Many often hear, but do not know exactly what osteochondrosis is. In fact, this disease is not that rare. This disease is characterized by dystrophic-degenerative lesions of the vertebral tissues, further deformation of the discs between the vertebrae, as well as adjacent ligaments of the spinal apparatus.
As a rule, the pathology first negatively affects the ligaments, then bones and other tissues. Patients go to the doctor as soon as they start to feel regular pain.
Statistics show that osteochondrosis of the spine affects 50 to 90% of the world's population. Often the symptoms of osteochondrosis appear in people who have crossed the threshold of 30 years, but there is a risk that manifestations will appear even in adolescents.
stages of disease development
In medicine, there are several stages of the course of the disease:
- at level 1dehydration of the nucleus pulposus is observed, which in turn leads to the appearance of deformations in the fibrous ring. The initial stage is characterized by the development of symptoms within the intervertebral disc. Signs of osteochondrosis are not pronounced. Treatment of osteochondrosis at this stage can be carried out with the help of exercise therapy and massage;
- at level 2after a change in disc height and after ligament dehydration, the muscles begin to converge. This causes them to sag. Signs of osteochondrosis are also excessive mobility in the vertebral area. This, in turn, can cause the process of displacement of the vertebrae;
- at level 3Signs of osteochondrosis become most pronounced, since the patient may experience protrusion of the intervertebral discs or even herniation. Due to changes in bones and muscles, the joints also begin to suffer, which leads to the formation of arthrosis.
- at level 4the patient's spine is already adapting to the changes that have occurred. The body tries to immobilize the spine as much as possible to maintain its protective and musculoskeletal function. At the same time, osteophytes begin to proliferate in the discs—bony outgrowths that form on nearby vertebrae. The resulting osteophytes can injure the nerve endings. The result is their impoundment.
causes of the disease
Signs of osteochondrosis may appear for the following reasons:
- spinal injury;
- predisposition to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- natural aging process;
- the presence of constant physical overload;
- Obesity;
- incorrect posture;
- the presence of constant vibration - relevant for several professions, for example, drivers of large trucks;
symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of osteochondrosis may not appear immediately. The main symptoms are discomfort in the back and pain. Symptoms of osteochondrosis most often appear when the patient exposes the body to great physical exertion. Also, a symptom of the disease is numbness in the limbs. If at least one of these signs appears, you need to pay attention to their nature and intensity - pain in the leg or arm can manifest itself in different ways. Other signs of osteochondrosis are a herniated disc and a bulging or pinched nerve ending.
Osteochondrosis of the spine, depending on localization, is of the following types:
- in the neck area;
- in the area of the sternum;
- in the lumbosacral area.
treatment of the disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis includes a combination of the following methods:
- therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis or exercises;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electrostimulation);
- diet for osteochondrosis;
- spinal traction;
- Massage for osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis should be started as early as possible, but even in the last stages there are great chances of overcoming the disease.
Gymnastics for osteochondrosis is one of the most effective ways to prevent and stop the manifestations of the disease. Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis includes such exercises that can strengthen the muscles of the back and the whole body. It is necessary to do gymnastics daily to get the effect after a few sessions. Gymnastics for osteochondrosis includes popular exercises, which are probably familiar to many, since they are used in the complex of morning exercises.
Exercise therapy for osteochondrosis not only contributes to a speedy recovery, but can also prevent the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease. You can do exercise therapy for osteochondrosis instead of morning exercises.
Charging with osteochondrosis should align the uneven spine, strengthen the corset of the muscles of the back, improve metabolism and tissue blood circulation. Proper movement in osteochondrosis improves blood supply to the brain and helps expand the gap between the vertebrae, which allows you to release previously pinched nerve endings. For a patient, performing exercises for osteochondrosis every day can take only a few minutes, but even this can lead to a noticeable decrease in the manifestations of the disease within a few weeks. And in the early stages, exercise in osteochondrosis is not the main method of treatment at all.
Another advantage of exercise therapy for osteochondrosis is that the complex is designed for people of all ages, since it takes into account the age characteristics and capabilities of the body. Exercises for osteochondrosis can be done at home, or maybe in the clinic on special simulators. It should be noted that the treatment of osteochondrosis at home, with quality and reasonable exercise, brings the same effective results as performing therapeutic exercises for osteochondrosis in the clinic.
Diet for osteochondrosis should include lean meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. The diet for osteochondrosis provides for frequent eating (5-6 times a day). At the last meal of the day you need to eat a glass of fermented milk products.
The diet for osteochondrosis severely limits the intake of legumes, grapes and products from them, muffins, spices and various refined products. When the doctor draws up his nutritional plan for the patient with osteochondrosis, he will also include baked goods containing bran, fruits, vegetables and berries (especially sea buckthorn).
Nutrition in osteochondrosis performs a restorative function of the body, providing cells with building material. It is important to remember that a diet for osteochondrosis (as well as for the prevention of various other diseases) involves careful chewing of food. The process of eating at the same time takes at least 15 minutes. The more saliva and gastric juice are secreted, the greater the effect of a rational and balanced diet in osteochondrosis.
Treatment of osteochondrosis is also carried out with the help of massage. Massage for osteochondrosis is performed if the patient does not feel pain when touched. Therapeutic massage for osteochondrosis has a reflex effect on painful areas by stimulating areas of the body that are not prone to disease. At the same time, massage for osteochondrosis should begin in a very gentle mode, so as not to cause discomfort in the form of muscle tension.
The technique by which massage is performed for osteochondrosis suggests that during the session the patient lies on his stomach in the most relaxed position. The general goals pursued with massage in osteochondrosis are as follows:
- elimination of pain;
- improvement of metabolism in the zone of occurrence of the disease;
- muscle relaxation;
- Suppression of inflammatory processes in the area of the intervertebral disc.
Disputes about how to cure osteochondrosis at home also do not subside. There are many alternative methods, but their use must be discussed with the attending physician. Now all doctors unanimously say that massage and exercises for osteochondrosis are the right means to first reduce all the symptoms of the disease, and then completely overcome it.