Not everyone will say they have never experienced back pain.This extremely unpleasant problem affects everyone.It is not scary if the pain is caused by hypothermia or pulled muscles.It is much worse if the pain is a symptom of a back disease.That is why I will look at the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic, cervical and lumbar spine at home.
What is spinal osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine that affects the intervertebral discs.Without treatment, it spreads to the bone structure and ligaments.
The cartilage tissue underlying the intervertebral discs is slowly restored.Therefore, disks affected by the disease are doomed to destruction.However, it is almost impossible to reverse the disease.If the disease has appeared, it is only possible to stop further development.
It is believed that osteochondrosis is the price humanity pays for the ability to walk.As practice shows, four-legged animals do not suffer from the disease.It is difficult to say for what reason the disease appears.Doctors say that the development is facilitated by the improper distribution of the level of load on the back with a weak ligamentous apparatus and muscular corset.
This point of view is confirmed by the methods of treatment of osteochondrosis, which are based on the behavior of ligaments and muscles in a normal state.Therapy involves muscle training.
Based on the facts about the development of the disease, doctors have compiled a list of causes and factors that provoke the development of the disease.
- A sedentary and sedentary lifestyle contributes to the weakening of the corset of back muscles.
- Physical activity.
- Back injuries.
- Overweight.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Wrong posture and prolonged exposure in an uncomfortable position.
- Impaired metabolism.
- Lack of vitamins, microelements and nutrients in the body.
I will draw your attention to the last point.Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle and choose active recreation, the likelihood of osteochondrosis will still remain high due to the lack of nutrients.The problem is fundamental because not all people eat properly.They prefer hot dogs and foods from which the body is unable to extract anything useful.The problem is aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle.
We will focus on the symptoms and treatment of osteochondrosis at home, depending on which part of the spine is affected.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Thoracic osteochondrosis causes extensive damage to the organs connected to the spinal cord located at the level of the affected chest region.Damaged functioning of the spine adversely affects the mobility of the limbs and torso and negatively affects the functioning of the respiratory muscles and pelvic organs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is more common in people who move little.As a result, the spine does not receive dosed loads, which disrupts the disc restoration process.If you sit down or suffer from computer addiction, this contributes to the development of the disease.So do physical exercises regularly.
Symptoms
- Thoracic osteochondrosis is accompanied by burning and pain.There is a feeling that the chest is being compressed.When feeling the processes of the vertebrae, a person experiences local pain, which intensifies when turning the body, taking deep breaths and axial loads on the back.
- In some people, the development of the disease is accompanied by pain in the shoulder blades and in the lower part of the chest.Displacement of the ribs contributes to the appearance of the symptom.During the turning of the body, the pain intensifies.
- As for the internal organs, the functions are impaired when the nerve roots are compressed.The thoracic region contains structures that are responsible for the innervation of the kidneys, heart, liver and other organs.For this reason, there are no characteristic symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Now we will talk about diagnostics.X-ray examination is of great importance in this matter.In a chest X-ray, a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs is easily recognized.This helps detect osteophytes and endplate sclerosis.
By means of computerized tomography, the condition of the vertebrae is clarified, the size and location of the hernial protrusion is determined, and the dimensions of the spinal canal are determined.As part of the differential diagnosis, a medical history is taken and the clinical signs of the disease are compared with the symptoms of the disease.
Treatment
- Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis is conservative.The reason for treatment is visceral syndromes with neurological disorders.Orthopedic treatment is reduced to spinal traction.
- Drug treatment involves performing paravertebral blockades using a solution of novocaine.If the disease worsens, sedatives and analgesics are used.In the case of unexpressed pain, the patient uses anti-inflammatory drugs and ointments.
- After the elimination of acute phenomena, the back and lower limbs are massaged.Manual therapy is considered suitable for the first three degrees of osteochondrosis.At the same time, it provides rough and gentle effects on the muscles of the spine.
- With the help of physical therapy at home, measured loads are applied to the spine, which accelerates the recovery process.Vertical loads are contraindicated.As part of the sanitary-resort phase, hydromassage and underwater traction are used.Ultrasound, inductothermy and salt baths help achieve results.
Surgical treatment, which includes surgery, is performed in cases where a prolapsed disc fragment presses on the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The disease is characterized by degeneration of the intervertebral discs, accompanied by a decrease in length, rapid growth of marginal osteophytes and the appearance of compressions.
The cervical vertebrae are close together and the muscular framework is poorly developed.Therefore, muscular osteochondrosis, even with small loads, causes displacement of the vertebral discs, which press on nerves and blood vessels.
Cartilage tissue affected by the disease becomes a bone formation.As a result, the disc hardens and its size decreases.The result is that the spinal discs lose their shock-absorbing properties, which puts pressure on the nerves and contributes to pain.
Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis
- Headache and dizziness.The main symptom of the disease is headache.This is due to the pressure exerted on the vessels of the head and cervical region.Pain syndrome causes discomfort and reduces performance.Dizziness occurs with sudden turns of the head.
- Pain in the chest and upper limbs.She has an urgent and burning character.In the upper extremities, the pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling.
- Numbness of the tongue.The symptom is caused by limited mobility of the tongue.Therefore, many people suffering from osteochondrosis complain that the tone of the vocal cords changes, as well as speech.
The diagnosis of the disease is carried out by doctors, including an orthopedist and a neurosurgeon.Doctors examine the patient, carefully examining the vertebra in different positions.To determine the level of damage, a special scheme is used.
The location and degree of pain is determined by palpating the spine.At the same time, bending, bending and turning the body helps to reveal the amplitude of movement.Further diagnostics include X-rays, computed tomography and MRI.
How to treat
- It is common to treat the disease using conservative methods aimed at eliminating pain, restoring the normal functioning of the spinal roots and preventing degenerative changes in the spine.
- If conservative therapy is ineffective, surgical treatment is performed based on indications, depending on the manifestation of the disease and the level of the lesion.
- Treatment depends on the severity of osteochondrosis.Most often, the initial stage of therapy is accompanied by increased pain in the neck, but then it is relieved with medications, physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic massage.
- Gymnastics and exercises help relieve pain.Exercise therapy strengthens the neck muscles, which reduces the likelihood of relapse.
- Let me give you a simple exercise as an example.Turn your head smoothly to the side, lift for a moment and turn in the opposite direction.While doing the exercise, look ahead.
- Massage helps reduce anxiety.The procedure lengthens the spine and stretches the muscles.After the massage, be sure to anoint the neck with special oil, which contains pain-relieving drugs.
This disease is not a death sentence.With the help of medication, gymnastics and massage, you can improve your well-being.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The disease is common and affects everyone, regardless of gender.Everyone has felt unpleasant pain in the legs, lower back and sacrum, which brings discomfort and discomfort.
The symptoms of the disease are extremely broad.Some symptoms are not related to the spine at all.This is numbness of the limbs, abdominal pain, impaired functioning of the genitourinary system.
Treating the listed symptoms without first checking the spine contributes to the development of the disease.For this reason, it is recommended to consider all symptoms, consult a specialist and forget about self-treatment.This is not a fight against a runny nose.It is about the mobility of the body.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
- The list of main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is small.It includes: numbness of the limbs, pain in the legs, periodic pain in the lumbar region after a fall or physical activity.
- The symptoms I have listed often appear to a lesser extent as the disease progresses.You should be as careful as possible about your health and consult a doctor if necessary.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis requires complex, intensive and long-term treatment, especially if it is an advanced case accompanied by intervertebral hernia.
Modern reflex methods make it possible to carry out effective therapy for lumbar osteochondrosis without complications and with great benefit.You just need to remember that it is unrealistic to quickly solve a serious problem, and only an individual approach will help to achieve results.
Treatment at home
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis at home is based on manual therapy, acupuncture and vacuum therapy.The procedures help restore blood circulation and eliminate congestion in the spine.As a result, the tissue regeneration process is accelerated.
The use of these procedures during the fight against osteochondrosis is combined with the use of drugs that improve the balance of intervention and metabolic processes.It is impossible to achieve your goal without an active lifestyle and proper nutrition.
Special attention is paid to combating obesity, if there is any problem.Excess weight causes stress on the spine and contributes to the development of the disease.
During many years of practice, doctors have accumulated considerable experience in the fight against plague.As a result, in most cases the therapy gives results without surgery and helps to improve the health of the lower back.
How to prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis?
In conclusion, I will share ways to prevent and prevent osteochondrosis.If you already have a disease, I do not recommend lifting weights that weigh more than ten kilograms.
- If you have to work hard, drink fluids before starting physical work.Even tea or coffee will do.A dehydrated body is unable to provide the intervertebral discs with sufficient water.
- Periodically massage your back with simple movements.This technique will disperse the blood and accelerate metabolic processes.When you plan to lift weights, use a weightlifting strap or belt.
- Do not hold heavy things at arm's length, as this will increase the stress on the spine.To pick up an object, sit down and stand up with it, keeping your back straight.
- If the spine has received a load during work, hang on the horizontal bar for a while after you are done so that it stretches.When working for a long time, use this technique periodically.If this is not possible, lie down completely.
- Always distribute the load evenly.Hold bags in both hands and hold large objects in front of you, keeping them close to your body.If you're going to give something to another person, don't give it enough.Even if you have a full kettle in hand, I do not recommend that you neglect this rule.
- If you need to move something heavy a long distance, use a backpack, small stroller, rolling suitcase, or briefcase.
With this information you will save your back and avoid trouble.good luck!