In modern conditions, young people often suffer from osteochondrosis.This is due to the sedentary lifestyle, because even in our free time we often spend time on the computer, obviously sitting.Osteochondrosis can cause a lot of discomfort and significantly reduce the quality of life.Fortunately, the disease can be treated symptomatically: 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 can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar - it all depends on the area of the spine where the pathological changes began.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is mainly affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it deforms and loses elasticity, and this leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and crushing of the nerves extending from the spinal cord.The result is severe pain, limited mobility, rapid fatigue and changes in posture, which lead to a further worsening of 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, during sedentary work or other need to stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or daily wearing shoes with too high heels, sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, and weakness of the muscle corset.Pregnant women are also at risk.
However, osteochondrosis is not always the result of direct stress on the vertebrae.Often this disease is caused by metabolic disorders, chronic intoxication, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, deficiency of certain vitamins (especially vitamins D, C and B), injuries and, finally, age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often make the diagnosis of “osteochondrosis” with any structural change in the body.For example, when an x-ray shows changes in the spine such as tilts, growths, scoliosis, twisting, the patient is most likely being treated for osteochondrosis.If no abnormalities are present in the spine, a diagnosis of “psychogenic pain” can be made.Meanwhile, the cause of back pain remains unknown.
Chinese medicine considers the human body as a whole.Therefore, when a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner makes a diagnosis, he or she gets to the root of the problem, identifying it through its symptoms.Removing the "root" of the disease also alleviates its manifestations, helping to eliminate back pain.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis largely depend on the location of the source of the disease.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the disease begins with pain in the neck and arms, headache and numbness of the fingers.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the following symptoms: acute back pain, tingling in the chest, difficulty breathing.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in the lower back and legs, numbness of the feet, and genitourinary disorders are also observed: urination disorders, sexual dysfunction in men, ovarian problems 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 radiating to the buttocks or legs;
- heaviness and muscle stiffness;
- feeling of cold in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet;
- tinnitus;
- lower abdominal pain;
- coldness in the extremities and lack of energy;
- sharp pain in any place;
- increased body temperature;
- swelling in the limbs.
The pulse can be different: from deep, threadlike and slow, to vibrant and frequent.Symptoms, like the nature of the pulse, may depend on the underlying cause of the disease.
Most often, people notice the first signs of osteochondrosis around the age of 25, but ignore them for a long time.Therefore, patients usually turn to doctors at the age of 30-35, and many of them have osteochondrosis in an advanced form.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with osteochondrosis, be patient: the treatment will be long.An integrated approach significantly accelerates the healing process, but in any case it is impossible to cure osteochondrosis in a month.
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis should be divided into several stages, each of which pursues specific goals.
The first step is to eliminate the pain.You may be advised to wear a special corset that will support your back and neck in a physiologically correct position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the arsenal of physiotherapy and those related to traditional medicine, for example, acupuncture, which has long been officially recognized and is included in the Nomenclature of Medical Services.
The second stage of treatment of osteochondrosis is the restoration of intervertebral discs and the prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, correction of diet and physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
A neurologist can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.If necessary, they resort to blockade with novocaine or more serious treatment aimed at relieving the spasm.However, the source of the disease remaining in the body leads to the reappearance of the disease after some time.
Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine often demonstrate in practice that the diagnosis of “osteochondrosis” in many situations is made incorrectly.In cases where this conclusion is confirmed, the TCM doctor relieves the patient's swelling and begins the restoration of tendons and muscles.Spasms of the longitudinal and oblique muscles are gradually eliminated and the joint's ability to move to its full extent is restored.This treatment in most cases promotes 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 walking with rest, sometimes it is advisable to walk with a stick for some time.Pharmacological treatment consists of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, relaxants, B vitamins and glucocorticosteroids.
To treat this type of osteochondrosis, in addition to classical medical massage, acupressure, acupuncture and leech treatment, physiotherapy and phytotherapy are used.All these procedures can be performed in a regular clinic or a licensed oriental medicine center.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is extremely common, even among young people - it is sometimes diagnosed even in schoolchildren and students who spend too much time on textbooks and the computer.This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to complications such as blurred vision or increased intracranial pressure, which is manifested by severe headaches.
To treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used, as well as a course of injections of B vitamins.
Massage of the collar area, ultrasound and electrophoresis may also be prescribed.It is extremely important to lead an active lifestyle, develop correct posture, train yourself to take breaks at work and do a small warm-up in the middle of the working day.
Among the means of traditional medicine (including oriental) in the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, the following are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal remedies - phytotherapeutic agents improve the metabolism and functioning of small vessels, relieve inflammation, which has a beneficial effect on 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 loads plays an important role: you should not spend too much time standing and sitting, you need to rest more often in a lying position.Also, you will have to wear a corset for some time to improve your posture.
As with cervical osteochondrosis, for lumbar osteochondrosis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, B vitamins, often glucocorticosteroids, enzymes and ointments that improve blood circulation and relieve pain are prescribed.
Massage, exposure to therapeutic mud and electrophoresis with painkillers, heating, including hot stones are indicated - this is stone therapy, which has been popular in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods.
The approach to the treatment of various types of osteochondrosis, practiced in traditional Chinese medicine, deserves special attention.From the perspective of the thousand-year experience of Chinese doctors, the key method of treating osteochondrosis is acupuncture, also called acupuncture.First, the TCM doctor determines the priority hypersensitive (acupuncture) points for each patient.It is on them that he acts with the finest needles.This triggers a response from the body that helps restore damaged cartilage and bones and restore joint mobility.
After therapy, in order to consolidate the therapeutic effect and keep the body in shape, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses with some frequency in the future, but for preventive purposes.
The needle placement technique and length of the acupuncture session are influenced by the patient's diagnosis and condition.As a rule, acupuncture sessions are well tolerated by all patients, although the sensations resulting from the procedure differ from patient to patient.For some, the introduction of needles goes unnoticed;others may feel an itchy sensation, a slight pressure, and some may even fall asleep.
It cannot be said that the onset of osteochondrosis occurs due to any factor: very often the cause of the development of the disease is an overall incorrect lifestyle.Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive.A diet rich in vitamins, which includes the avoidance of fatty foods, alcohol and smoking, and precisely calculated physical activity in combination with therapeutic methods and medicines, allows you to achieve better results than simply taking pills.