Osteochondrosis of the spinal column is a chronic pathology characterized by destructive and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. The disease can progress rapidly, causing the development of a hernia that is difficult to treat. Bone and cartilage tissue damage is rarely diagnosed throughout the spine. Usually, osteochondrosis is detected in one of its parts - cervical, thoracic, lumbar.
Therapy of pathology requires an integrated approach, combining the use of drugs, physical therapy and massage. Before you start treating osteochondrosis, you should undergo an examination by a vertebrologist or neurologist to determine the causes of degenerative disorders.
Basic principles of treatment
The danger of osteochondrosis lies in its asymptomatic development in the initial phase. This makes it possible to diagnose the disease when the intervertebral discs have already undergone irreversible changes. Therefore, even in rare cases of pain in the neck or lower back, dizziness and sudden stiffness of movement, you should consult a doctor. Pathology detected in the initial stage can be successfully cured without the use of drugs - patients are only recommended a set of special exercises.
Since the lack of medical intervention causes the development of severe complications, the treatment of osteochondrosis is approached seriously. Only following all medical recommendations will help you get rid of pain and stop the destruction of intervertebral discs:
- a balanced diet.Predominance of fatty, fried, smoked food in the diet leads to the accumulation of harmful cholesterol in the blood vessels located in the spinal column. The narrowing of their lumen prevents the complete supply of bones and cartilage with oxygen, nutrients and biologically active substances. The doctor always advises patients to give preference to cereals, fresh or baked vegetables and fruits, lean meat and fish;
- drinking regime.The lack of a sufficient amount of fluid in the body causes the development of an imbalance of water and electrolytes. In the structures of the vertebrae, there is a lack of mineral compounds necessary for their active functioning. Lack of fluid also leads to the accumulation of waste and toxic compounds that negatively affect the processes of cartilage and bone regeneration. Daily consumption of 2-2. 5 liters of clean water, tea made from chamomile flowers and (or) rose hips will help eliminate the resulting imbalance;
- bad habits.Nicotine and tobacco tar negatively affect the condition of the blood vessels that supply all parts of the spine. And when ethyl alcohol is metabolized in the liver, intermediate products are formed that are toxic to the human body. Affecting the peripheral and central nervous system, they disrupt innervation and contribute to the development of inflammation and swelling;
- orthopedic bedding.If a person prefers to sleep on a mattress and pillow that are too hard or soft, then osteochondrosis will not wait long. During sleep, the blood vessels are compressed, and the bone tissue is not fully supplied with the necessary substances and oxygen. If it is not possible to buy orthopedic devices, choose bedding of medium hardness.
A person who is predisposed to the development of osteochondrosis or is already undergoing treatment should avoid lifting weights or engaging in active sports. During such training, all parts of the spinal column experience significant stress, which can cause degenerative disorders. But a sedentary lifestyle almost always becomes the cause of the development of osteochondrosis. Neurologists recommend choosing the "golden mean" - long walks in the fresh air, swimming, physical therapy and gymnastics, and yoga.
Treatment with pharmacological drugs
Medicines for internal and external use are used to treat osteochondrosis of the spine. The therapeutic regimen drawn up by a neurologist should solve the following problems:
- etiotropic treatment aimed at eliminating the cause of the development of degenerative-destructive changes;
- symptomatic therapy is carried out to reduce the severity of the inflammatory process and relieve pain;
- Pathogenetic treatment makes it possible to stop the progression of the disease to other parts of the spinal column and avoid the appearance of unwanted consequences.
In the treatment of osteochondrosis detected in a moderate or severe stage of the pathology, drugs are used for intravenous, intramuscular or intra-articular administration. After eliminating acute muscle spasms and restoring blood circulation in the damaged areas, the patient is prescribed a course of these drugs in tablets, dragees or capsules.
For the treatment of osteochondrosis, drugs are used that have a large list of contraindications and side effects. Therefore, when prescribing them, the doctor takes into account the general state of health of the person and the presence of other diseases in the anamnesis. Certain difficulties arise when compiling a therapeutic regimen for elderly patients and elderly people, because many of them have pathologies of the liver or organs of the urinary system.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs are the drugs of first choice in the treatment of osteochondrosis. The disease is often accompanied by acute or low inflammation, which causes pain and tissue swelling, gradually spreading to healthy areas of the spine. NSAIDs help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of pathology.
Parenteral administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs quickly and effectively relieves inflammation and pain. After a few days, the positive result of their use is confirmed by a course of capsules or tablets. NSAIDs are not prescribed to patients with ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. One of the side effects of the treatment is deep damage to the mucous membrane. In order to prevent ulceration, patients are recommended to take proton pump inhibitors simultaneously with NSAIDs.
Along with oral administration of NSAIDs, they are used in the form of ointments, creams or gels. External means are applied to the damaged areas of the spine several times a day. The active ingredients of the ointment penetrate the inflamed tissues and stop the development of the pathological process, and eliminate pain and stiffness of movements.
Glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics
Osteochondrosis is often accompanied by sharp painful spasms that limit freedom of movement. In such cases, the application of paravertebral blocks, which use anesthetics and hormonal drugs, is practiced.
Local neuromuscular blockade enables not only the rapid removal of severe pain, but also a complete stop of the spread of inflammation due to the presence of glucocorticosteroids. But neurologists resort to the help of hormonal drugs in extreme cases, when NSAIDs were ineffective. Hormonal drugs can have serious side effects, one of which is a sharp decrease in immunity.
