Hello dear readers. Spinal disorders are among the most pressing medical problems facing humanity today. More and more young people complain about 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, which is a disadvantage for upright walking, but also due to other factors, the structures of the spine wear out prematurely.
What is Osteochondrosis?
Inadequate nutrition of the cartilage tissue leads to weakening of the cartilage. The intervertebral layers lose their ability to withstand overloads. The vertebrae press against each other and literally crush the cartilage pads of the intervertebral vertebrae. This is how osteochondrosis occurs.
Initially, the cartilage tissue suffers, and later the vertebrae themselves are also involved in the pathological process. The disease is chronic and is accompanied by severe pain.
Depending on the location of the lesions in the spinal area, various forms of the disease are distinguished:
Cervical osteochondrosis
It is characterized by pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, head, dizziness, mild visual disturbances and noise effects.
Breast osteochondrosis
Back pain is reflected in the chest and sometimes strikingly resembles heart pain.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
The pain is concentrated in the pelvis, peritoneum, and lower back and radiates to the lower extremities.
Simultaneous damage to different vertebral sections can occur.
As the disease progresses, there are 4 main stages of the disease. An unpleasant feature of the pathology is the initially low probability of its detection. This is due to the asymptomatic nature of the initial stage of development of osteochondrosis.
Chondrotic changes can only be seen on x-rays and can therefore only be discovered by chance. Because there are no prerequisites for consciously 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 when moving the spine. Sometimes the cartilage is pushed outward, forming projections – protrusions.
- Cartilage is replaced by bone formations. The mobility of the affected area is becoming increasingly restricted. Nerve roots and blood vessels are compressed, which leads to the development of chronic pain in the back and the surrounding area. Displacements and hernias can occur.
- The disease affects bone tissue, cartilage is almost completely destroyed. The inflammation is widespread and complications occur. Certain areas of the spine completely lose their mobility.
Causes of osteochondrosis
The causes of pathological changes in the cartilage structures of the spine have not yet been fully researched by medicine. However, scientists have identified several risk groups that are most likely to develop osteochondrosis.
These are people who lead a passive life and whose work requires them to be sedentary. Patients who are overweight and have metabolic disorders are also at risk of developing the disease.
Spinal health is also at risk in hard-working people and professional athletes.
The factors that provoke the development of pathological changes include:
- persistent lack of fluid in the body;
- improper diet leading to mineral deficiency;
- hormonal changes;
- emotional outbursts, stress;
- injuries, overuse;
- remaining 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, poisoning of various causes;
- overweight, obesity;
- Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft and a high pillow.
Treatment methods
Therapy consists of an active phase and a rehabilitation process. Even if lasting results do not appear over a long period of time, you must not give up. Recovery is very slow.
All of this requires patience, strong will and a high level of self-discipline. Success can only be guaranteed if there is an insatiable desire for recovery and a number of therapeutic and preventive measures.
It is highly undesirable to limit yourself to self-medication. You must be aware that taking painkillers alone without changing your lifestyle will not produce any results other than temporary relief.
The disease will continue to actively develop. In addition, there is a dependence on anesthetics and analgesics.
Combination therapy not only relieves pain, but also fights degenerative changes, restores mobility, relieves inflammation, prevents complications and tries to regenerate damaged structures.
Therefore they connect:
- medications and, if necessary, surgical procedures;
- therapeutic and preventive gymnastics;
- physical processes;
- various types of manual therapy, including traditional massage, reflexology;
- Removal of staples, traction of the spine.
All of this is prescribed and monitored by the doctor. The patient can use unconventional methods, but in consultation with the doctor. The patient must also report any successes and occurrence of side effects. This allows the treatment plan to be adjusted in a timely manner.
How to treat osteochondrosis at home
Effective treatment of osteochondrosis is quite possible in a familiar home environment. Your doctor will tell you how to get rid of pain in the spine not only with the help of anesthesia. The patient must follow his instructions and may slightly modify the standard approach to spinal treatment.
It is primarily about regulating the load when performing a set of exercises and stretching the vertebral structures. In this case, you need to focus on personal perseverance and sensitivity.
