The osteochondrosis of the spine is not a sentence.Causes, symptoms, modern methods of treatment

Spinal osteochondrosis -It is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral cartilage and vertebrae are deformed.Recently, you need to hear about this disease more and more.And it's not surprising, because if the wider osteochondrosis was considered a pathology of the elderly, it was now a very "younger".We live in an age of scientific and technological progress-we have lifts and escalators, vehicles and communication tools that allow you to quickly transmit information, applying a minimum of physical effort to it.As a result, for speed and comfort, we pay the health of our spine.But don't despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let's find out what changes are happening in the spine with osteochondrosis, how it manifests itself and we will analyze modern methods of treating this condition.

Spinal osteochondrosis: Causes

The spine consists of vertebrae that are interconnected by cartilage intervertebral discs.They serve as a shock absorber and provide elasticity and mobility of the spine.

Our body grows up to 20-25 years.Currently, the intervertebral disc is equipped with blood vessels with which active nutrition occurs.After stopping growth, the blood supply stops.The disc then receives power from adjacent tissues, mainly from the muscles.The discs are fed as a sponge when compressed, they give metabolic products and with stretching they absorb nutrients.If for some reason the intervertebral disc does not receive enough power, it begins to collapse.

Consider the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• A sedentary lifestyle.We already know that the cartilage disc is fed when compressed and stretch, and therefore the spine must be moved.
• Forced posture.This applies to office workers and drivers, as prolonged sitting, leaning forward, leads to uneven loading of the spine.Imagine that the whole mass of the upper body is not pressure on the whole disk every day, but on certain points.The power of cartilage tissue at these points is disturbed, leading to its destruction.

Long-term sitting on the computer when tilted forward increases the spinal load by 50-70%.

• Excessive physical activity.In addition to the load on the spine, muscle tension occurs, resulting in the blood circulation of the muscles and the intervertebral disc does not receive the necessary nutrition.
• Incorrect stand.Sustainable change in spinal configuration overloads the intervertebral discs.
• Obesity.The excess weight of the upper body has a load on the spine.
• Age -related changes.It is a natural process that resulted in the metabolic processes of cartilage and bone tissue slowing down.

Changes in the spine with osteochondrosis

The osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a disorder of the nutrition (trophism) of the intervertebral discs.First, the shape of the disc changes - it protrudes to the spinal canal.If the stabil of the intervertebral disc appears without rupture of the fibrous-chirot, then this condition is calledconvexitySThis is one of the stages of osteochondrosis of the spine.The next step is to rupture the fibrous-pin ring, which is accompanied by the displacement of the EADED nucleus of the intervertebral disc.So -shapedIntervertebral herniaS

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.It grows and forms SO -deny osteophytes or bone spikes.They compensate for the load of the spine while limiting movement.

Often, osteophytes are called "salts delay".There are actually no salts.These are bone formations that are removed using massage and manual techniques, of course, they will not work.

Osteochondrosis muscles also undergo certain changes.In order to retain the deformed spine in normal position, they are in a state of constant tension.Muscle cramps for osteochondrosis are accompanied by pain and further impair the trophic structures of the spine.

The change in the shape of the structures of the spine leads to the displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.In this case, the compression (compression) of the radicular nerves occurs.They become inflamed and cause severe pain.

Osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome is manifested by pain in the legs, arms, chest and internal organs - the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, kidneys and more.Tingling of the hands, legs, face and tongue for osteochondrosis - are also a sign of compression of radicular nerves.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

Whatever the spine is involved in the pathological process, the disease is manifested by two main symptoms - pain and restriction of movement of both the spine and the limbs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and the most movable.In addition, the blood vessels that feed the brain pass through them.Therefore, the cervical spine is considered to be the most vulnerable.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is manifested by characteristic symptoms:

• Neck pain that can be given to the back of the head, shoulders, spatula.The pain is exacerbated when you tilt your head;
• Headache, dizziness, noise and ringing in the ears.Hearing impairment may be possible against the background of the disease;

Osteochondrosis headache is a very common occurrence.People suffering from a systematic headache must necessarily be examined by a neuropathologist.According to statistics, in 30% of cases, the cause of headache is cervical osteochondrosis.

• Pain in the hands and chest.Limiting hands movements;
• Violation of movement coordination;
• In some cases, vision and speech suffer;
• Increase in blood pressure.

Spinal artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of symptoms that should be careful.The peak artery nourishes the brain and when compressed, its blood circulation is impaired.Spinal artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis has the following signs:

• Tinnitus;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate);
• Visual disorder, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you should urgently contact a neurologist.Spinal artery syndrome is the most common cause of young strokes at a young age.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The spine is less mobile than the cervical or lumbar.In this regard, it is more difficult to cure it.There are vital organs in the thoracic cavity - the heart, large blood vessels and lungs, so the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic area can be confused with diseases of the thoracic cavity.

Signs of chest osteochondrosis:

• Pain in shoulder blades and chest.The pain is exacerbated after a long stay in a forced position or during exercise;
• Pain and stiffness of movement during breathing;
• Pain between ribs (inter -row neuralgia);
• Tingling of the skin, the feeling of "goosebumps";
• Pain can give in the heart, lungs, stomach and kidneys;
• Restricting movement during inclinations, lifting of the hands and turns of the body.