Painkillers and antispasmodics
To reduce the intensity of pain, drugs with analgesic and antispasmodic effects are used. They affect smooth muscle fibers, weakening their tone. Capsules and tablets have a prolonged effect, which allows them to be used as a prophylactic agent for relapses of pathology.
In cases complicated by severe inflammation, it is advisable to combine antispasmodics and painkillers to enhance the pharmacological effect. The use of this combination is most relevant in the treatment of patients in whom the pathological process has caused a rise in temperature and symptoms of general intoxication.
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants will help reduce the weight or completely eliminate muscle spasms that often occur with osteochondrosis. Doctors prefer to combine their use with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief. This allows you to significantly reduce the dose of NSAIDs, while at the same time achieving a wider spectrum of therapeutic activity and minimizing the likelihood of damage to the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.
Osteochondrosis of the neck and back can be treated with the following muscle relaxants:
- Intramuscular administration of anticholinergics helps dilate the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the vertebral structures. At the same time, the muscle relaxant has an analgesic effect;
- the use of GABAb stimulators helps to quickly relieve painful muscle spasms. The patient regains the ability to move without discomfort;
- with the help of a2-adrenergic receptor agonists, the natural mobility of intervertebral discs that have lost their ability to absorb shock is restored. One dose of the drug effectively eliminates even the strongest pain.
Muscle relaxants successfully cope with the treatment of osteochondrosis, but when prescribing them, neurologists warn patients not to exceed doses. Some of the drugs cause mental and physical addiction. Muscle relaxants are not recommended for people suffering from pathologies of the urinary organs due to the possibility of accumulation of active substances in the tissues.
Chondroprotectors and vitamins
These drugs are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis to strengthen and restore damaged intervertebral discs. Chondroprotectors are first administered parenterally, and after a few days the patient takes these drugs in capsules or tablets. The duration of the course of treatment ranges from several months to a year. Thanks to the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin as active ingredients, chondroprotectors gradually regenerate damaged tissues of bones, cartilage and joints, normalizing their functional activity.
B vitamins are used to improve innervation in damaged intervertebral discs. Before starting the treatment of osteochondrosis, the cause of the pain syndrome is determined. It most often occurs when the nerves located in the spine are compressed. A course of taking vitamin B normalizes the conduction of nerve impulses.
Physiotherapy procedures
Different physiotherapeutic techniques are used to treat osteochondrosis of any part of the spine. The neurologist usually chooses one of them, the most suitable for a particular patient. However, if the pathology appears against the background of severe inflammation, the use of several physiotherapy methods is practiced. The most effective methods include:
- ultraviolet radiation;
- electrotherapy;
- balneotherapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- shock wave therapy;
- detensor therapy;
- point or zonal impact of vibrations.
Doctors often combine the above methods with electrophoresis to speed up the patient's recovery.
Before the procedure, tissue tampons soaked in solutions of antispasmodics, anesthetics and chondroprotectors are placed on the damaged areas of the spine. At the top are metal plates through which weak discharges of electric current pass. This ensures the delivery of drugs directly to the damaged intervertebral discs.
Therapeutic massage and gymnastics
You can get rid of osteochondrosis with the help of classical or oriental massage, but provided that there is no acute or chronic inflammatory process in the spine. Pain syndrome is also important. The procedure is carried out only in the complete absence of strong discomfort. Indications for massage are stiffness of movements, excessive muscle tension, poor circulation. Therapeutic manipulation is carried out by specialists, and after feeling better, the patient can perform the procedure at home using a rolled towel or a piece of thick fabric.
After several sessions, the symptoms of osteochondrosis weaken due to multiple therapeutic effects:
- blood circulation in damaged areas is restored;
- delivery of nutrients and molecular oxygen continues;
- the innervation of all parts of the spine is normalized.
Therapeutic gymnastics classes are also initially conducted under the supervision of a trainer, who selects a set of exercises individually for each patient. In the initial stage of the pathology, it will help you forget about painful spasms forever, even without the use of pharmacological drugs. After recovery, performing a set of exercises serves as an excellent prevention of any spinal diseases.
Recipes of traditional healers
Cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis can be treated with folk remedies only after the main treatment. It is recommended to use medicinal herbs, mummy, ethyl alcohol or honey during the rehabilitation period or in the remission phase in order to prevent relapses of the pathology. What traditional healers recommend:
- Boil a liter of boiling water with 3 tablespoons. spoons of St. John's wort and 7 tbsp. elecampane spoons. Leave for 2 hours, filter. Drink 0. 5 cups after each meal;
- take warm baths daily, adding 10-15 drops of thuja, eucalyptus, fir, sage, palmarosa essential oils to the water;
- apply compresses in the form of a linen cloth soaked in a mixture of equal parts of honey and 40% ethyl alcohol for 1-2 hours.
Folk remedies are used only with the approval of a doctor. Many of them have heating properties, so they are unacceptable for use in cases of severe inflammation due to the possibility of spreading the pathological process to healthy areas of the spine.
All patients of neurologists wonder if it is possible to cure osteochondrosis without the intervention of a surgeon. In most cases, the use of pharmacological drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures is sufficient for the complete restoration of the intervertebral discs. If the doctor insists on surgical intervention, then you should not refuse. Modern methods are very effective and safe, and do not involve a long recovery period.