Osteochondrosis of the spine, as a disease of the human species, or “civilization disease”, is associated with a directness in which the load on the entire structure of the spine and intervertebral discs increases significantly.A modern, sedentary lifestyle only exacerbates the situation.It is unlikely that there is an adult who did not experience manifestations of osteochondrosis in one form or another.For this reason, questions about how, and where to treat osteochondrosis do not lose their relevance.
Four fifths of all back pains are caused by osteochondrosis.And from the point of view of spending on its treatment, it is not inferior to cardiovascular diseases or influenza.
Causes
Upon reaching the middle age of a person in intervertebral discs, a vascular channel is formed, and therefore, their nutrition occurs according to the principle of diffusion.This, in particular, complicates the regeneration of the intervertebral discs after excessive or asymmetric loads, as well as micro and macro injuries.
Infutable, or irrational, food adds “oil to the fire”, and intervertebral cartilage, without receiving the necessary nutrients, begin to gradually lose strength and elasticity, and deform.
The exact causes of osteochondrosis, unfortunately, have not been established today, therefore it is generally accepted that this is a certain set of risk factors, including:
- Disorders of metabolic processes in the body;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Weak physical development, violation of posture and flat feet, other disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
- Infectious diseases and intoxication;
- Microtrauma of the spine due to falls, strokes, sudden movements and excess loads, the same type of asymmetric movements;
- Macro trauma of the spine due to fractures and bruises;
- Improper nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and overweight, leading to a lack of fluid, vitamins and trace elements;
- Stressful conditions and smoking, leading to spasms and narrowing of blood vessels;
- Meteorological conditions under which low temperature and high air humidity are observed.
There are many reasons for the development of osteochondrosis, and all of them are one way or another the result of the wrong lifestyle, the hostages of which are becoming more and more people of modern society.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Obviously, the best prevention of osteochondrosis is rational nutrition and physical education, among the classes of which are shown:
- Morning self -massage of the lower back, back and limbs.
- Hygienic gymnastics with flying movements of the arms and legs, jumping in place, rotation of the head, classes on the horizontal bar.
- A five-minute physical education pause at the workplace with a set of 7-9 exercises.
- Swimming in the pool, especially on the back.
Of course, if the time for prevention is missed, this list of exercises will have to be expanded with therapeutic exercises, which provide for techniques for spinal canal.
Power supply for osteochondrosis should include a large amount of proteins, with the exception of mushroom dishes, butter remains of animal fats, the first dishes - mainly vegetarian, second dishes - steamed or in the oven, snacks - mainly flooding, low -fat sauces, spices and spices - are welcome.The consumption of salt and saline products (herring, salmon, homework for the winter), sugar, flour, butter and other confectionery, grapes and juice from it, strong coffee and tea, alcohol and smoking is sharply limited.
The mass of the daily diet should usually not exceed 2 kg, liquids - 1 liter, and kilocalories - 2600 units.The daily diet is calculated for a frequent meal-5-7 meals per day.
If the analyzes show the lack of certain vitamins and trace elements, they are prescribed additionally.
Diagnosis of osteochondrosis
Depending on the place of localization, osteochondrosis can be:
- Cervical (25% of cases) - is accompanied by pain in the hands and shoulders, headaches with further possible development of the vertebral artery syndrome, when noise in the ears appears, “flies” and colored spots before the eyes, light dizziness occur.
- Thoracic spine, - pain arises like a “stake” in the chest, pain “shoots” into other organs: heart, lungs, stomach.
- Lumbosacral spine (50% of cases) - pain in the lower back, which gives to the legs, the sacrum, and sometimes in the groin, may be accompanied by syndromes of impaired function and sensitivity of the muscles of the lower extremities.
- Common (12% of cases) - is a combination of osteochondrosis of the spine of several departments at onceAnd therefore - the most severe form of this disease.
In addition to aching pains in the corresponding parts of the spine, a sense of aches and numbness in the limbs, pain in various organs and muscles with osteochondrosis other symptoms: muscle cramps, decrease in freedom of movement and increased pain during coughing or sneezing, additional loads and sharp turns or inclinations.
