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 in front of the computer - of course, sitting.Osteochondrosis can cause a lot of discomfort and significantly reduce the quality of life.Fortunately, the disease can be treated symptomatically: today there are many therapeutic solutions for this.
Symptoms and causes of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative damage to the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone tissue.It can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar - it all depends on the area of the spine where the pathological changes started.In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is mainly affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it deforms and loses elasticity, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and pinching of the nerves exiting the spinal cord.The result is severe pain, limited mobility, rapid fatigue and a change in posture, which makes the situation even worse.
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is the uneven and excessive load on the spine, which occurs, for example, in the presence of excess weight, during sedentary work or other need to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or daily wearing of shoes with too 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 the result of direct stress on the vertebrae.Often this disease is caused by metabolic disorders, chronic intoxication, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, deficiency of certain vitamins (especially vitamins D, C and B), injuries and finally age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often diagnose "osteochondrosis" for any structural changes in the body.For example, when the X-ray shows changes in the spine such as inclinations, protrusions, scoliosis, bends, it is very likely that the patient will 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 remains unsolved.
Chinese medicine looks at the human body as a whole.Therefore, when a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor performs a diagnosis, he gets to the root of the problem, which he identifies through its symptoms.Removing the "root" of the disease also alleviates its manifestations, including helping to eliminate 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 hands, headache and numbness of the fingers.Osteochondrosis of the chest is characterized by the following symptoms: sharp pain in the back, numbness in the chest, difficulty breathing.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in the lower back and legs, numbness in the legs, disorders of the genitourinary system are also observed - urination disorders, sexual dysfunction in men, ovarian problems in women.
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, the list of manifestations of the disease is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- pain radiating to the buttocks or legs;
- muscle heaviness and stiffness;
- cold feeling in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in palms and soles;
- tinnitus;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- coldness in the limbs and lack of energy;
- sharp pain in any place;
- increased body temperature;
- swelling of the limbs.
The pulse can be different: from deep, threadlike and slow, to vibrating and accelerated.Symptoms, such as the nature of the pulse, may depend on the underlying cause of the disease.
Most often, people notice the first signs of osteochondrosis around the age of 25, but ignore them for a long time.Therefore, patients usually turn to doctors at the age of 30-35, and many of them have osteochondrosis in an advanced form.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
If your doctor has diagnosed osteochondrosis, be patient - the treatment will be long.The integrated approach significantly accelerates the healing process, but in any case it is impossible to cure osteochondrosis in one month.
The course of treatment of osteochondrosis should be divided into several stages, each of which pursues specific goals.
The first step is to eliminate the pain.You may be advised to wear a special corset that will keep your back and neck in a physiologically correct position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the arsenal of physiotherapy and 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 the treatment of osteochondrosis is the restoration of the intervertebral discs and the prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, diet correction and physiotherapy procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
The neurologist may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.If necessary, they resort to a blockade with novocaine or a more serious treatment aimed at relieving the spasm.However, the source of the disease remaining in the body causes the disease to return after some time.
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 patient's swelling and begins the restoration of the 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 chest
With osteochondrosis of the chest, the patient will also have to revise his habits: in order for the treatment to bring the desired results, it is necessary to dose the loads, alternating walks with rest, sometimes it is advisable to walk with a cane for a while.Medical treatment consists of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, relaxants, vitamins of group B and glucocorticosteroids.
In addition to classical medical massage, acupressure, acupuncture, as well as leech treatment, physiotherapy and herbal medicine are used to treat this type of osteochondrosis.All these procedures can be performed both in a regular clinic and in a licensed center of oriental medicine.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae
Cervical osteochondrosis is extremely common even among young people - sometimes it is even diagnosed in schoolchildren and students who spend too much time on textbooks and a computer.This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to complications such as blurred vision or increased intracranial pressure, which is expressed in a severe headache.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used, as well as a course of injections of B vitamins.
Massage of the collar area, ultrasound and electrophoresis may also be prescribed.It is extremely important to lead an active lifestyle, develop proper posture, learn to take breaks during work and do a little warm-up in the middle of the work day.
Among the means of traditional (including oriental) medicine in the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal medicines - phytotherapeutic agents improve metabolism and the functioning of small vessels, relieve inflammation, which has a beneficial effect on health in general and in particular on the musculoskeletal system.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine
In the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, an important role is played by the habit of dosing the load: you should not spend too much time on your feet and sitting, you should rest more often in a lying position.You will also need to wear a corset for a while to improve your posture.
As with cervical osteochondrosis, lumbar osteochondrosis is prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, vitamins of group B, often glucocorticosteroids, enzymes, as well as ointments that improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
Massage, exposure to healing mud and electrophoresis with painkillers, heating, including hot stones are indicated - this is the popular stone therapy in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
The approach to the treatment of various types of osteochondrosis, 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, the TCM doctor determines the priority hypersensitive (acupuncture) points for each patient.It is on them that he works with the finest needles.This triggers a response in the body that helps repair damaged cartilage and bone and restore joint mobility.
After therapy, in order to consolidate the therapeutic effect and keep the body in shape, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses with a certain frequency in the future, but for preventive purposes.
The technique of needle placement and the duration of the acupuncture session are influenced by the patient's diagnosis and condition.As a rule, acupuncture sessions are well tolerated by all patients, although the sensations from the procedure are different for different patients.For some, the insertion of needles goes unnoticed;others may experience an itchy sensation, slight pressure, and others may even fall asleep.
It cannot be said that the occurrence of osteochondrosis is due to one factor - most often the reason for the development of the disease is the overall incorrect lifestyle.Therefore, treatment should be comprehensive.A diet high in vitamins, which includes avoiding fatty foods, alcohol and smoking and precisely calculated physical activity in combination with therapeutic and medicinal methods, allows you to achieve better results than simply taking pills.