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

Vertebral osteochondrosis -It is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral of the disc and the vertebrae of the cartilage is distorted.Recently, more and more often, you should hear about this disease.And it is not surprising, because if anterior osteochondosis was considered a pathology of the elderly, it has now been very "younger".We live in a time of scientific and technological progress, we have elevators and mechanical stairs, transport and means of communication that allow you to quickly transmit information, applying a minimum of physical efforts to this.Consequently, for speed and comfort, we pay the health of our spine.But do not despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let us discover what changes occur in the spine with osteochondrosis, how it manifests itself, and we will analyze the modern methods of treatment of this condition.

Osteochondrosis of the spine: causes

The spine consists of vertebrae, which are interconnected by cartilaginous intervertebral discs.They serve as shock absorber and provide the 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, blood supply stops.Then the disc receives the power of the adjacent tissues, mainly muscles.The discs eat like a sponge, when compressed, they give metabolic products, and with stretching, they absorb nutrients.If, for any 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 feeds during compression and stretching, and for that, the spine must be moved.
• Forced pose.This applies to office employees and drivers, because an extended session leaning forward leads to an unequal load on the spine.Imagine that the whole mass in the upper body is not a pressure on the whole disc every day, but on certain points.The power of the cartilage fabric at these points is disturbed, which leads to its destruction.

In the long term, seated on the computer when the tilted front increases the load on the spine from 50 to 70%.

• Excessive physical activity.In addition to the load on the spine, muscle tension occurs, as a result of which the blood circulation of the muscles is disturbed and the intervertebral disc does not receive the necessary nutrition.
• Incorrect posture.A persistent change in vertebral configuration overloads intervertebral discs.
• Obesity.The excess mass of the upper body has a load on the spine.
• Age -related changes.It is a natural process, following which the metabolic processes of cartilage and bone tissue slow down.

Changes in the spine with osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a violation of nutrition (trophism) of intervertebral discs.First of all, the shape of the disc changes - it exceeds towards the vertebral canal.If stabing of the intervertebral disc occurs without breaking the fibrous chryshot ring, then this condition is calledprojection.This is one of the stages of osteochondrosis in the spine.The next step is the rupture of the fibrous-chryshot ring, which is accompanied by a displacement of the Edded nucleus of the intervertebral disc.So trainedIntervertebral hernia.

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.It pushes and forms osteophytes or bone spikes.They compensate for the load on the spine, while limiting movement.

Often, osteophytes are called "salt deposit".In fact, there are no salts.These are bone formations which to eliminate using massage and manual techniques, of course, will not work.

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

A change in shape of the vertebral column structures leads to a displacement of the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs.In this case, the compression (compression) of the radicular nerves occurs.They become ignited and cause intense pain.

Osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome manifests itself by pain in the legs, arms, chest and internal organs - heart, lungs, stomachs, intestines, kidneys, etc.Weapons, legs, face and tongue for osteochondosis - are also a sign of radicular nerves.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine

Whatever the spine involved in the pathological process, the disease manifests itself by two main symptoms - pain and limitation of the movement of the spine and members.

Symptoms of cervical column osteochondrosis

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most mobile.In addition, the blood vessels that feed the brain cross them.This is why the cervical column is considered the most vulnerable.Osteochondrosis in the cervical region is manifested by characteristic symptoms:

• The pain in the neck which can be given to the back of the head, shoulders, spatula.The pain intensifies when tilting the head;
• Headache, dizziness, noise and ringing in the ears.In the context of the disease, hearing impairment is possible;

The headache for osteochondrosis are a fairly common event.People with systematic headache 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 hand movements;
• Violation of the coordination of movements;
• In some cases, vision and speech suffer;
• Increase in blood pressure.

Cervical osteochondosis vertebral artery syndrome is a complex of symptoms that should be attentive.The vertebral artery nourishes the brain and, when compressed, its blood circulation is disturbed.Cervical osteochondosis vertebral artery syndrome has the following signs:

• Noise in the ears;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate);
• Visual violation, appearance of "flies" under the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you should emergency contact a neurologist.The vertebral artery syndrome is the most common cause of cerebral vascular accidents at a young age.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The thoracic spine is less mobile than the cervical or the 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, so that the symptoms of osteochondrosis in the chest region can be confused with the diseases of the thoracic cavity.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the chest spine:

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

How to distinguish osteochondrosis from the spine from heart pain?

