Osteochondrosis of the spine is not a sentence.Causes, symptoms, modern treatment methods

Spinal osteochondrosis -This is a chronic dystrophic disease in which the intervertebral of the cartilage disk and vertebrae is deformed.Recently, more and more often you have to hear about this disease.And it is not surprising, because if earlier osteochondrosis was considered a pathology of older people, now it has been very “younger”.We live in an era of scientific and technological progress-we have elevators and escalators, transport and means of communication that allow you to quickly transmit information, applying a minimum of physical effort to this.As a result, for speed and comfort, we pay the health of our spine.But do not despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let's find out what changes occur in the spine with osteochondrosis, how it manifests itself, and we will analyze modern methods of treating this condition.

Spine osteochondrosis: causes

The spine consists of vertebrae, which are interconnected by cartilaginous intervertebral discs.They serve as a shock absorber and provide elasticity and mobility of the spine.

Our body grows up to 20-25 years.At this time, the intervertebral disc is equipped with blood vessels, with which active nutrition occurs.After stopping growth, blood supply stops.Next, the disc receives power from adjacent tissues, mainly from muscles.Disks eat like a sponge, when compressed, they give the metabolic products, and with stretching they absorb nutrients.If for any reason the intervertebral disc does not receive sufficient power, it begins to collapse.

Consider the causes of osteochondrosis of the spine:

• A sedentary lifestyle.We already know that the cartilage disk feeds when compressing and stretching, and for this the spine must be moved.
• Forced pose.This applies to office workers and drivers, because a prolonged sitting leaning forward leads to an uneven load on the spine.Imagine that the whole mass of the upper body is not pressure on the entire disk daily, but on certain points.The power of cartilage tissue at these points is disturbed, which leads to its destruction.

Long-term sitting at the computer when tilted forward increases the load on the spine by 50-70%.

• Excessive physical activity.In addition to the load on the spine, the muscle tension occurs, as a result of which the blood circulation of the muscles is disturbed and the intervertebral disc does not receive the necessary nutrition.
• Incorrect posture.A persistent change in the spinal configuration overloads the intervertebral discs.
• Obesity.Excess mass of the upper body has a load on the spine.
• Age -related changes.This is a natural process, as a result of which the metabolic processes of cartilage and bone tissue slow down.

Changes in the spine with osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the spine is characterized by a violation of the nutrition (trophism) of the intervertebral discs.First of all, the shape of the disk changes - it protrudes towards the spinal canal.If the stabbage of the intervertebral disc occurs without a rupture of the fibrous-chryshot ring, then this condition is calledprotrusion.This is one of the stages of osteochondrosis of the spine.The next step is the rupture of the fibrous-chryshot ring, which is accompanied by a displacement of the eaded nucleus of the intervertebral disc.So formedIntervertebral hernia.

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.It grows and forms the so -called osteophytes or bone spikes.They compensate for the load on the spine, while limiting the movement.

Often osteophytes are called “deposition of salts”.In fact, there are no salts.These are bone formations that to remove with the help of massage and manual techniques, of course, will not work.

The muscles for osteochondrosis are also subjected to certain changes.In order to hold the deformed spine in a normal position, they are in a state of constant voltage.Muscle cramps for osteochondrosis are accompanied by pain and further worsen the trophic structures of the spine.

A change in the shape of the spine structures leads to a displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.In this case, the compression (compression) of the radicular nerves occurs.They become inflamed and cause severe pain.

Osteochondrosis of the spine with radicular syndrome is manifested by pain in the legs, arms, chest and internal organs - the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, kidneys, etc.Numbness of arms, legs, face and tongue for osteochondrosis - are also a sign of compression of the radicular nerves.

Symptoms of spine osteochondrosis

Whatever the spine is involved in the pathological process, the disease is manifested by two main symptoms - pain and limitation of the movement of both the spine and the limbs.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most mobile.In addition, blood vessels that feed the brain pass through them.That is why the cervical spine is considered the most vulnerable.Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is manifested by characteristic symptoms:

• The pain in the neck that can be given to the back of the head, shoulders, spatula.Pain intensifies when tilting the head;
• Headache, dizziness, noise and ringing in the ears.Against the background of the disease, hearing impairment is possible;

Headaches for osteochondrosis are a fairly common occurrence.People suffering from systematic headaches should necessarily be examined by a neuropathologist.According to statistics, in 30% of cases the cause of headache is cervical osteochondrosis.

• Pain in the hands and chest.Restriction of hand movements;
• Violation of coordination of movements;
• In some cases, vision and speech suffers;
• Increasing blood pressure.

The syndrome of the vertebral artery with cervical osteochondrosis is a complex of symptoms that need to be attentive to.The vertebral artery nourishes the brain, and when compressed, its blood circulation is disturbed.The vertebral artery syndrome with cervical osteochondrosis has the following signs:

• Noise in the ears;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat);
• Visual violation, the appearance of “flies” before the eyes;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you urgently need to contact a neurologist.The vertebral artery syndrome is the most common cause of strokes at a young age.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine

The thoracic spine is less mobile than cervical or lumbar.In this regard, it is more difficult to cure it.In the thoracic cavity there are vital organs - the heart, large blood vessels and lungs, so the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region can be confused with diseases of the chest cavity.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine:

• The aching pains between the shoulder blades and in the chest area.The pain intensifies after a long stay in a forced position or during physical exertion;
• Pain and stiffness of movements during breathing;
• Pain between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia);
• Numbness of the skin, the feeling of “goosebumps”;
• Pain can give in the heart, lungs, stomach and kidneys;
• Restriction of movement during inclinations, raising the hands and turns of the body.

