Osteochondrosis - damage to the discs and cartilage of the spine. Unfortunately, the problem is widespread - almost every second person is diagnosed with the disease over the age of 40. But the good news is that musculoskeletal disorders can be corrected if detected early. We will describe the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in adults, symptoms and preventive measures below.
Causes of occurrence
People aged 40+ are at risk. But some factors influence the appearance of the problem in adolescence. The list of causes of the disease includes:
- obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- postponed spinal injuries with displacement;
- scoliosis and flat feet;
- pregnancy;
- constant load on the spine.
Congenital anomalies of the spine, oncology in this area, and prolonged stress contribute to the development of the disease. Regardless of the factor, the specialists of our clinic will select the optimal treatment plan for osteochondrosis of the spine and help get rid of the disease.
Development stages
Initially, changes in the spine do not cause problems, but over time, all body systems malfunction. The disease has 4 stages:
- The height of the diseased intervertebral disc is reduced. Fractures of the annulus fibrosus appear. Pathology does not go beyond one component.
- The muscles and ligaments attached to the disc move closer together. They lose their tone and sag. The defect affects the adjacent vertebrae. They gain extra mobility. The vertebral segment becomes less and less stable. The vertebrae can shift, slide off, causing spondylolisthesis.
- There is an unnatural protrusion, the development of arthrosis and dislocations in the intervertebral discs.
- The affected parts are trying to adapt to new conditions, get rid of excess mobility at the expense of the body's forces and protect the spine. As a result, osteophytes are formed - bone growths. They injure the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
The last stage, in the absence of treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine, manifests itself in the form of severe aching pain in the problem area, but then the pathology takes on a latent form. And the patient ceases to feel discomfort. A bony shell is formed on the vertebrae, which "walled up" the entire motor segment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
With degenerative-dystrophic tissue damage, abrasion of the vertebrae themselves, articular surfaces and intervertebral discs occurs. The disease manifests itself as back pain, but it can spread to other parts of the body. There are uncomfortable sensations in the legs, numbness of fingers and hands, pain in the genital area, head, heart.
More often in women, the disease is manifested by pain in the lumbar region. But often a problem is diagnosed in the neck, chest or several areas at the same time. Activity decreases and fatigue increases - both mental and physical. The sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities is impaired.
In pathology of the cervical spine, the most common symptoms are: headache, a sharp drop in vision and eye fatigue. The defeat of the lumbosacral region threatens with dysfunction of the reproductive system.
Effects
Lack of proper attention to the problem in the early stages threatens with serious disturbances in all systems of the body. The patient experiences severe pain, a feeling of a heart attack, dizziness, nausea, chills. In advanced cases, spinal stroke, brain damage, and the development of vascular and cardiac pathologies are possible.
It is important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of osteochondrosis for treatment without medication. Taking painkillers uncontrollably will only make the situation worse.
Prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures include an active lifestyle, good nutrition, and weight control. Yoga and Pilates classes are suitable for strengthening the muscle corset. Classes on special decompression simulators - Kinesitherapy are ideal. These simulators are specially designed to restore the spine and joints in an atraumatic way. An orthopedic mattress is selected for sleep. High or flat pillows are not used.
Diagnostics
To identify the problem and prescribe the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis, an anamnesis is taken. All patient complaints are taken into account. A visual inspection is being carried out. It includes:
- body position assessment;
- examination of the skin;
- palpation and tapping of areas in which the patient complains of pain;
- determination of skin sensitivity.
Further, a study of the most affected spine is assigned. The patient is referred for x-rays, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With the help of procedures, the degree of damage to the back area, the condition of the nerve processes, blood vessels are revealed.
The Medical Innovation Center also uses ultrasound to diagnose problems. Ultrasound is informative, safe and considered a less expensive way to detect pathology.
Osteochondrosis treatment methods
To completely get rid of the disease, an integrated approach is needed. The choice of ways to eliminate it depends on the etiology of the disease, the patient's age, the degree of damage to a part of the body. In our center for the treatment of osteochondrosis, the following methods are used.
The clinic for the treatment of osteochondrosis offers comprehensive diagnostics, an individual approach and high-quality prevention of the disease. The clinic employs excellent specialists with extensive experience, including doctors and candidates of medical sciences. Many doctors have been awarded the highest qualification category. Using their experience, knowledge and skills, the employees of our center for the treatment of osteochondrosis are able to provide effective assistance in getting rid of pathology in adults.
