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 the quality of life.Fortunately, this 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 disc and adjacent bone tissue.It can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar - it all depends on the region of the spine where the pathological changes begin.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral discs are mainly affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it becomes deformed and loses elasticity, and this leads to the distance between the vertebrae is reduced and the nerves that extend from the spinal cord are pinched.The result is severe pain, limited movement, rapid fatigue, and changes in posture, which lead to worse conditions.
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 requirements to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or wearing shoes every day with 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 caused by direct pressure on the vertebrae.Often this disease is caused by metabolic disorders, chronic intoxication, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, lack of certain vitamins (especially vitamins D, C and B), injuries and, finally, age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often diagnose "osteochondrosis" with any structural changes in the body.For example, when the x-ray shows changes in the spine such as tilt, growth, scoliosis, kinks, the patient is more likely to be treated for osteochondrosis.If there are no abnormalities in the spine, a diagnosis of "psychogenic pain" can be made.Meanwhile, the cause of the back pain is still not revealed.
Chinese medicine looks at the human body as a whole.Therefore, when a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) makes a diagnosis, he gets to the root of the problem, which he identifies through its symptoms.Removing the "root" of the disease also relieves its manifestations, including helping to get rid of 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 in the legs, and genitourinary disorders are also observed - urinary disorders, sexual dysfunction in men, problems with ovaries in women.
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, the list of manifestations of this disease is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- pain radiating to the back or legs;
- muscle weight and stiffness;
- cold feeling in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in palms and soles;
- tinnitus;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- cold feet and lack of energy;
- sharp pain in any one place;
- increased body temperature;
- swelling in the limbs.
The pulse can be different: from deep, threadlike and slow, to vibrating and frequent.Symptoms, such as the nature of the pulse, may depend on the cause of the disease.
Often, people notice the first signs of osteochondrosis at the age of about 25 years, but ignore it for a long time.Therefore, patients usually turn to doctors at the age of 30-35 years, and many of them have osteochondrosis in an advanced form.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with osteochondrosis, be patient - the treatment will be long.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 for osteochondrosis should be divided into several stages, each of them pursuing a specific goal.
The first step is to eliminate the pain.You may be advised to wear a special corset that will support your back and neck in the correct physiological position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the physiotherapy arsenal 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 for osteochondrosis is the restoration of the intervertebral disc and the prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, dietary correction, and physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
Neurologists can prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.If necessary, they use restrictions with novocaine or more serious treatment aimed at relieving spasms.However, the source of the disease remaining in the body leads to the return of the disease after a while.
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 swelling in the patient and begins the rehabilitation of tendons and muscles.Spasms from the longitudinal and oblique muscles are gradually eliminated, and the ability to move in its full range returns to the joint.Such treatment in most cases promotes recovery.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient also needs to reconsider his habits: in order for the treatment to bring the desired result, it is necessary to carry out a load dose, alternate walking with rest, sometimes it is advised to walk with crutches for some time.Drug treatment consists of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, relaxants, B vitamins and glucocorticosteroids.
In addition to classical medical massage, acupressure, acupuncture, as well as leech treatment, physical therapy and herbal medicine are used to treat this type of osteochondrosis.All these procedures can be carried out either in a regular clinic or in a licensed oriental medicine center.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is very common, even among young people - sometimes it is also diagnosed in schoolchildren and students who spend too much time on textbooks and computers.This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can cause complications such as blurred vision or increased intracranial pressure, which manifests itself in severe headaches.
To treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used, as well as a course of vitamin B injections.
Collar area massage, ultrasound and electrophoresis can also be prescribed.It is very important to lead an active lifestyle, form the right posture, train yourself to rest at work and do a little warm-up in the middle of the working day.
Among traditional medical methods (including oriental) in the treatment of osteochondrosis types, the following are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal medicine - phytotherapeutic agents improve metabolism and function of small vessels, relieve inflammation, which has a good effect on health in general and the musculoskeletal system in particular.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine
During the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the dosage load habit plays an important role: you can not spend too much time on your feet and sitting, you need to rest more often in a lying position.In addition, you need to wear a corset for some time to improve your posture.
As for cervical osteochondrosis, for lumbar osteochondrosis, non-steroidal 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 painkillers, 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).
The approach to the treatment of various types of osteochondrosis, which is practiced in traditional Chinese medicine, deserves special attention.From the perspective of thousands of years of experience of Chinese doctors, the main method of treating osteochondrosis is acupuncture, also called acupuncture.First of all, TCM doctors determine the priority hypersensitivity points (acupuncture) for each patient.It is on them that he acts with the best needle.This triggers a response from the body that helps repair damaged cartilage and bone and restore joint mobility.
After therapy, to consolidate the therapeutic effect and maintain body shape, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses at a certain frequency in the future, but for preventive purposes.
The technique of placing the needles and the duration of the acupuncture session are influenced by the diagnosis and the condition of the patient.As a rule, acupuncture sessions are well received by all patients, although the sensations from the procedure differ among patients.For some people, the introduction of the needle goes unnoticed;others may experience itching, slight pressure, and others may fall asleep.
It cannot be said that the occurrence of osteochondrosis occurs due to any one factor - often the cause of the development of the disease is an incorrect lifestyle as a whole.Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive.A diet high in vitamins, including avoiding fatty foods, alcohol and smoking, and precisely calculated physical activity in combination with therapeutic and medical methods, allows you to achieve better results than just taking pills.