In modern conditions, young people often suffer from osteochondrosis.This is related to a sedentary lifestyle, because we often spend our free time behind the computer - while sitting, of course.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 it.
Symptoms and causes of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative damage of intervertebral discs and adjacent bone tissue.It can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar - it all depends on the area of the spine where pathological changes begin.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is primarily affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it becomes deformed and loses its elasticity, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and compression of the nerves extending from the spinal cord.The result is severe pain, limited mobility, rapid fatigue and postural changes that worsen the condition.
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is an unbalanced and excessive load on the spine, for example, when there is excess weight, during sedentary work or other needs to be in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or wearing very high heels every day, 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, lack of certain vitamins (especially vitamins D, C and B), injuries and, finally, age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often diagnose "osteochondrosis" with any structural changes in the body.For example, if the X-ray examination shows changes in the spine such as bending, growth, scoliosis, twisting, there is a high probability 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 is not clear.
Chinese medicine looks at the human body as a whole.Therefore, when a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor makes a diagnosis, he gets to the root of the problem and identifies it through its symptoms.Eliminating the "root" of the disease also helps to eliminate its manifestations, including back pain.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis mainly 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 arms, headaches and numbness of the fingers.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the following symptoms: sharp back pain, tingling in the chest, difficulty breathing.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in the back and legs, numbness of the legs, diseases of the genitourinary organs are also observed - urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction in men, problems with the ovaries in women.
From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, the list of disease manifestations is completed by the following symptoms:
- pain that spreads to the hips or legs;
- heaviness and stiffness in muscles;
- feeling of coldness in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in palms and feet;
- tinnitus;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- coldness in the extremities and lack of energy;
- sharp pain anywhere;
- increased body temperature;
- swelling in the limbs.
The pulse can be different: from deep, string-like and slow, throbbing and frequent.Symptoms, like the nature of the pulse, may depend on the underlying cause of the disease.
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 advanced osteochondrosis.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with osteochondrosis, be patient - the treatment will be long.An integrated approach significantly speeds up the healing process, but in any case, it is impossible to cure osteochondrosis in a month.
The course of treatment for osteochondrosis should be divided into several stages, each of which achieves certain goals.
The first step is to relieve the pain.It may be advisable to wear a special corset that will support your back and neck in a physiologically correct position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the arsenal of physiotherapy and those associated with traditional medicine, for example, acupuncture, which has long been officially recognized and included in the Nomenclature of Medical Services.
The second stage of osteochondrosis treatment is restoration of intervertebral discs and prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, diet correction and physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
A neurologist can prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.If necessary, they resort to blockade with novocaine or more serious treatment aimed at eliminating spasm.However, the source of the disease remaining in the body leads to the return of the disease after a while.
Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine often prove in practice that the diagnosis of "osteochondrosis" is made incorrectly in many cases.In cases where this result is confirmed, the TCM doctor removes the swelling in the patient and begins to restore the tendons and muscles.Spasms of the longitudinal and oblique muscles are gradually eliminated and the ability to move in a full range returns to the joint.This type of treatment promotes recovery in most cases.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient will also have to reconsider his habits: in order for the treatment to give the desired result, it is necessary to dose loads, take alternate walks with rest, sometimes it is recommended to walk with a cane for a while.Drug treatment consists of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, relaxants, B vitamins and glucocorticosteroids.
In the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, in addition to classical medical massage, acupuncture, as well as leech treatment, physical therapy and herbal medicines are used.All these procedures can be performed either in a regular clinic or in a licensed oriental medicine center.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is quite common even among young people - sometimes it is even diagnosed in schoolchildren and students who spend a lot of time on textbooks and computers.This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can cause complications such as increased intracranial pressure, which manifests itself in blurred vision or severe headaches.
To treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, as well as a course of injections of B vitamins, are used.
Massage of the collar area, ultrasound and electrophoresis can also be prescribed.It is extremely important to lead an active lifestyle, develop proper posture, take breaks at work and exercise yourself to warm up a little in the middle of the workday.
In the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, the following are widely used among the means of traditional (including eastern) medicine: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal remedies - phytotherapeutic substances improve metabolism and the activity of small vessels, eliminate inflammation, which has a particularly beneficial effect on the general and musculoskeletal system.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar-sacral spine
During the treatment of osteochondrosis of the back, the habit of dosage of loads plays an important role: you should not spend a lot of time on your feet and sitting, you should rest more often in a lying position.In addition, you will have to wear a corset for a while to improve your posture.
As in cervical osteochondrosis, lumbar osteochondrosis is prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, B vitamins, 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 stone therapy, which has become popular in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods
The approach to the treatment of various types of osteochondrosis applied in traditional Chinese medicine deserves special attention.From the point of view 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 sensitivity (acupuncture) points for each patient.He moves on them with the finest needles.This triggers a response in the body that helps repair damaged cartilage and bones and restore joint mobility.
After therapy, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses with a certain frequency in the future, but for preventive purposes, in order to strengthen the therapeutic effect and keep the body in shape.
The technique of placing the needles 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 differ between patients.For some, the administration of needles is overlooked;others may feel an itchy sensation, slight pressure, and others may even feel drowsy.
It cannot be said that the occurrence of osteochondrosis is caused by any factor - in most cases, the cause of the development of the disease is a general wrong lifestyle.Therefore, treatment should be comprehensive.Avoidance of fatty foods, alcohol and smoking, along with therapeutic and medicinal methods, a high-vitamin diet consisting of precisely calculated physical activity, allows to achieve better results than just taking pills.