Osteochondrosis is a chronic condition that affects the core of the intervertebral disc. The lesion focus in turn involves the surrounding tissue of the vessels and the nervous system in the process. This is the reason for changes in the musculoskeletal system, bone and muscle tissue.
Young people often ignore the first symptoms of osteochondrosis, which appear en masse by the age of 25 and earlier. This often happens with high school students whose job involves a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, the elderly often turn to medical care when chronic osteochondrosis is already observed, which can be difficult to treat.
Dystrophic phenomena in the spine can have pathological effects on the internal organs. In medical practice, the connection between the health of the internal organs and the spine has been confirmed.
Effective treatment for osteochondrosis
If the diagnosis of osteochondrosis has been confirmed, it means that despite the frivolous attitude towards the disease in society, a long treatment process is ahead.
The best treatment for osteochondrosis involves an integrated approach. The course consists of several phases, each of which aims to achieve a specific result.
First stage
Pain sensations are eliminated. The doctor may suggest wearing a device that supports the neck and back in the most physiologically correct position. Together they prescribe pain relievers and physiotherapeutic procedures as well as methods of traditional medicine, such as acupuncture, which is confirmed in official sources and which makes up the range of services of the medical health facilities approved by the Ministry of Health.
Second phase
The task is to restore the intervertebral discs of the spine and prevent changes in the dystrophic nature.
Treatment includes diet adjustment, physical therapy, manual therapy, massage, acupuncture. This complex improves blood flow to the intervertebral discs and the surrounding tissues.
For neurological symptoms, a neurologist may perform novocaine blockade or use more serious medication to relieve muscle spasms. You may return after a while, but prolonged work on the joints and tendons will restore 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 and use physiotherapeutic procedures.
Drug therapy
Medicines are used as the disease progresses and when the patient has already started osteochondrosis of the back. Treatment with drugs can affect not only symptoms, but also the causes of the disease and its consequences.
With medication you can solve the following tasks:
- Relief of pain syndrome;
- Reduction of tissue inflammation and edema;
- Strengthening the biologically active processes and blood circulation in the affected areas;
- Restoration of cartilage tissue, return of motor activity to the joints;
- Eliminating a depressed state from constant pain and worries about one's own health.
Drugs prescribed by a neurologist for osteochondrosis:
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal 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 can narrow due to the chronic pain syndrome. To ensure normal tone, prescribethe doctor: pentoxifylline (to reduce vascular tone), thioctic acid (to improve recovery). (Muscle relaxants) and pain relievers. Treatment takes longer without these drugs. A relaxing effect increases the mobility of the joints, normalizes blood circulation and the pain processes disappear. Medicines from this group: baclofen, tetrazepam. Chondroprotectors (symptomatic drugs with a delayed effect). They contain easily digestible forms of collagen fibers that can reduce inflammation, slow down and reverse degenerative phenomena in cartilage and bone tissue. The effect of the drugs appears after prolonged use (at least 6 months). Among the drugs in this group: chondroitin, a bioactive concentrate made from 4 species of marine fish, glucosamine, glucosamine + chondroitin, pentoxifylline, hyaluronic acid. Sedatives (tranquilizers). They relieve stress and depression on the background of diseases. There are synthetic and natural origins. These include: tincture of feverfew, valerian; Antidepressants, maprotiline), hypnotics (antihistamines, derivatives of barbiturates and benzodiazepines). Vitamin and mineral complexes. Preparations containing vitamin "B", which have a regenerative effect on the affected nerve areas and can relieve pain, are preferred.
Osteochondrosis and massage
Today, when doctors choose one of the methods of treating osteochondrosis with massage, they recommend following 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.
Types of massage used to treat osteochondrosis include:
- classic;
- Self massage;
- Point;
- Thai;
- Segment reflex;
- Vacuum;
- Periosteum.
The duration of the procedure is 20-45 minutes. This is enough to have a healing effect and the ability to feel relief from the very first few sessions.
To achieve a lasting effect, the duration of the course is 10-15 procedures. This is followed by a break of several months, after which the course of the therapeutic massage is repeated again, for as long as is necessary at the discretion of the attending physician.
Third degree osteochondrosis, treatment
At this stage the fibrous ring of connective tissue is destroyed. This in turn leads to a protrusion and breakage 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 in numbness of the extremities, loss of control over the functions of the pelvic organs, decreased muscle tone, impairment of the sense of coordination and balance. Really confirm that the diagnosis of degree 3 osteochondrosis is possible only with the help of radiography, which shows defragmentation (the appearance of cracks) and deformation of the spinal joints, as well as the formation of osteophytes (bone growth).
When examining magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, hernias and dislocations with vaginal tears and pinching of the nerve endings are visible; these complications are often associated with stage 3.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in patients at this stage does not always have a favorable prognosis. The majority can not 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 heavy lifting, sharp turns of the spine, giving up bad habits).
Injection of drugs
They perform novocaine block, facet joint block, epidural and paravertebral block, and use corticosteroid drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone) to relieve inflammation.
When treated with injections, the active ingredient immediately reaches the paravertebral region or directly into the vertebra, which ensures the fastest therapeutic effect.
Surgical method
Often used due to the destruction and displacement of the intervertebral discs, it consists of the following operations:
- partial or complete removal of the intervertebral disc;
- Connection (osteosynthesis) of neighboring vertebrae to protect the spinal cord.
Hirudotherapy method
Medicine makes it possible to influence osteochondrosis with many methods. Treatment with leeches helps to increase the activity of the joints, and the active ingredient (hirudin) in your saliva thins the blood, helps restore and regenerate the affected tissues due to better absorption of nutrients, relieves swelling, pain, nerve clamps and increases the effectsother conservative methods. The procedure is painless and uses 5 to 7 people from a pharmacy or medicinal leech in a session that lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
The course of treatment consists of 8-10 procedures with an interval of 5 days.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of people suffer from osteochondrosis of the spine of varying severity and the consequences of the disease are underestimated, it makes sense to contact the clinic as soon as possible for medical help from our generalists andto carry out adequate treatment. preliminary diagnosis of the disease. . .