Not everyone will say that they have never had back pain.This extremely unpleasant problem affects everyone.It's not scary if the pain is caused by hypothermia or muscle strains.It is even worse if pain is a symptom of a back problem.Therefore, I will deal with 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 beneath the intervertebral discs is slowly restored.Therefore, intervertebral discs affected by the disease are doomed.However, it is almost impossible to reverse the disease.Once the disease has manifested itself, further development can only be stopped.
Osteochondrosis is believed to be the price that humanity pays for the ability to walk.As practice shows, four-legged friends do not suffer from the disease.It is difficult to say for what reasons the disease occurs.Doctors say that the development is facilitated by incorrect distribution of the load on the spine with a weak ligamentous apparatus and muscular corset.
This point of view is confirmed by methods of treating osteochondrosis based on bringing ligaments and muscles to a normal state.The therapy includes muscle training.
Based on the facts about the development of the disease, doctors have compiled a list of causes and factors that trigger the development of the disease.
- A sedentary and sedentary lifestyle contributes to the weakening of the back muscle corset.
- Physical activity.
- Back injuries.
- Overweight.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Incorrect posture and prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position.
- Impaired metabolism.
- Lack of vitamins, microelements and nutrients in the body.
I would like to draw your attention to the last point.Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle and choose active rest, the likelihood of osteochondrosis due to a lack of nutrients remains high.The problem is crucial because not all people eat properly.They prefer hot dogs and treats from which the body cannot extract anything useful.The problem is exacerbated 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 enormous damage to organs connected to the spinal cord and located at the level of the affected thoracic region.Impaired spinal function impairs the mobility of the limbs and trunk and negatively affects the functioning of the respiratory muscles and pelvic organs.
Thoracic osteochondrosis occurs more often in people who do little exercise.As a result, the spine is not subjected to a dosed load, which disrupts the process of disc restoration.If you are lazy or suffer from computer addiction, this contributes to the development of the disease.Therefore, do physical exercises regularly.
Symptoms
- Thoracic osteochondrosis is accompanied by burning and aching pain.There is a feeling that the chest is being squeezed.When palpating the vertebral processes, a person feels local pain, which increases when turning the body, taking deep breaths and axial loads on the spine.
- In some people, the development of the disease is accompanied by pain in the shoulder blades and lower chest.Displacement of the ribs contributes to the appearance of the symptom.When you turn your body, the pain increases.
- Internal organs suffer functional impairment when the nerve roots are compressed.The thoracic region contains structures responsible for innervating the kidneys, heart, liver and other organs.For this reason, there are no characteristic symptoms of thoracic osteochondrosis.
Now we will talk about the diagnosis.The X-ray examination is of great importance.A decrease in the height of the intervertebral disc can be clearly seen on a chest x-ray.This helps detect osteophytes and endplate sclerosis.
With the help of computer tomography, the condition of the vertebrae is clarified, the size and location of the fracture protrusion is determined and the dimensions of the spinal canal are determined.As part of the differential diagnosis, an anamnesis 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 limited to spinal traction.
- During drug treatment, paravertebral blocks are performed with a novocaine solution.If the disease worsens, sedatives and painkillers are used.In case of unexpressed pain, the patient resorts to anti-inflammatory drugs and ointments.
- After eliminating acute phenomena, the back and lower limbs are massaged.Manual therapy is considered useful for the first three degrees of osteochondrosis.At the same time, it provides a rough and soft effect on the spinal muscles.
- With the help of physiotherapy at home, dosed loads are applied to the spine, which accelerates the recovery process.Vertical loads are contraindicated.As part of the sanatorium phase, hydromassage and traction under water are used.Ultrasound, inductothermy and salt baths help achieve results.
Surgical treatment, which is surgery, is performed in cases where a herniated disc fragment compresses the spinal cord.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The disease is characterized by degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which is accompanied by a decrease in body size, rapid growth of marginal osteophytes and the appearance of compactions.