In the Innovative Medical Center, the attention of specialists is directed to the search and elimination of the causes of pain syndrome and further rehabilitation. To eliminate pain, the patient is prescribed blockades, acupuncture courses, shock wave therapy (shock wave) or Khivamat therapy. Then comes the period of restoration of the impaired functions of the spine, during which the following modern and effective methods of treating osteochondrosis are used in courses:
Kinesitherapy
The patient is assigned a number of exercises that he performs on special simulators and using additional equipment: rollers, balls. When performing tasks, the load is removed from the spine, muscles are trained, joints are restored. Strengthening the muscle corset is a guarantee of the absence of the risk of the disease returning after a certain period. The method has a minimal list of contraindications and is suitable for patients of any age.
Massotherapy
It is prescribed only after the exacerbation has been removed. The minimum course is 10 sessions. It helps to eliminate puffiness, relieve pain and improve blood circulation. The technique and objectives of the procedure depend on the exact diagnosis. For example, in case of problems with the cervical spine, work is carried out with the cervical-collar zone. The specialist conducts rubbing, stroking and kneading to relieve pain, revitalize. But the therapist can also prescribe the treatment of osteochondrosis with acupressure massage. During this procedure, pain points and acupuncture points are affected.
Acupuncture
The main tasks of acupuncture are to relax the deep layers of the muscles, relieve soreness, and increase the blood supply to the affected areas of the body. The session lasts 20-60 minutes. The duration depends on the scale of the treated skin. 10-15 procedures are prescribed as standard. In a complex course of treatment, the number of procedures may be less due to the complementary action of other procedures. The manipulations are practically painless. The action of needles is similar to mosquito bites. Although it all depends on the patient's pain threshold.
At the Innovative Medical Center, this modern method of treating osteochondrosis is used by doctors of medical sciences. Experienced specialists competently carry out manipulations, so you should not worry about the result.
UHT therapy
It is prescribed to relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. The procedure is an effective way to get rid of the degenerative complication of the disease - herniated disc and other pathologies of the ridge. The principle of action of shock wave therapy is to influence the affected area with a shock wave. Due to this, the destruction of salts and salt deposits occurs, blood circulation improves.
The duration of the procedure is about 5 minutes. An individual regimen is selected for each patient, depending on the degree of development of the pathology. The effectiveness of the therapy is compared to a deep, intensive massage. Already after 2-3 sessions, a positive trend is noted.
Kinesitaping
The therapist uses tape, an elastic patch, to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is gently fixed on the affected area of the body, slightly lifting the top layer of the skin. The patient is not limited in physiological mobility.
Kinesitaping is prescribed in conjunction with physiotherapy exercises. Due to its elasticity, which is compared to the elasticity of the skin, the tape begins to affect the inflamed area from the first day. As a standard, the plaster is fixed for 3-5 days, and then the course is repeated 2 more times until the discomfort during movement is completely eliminated.
There are few contraindications: skin diseases and high sensitivity of the epidermis. The procedure is prescribed for patients of any age and gender. Perfect knowledge of physiology and anatomy is required when applying the tape. In our center, this procedure is carried out by experienced chiropractors.
PRP therapy
Plasma therapy - injections of the patient's own plasma. For its implementation, special equipment is used that extracts platelets from the blood. Plasma is mixed with blood cells and injected into the patient. The procedure allows you to quickly regenerate the affected tissue, stop inflammation. As a result, the joint fluid is restored, and the mobility of the joints improves. Blood circulation improves in damaged tissues.
The process takes about 20 minutes. The duration of the course depends on the stage of the disease. On average, 2 to 6 procedures are prescribed.
Each consists of 3 stages:
- Blood sampling is performed.
- Plasma is being prepared.
- Autoplasm is injected into the affected area.
Plasma administration does not cause pain. The patient feels only slight discomfort.
The method does not just eliminate the symptoms, it affects the cause of the disease. A long-term effect is provided.
In the Innovative Medical Center you can get detailed advice from a traumatologist, neurologist, physiotherapist. After diagnosis, they will prescribe a set of measures aimed at getting rid of back diseases without pills. We have modern equipment and offer effective methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis in women and men of any age.