Hello dear readers. Spinal diseases are one of humanity's most pressing medical problems today. More and more young people complain of pain in various parts of the spine, although not so long ago this pathology mainly worried older generations. That is why the effective treatment of osteochondrosis is so actively discussed everywhere. How to get rid of spinal pain is the topic of this article. Due to the effects of gravity, which penalizes walking upright, and other factors, the structures of the spine wear out prematurely.
What is osteochondrosis
Insufficient nutrition of the cartilage tissue leads to weakening of the cartilage. The intervertebral layers lose their ability to withstand excessive load. The vertebrae press against each other, literally crushing the intervertebral cartilaginous pads. This is how osteochondrosis develops.
At first the cartilaginous tissue suffers, and later the vertebrae themselves are involved in the pathological process. The disease is chronic and accompanied by severe pain.
Depending on the location of the lesions in the spinal region, several types of the disease are distinguished:
Cervical osteochondrosis
It is characterized by pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, head, dizziness, mild visual abnormalities and acoustic effects.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Back pain is reflected in the chest, sometimes surprisingly similar to heart pain.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The pain is concentrated in the pelvis, peritoneum, lower back and radiates to the lower limbs.
Simultaneous damage to several vertebral sections may occur.
As the disease progresses, there are 4 main stages of the disease. An unpleasant feature of the pathology is the low probability of its detection initially. This is due to the asymptomatic nature of the initial stage of development of osteochondrosis.
Chondrotic changes will be noticeable only on an x-ray, that is, they can only be detected by chance. Since there are no prerequisites to intentionally undergo an x-ray examination.
Stages of chondrotic changes in the spine
- Cartilage dystrophy, initial tissue degeneration.
- Individual foci of inflammation in the cartilage and microcracks are noted. There is discomfort and stiffness in the movements of the spine. Sometimes the cartilage is squeezed outward, forming protrusions - protrusions.
- Cartilage is replaced by bone formations. Mobility in the affected area is increasingly limited. Nerve roots and blood vessels are compressed, causing the development of chronic pain in the back and surrounding areas. Displacements and hernias may occur.
- The disease affects bone tissue, cartilage is almost completely destroyed. The inflammation is extensive, complications appear. Some areas of the spine completely lose mobility.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The causes of pathological changes in the cartilaginous structures of the spine have not yet been fully studied by medicine. However, scientists have identified several risk groups who are more likely to develop osteochondrosis.
These are people who lead passive lives, whose work involves a sedentary position. Patients with overweight and metabolic disorders are also at risk of becoming ill.
The spinal health of workers and professional athletes is also at risk.
Factors that provoke the formation of pathological changes include
- prolonged lack of fluid in the body;
- incorrect diet causing mineral deficiency;
- hormonal changes;
- emotional outbursts, stress;
- injuries, overload;
- remain in static positions that are not anatomically correct;
- foci of infectious lesions in the body;
- flat feet of any severity;
- congenital predisposition;
- muscle weakness;
- pregnancy;
- aging of the body, natural wear of tissues;
- harmful addictions;
- taking medications, intoxication of various etiologies;
- overweight, obesity;
- sleeping on a mattress that is too soft and a high pillow.
Treatment methods
The therapy consists of an active phase and a rehabilitation process. Even if there are no lasting results for a long time, you can't give up. Recovery is very slow.
All of this requires patience, strong will and a high level of self-discipline. Success can only be guaranteed if there is an insatiable desire to recover and a set of therapeutic and preventive measures.
It is highly undesirable to limit yourself to self-medication. You must clearly understand that taking painkillers alone without changing your lifestyle will not give any results other than temporary relief.
The disease will continue to actively develop. In addition, dependence on anesthetics and analgesics is formed.
Combined therapy provides not only pain relief, but also the fight against degenerative changes, restoration of mobility, relief of inflammation, prevention of complications and attempts to regenerate damaged structures.
They then connect:
- medications and, if necessary, surgery;
- therapeutic and preventive gymnastics;
- physical procedures;
- various types of manual therapy, including traditional massage, foot reflexology;
- removal of clamps, traction of the spine.
All this is prescribed and monitored by the doctor. The patient can use unconventional methods, but in agreement with the doctor. The patient must also report all successes and the occurrence of adverse reactions. This will allow you to make timely changes to the treatment regimen.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
In a familiar home environment, effective treatment of osteochondrosis is quite possible. Your doctor will tell you how to get rid of pain in the spine not only with the help of anesthesia. The patient will have to follow his instructions and, perhaps, slightly change the standard approach to treating the spine.
We are mainly talking about load regulation when performing a set of exercises and when stretching the vertebral structures. In this case, you need to focus on personal endurance and sensitivity.
Medicines: medicines for osteochondrosis
You should immediately point out that osteochondrosis cannot be overcome with medications alone. But they are an important and even necessary part of the healing process. Pharmacological drugs are usually used during exacerbation of the disease to relieve symptoms and relieve inflammation. As for the restoration of cartilage tissue, dietary supplements are used here, albeit with varying degrees of success.
