrosis of the third degree, 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, the painful sensations are not expressed, but persist due to the possibility of pinching the roots of the nerve endings.
It can manifest itself as numbness of the extremities, loss of control over the functions of the pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, impaired sense of coordination and balance. It is possible to really confirm the diagnosis of grade 3 osteochondrosis only with the help of X-ray, which will show defragmentation (the appearance of cracks) and deformation of the joints of the spine and the formation of osteophytes (bone outgrowths).
On examination of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, hernias and displacements with ruptures of the sheath and pinching of nerve endings are visible, these complications often accompany stage 3.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis in patients at this stage does not always have a favorable prognosis. The majority cannot 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 in drug treatment, massage treatment, exercise therapy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (avoiding heavy lifting, sharp turns of the spine, giving up bad habits).
Injection drug treatment
They carry out novocaine blockade, facet joint blockade, epidural and paravertebral blockade, use corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
When treating with injections, the active substance enters immediately into the paravertebral region, or directly into the vertebra, which ensures the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
It is used often due to the destruction and displacement of the intervertebral discs and consists in the following operations:
- removal of the intervertebral disc, partially or completely;
- connection (osteosynthesis) of adjacent vertebrae to protect the spinal cord.
Hirudotherapy method
Medicine by many methods makes it possible to influence osteochondrosis. Treatment with leeches helps to increase the activity of joints, and the active substance (hirudin) in their saliva thins the blood, helps to restore and regenerate the affected tissues due to better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, pinching of nerves, and increases the effect of other conservative methods. The procedure is painless and in one session, which lasts 30-60 minutes, 5-7 individuals of a pharmacy, or medicinal leech, are used.
The course of treatment consists of 8-10 procedures with periods of 5 days between them.
Due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of people have osteochondrosis of the spine, varying in severity, and the disease is underestimated in its consequences, it makes sense to contact the clinic as soon as possible for medical help from our generalists and conduct appropriate treatment, preliminary diagnosis of the disease. . .