Pain for osteochondrosis of the chest spine can be so intense that you can easily suspect heart disease.Let's take a look at the difficulty of osteochondrosis of pain in the heart with angina:

1. The duration of the pain.With osteochondrosis of the spine, pain can last on days and weeks, and with angina, up to 10 minutes.
2. Relocation (termination) of pain.With angina, pain is stopped by nitroglycerin, and with osteochondrosis, pain relievers are effective - diclofenac, melooxicam, etc.
3. Changes on ECG are characteristic of cardiac pathology and with normal ECG osteochondrosis.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar column

The lumbar column is the most sensitive to physical effort.All of our activities at the household level involves in a way this part of the spine.Almost everyone has faced pain in the lower back, and it is the most common symptom they are looking for a doctor to get help.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar column:

• Pain in the back with the back, "shots" during physical effort and with a long -term forced position.Pain in osteochondrosis in the lumbar region is combined by the termradiculitis.
• Work violation of genitorerinary authorities.Pain in the kidney area, difficulty urinating.Women can have a violation of the menstrual cycle, pain in ovaries and uterus, and men have power problems.
• Pain in the buttocks, hips, lower legs and feet.Violation of the sensitivity of the legs, tingling, numbness.
• With prolonged compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, the lameness between crosses can develop.By walking, a person begins to be launched and they have to stop and relax.

Treatment of spine osteochondrosis

Having treated the symptoms of osteochondrosis, a logical question arises - what to do next, how to manage osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will cure osteochondrosis.With a small reservation - with a timely treatment and a desire to engage in your health.And a lot in our hands.Like any chronic disease, vertebral osteochondosis is treated for a long time.Do not hope you can get rid of symptoms in a week.

Currently, actively practical conservative treatment, which includes a whole range of measures.The main thing the patient must understand is treated passively.With intense pain, you will see analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as muscle relaxants.But in some cases, you can do without drugs.Let's examine the treatment methods 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 is necessary to keep in mind that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis cannot be taken in progress because they can cause gastritis and gastric ulcer.
• Musory- A group of drugs that relieve muscle tension, thus reducing the load on the spine and improving their blood circulation.They relieve muscle spasms with osteochondrosis of the spine.The most effectively works in combination with NSAIDs.
• Chondroprotector- Restore and protect the cartilage from destruction.These are elements of the structure of the articular cartilage (derivatives of hyaluronic acid).They are used in the form of tablets, intramuscular and intrapid.Their less important is a fairly long treatment.The optimal course is 6 months.Not all patients are able to obediently respect recommendations all this time.
• VasodilatorsFor osteochondrosis, it is used to improve blood circulation.

It should be noted that any medical medication only removes pain with osteochondosis, but does not cure the problem.The drugs will not put the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs in place and will not make them the old anatomical structure.

Non -medicinal treatment methods of osteochondrosis

• Massage.The main task of osteochondrosis of the spine is to relieve muscle spasms and increase blood flow.Thus, the nutrition of cartilage improves, edema decreases, pain disappears, 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 this will not work to restore it completely.In addition, if the osteophytes have already formed, which are confused with "salt deposits".
• Manual therapy.Previously, this method of processing osteochondrosis was quite skeptical.However, a large -scale clinical study conducted in 2017 showed the effectiveness of manual therapy.However, manual therapy for osteochondrosis should be taken extremely carefully.First of all, you must do an MRI to determine the exact damage.Many manual therapists act intuitively, without certain knowledge and skills.But this is not the case where it is necessary to play intuition, in particular with intervertebral hernias.The manual therapist with an inept approach can harm more than the disease itself, so before making a decision during these procedures, you must be taken responsible for a specialist.
• Medical physical education (exercise therapy)- Perhaps the most effective method of treatment for osteochondrosis.Since this disease is most often a consequence of a lack of quantity of spine, physical exercises are what you need!The specialist will select a set of exercises and will monitor his 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 osteochondrosis of the spine is swimming, yoga and pilates.It is good to hang on to the horizontal bar several times a week (if there are no contraindications).Stretching exercises help "remove" the spine and relax the tense muscles.

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

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

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

• First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to your workplace.If you work seated, try to avoid the tilt forward.The chair must be with a hard back and a lumbar turn.
• Follow the posture.It's not just beautiful, but also good for health.
• Try not to lift weights.If necessary, put a special bandage or a corset for the back.
• If the cause of osteochondrosis of the spine has become an excess weight, you will have to get rid of extra pounds.

The health of the spine is in our hands!