Osteochondrosis in the spine is not a sentence.Causes, symptoms, modern treatments

Spinal osteochondrosis -This is a chronic malnutrition disease in which the vertebrae of the cartilage disc and vertebrae are deformed.Recently, you've heard more and more about this disease.This is not surprising, because if the earlier osteocartilage was considered the pathology of the elderly, it was now very "young".We live in an age of scientific and technological advancement, and we have elevators and escalators, transportation and communication means that enable you to quickly transmit information and apply minimal physical effort for this.As a result, for speed and comfort, we paid for the health of our spine.But don't despair, osteochondrosis is not a sentence.Let's find out what changes are happening in the spine of osteochondrosis and how it manifests itself, and we'll analyze modern methods of treating this condition.

Spinal osteochondrosis: Cause

The spine is composed of vertebrae, which is interconnected by cartilage discs.They act as shock absorbers and provide elasticity and mobility of the spine.

Our bodies are 20-25 years long.Currently, the intervertebral disc is equipped with blood vessels and produces active nutrition on it.After the growth stops, the blood supply stops.Next, the disc receives power from adjacent tissues, mainly from muscles.Disks eat like sponges, and when compressed, they provide metabolic products and absorb nutrients as they stretch.If for any reason the disc does not get enough power, it starts to collapse.

Consider the causes of spinal osteochondrosis:

• A sedentary lifestyle.We already know that when compressed and stretched, the cartilage disc feeds, and for this, the spine must be moved.
• Forced posture.This is suitable for office workers and drivers, as long sitting tilt forward can lead to uneven loads on the spine.Imagine that the entire mass of the upper body is not the pressure on the entire disk every day, but the pressure on certain points.The power of the cartilage tissue at these points is disturbed, causing its destruction.

When sitting on a computer for a long time, leaning forward can increase the load on the spine by 50-70%.

• Excessive physical exercise.In addition to the load on the spine, muscle tone occurs, so the blood circulation of the muscles is disturbed and the discs do not receive the necessary nutrients.
• Incorrect posture.Continuous changes in spinal configuration overload discs.
• obesity.Excessive spinal load on the upper body.
• age-related changes.This is a natural process, so the metabolic process of cartilage and bone tissue slows down.

Spinal changes in osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis in the spine is characterized by a violation of the nutrition (nutrition) of the intervertebral disc.First, the shape of the disk changes - it protrudes toward the spine.If a stab in the intervertebral disc occurs without the fibrous rotational ring rupture, the condition is calledprotrude.This is one of the stages of spinal osteochondrosis.The next step is the rupture of the fiber-crystal ring, accompanied by displacement of the core nucleus of the intervertebral disc.This is formedVertebral hernia.

The bone tissue of the vertebrae is also involved in the process.It grows and forms what SO is called bone plants or bone spikes.They can compensate for load on the spine while limiting movement.

Often, bone plants are called "salt deposition."Actually, there is no salt.Of course, these are bone formations removed with the help of massage and manual techniques.

There are certain changes in the muscles of osteochondrosis.In order to keep the deformed spine in a normal position, they are in a constant voltage state.Muscle spasms of osteocartilage degeneration are accompanied by pain, which further worsens the nutritional structure of the spine.

Changes in the shape of the spine lead to displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.In this case, compression (compression) of the radiating nerves occurs.They are inflamed and cause severe pain.

Osteochondrosis in the spine is manifested by pain in the legs, arms, chest and internal organs - heart, lungs, stomach, stomach, intestines, kidneys, etc.Numbness of osteocartilage in the arms, legs, face and tongue - is also a sign of nerve compression in the bone marrow.

Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis

Regardless of whether the spine is involved in the pathological process, the disease presents two main symptoms - pain and limitations of spinal and limb movement.

Symptoms of cervical vertebrae

The cervical spine is the smallest and most moving.Also, the blood vessels that feed the brain pass through them.This is why the cervical spine is considered the most vulnerable.Osteochondrosis in the cervical area is manifested by characteristic symptoms:

• Can give pain to the back of the head, shoulders, and neck.The pain can be exacerbated when tilting the head;
• Ear headaches, dizziness, noise and sound.In the context of disease, hearing impairment is possible.

Headache in osteochondrosis is quite common.People with systemic headaches should have to be examined by a neuropathologist.According to statistics, in 30% of cases, the cause of headache is cervical osteochondrosis.

• Hand and chest pain.Limit manual movement;
• Violation of movement coordination;
• In some cases, vision and speech can be affected;
• Blood pressure rises.

Vertebral artery syndrome and cervical osteochondrosis are complexes of symptoms that need attention.Vertebral arteries nourish the brain, and when compressed, their blood circulation is disturbed.Vertebral artery syndrome with cervical oschondrosis has the following signs:

• Noise in the ears;
• Headache, dizziness;
• tachycardia (fast heartbeat);
• Visual violation, the appearance of the "fly" in front of you;
• Loss of consciousness.

If you have these symptoms, you need to contact a neurologist.Vertebral artery syndrome is the most common cause of stroke at a young age.

Symptoms of thoracic vertebrae

The thoracic vertebra is smaller than the cervical or lumbar vertebrae.In this regard, it is even more difficult to heal it.In the chest cavity, there are important organs - the heart, large blood vessels, and lungs, so the symptoms of osteocartilage in the chest area can be confused with thoracic disease.

Signs of thoracic osteochondrosis:

• Pain between the shoulder blade and chest area.The pain will be exacerbated if you stay in the forced position for a long time or during physical fatigue;
• Pain and stiffness of exercise during breathing;
• Pain between the ribs (intercostal neuralgia);
• Numbness in the skin, the feeling of "chicken skin";
• Pain can cause it to the heart, lungs, stomach and kidneys.
• The limitations of movement during tilting, lift the body's hands and turn.