Medicines - drugs for osteochondrosis
You should immediately emphasize that osteochondrosis cannot be combated with medication alone. But they are an important and even necessary part of the healing process. Pharmacological medications are usually used when the disease worsens to relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. Dietary supplements are used to restore cartilage tissue, but with varying degrees of success.
Medical effects are aimed at:
- Relieving pain in various parts of the body;
- Controlling inflammation and stopping this pathological process;
- increased blood flow;
- improving metabolism;
- increased nutrition of damaged tissues;
- return of spinal mobility;
- restoration of cartilage layers;
- Preventing the development of depression due to poor health.
Different groups of medications are used to solve the problems. If the effectiveness of any of them is low, more effective drugs are administered with caution because they have a greater number of possible side effects.
- 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 tension and cramps, allowing you to eliminate the resulting muscle pain and swelling.
- Vitamin preparations (Vit. B, A, E, C, multivitamins), mineral preparations. They provide the body with compounds necessary for cartilage tissue.
- Soothing drugs: tincture of valerian, feverfew. Help relieve stress caused by constant pain and normalize sleep.
- Hormonal drugs based on the substances methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone. They are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotective agents. Restore cartilage.
Physical exercises
Spinal injuries have their limitations when performing specific exercises. Therefore, it is recommended that classes be conducted under the supervision of a teacher.
Therapeutic exercises help relieve pain, restore mobility to the spine, and release pinched nerves and blood vessels. The exercises are aimed at developing the affected areas, strengthening and stretching the muscles.
The gymnastics techniques are more or less standard. However, the duration, intensity and number of repetitions are determined individually.
With osteochondrosis, the risk of injury is high, so all measures are carried out with caution. If discomfort or pain occurs, gymnastics should be stopped until the feeling disappears. The action then continues.
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 many simple, effective and safe recipes for osteochondrosis. They are used in the form of teas, tinctures, lotions, compresses, rubs, applications, ointments.
Herbal medicine helps to support the body, strengthen it, normalize its functioning and relieve unpleasant symptoms. These remedies can be purchased at any pharmacy or herbalist at an affordable price.
Effective compresses
The use of compresses helps to eliminate 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 proportions and applied to the diseased area. Cover the top with foil and apply a warming bandage overnight. Treatment continues until the 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 in the morning and evening for 3 days in a row. 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 applied twice a day for three days. Then return to the previous recipe. These two remedies are used alternately for 3 days each without a break until the symptoms disappear.
Infusions and decoctions for osteochondrosis
This group of folk remedies is used for systemic action on the body to provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, strengthening and sedative effects.
Pine cones
Decoction: Wash 4 unripe cones, chop, add half a liter of water and cook for a few minutes. Drink ¼ tbsp. 1-3 times a day.
Tincture: Pour 5 ripe 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 cranberry leaves
Brew 1 teaspoon each, a glass of boiling water. Drink something throughout the day.
Herbs
Teas made from plants such as horsetail, mint, St. John's wort, motherwort, marigold, linden, milk thistle, chamomile, plantain, thyme, cinquefoil, sage and immortelle are also useful. They are used in different combinations or individually.
Honey Applications
Applications and lotions made from aloe juice and honey help with osteochondrosis. They are used individually or in a mixture.
A piece of gauze should be moistened with the product and applied to the sore spot under a warming bandage for at least 40 minutes. You can also simply grease the desired areas with it several times a day.
Rub
Rubbing the medicinal composition accelerates blood circulation, ensures deep penetration of the product into the body, warms it, stimulates active centers, relieves 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 connections.
Rubbing for severe pain: Crush a pack of Analgin (10 pieces), mix with a glass of alcohol, a small bottle of iodine and 10 ml of camphor alcohol. Rub your back only on the painful areas. May cause a burning sensation.
Therapeutic baths for osteochondrosis
Similar procedures are carried out during the remission period. Warm water is used with the addition of herbal decoctions and essential oils. Should be used before bedtime.
Baths help to relax, calm, relieve swelling and tension, eliminate numbness, pain and heaviness in the muscles. Decoctions are used in higher concentrations than when taken orally. But the same plants will do.