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

Spinal osteochondrosis -This is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral of the cartilage disc and vertebrae is deformed.Recently, more and more often you have to know this disease.And it is not surprising, because if the previous osteochondosis was considered a pathology of the elderly, it has now been very "younger".We live in an era of scientific and technological progress, we have lifts and mobile stairs, transport and means of communication that allow you to quickly transmit information, applying a minimum of physical effort to this.Consequently, for speed and comfort, we pay the health of our spine.But not despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let's find out which changes occur in the spine with osteochondrosis, how it manifests itself and will analyze modern methods for the treatment of this condition.

Osteochondrosis of the spine: causes

The spine is made up of vertebrae, which are interconnected from the cartilage intervertebral discs.They serve as shock absorber and provide elasticity and mobility of the spine.

Our body grows up to 20-25 years.At the moment, the intervertebral disc is equipped with blood vessels, with which active nutrition occurs.After interrupting the growth, the blood supply stops.Subsequently, the disc receives power from adjacent fabrics, mainly from the muscles.The discs eat like a sponge, when compressed, give metabolic products and with stretching absorb the nutrients.If for any reason the intervertebral disc does not receive sufficient power, it begins to collapse.

Consider the causes of the osteocondrosis of the spine:

• A sedentary lifestyle.We already know that the cartilage disk feeds during compression and stretching, and for this reason the spine must be moved.
• Forced laying.This applies to employees and drivers, because a prolonged session dirty forward brings to an irregular load on the spine.Imagine that the entire mass of the upper part of the body is not a pressure on the entire disc daily, but on certain points.The power of the cartilage tissue in these points is disturbed, which leads to its destruction.

In the long term sitting on the computer when inclined forward increases the load on the spine by 50-70%.

• Excessive physical activity.In addition to the load on the spine, muscle tension occurs, due to which the blood circulation of the muscles is disturbed and the intervertebral disc does not receive the necessary nutrition.
• Incorrect posture.A persistent variation in the spinal configuration overloads intervertebral discs.
• Obesity.The excess mass of the upper part of the body has a load on the spine.
• Changes related to age.This is a natural process, due to which the metabolic processes of cartilage and bone tissue slow down.

Changes in the spine with osteochondosis

The osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a violation of the nutrition (trophism) of the intervertebral discs.First of all, the shape of the disc changes: it protrudes towards the spinal canal.If the intervertebral disc stabage occurs without a break of the fibrous ring of Chryshot, then this condition is calledledge.This is one of the phases of the osteocondrosis of the spine.The next step is the breakdown of the fibrous-chryshot ring, which is accompanied by a movement of the nucleus and leading of the intervertebral disc.So formedIntervertebral hernia.

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.Osteophytes so called or bone peaks grows and forms.They complete the load on the spine, limiting the movement.

Often osteophytes are called "deposition of salts".In fact, there are no up.These are bone formations that to be removed with the help of massage and manual techniques, of course, do not work.

The muscles for osteochondosis are also subject to certain changes.To keep the spine deformed in a normal position, they are in a constant tension state.Muscle cramps for osteochondrosis are accompanied by pain and further worsen the trophic structures of the spine.

A change in the form of the structures of the spine leads to a movement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.In this case, the compression (compression) of the root nerves occurs.They become inflamed and cause severe pain.

The osteochondrosis of the spine with root syndrome is manifested by pain in the legs, arms, chest and internal organs - the heart, lungs, stomach, intestine, kidneys, etc.Inrustment of arms, legs, face and language for osteochondrosis - they are also a sign of compression of the radical nerves.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the spine

Whatever the spine in the pathological process, the disease manifests itself with two main symptoms: pain and limitation of the movement of both the spine and the limbs.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the cervical column

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most mobile.In addition, the blood vessels that feed the brain pass through them.That's why the cervical column is considered the most vulnerable.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region occurs with characteristic symptoms:

• The neck pain that can be given to the back of the head, behind, spatula.The pain intensifies when it inclines the head;
• Headache, dizziness, noise and ringing in the ears.Against the background of the disease, hearing impairment is possible;

The headache for osteochondrosis are a fairly common event.People who suffer from systematic headaches should necessarily be examined by a neuropathologist.According to statistics, in 30% of cases the cause of headaches is cervical osteochondosis.

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

The vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondosis is a complex of symptoms that must be careful.The vertebral artery nourishes the brain and, when compressed, its blood circulation is disturbed.The vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis has the following signs:

• Noise in the ears;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Tachycardia (quick heartbeat);
• Visual violation, the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you must urgently contact a neurologist.The vertebral artery syndrome is the most common cause of stroke at a young age.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the thoracic spine

The thoracic vertebral column is less mobile than cervical or lumbar.In this regard, it is more difficult to cure it.In the thoracic cavity there are vital organs: the heart, the large blood vessels and the lungs, therefore the symptoms of the osteocondrosis of the thoracic region can be confused with the diseases of the thoracic cavity.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:

• The painful pains between the shoulder blades and in the chest area.Pain intensifies after a long stay in a forced position or during physical effort;
• Pain and rigidity of movements during breathing;
• Pain between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia);
• Numbness of the skin, the feeling of "goosebumps";
• Pain can give the heart, lungs, stomach and kidneys;
• Limitation of the movement during inclinations, raising the hands and curves of the body.

How to distinguish the osteochondosis of the spine from heart pain?