The cervical vertebrae are close together and the muscles are poorly developed.Therefore, muscle osteochondrosis leads to displacement of the intervertebral discs even under low stress, which compresses the nerves and blood vessels.
Cartilage tissue affected by the disease turns into a bone formation.This causes the hard drive to harden and its size decreases.The result is that the 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 in the head and neck area.The pain syndrome brings discomfort and reduces performance.Feelings of dizziness occur when you suddenly turn your head.
- Pain in the chest and upper limbs.It 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 and also speech changes.
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.A special scheme is used to determine the amount of damage.
The location and extent of the pain are determined by palpating the spine.At the same time, bending, bending and rotating the body helps to find out the amplitude of movement.Further diagnostics include X-rays, computed tomography and MRI.
How to treat
- It is customary to treat the disease with 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 carried out depending on the indication, depending on the severity of the disease and the extent of the lesion.
- Treatment depends on the severity of the osteochondrosis.Most often, the initial phase of therapy is accompanied by increased neck pain, which is subsequently relieved with medication, physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic massages.
- Gymnastics and exercises help relieve the pain.Exercise therapy strengthens the neck muscles, which reduces the likelihood of relapse.
- Let me give you a simple exercise as an example.Gently turn your head to the side, pause for a moment, then turn it in the opposite direction.Look forward as you exercise.
- Massage helps relieve discomfort.The procedure lengthens the spine and stretches the muscles.After the massage, be sure to lubricate your neck with a special oil that contains pain-relieving active ingredients.
This disease is not a death sentence.You can improve your well-being with the help of medication, gymnastics and massage.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
The disease is widespread and affects everyone, regardless of gender.Everyone has felt unpleasant pain in the legs, lower back and sacrum, causing discomfort and discomfort.
The symptoms of the disease are extremely wide-ranging.Some symptoms have nothing to do with the spine at all.These are numbness of the limbs, abdominal pain and dysfunction of the genitourinary system.
Treatment of the listed symptoms without prior examination of the spine contributes to the development of the disease.For this reason, it is recommended to take into account all symptoms, consult a specialist and avoid self-treatment.This is not a fight against a runny nose.It's about the mobility of the body.
Symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
- The list of the main symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis is small.These include: 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 occur to a minor extent as the disease progresses.You need to pay as much attention to your health as possible and, if necessary, consult a doctor.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis requires complex, intensive and long-term treatment, especially if it is an advanced case with intervertebral hernia.
Modern reflex methods enable effective therapy of 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.
Home treatment
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.This accelerates the process of tissue regeneration.
The use of these procedures in the fight against osteochondrosis is combined with the use of drugs that improve the balance between intervention and metabolic processes.Without an active lifestyle and proper nutrition, it is impossible to achieve your goal.
Particular attention will be paid to combating obesity if a problem exists.Excess weight puts strain on the spine and contributes to the development of the disease.
Over the course of their many years of work, doctors have gained extensive experience in the fight against the scourge.As a result, in most cases the therapy produces results without surgery and helps improve the health of the lower back.
How to prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis?
Finally, I will present ways to prevent and prevent osteochondrosis.If you already have a medical condition, I recommend that you do not lift weights weighing 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 supply the intervertebral discs with sufficient water.
- Massage your back regularly using simple movements.This technique distributes blood and accelerates metabolic processes.If you want to lift weights, use a weightlifting belt or belt.
- Do not hold heavy objects at arm's length as this increases stress on the spine.To pick up an object, squat down and lift yourself up with it, keeping your spine straight.
- If your spine was strained during work, finally hang on the horizontal bar for a while so that it stretches.If you work for a long time, use this technique regularly.If this is not possible, stretch thoroughly.
- Always distribute the load evenly.Carry bags in both hands and carry large items in front of you, keeping them close to your body.If you want to give something to another person, don't do it at a distance.Even if you have a full kettle in your hands, I do not recommend neglecting this rule.
- If you need to transport something heavy a long distance, use a backpack, small cart, rolling suitcase, or tote.
With this information you can save your back and avoid trouble.Good luck!