Hello dear readers. Diseases of the spinal column are one of the most pressing medical problems of humanity today. More and more young people are complaining of pain in various parts of the spine, although not so long ago this pathology worried mainly the older generation. That is why the effective treatment of osteochondrosis is so actively discussed everywhere. How to get rid of pain in the spine is the topic of this article. Due to the effects of gravity, as a penalty for walking upright, as well as due to other factors, the structures of the spinal column wear out prematurely.
What is osteochondrosis
Insufficient nutrition of cartilage tissue leads to weakening of cartilage. The intervertebral layers lose their ability to withstand excess load. The vertebrae press against each other, literally crushing the intervertebral cartilaginous cushions. This is how osteochondrosis develops.
At first, the cartilage 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 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 noise effects.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Pain in the back is reflected in the chest, sometimes strikingly similar to heart pain.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The pain is concentrated in the pelvis, peritoneum, lower back, and radiates to the lower extremities.
Simultaneous damage to different 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 at first. 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 for intentionally undergoing 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 noticeable. 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. The mobility of the affected area is increasingly constrained. Nerve roots and blood vessels are compressed, which provokes 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. Inflammation is extensive, complications appear. Certain areas of the spinal column 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 that are most likely to develop osteochondrosis.
These are people who lead a passive life, whose work involves a sedentary position. Patients with excess body weight and metabolic disorders are also at risk of getting sick.
The health of the spine among hard workers and professional athletes is also at risk.
Factors that provoke the formation of pathological changes include
- prolonged lack of fluid in the body;
- improper diet causing a lack of minerals;
- hormonal changes;
- emotional outbursts, stress;
- injuries, overload;
- staying 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 and tear of tissues;
- harmful addictions;
- taking medications, intoxication of various etiologies;
- overweight, obesity;
- sleeping on a too soft mattress and a high pillow.
Treatment methods
Therapy consists of an active phase and a rehabilitation process. Even if there are no lasting results for a long time, you cannot give up. Recovery is very slow.
All this requires patience, strong will and a high level of self-discipline. Success can be guaranteed only 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 need to 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.
Combination 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.
Therefore they connect:
- medication, and, if necessary, surgical intervention;
- therapeutic and preventive gymnastics;
- physical procedures;
- various types of manual therapy, including traditional massage, reflexology;
- removal of clamps, traction of the spinal column.
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 timely adjustments to be made 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 need to follow his instructions and, perhaps, slightly modify the standard approach to treating the spine.
We are talking primarily about regulating the load 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 emphasize that osteochondrosis cannot be overcome with medications alone. But they are an important and even necessary part of the healing process. Pharmacological drugs are used, as a rule, during exacerbation of the disease to relieve symptoms and relieve inflammation. As for the restoration of cartilage tissue, dietary supplements are used here, although with varying degrees of success.
Medicinal effects are aimed at:
- relief from pain in various parts of the body;
- containment of inflammation and cessation of this pathological process;
- increased blood circulation;
- improving metabolism;
- increased nutrition of damaged tissues;
- return of mobility to the spine;
- restoration of cartilage layers;
- preventing the development of depression due to poor health.
To solve the problems, various groups of medications are used. If the effectiveness of one of them is low, more effective drugs are administered with caution, since they have a greater number of possible adverse reactions.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A group of non-steroidal multifunctional drugs. Relieves inflammation, relieves pain, reduces fever. For osteochondrosis, pain-relieving creams, ointments and tablets are most often used.
- Antispasmodics, combined analgesics, local anesthetics. Helps get rid of muscle pain and headaches.
- Medicines that dilate blood vessels. Helps get rid of headaches and numbness.
- Muscle relaxants. They relieve tightness and spasms, which allows you to eliminate the resulting muscle pain and swelling.
- Vitamin preparations (vit. B, A, E, C, multivitamins), mineral supplements. They supply the body with compounds necessary for cartilage tissue.
- Sedative medications: tincture of valerian, motherwort. Help relieve stress from constant pain and normalize sleep.
- Hormonal medications based on the substances methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone. They are strong anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotective agents. Restore 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 of the spine, and release pinched nerves and blood vessels. The exercises are aimed at developing the affected areas, strengthening and stretching 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 likelihood of injury is high, so all actions are performed with caution. If discomfort or pain occurs, gymnastics should be suspended until the sensation goes away. After the action is resumed.
You may need 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 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 herbalists at an affordable price.
Effective compresses
The use of compresses will help get rid of painful attacks, swelling, and inflammation of 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 pain is eliminated.
- 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 infused for about 10 hours and used as a compress for 3 days in a row, 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. Compresses are also used twice a day for three days. Then go back to the previous recipe. These two remedies are used in turn, for 3 days each, without breaks 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 several minutes. Drink ¼ tbsp. 1-3 times a day.
Tincture: pour 5 mature crushed cones with seeds with a glass of alcohol (strong vodka), leave for 2 weeks, shaking the container daily. Drink a teaspoon after meals.
Birch buds and lingonberry leaves
1 tsp 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.
Honey applications
For osteochondrosis, applications and lotions made from aloe juice and honey help. They are used individually or in a mixture.
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 up, stimulates active centers, removes tension, and eliminates numbness.
Suitable for rubbing for osteochondrosis:
- bear/badger fat;
- turpentine;
- alcoholic herbal tinctures;
- decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants;
- fir oil;
- special compounds.
Rubbing for severe pain: crush a package of analgin (10 pcs. ), combine with a glass of alcohol, a small bottle of iodine, 10 ml of camphor alcohol. Rub your back only in painful areas. May cause a burning sensation.
Therapeutic baths for osteochondrosis
Similar procedures are carried out during the remission stage. Warm water is used with the addition of herbal decoctions and essential oils. Should be used before bedtime.
Baths help relax, calm, relieve swelling and tension, eliminate numbness, pain, heaviness in the muscles. Here, decoctions are used in higher concentrations than when taken orally. But the same plants will do.