The medicinal effects are aimed at:
- pain relief in various parts of the body;
- containment of inflammation and cessation of this pathological process;
- increased blood circulation;
- improve metabolism;
- increased nutrition of damaged tissues;
- return of mobility to the spine;
- restoration of cartilaginous layers;
- prevent the development of depression due to poor health.
Various groups of drugs are used to solve problems. If the effectiveness of one of them is low, the more effective drugs are administered with caution, since they present a greater number of possible adverse reactions.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A group of multifunctional nonsteroidal drugs. Relieves inflammation, relieves pain, reduces fever. For osteochondrosis, painkilling creams, ointments and tablets are often used.
- Antispasmodics, combined analgesics, local anaesthetics. Helps get rid of muscle pain and headaches.
- Medicines that dilate blood vessels. Helps get rid of headaches and numbness.
- Muscle relaxants. They relieve tension and spasms, which allows you to eliminate the resulting muscle pain and swelling.
- Vitamin preparations (vit. B, A, E, C, multivitamins), mineral supplements. They provide the body with the compounds necessary for cartilage tissue.
- Sedative drugs: valerian tincture, motherwort. Helps relieve stress from constant pain and normalizes sleep.
- Hormonal drugs based on substances methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone. They are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotective agents. Restores cartilage.
Physical exercise
Spinal injuries have their limitations when performing special exercises. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct classes under the supervision of an instructor.
Therapeutic exercise will help get rid of pain, restore mobility to the spine, and free pinched nerves and blood vessels. The exercises are aimed at developing the affected areas, strengthening and lengthening the muscles.
The set of gymnastic techniques is more or less standard. But the duration, intensity and number of repetitions are determined individually.
With osteochondrosis, the probability of injury is high, so all actions are performed with caution. If discomfort or pain occurs, gymnastics should be suspended until the sensation disappears. After the action resumed.
It may be necessary to reduce the load or replace this exercise with a similar, but more suitable one.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has in its arsenal many simple, effective and safe recipes against osteochondrosis. They are used in the form of herbal teas, tinctures, lotions, compresses, rubs, applications, ointments.
Herbal medicine will help support the body, strengthen it, normalize its functioning and relieve unpleasant symptoms. These remedies can be purchased at any pharmacy or herbalist at an affordable price.
Effective compresses
The use of compresses will help get rid of painful attacks, swelling and inflammation of the cartilage tissue. For this purpose, irritating and warming agents are used.
- Horseradish with apples. Horseradish root and a small apple are grated on a fine grater. The puree is mixed in equal parts and applied to the diseased area. Cover the top with film and apply a warming bandage overnight. Treatment is continued until the pain disappears.
- For the same purpose you can use compresses from other products: grated radish, onion pulp, burdock leaves, cabbage. To enhance the anti-inflammatory effect, you can add honey.
- Vodka, mustard powder, camphor alcohol - 50 g each, mix with three beaten egg whites. The mixture is left to infuse for approximately 10 hours and used as a compress for 3 consecutive days, morning and evening. Then move on to the next recipe.
- 50 g of aloe leaf extract is mixed with 150 g of vodka and 100 g of honey. The tablets are also used twice a day for three days. Then go back to the previous recipe. These two remedies are used in succession, for 3 days each, without interruption until the symptoms disappear.
Infusions and decoctions for osteochondrosis
This group of folk remedies is used for systemic effects on the body in order to provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, strengthening and calming effects.
pine cones
Decoction: wash 4 unripe cones, chop them, add half a liter of water, boil for a few minutes. Drink ¼ tbsp. 1-3 times a day.
Tincture: pour 5 ripe crushed cones with seeds with a glass of alcohol (strong vodka), leave for 2 weeks, shaking the container every day. Drink a teaspoon after meals.
Birch buds and cranberry leaves
1 teaspoon each, brew a glass of boiling water. Drink a little throughout the day.
Herbs
Teas from plants such as horsetail, mint, St. John's wort, motherwort, calendula, linden, milk thistle, chamomile, plantain, thyme, cinquefoil, sage and immortelle are also useful. They are used in various combinations or separately.
Applications of honey
For osteochondrosis, applications and lotions based on aloe juice and honey help. They are used individually or in mixtures.
A piece of gauze should be moistened in the product and applied to the sore spot under a warming bandage for at least 40 minutes. You can also simply lubricate the desired areas with them several times a day.
Rubbing
Rubbing the medicinal composition accelerates the blood, ensures deep penetration of the product into the body, warms it, stimulates the active centers, removes tension and eliminates numbness.
Suitable for rubbing for osteochondrosis:
- bear/badger fat;
- turpentine;
- herbal alcoholic tinctures;
- decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants;
- fir oil;
- special compounds.
Rubbing for severe pain: crush a pack of analgin (10 pcs. ), combine with a glass of alcohol, a small bottle of iodine, 10 ml of camphor alcohol. Massage your back only in painful areas. It may cause a burning sensation.
Therapeutic baths for osteochondrosis
Similar procedures are performed during the remission phase. Warm water is used with the addition of herbal decoctions and essential oils. It should be used before going to sleep.
Baths help to relax, calm down, relieve swelling and tension, eliminate numbness, pain, muscle heaviness. Here the decoctions are used in higher concentrations than when taken orally. But the same plants will do.