How to distinguish osteochondrosis of the spine from heart pain?

Chest osteochondrosis pain can be so intense that you can easily suspect heart disease.Let's look at how osteochondrosis differs from heart pain with angina pectoris:

1. The duration of pain.With osteochondrosis of the spine, pain can last days and weeks, and with angina pectoris up to 10 minutes.
2. Move (termination) of pain.With angina, the pain is stopped by nitroglycerin and with osteochondrosis analgesics are effective - diclofenac, meloxicam and more.
3. ECG changes are characteristic of cardiac pathology and with osteochondrosis ECG normally.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The lumbar spine is most susceptible to exercise.Each of our household activities somehow involves this part of the spine.Almost everyone was confronted with lower back pain and this is the most common symptom with which they seek a doctor for help.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:

• Back pain, "shots" during exercise and long -term forced position.Pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is combined with the termRadiculitis.
• Disruption of the work of the geniopolous organs.Pain in the kidney area, difficulty urinating.Women can have a menstrual cycle disorder, ovarian and uterine pain, and men have potency problems.
• Pain in the ass, hips, lower legs and legs.Violation of leg sensitivity, numbness, numbness.
• With prolonged compression of nerve roots and blood vessels, an interphering lame can develop.When he walks, one begins to limp and he has to stop and relax.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

After dealing with the symptoms of osteochondrosis, a logical question arises - what to do, how to deal with osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will treat osteochondrosis.With a small reservation - with timely treatment and a desire to participate in your health.And a lot in our hands.Like any chronic disease, spinal osteochondrosis has been treated for a long time.We don't hope you can get rid of the symptoms in a week.

Currently, conservative treatment is actively practicing, which includes a whole range of measures.The main thing that the patient needs to understand is passively treated.With severe pain, you will be prescribed painkillers and anti -inflammatory drugs, as well as muscle relaxants.But in some cases you can do without medication.Let's look at the methods of treatment used to treat osteochondrosis.

Preparations for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

• Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These drugs will help relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in the form of injections, tablets and local products - gels or ointments.It should be borne in mind that non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis cannot be taken constantly as they can lead to gastritis and gastric ulcer.
• Monsolelaxants- A group of drugs that relieve muscle tension, thus reducing the load on the spine and improving their blood circulation.They relieve muscle spasm with osteochondrosis of the spine.They work most effectively in combination with NSAIDs.
• Chondroprotectors- Restoration and protection of cartilage from destruction.They are elements of the structure of the articular cartilage (hyaluronic acid derivatives).They are used in the form of tablets, intramuscularly and intra -fast.Their significant disadvantage is a pretty long treatment.The optimal course is 6 months.Not every patient is able to comply with the recommendations throughout this time.
• Vasodilative drugsFor osteochondrosis, it is used to improve blood circulation.

It is worth noting that any medical medicine only eliminates pain with osteochondrosis, but does not cure the problem.Medicines will not be placed in place of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and will not return the previous anatomical structure to them.

Methods for treating osteochondrosis

• Massage.The main task of massage for osteochondrosis of the spine is to relieve muscle spasm and increase blood flow.In this way, cartilage nutrition improves, edema decreases, pain disappears, movement in the joints is restored.Massage, unfortunately, has a temporary effect.We know that with osteochondrosis there are changes in the spine, so it will not work completely to restore it.In addition, if the osteophytes have already formed, which are fooled by "salt deposits."
• Manual therapy.Previously, this method of treating osteochondrosis was quite skeptical.However, a large -scale clinical trial conducted in 2017 showed the effectiveness of manual therapy.Nevertheless, manual osteochondrosis therapy should be taken extremely carefully.First of all, you need to do an MRI to determine the exact location of damage.Many manual therapists act intuitively, without certain knowledge and skills.But this is not the case when it is necessary to play intuition, especially with intervertebral hernias.A manual therapist with an inappropriate approach can harm more than the disease itself, so before deciding on such procedures, you should be responsible for the search for a specialist.
• Medical Physical Education (Exercise Therapy)- Perhaps the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis.As this disease is most often the result of a lack of a spine, exercise is what you need!The specialist will choose a set of exercises and monitor their performance.In order to maintain the effect after the training course, it is necessary to continue the exercises.You can choose a sport that is suitable for people with osteochondrosis.An ideal option for osteochondrosis of the spine is to swim, yoga and Pilates.It is a good idea to hang on the horizontal band several times a week (if there are no contraindications).Stretching exercises help to "remove" the spine and relax the tense muscles.

Not every sport is indicated for osteochondrosis.For example, running can worsen the disease.Therefore, before making this or this decision, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapy specialist.

And of course, you need to think about changing your lifestyle.Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, respectively, it is necessary to treat a long time.Medicines or massage will not return the spine with a virgin appearance and this should be reconciled.And that means you will not only need special exercises, but also to adjust some of your habits.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

• First of all, you need to pay attention to your workplace.If you work, try to avoid the slope forward.The chair should be with a firm back and a lumbar bend.
• Follow the stand.He is not only beautiful but also good for health.
• Try not to lift weights.If necessary, put on a special dressing or corset on the back.
• If the cause of osteochondrosis of the spine has become excess weight, you will need to get rid of extra pounds.

Spinal health is in our hands!