A preliminary diagnosis is made based on both the above symptoms and on the initial examination by a doctor who checks the patient’s spine in various positions - lying, standing, sitting - in states of movement and rest, after the patient is sent to hardware diagnostics in order to confirm and clarify or refute the diagnosis.The main types of spine study include MRI, computed tomography, radiography and ultrasound dopplerography of the main arteries of the brain.
It happens that after a thorough examination, related diseases are additionally detected, which are complications of osteochondrosis: hernia - spine and intervertebral, protrusion of the intervertebral disc, radiculite and kyphosis.
The quality of the diagnosis is of paramount importance, because many symptoms of osteochondrosis are absolutely identical with symptoms of other diseases, and pain sources can be both a spinal root or a damaged intervertebral disc.
Treatment of osteochondrosis
But the diagnosis follows treatment, which can be of two types -Conservative And Operational - depending on the neglect and severity of the disease and the presence of internal resources to recovery, other indications and contraindications.
In a number of severe cases, it is impossible to do without surgery, in others, conservative treatment is justified.However, only highly qualified doctors can make the right choice, and sometimes their consultation.
With conservative treatment, as well as subsequent rehabilitation, a comprehensive approach is needed, which means the use of many methods from various sectors of medicine.Modern medicine in most cases reduces conservative treatment and postoperative rehabilitation to two things: drug therapy and hardware treatment.At the same time, a total underestimation of the body's own resources is observed, treatment is, as it were, “in the absence” of the patient himself, as if the patient’s active participation in cure cannot occur.Such “passive” treatment and rehabilitation always turn out to be longer, and sometimes unsuccessful.
At the same time, conservative treatment and postoperative rehabilitation should include several different methods, such as:
- Exercise therapy - exercises of therapeutic gymnastics;
- Isometric kinesiotherapy;
- Manual therapy;
- Reflexology;
- Underwater hydromassage;
- Unloading treatment based on the spinal elimination;
- Magneto, electrical and vibro stimulation;
- Ultrasound and laser therapy;
- Therapeutic diet
- Psychotherapy;
- Drug therapy.
With the correct selection and combination of many therapeutic methods, drug treatment can be moved to the last place and resorted to it in a minimum volume or in the phases of exacerbation.
Classes with a psychologist in combination with exercise therapy forcing a person to believe in his own strength and take an active part in recovery or postoperative restoration.
Manual and hydromassage, reflexology not only improve blood circulation, relieve pain syndromes, but also arouse the internal forces of the body.
Underestimation of the role of dietetics can minimize the effectiveness of drug treatment, because individually and properly selected diet, allows you to saturate cells of the body with the necessary nutrients, trace elements and vitamins, preventing concomitant complications to other organs and without aggravating diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases and diseasesgastrointestinal tract.
And, nevertheless, drug therapy is still necessary, usually it includes several therapy:
- Anti -inflammatory;
- Antispasmodic;
- Antioxidant;
- Stimulation of blood microcirculation;
- Correction of psychosomatic disorders and the prevention of the degeneration of cartilage tissue.
So, we will summarize: postoperative rehabilitation and conservative treatment of osteochondrosis in special departments of state clinics in most cases deprives patients with comprehensive recovery treatment, and such treatment at home adds several more problems.The fact is that trying to rehabilitate at home, the patient is faced with at least the fact that:
- experiences a shortage of medical equipment - orthopedic beds, simulators, physiotherapy devices or simply the necessary space for physiotherapy exercises;
- It discovers inability to self -organize and self -discipline, which are the quintessence of any recreational techniques: it cannot elementarily observe sleep regimes, wakefulness, medication, the passage of medical procedures and nutrition for a long period of time.
- It feels a lack of dietetics and cooking skills that allow you to compose recipe and choose the right and distribute day diet, the violation of which can negate the effectiveness of other health methods.
Thus, it is best to undergo recovery treatment in specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers specializing in comprehensive rehabilitation and conservative treatment of osteochondrosis.