In modern conditions, young people often suffer from osteochondrosis. The fault of this is a sedentary lifestyle, because even we often spend your free time at the computer - of course, sitting. Osteochondrosis can cause a lot of unpleasant sensations and significantly reduce the quality of life. Fortunately, the disease lends itself to symptomatic treatment: today there are many therapeutic solutions for this.
Symptoms and causes of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone tissue. It is cervical, chest and lumbar - it all depends on the area of the spine in which pathological changes began. With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disk suffers primarily. Due to a violation of metabolic processes, it is deformed and loses elasticity, and this leads to the fact that the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the nerves extending from the spinal cord are pinched. The result is severe pain, limitation of mobility, fatigue, changes in posture, which leads to an even greater deterioration in the situation.
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is an unbalanced and excessive load on the spine, which occurs, for example, in the presence of excess weight, with sitting work, other need to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time. Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or daily wearing on too high heels, sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, as well as weakness of the muscle corset. Pregnant women are also at risk.
However, osteochondrosis is not always - the result of a straight load on the vertebrae. Often this disease is caused by a violation of metabolic processes, chronic intoxication, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, a deficiency of some vitamins (in particular, D, C and B vitamins), injuries and, finally, age -related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often make the diagnosis of osteochondrosis with any structural change in the body. For example, when in the X -ray picture such changes in the spine as inclinations, growths, scoliosis, excesses, with a high degree of probability of the patient, will begin to be treated for osteochondrosis. If there are no deviations in the spine, they can make a diagnosis of "psychogenic pain". Meanwhile, the cause of the back pain remains unsolved.
Chinese medicine considers the human body as a whole. Therefore, when diagnostics is carried out by the doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), he "looks in the root" of the problem that he determines through its symptoms. Removing the "root" of the disease removes its manifestations, also contributing to the disappearance of back pain.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis largely depend on the localization of the source of the disease. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the disease begins with pain in the neck and hands, headaches and numbness of the fingers. With osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, the following manifestations are characteristic: acute back pain, tingling in the chest, a difficult breath. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in the lower back and legs, numbness of the feet, there are also disorders of the genitourinary sphere - urination disorders, sexual dysfunction in men, malfunctions of the ovary in women.
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, the list of manifestations of the disease is complemented by the following symptoms:
- pain that gives to the buttocks or legs;
- muscle severity and their stiffness;
- feeling of cold in the back;
- Night sweating;
- heat in the palms and feet;
- noise in the ears;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- cold in the limbs and lack of energy;
- acute pain, in any one place;
- increase in body temperature;
- swelling in the limbs.
At the same time, the pulse can be different: from deep, filamentous and slow, to vibrating and frequent. Symptoms, like the nature of the pulse, may depend on the root cause of the disease.
Most often, people notice the first signs of osteochondrosis at about 25 years old, but ignore them for a long time. Therefore, patients aged 30–35 years are usually addressed to doctors, and in many of them osteochondrosis is already in an advanced form.
How is osteochondrosis treatment?
If the doctor has diagnosed with osteochondrosis, be patient - the treatment will be long. The integrated approach significantly accelerates the recovery process, but in any case, osteochondrosis is not possible to cure osteochondrosis in a month.
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis should be divided into several stages, and each of them pursues specific goals.
The first step is to eliminate pain. Perhaps you will be recommended to wear a special corset that will support the back and neck in a physiologically correct position. Animal medicines and various procedures are prescribed: both from the arsenal of physiotherapy and those that relate to traditional medicine, for example, acupuncture, which has long been recognized as officially and is included in the nomenclature of medical services.
The second stage in the treatment of osteochondrosis is the restoration of intervertebral discs and the prevention of dystrophic changes. As a rule, therapeutic physical education, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, diet correction, physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalization of metabolic processes are indicated.
A neurologist can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. If necessary, resort to blockade by novocaine or more serious treatment aimed at removing spasm. However, the source of the disease remaining in the body after some time leads to the return of the disease.
Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine often in practice prove that the diagnosis of osteochondrosis is made erroneously in many situations. In those cases when this conclusion is confirmed, the doctor of TKM removes swelling in the patient and begins the restoration of tendons and muscles. Spasms are gradually eliminated from longitudinal and oblique muscles, while the ability to move in the full range is returned to the joint. Such treatment in most cases contributes to recovery.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient will also have to reconsider his habits: in order for the treatment to bring the desired results, it is necessary to dose the loads, alternating walks with rest, sometimes it is desirable to walk with a cane for some time. Drug treatment consists in taking non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs, relaxants, B vitamins and glucocorticosteroids.
In addition to classical medical massage, acupressure, acupuncture, acupuncture, as well as leech treatment, physiotherapy physical education and herbal medicine are used to treat this type of osteochondrosis. All these procedures can be carried out both in a regular clinic and in the licensed center of oriental medicine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is extremely common, and even among young people - sometimes it is diagnosed even among schoolchildren and students who spend too much time at textbooks and a computer. This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous in that it can lead to complications such as vision deterioration or an increase in intracranial pressure, which is manifested by severe headaches.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, a course of injections of vitamins of group V. are used
Massage of the collar zone, exposure to ultrasound and electrophoresis can also be prescribed. It is extremely important to lead a mobile lifestyle, develop proper posture, accustom yourself to take breaks in work and perform a small warm -up in the middle of the working day.
Of the means of traditional (including eastern) medicine, in the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, they are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal fees-phytotherapeutic drugs improve metabolism and the work of small vessels, relieve inflammation, which has a beneficial effect on the state of health in general and the musculoskeletal system in particular.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine
During the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the habit of dosing the load plays a large role: you should not spend too much time on the legs and sitting, it is more often necessary to relax in a lying position. In addition, some time will have to wear a corset to improve posture.
As with cervical osteochondrosis, with the lumbar, non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, group B vitamins are prescribed, often glucocorticosteroids, enzymes, as well as ointments that improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
Massage, exposure to mud and electrophoresis with painkillers, heating, including hot stones, is shown, this is the stones that have been popular in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis by traditional Chinese medicine (TKM)
Particular attention is deserved to treat various types of osteochondrosis, practiced in traditional Chinese medicine. From the perspective of a thousand -year experience of Chinese doctors, a key method for the treatment of osteochondrosis is an acupuncture, also called acupuncture. First of all, the doctor of TKM determines for each patient priority supersensitive (acupuncture) points. It is on them that he acts with the finest needles. This triggers the response of the body, contributing to the restoration of the affected cartilage and bones and the return of joint mobility.
After the therapy, to consolidate the therapeutic effect and maintain the body in the form, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses with a certain frequency in the future, but with a preventive purpose.
The technique of setting needles and the duration of the acupuncture session are influenced by the diagnosis and condition of the patient. As a rule, acupuncture sessions are well tolerated by all patients, although the sensations from the procedure in patients differ. For some, the introduction of needles passes unnoticed, someone may have a feeling of itching, light pressure, and someone completely falls asleep.
It cannot be said that the occurrence of osteochondrosis occurs due to any one factor-most often the cause of the development of the disease is generally an incorrect lifestyle. Therefore, treatment should be complex. A diet with a high content of vitamins, including the refusal of fatty food, alcohol and smoking, precisely calculated physical activity in combination with therapeutic and medical methods, make it possible to achieve a better result than with a simple use of tablets.