How to distinguish between bone cartilage and heartache in the spine?

The pain of thoracic vertebrae degeneration can be so intense that you can easily suspect heart disease.Let’s see how the difference between osteochondrosis and heart pain in angina pectoris:

1. The duration of pain.With osteocartilage degeneration in the spine, the pain can last for several days and weeks and has angina - up to 10 minutes.
2. Relocation of pain (termination).Using angina, pain is blocked by nitroglycerin, osteochondrosis, pain analgesics are effective - Diclofenac, Meloxicam, etc.
3. Changes in electrocardiogram are a characteristic of cardiac pathology, and osteochondrosis ECG is normal.

Symptoms of lumbar vertebrae

Lumbar spine is most susceptible to physical exercise.Any activity we do at the family level involves this part of the spine.Almost everyone faces lower back pain, the most common symptom they seek doctors’ help.

Signs of lumbar vertebrae:

• Back pain, back "shoot" during physical fatigue and long-term compulsion.Pain in osteochondrosis in the lumbar area is combined with this termRadiation inflammation.
• Violating the work of the genital authorities.Pain in the kidney area and difficulty urinating.Women may violate menstrual cycles, ovarian and uterine pain, and men have problems with efficacy.
• Pain in hips, buttocks, calf and feet.Violating the sensitivity of the legs, tingling, numbness.
• As the nerve roots and blood vessels are compressed for a long time, scattered la rows may occur.When walking, a person starts to walk and he needs to stop and relax.

Treatment of osteochondral disease in the spine

After dealing with the symptoms of osteochondrosis, a logical question arises - what should I do next and how to deal with osteochondrosis?Fortunately, we will cure osteochondrosis.Keep a small amount - timely treatment and desire to engage in your health.There are many more.Like any chronic disease, spinal osteochondrosis has been treated for a long time.Don't expect you to get rid of your symptoms within a week.

Currently, conservative treatment is being actively practiced, including a range of measures.The main factor that patients need to understand is passive therapy.Due to severe pain, you will be prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs as well as muscle relaxants.But in some cases, you can do it without medication.Let's take a look at the treatments for osteochondrosis.

Preparation for treating spinal osteochondrosis

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).These medications will help relieve pain and inflammation.They are used in the form of injections, tablets and local products - gels or ointments.It must be remembered that non-replacement anti-inflammatory drugs for osteochondrosis treatment cannot be taken continuously, as they can cause gastritis and gastric ulcers.
• musorelaxant- A set of medications that reduce muscle tone, thereby reducing the load on the spine and improving its blood circulation.They relieve muscle cramps through osteochondrosis in the spine.Most efficiently used with NSAID.
• Cartilage protector- Recover and protect the cartilage from damage.They are elements of articular cartilage structures (derivatives of hyaluronic acid).They are used in the form of tablets that are intra-fragment and intrinsic intra-stabilized and fixed.Their significant minus is a fairly long treatment.The best course is 6 months.Not every patient is able to follow the recommendations.
• Vascular Disease DrugsFor osteochondrosis, it is used to improve blood circulation.

It is worth noting that any medical drug can only eliminate osteochondrosis, but it cannot cure the problem.The drug does not place the vertebrae and discs in place, nor does it return the previous anatomy to them.

Non-drug treatment of osteocartilage

• massage.The main task of massage for spinal osteocartilage degeneration is to relieve muscle cramps and increase blood flow.Therefore, the nutritional improvement of cartilage, reduced edema, pain subsides, and motor recovery in the joints.Unfortunately, massages can have temporary effects.We know that osteochondrosis changes so it cannot fully recover it.Furthermore, if bone plants have been formed, it is mistaken for "salt deposition".
• Manual therapy.Previously, this treatment of osteochondrosis was very doubtful.However, a large-scale clinical study conducted in 2017 showed the effectiveness of manual treatment.However, manual therapy for osteochondrosis must be performed with great caution.First, you need to do an MRI to determine the exact location of the damage.Many manual therapists act intuitively without certain knowledge and skills.But this is not a case where intuition is required, especially in vertebral hernia.Manual therapists with incompetent methods are larger than the disease itself, so before making a decision on the process of such procedures, you should be taken responsibly to find an expert.
• Medical Sports (Exercise Therapy)- Perhaps the most effective way to treat osteochondrosis.Since this disease is often the result of a lack of the spine, you need to do physical exercise!Experts will select a set of exercises and monitor their implementation.In order to maintain the effect after the training session, it is necessary to continue the practice.You can choose exercise suitable for people with osteochondrosis.Ideal for spinal osteocartilage degeneration is swimming, yoga and Pilates.It is a good thing to hang on the horizontal bar a few times a week (if there are no contraindications).Stretching helps to “pull out” the spine and relax the muscles when you are.

Not every exercise is used for osteochondrosis.For example, running can aggravate the disease.Therefore, it is recommended to consult a physical therapy expert before making this decision.

Of course, you should consider changing your lifestyle.Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, which requires long-term treatment.Medications or massages do not return to the spine in their original appearance and must be reconciled.This means not only is it necessary to do special exercises, but also to adjust some of your habits.

Prevent osteochondral disease in the spine

• First, it is necessary to pay attention to your workplace.If you are sitting, try to avoid leaning forward.The chair should be bent with a hard back and waist.
• Follow the posture.It is not only beautiful, but also good for health.
• Try not to lift weights.If necessary, wear special bandages or corsets.
• If there are too many causes of spinal osteocartilage degeneration, you will have to get rid of the extra weight.

The health of the spine is in our hands!