In modern conditions, young people often suffer from osteochondrosis.This is due to a sedentary lifestyle, because even in our free time we often spend time in front of the computer - of course, while sitting.Osteochondrosis can cause a lot of discomfort and significantly reduce quality of life.Fortunately, the disease can be treated symptomatically: today there are many therapeutic solutions for this.
Symptoms and causes of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative lesion of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone tissue.It can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar - it all depends on which area of the spine the pathological changes began.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is mainly affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it becomes deformed and loses elasticity, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and pinching of the nerves leaving the spinal cord.This results in severe pain, limited mobility, rapid fatigue and changes in posture, which leads to an even greater worsening of the situation.
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is an unbalanced and excessive load on the spine, which occurs, for example, in the presence of excess weight, during sedentary work or other necessities of staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or daily wearing of shoes with too high heels, sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, as well as weakness of the muscle corset.Pregnant women are also at risk.
However, osteochondrosis is not always the result of direct stress on the vertebrae.This disease is often caused by metabolic disorders, chronic poisoning, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, deficiency of certain vitamins (especially vitamins D, C and B), injuries and finally age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often make the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" with any structural changes in the body.For example, when an x-ray shows changes in the spine such as tilts, growths, scoliosis, curvatures, the patient is most likely to be treated for osteochondrosis.If there is no abnormality in the spine, a diagnosis of “psychogenic pain” can be made.Meanwhile, the cause of back pain remains unknown.
Chinese medicine considers the human body as a whole.So, when a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor makes a diagnosis, he addresses the root of the problem, which he identifies through its symptoms.Removing the “root” of the disease also relieves its manifestations, helping in particular to eliminate back pain.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis largely depend on the location of the source of the disease.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the disease begins with pain in the neck and arms, headaches and numbness of the fingers.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the following symptoms: acute back pain, tingling in the chest, difficulty breathing.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in the lower back and legs, numbness of the feet, and genitourinary disorders are also observed - urination disorders, sexual dysfunction in men, problems with the ovaries in women.
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, the list of manifestations of the disease is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- pain radiating to the buttocks or legs;
- muscular heaviness and stiffness;
- feeling of cold in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in palms and soles;
- tinnitus;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- cold extremities and lack of energy;
- sharp pain in one place;
- increased body temperature;
- swelling of the limbs.
The pulse can be different: from deep, threadlike and slow, to vibrating and frequent.Symptoms, like the nature of the pulse, may depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
Most often, the first signs of osteochondrosis are noticed around the age of 25, but for a long time they are ignored.Therefore, patients usually turn to doctors at the age of 30-35, and many of them suffer from osteochondrosis in an advanced form.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with osteochondrosis, be patient, the treatment will take a long time.An integrated approach significantly speeds up the healing process, but in any case it is impossible to cure osteochondrosis in a month.
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis should be divided into several stages, each of which pursues specific goals.
The first step is to eliminate the pain.You may be advised to wear a special corset that will keep your back and neck in a physiologically correct position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the arsenal of physiotherapy and those related to traditional medicine, for example, acupuncture, which has long been officially recognized and included in the Nomenclature of Medical Services.
The second stage of treatment of osteochondrosis is the restoration of intervertebral discs and prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, diet correction and physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
A neurologist can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories.If necessary, they resort to novocaine blockade or more serious treatment aimed at relieving the spasm.However, the source of the disease remaining in the body causes the disease to return after a period of time.
Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine often prove in practice that the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" is made incorrectly in many situations.In cases where this conclusion is confirmed, the TCM doctor relieves the patient's swelling and begins the restoration of tendons and muscles.Spasms of the longitudinal and oblique muscles are gradually eliminated and the ability to move in its full range returns to the joint.Such treatment promotes healing in most cases.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient will also have to reconsider their habits: for the treatment to bring the desired results, it is necessary to dose the loads, alternating walking and rest, sometimes it is advisable to walk with a cane for a while.Drug treatment consists of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, relaxants, B vitamins and glucocorticoids.
In addition to classic medical massage, acupressure, acupuncture, as well as leech treatment, physiotherapy and herbal medicine are used to treat this type of osteochondrosis.All of these procedures can be carried out either in a regular clinic or in an approved oriental medicine center.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is extremely common even among young people - it is sometimes even diagnosed in schoolchildren and students who spend too much time on textbooks and the computer.This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to complications such as blurred vision or increased intracranial pressure, which manifests itself as severe headaches.
To treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used, as well as a course of injections of B vitamins.
Massage of the cervix area, ultrasound and electrophoresis may also be prescribed.It is extremely important to lead an active lifestyle, develop correct posture, practice taking breaks at work and warm up a little in the middle of the working day.
Among the means of traditional (including oriental) medicine in the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, the following are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and medicinal plants - phytotherapeutic agents improve metabolism and the functioning of small vessels, relieve inflammation, which has a beneficial effect on health in general and the musculoskeletal system in particular.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine
When treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the habit of dosing loads plays an important role: you should not spend too much time standing and sitting, you should rest more often in a lying position.Additionally, you will need to wear a corset for a while to improve your posture.
As with cervical osteochondrosis, for lumbar osteochondrosis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, B vitamins, often glucocorticosteroids, enzymes, as well as ointments that improve blood circulation and relieve pain are prescribed.
Massage, exposure to therapeutic mud and electrophoresis with pain relievers, heating, including hot stones, are indicated - this is stone therapy, which has been popular in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods
The approach to the treatment of different types of osteochondrosis, practiced in traditional Chinese medicine, deserves special attention.From the perspective of thousands of years of experience of Chinese doctors, the key method for treating osteochondrosis is acupuncture, also called acupuncture.First of all, the TCM doctor determines the priority hypersensitive points (acupuncture) for each patient.It is on them that he acts with the finest needles.This triggers a response from the body that helps restore damaged cartilage and bones and restore joint mobility.
After therapy, in order to consolidate the therapeutic effect and keep the body in good shape, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses with a certain frequency in the future, but for preventive purposes.
The needle placement technique and duration of the acupuncture session are influenced by the diagnosis and condition of the patient.Generally, acupuncture sessions are well tolerated by all patients, although the sensations resulting from the procedure differ between patients.For some, the introduction of needles goes unnoticed;others may feel an itching sensation, slight pressure, and still others may even fall asleep.
It cannot be said that the appearance of osteochondrosis is due to a single factor - most often the cause of the development of the disease is a generally incorrect lifestyle.The treatment must therefore be complete.A diet rich in vitamins, which consists of avoiding fatty foods, alcohol and tobacco, as well as precisely calculated physical activity in combination with therapeutic and medicinal methods, allows you to achieve better results than just taking pills.