How to distinguish osteochondrosis of the spine from heart pain?

Pain for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can be so intense that you can easily suspect heart disease.Let's take a look at how osteochondrosis differs from pain in the heart with angina pectoris:

1. The duration of pain.With osteochondrosis of the spine, the pain can last days and weeks, and with angina pectoris - up to 10 minutes.
2. Relocation (termination) of pain.With angina pectoris, the pain is stopped by nitroglycerin, and with osteochondrosis, analgesics are effective - diclofenac, meloxicam, etc.
3. Changes on the ECG are characteristic of cardiac pathology, and with osteochondrosis ECG normal.

Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine

The lumbar spine is most susceptible to physical exertion.Any of our activity at the household level somehow involves this part of the spine.Almost everyone faced pain in the lower back, and this is the most common symptom with which they seek a doctor for help.

Signs of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:

• Pain in the back with the back, “shots” during physical exertion and with a long -term forced position.Pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is combined by the termradiculitis.
• Violation of the work of the genitourinary authorities.Pain in the kidney area, difficulty urinating.Women may have a violation of the menstrual cycle, pain in the ovaries and uterus, and men have problems with potency.
• Pain in the buttocks, hips, lower legs and feet.Violation of the sensitivity of the legs, tingling, numbness.
• With prolonged compression of the nerve roots and blood vessels, interspersing lameness may develop.When walking, a person begins to limp, and he needs to stop and relax.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine

Having dealt with the symptoms of osteochondrosis, a logical question arises - what to do next, how to deal with osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will heal osteochondrosis.With a small reservation - with timely treatment and desire to engage in your health.And a lot in our hands.Like any chronic disease, spinal osteochondrosis is treated for a long time.Do not hope that you can get rid of symptoms in a week.

Currently, conservative treatment is actively practicing, which includes a whole range of measures.The main thing that the patient needs to understand is passively treated.With severe pain, you will be prescribed painkillers and anti -inflammatory drugs, as well as muscle relaxants.But in some cases, you can do without medication.Let's look at the treatment methods that are used to treat osteochondrosis.

Preparations for the treatment of spine osteochondrosis

• Nonsteroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).These drugs will help relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in the form of injections, tablets and local products - gels or ointments.It is necessary to keep in mind that non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis cannot be taken on an ongoing basis, since they can lead to gastritis and stomach ulcer.
• Musorelaxants- A group of drugs that relieve muscle tension, thereby reducing the load on the spine and improving their blood circulation.They relieve muscle spasm with osteochondrosis of the spine.Most effectively work in combination with NSAIDs.
• Chondroprotectors- Restore and protect the cartilage from destruction.They are elements of the structure of articular cartilage (derivatives of hyaluronic acid).They are used in the form of tablets, intramuscularly and intra -fast.Their significant minus is a rather long treatment.The optimal course is 6 months.Not every patient is able to obediently comply with recommendations all this time.
• Vasodilative drugsFor osteochondrosis, it is used to improve blood circulation.

It is worth noting that any medical drug only removes pain with osteochondrosis, but does not heal the problem.Medicines will not put the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in place and will not return the former anatomical structure to them.

Non -drug methods of treatment of osteochondrosis

• Massage.The main task of massage for osteochondrosis of the spine is to relieve muscle spasm and increase blood flow.Thus, the nutrition of the cartilage improves, the edema decreases, the pain subsides, the movement in the joints is restored.Massage, unfortunately, gives a temporary effect.We know that with osteochondrosis there are changes in the spine, so it will not work to completely restore it.Moreover, if osteophytes have already formed, which are mistaken for “salts deposits”.
• Manual therapy.Previously, this method of treatment of osteochondrosis was quite skeptical.However, a large -scale clinical study conducted in 2017 showed the effectiveness of manual therapy.Nevertheless, manual therapy for osteochondrosis must be taken extremely carefully.First of all, you need to make an MRI to determine the exact place of damage.Many manual therapists act intuitively, without certain knowledge and skills.But this is not the case where it is necessary to play intuition, especially with intervertebral hernias.The manual therapist with an inept approach can harm more than the disease itself, so before making a decision on the course of such procedures, you should be taken responsibly to the search for a specialist.
• Medical physical education (exercise therapy)- Perhaps the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis.Since this disease is most often a consequence of a lack of amount of spine, physical exercises are what you need!The specialist will select a set of exercises and monitor their implementation.To maintain the effect after the training course, it is necessary to continue the exercises.You can choose a sport that is suitable for people with osteochondrosis.An ideal option for osteochondrosis of the spine is to swim, yoga and Pilates.It’s good to hang on the horizontal bar several times a week (if there are no contraindications).Stretching exercises help to “pull out” the spine and relax the tense muscles.

Not every sport is indicated for osteochondrosis.For example, running can aggravate the disease.Therefore, before making this or that decision, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapy specialist.

And of course, you should think about changing your lifestyle.Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, respectively, it is necessary to treat for a long time.Medicines or massage will not return the spine with a pristine look, and this must be reconciled.And this means that it will be necessary not only to do special exercises, but also to adjust some of your habits.

Prevention of osteochondrosis of the spine

• First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to your workplace.If you work sitting, try to avoid tilt forward.The chair should be with a hard back and a lumbar bend.
• Follow the posture.It is not only beautiful, but also good for health.
• Try not to lift weights.If necessary, put on a special bandage or a corset for the back.
• If the cause of osteochondrosis of the spine has become excess weight, you will have to get rid of extra pounds.

The health of the spine is in our hands!