In modern conditions, young people often suffer from osteochondrosis.This is due to a sedentary lifestyle, as even in our free time we tend to spend time in front of the computer - of course, sitting.Osteochondrosis can cause a lot of discomfort and significantly reduce 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 lesion of the intervertebral discs and adjacent bone tissue.It can be cervical, thoracic and lumbar - it all depends on the region of the spine where the pathological changes began.In osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is mainly affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it becomes deformed and loses elasticity, as a result of which the distance between the vertebrae decreases and the nerves extending from the spinal cord are compressed.The result is intense pain, difficulty moving, rapid fatigue and changes in posture, which leads to an even greater worsening of the situation.
The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis is an unbalanced and excessive load on the spine, which occurs, for example, in the presence of excess weight, during sedentary work or other need to stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or daily wearing shoes with very 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.This disease is often caused by metabolic disorders, chronic intoxication, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, deficiency of certain vitamins (in particular vitamins D, C and B), injuries and, finally, age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often diagnose “osteochondrosis” with any structural change in the body.For example, when an x-ray shows changes in the spine, such as inclinations, growths, scoliosis, sprains, 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” may be made.Meanwhile, the cause of back pain remains unknown.
Chinese medicine views 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, which he identifies through its symptoms.Removing the “root” of the disease also alleviates its manifestations, including helping to eliminate back pain.
The symptoms of osteochondrosis largely depend on the location of the origin of the disease.In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the disease begins with pain in the neck and arms, headaches and numbness in the fingers.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the following symptoms: sharp pain in the back, tingling in the chest, difficulty breathing.Osteochondrosis of the lower back is accompanied by pain in the lower back and legs, numbness in the feet, and genitourinary disorders are also observed - urinary disorders, sexual dysfunction in men, problems with the ovaries 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 weight and stiffness;
- feeling of cold in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in the palms of the hands and soles of the 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, filiform and slow, to vibrant and frequent.Symptoms, as well 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 a doctor 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.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 has specific goals.
The first step is to eliminate the pain.You may be advised to wear a special corset that supports your back and neck in a physiologically correct position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the physiotherapy arsenal and those related to traditional medicine, such as acupuncture, which has long been officially recognized and included in the Nomenclature of Medical Services.
The second stage of osteochondrosis treatment is the restoration of intervertebral discs and the prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physiotherapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, diet correction and physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
A neurologist can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories.If necessary, they resort to novocaine blockade or more serious treatment aimed at relieving the spasm.However, the source of the disease remaining in the body leads to the return of the disease 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 restoration of the tendons and muscles.Spasms of the longitudinal and oblique muscles are gradually eliminated and the ability to move in their full range returns to the joint.This treatment, in most cases, promotes recovery.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, the patient will also have to reconsider his habits: for the treatment to bring the desired results, it is necessary to measure loads, alternating walking with rest, sometimes it is advisable to walk with a cane for some time.Drug treatment consists of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, relaxants, B vitamins 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 of these procedures can be performed in a regular clinic or a licensed oriental medicine center.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
Cervical osteochondrosis is extremely common even among young people - sometimes it is even diagnosed in schoolchildren and students who spend a lot of time reading textbooks and computer.This type of osteochondrosis is dangerous because it can lead to complications such as blurred vision or increased intracranial pressure, which manifests itself in severe headaches.
To treat osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are used, as well as a series of injections of B vitamins.
Massage of the collar area, ultrasound and electrophoresis can also be prescribed.It is extremely important to lead an active lifestyle, develop correct posture, train yourself to take breaks at work and do a small warm-up in the middle of the working day.
Among the means of traditional medicine (including oriental) in the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, the following are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal medicine - herbal medicine improves metabolism and the functioning of small vessels, relieves inflammation, which has a beneficial effect on health in general and the musculoskeletal system in particular.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine
During the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the habit of dosing loads plays an important role: you should not stand and sit for a long time, you need to rest more often in the supine position.Additionally, you will have to wear a corset for some time to improve your posture.
As with cervical osteochondrosis, for lumbar osteochondrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, B vitamins, often glucocorticosteroids, enzymes, as well as ointments that improve blood circulation and relieve pain are prescribed.
Massages, exposure to therapeutic mud and electrophoresis with analgesics, heating, including hot stones are recommended - this is stone therapy, which has become popular in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods
The approach to treating different types of osteochondrosis, practiced 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 hypersensitivity (acupuncture) points for each patient.It is on them that he works with the best needles.This triggers a response in the body that helps repair damaged cartilage and bone and restore joint mobility.
After therapy, 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 needle placement technique 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 of the procedure differ between patients.For some, the introduction of needles goes unnoticed;others may feel itchy, slight pressure, and others may even fall asleep.
It cannot be said that the occurrence of osteochondrosis occurs due to a single factor - most often the cause of the development of the disease is a general incorrect lifestyle.Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive.A vitamin-rich diet, 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.