The pain for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be so intense that heart disease can be easily suspected.Let's take a look at how osteochondosis differs from pain in the heart with Angina pectis:

1. The duration of pain.With the osteochondrosis of the spine, the pain can last days and weeks and with Angina pectis - up to 10 minutes.
2. Transfer (termination) of pain.With Angina pectoris, the pain is stopped by nitroglycerin and with osteochondosis, analgesics are effective: diclofenac, meloxicam, etc.
3. The changes on the ECG are characteristic of cardiac pathology and with the normal ECG osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of osteochondosis of the lumbar column

The lumbar column is more susceptible to physical effort.Any of our family levels somehow involves this part of the spine.Almost everyone has faced pain in the lower back, and this is the most common symptom with which they are looking for a doctor to ask for help.

Signs of osteochondosis of the lumbar column:

• Back pain with the back, "blows" during physical effort and with a long -term forced position.The pain in the osteocondrosis of the lumbar region is combined with the termRadicolite.
• Violation of the work of the parental -urinary authorities.Pain in the kidney area, difficulty urinating.Women can have a violation of the menstrual cycle, pain in the ovaries and in the uterus and men have problems with power.
• Pain in buttocks, hips, legs and feet.Violation of the sensitivity of the legs, tingling, numbness.
• With the prolonged compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, an interspersed lame can develop.When walking, a person starts to limp and needs to stop and relax.

Treatment of the osteochondrosis of the spine

Having dealt with the symptoms of osteocondrosis, a logical question arises: what to do later, how to deal with osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will heal osteochondosis.With a small reserve - with timely treatment and the desire to engage in your health.And very much in our hands.Like any chronic disease, spinal osteochondrosis is treated for a long time.I don't hope you can get rid of the symptoms in a week.

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

Preparations for the treatment of osteochondosis of the spine

• Non steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These drugs will help to relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in the form of injections, tablets and local products - gels or ointments.It is necessary to keep in mind that non -pounded anti -inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochdrosis cannot be taken on a continuous basis, since they can lead to gastritis and stomach ulcer.
• Musorelassant- A group of drugs that relieve muscle tension, thus reducing the load on the spine and improving blood circulation.Muscle spasm relieve with osteochondrosis of the spine.Works more effectively in combination with fans.
• Condroprotectors- Restore and protect the cartilage from destruction.They are elements of the structure of the joint cartilage (derivatives of hyaluronic acid).They are used in the form of tablets, intramuscularly and intra -fast.Their less significant is a rather long treatment.The optimal course is 6 months.Not all patients are able to obey the recommendations throughout this time.
• Vasodilative drugsFor osteochondrosis, it is used to improve blood circulation.

It is worth noting that any medical drug removes only the pain with osteochondrosis, but does not heal the problem.The medicines will not implement the vertebrae and intervertebral discs and will not return the previous anatomical structure to them.

Non -pharmacological methods of osteochondosis treatment

• Massage.The main task of massage for osteochondosis of the spine is to relieve muscle spasm and increase blood flow.Therefore, cartilage nutrition improves, the edema decreases, the pain attenuates itself, the movement in the joints is restored.The massage, unfortunately, gives a temporary effect.We know that with osteochondrosis there are changes in the spine, so it will not work to completely restore it.Furthermore, if the osteophytes have already formed, which are exchanged for "salts deposits".
• Manual therapy.Previously, this method of treatment of osteochondrosis was rather skeptical.However, a large -scale clinical study conducted in 2017 showed the effectiveness of manual therapy.However, manual therapy for osteochondrosis must be taken extremely carefully.First of all, it is necessary to create a magnetic resonance imaging to determine the exact place of the damage.Many manual therapists act intuitively, without certain knowledge and skills.But this is not the case in which intuition must be played, especially with intervertebral hernias.The manual therapist with an inept approach can damage more than the disease itself, so before making a decision during these procedures, you should be brought responsible in search of a specialist.
• Medical physical education (exercise therapy)- Perhaps the most effective method for the treatment of osteocondrosis.Since this disease is often a consequence of the lack of spine quantity, physical exercises are what you need!The specialist will select a series of exercises and monitor their implementation.To maintain the effect after the training course, it is necessary to continue the exercises.You can choose a sport suitable for people with osteochondrosis.An ideal option for osteochondosis of the spine is swimming, yoga and pilates.It's nice to hang on the horizontal bar several times a week (if there are no contraindications).The elongation exercises help to "extract" the spine and relax the tense muscles.

Not all sports are suitable for osteochondrosis.For example, running can aggravate the disease.Therefore, before making this or that decision, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapy specialist.

And of course, you should think about changing your lifestyle.Osteocondrosis is a chronic disease, respectively, it is necessary to treat for a long time.The medicines or the massage will not return the spine with an uncontaminated look and this must be reconciled.This means that it will be necessary not only to do special exercises, but also to adjust some of your habits.

Prevention of osteochondosis of the spine

• First of all, you need to pay attention to the workplace.If you work sitting, try to avoid the forward inclination.The chair should be with a hard back and a lumbar curve.
• Follow the posture.It is not only beautiful, but also well for health.
• Try not to raise weights.If necessary, wear a special bandage or a corset for the back.
• If the cause of the osteochondosis of the spine has become an excess weight, you will have to get rid of extra kilos.

The health of the spine is in our hands!