In modern conditions, young people often suffer from osteochondrosis.This is due to a sedentary lifestyle, because even in our free time we often spend at the computer - of course, while sitting.Osteochondrosis can cause a lot of discomfort and significantly reduce the 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 area of the spine in which the pathological changes began.With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc is primarily affected.Due to metabolic disorders, it becomes deformed and loses elasticity, and this leads to the distance between the vertebrae decreasing and the nerves extending from the spinal cord being pinched.The result is severe pain, limited mobility, rapid fatigue, and changes in posture, which leads to an even 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 be in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Osteochondrosis can be caused by flat feet or daily wearing of shoes with too 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.Often this disease is caused by metabolic disorders, chronic intoxication, hormonal and autoimmune diseases, deficiency of certain vitamins (in particular D, C and B vitamins), injuries and, finally, age-related changes.
Unfortunately, neurologists often make the diagnosis of “osteochondrosis” with any structural change in the body.For example, when an x-ray shows changes in the spine such as tilts, growths, scoliosis, kinks, the patient is highly likely to 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 undisclosed.
Chinese medicine views the human body as a whole.Therefore, when a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor performs a diagnosis, he gets to the root of the problem, which he identifies through its symptoms.Removing the “root” of the disease also relieves its manifestations, including helping to eliminate back pain.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis largely depend on the location of the source of the disease.With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the disease begins with pain in the neck and arms, headaches and numbness of the fingers.Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is characterized by the following symptoms: acute back pain, tingling in the chest, difficulty breathing.Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in the lower back and legs, numbness of the feet, and genitourinary disorders are also observed - urination 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 heaviness and stiffness;
- feeling of coldness in the back;
- night sweats;
- heat in the palms and soles;
- tinnitus;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- coldness in the extremities and lack of energy;
- sharp pain in any one place;
- increased body temperature;
- swelling in the limbs.
The pulse can be different: from deep, thread-like and slow, to vibrating and frequent.Symptoms, like the nature of the pulse, may depend on the underlying cause of the disease.
Most often, people notice the first signs of osteochondrosis at about 25 years of age, but ignore them for a long time.Therefore, patients usually turn to doctors at the age of 30–35 years, and many of them have osteochondrosis in an advanced form.
How is osteochondrosis treated?
If your doctor has diagnosed you with 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 them pursuing specific goals.
The first step is eliminating pain.You may be advised to wear a special corset that will support your back and neck in a physiologically correct position.Painkillers and various procedures are prescribed: both from the arsenal of physiotherapy and those related to traditional medicine, for example acupuncture, which has long been officially recognized and is included in the Nomenclature of Medical Services.
The second stage of treatment for osteochondrosis is restoration of intervertebral discs and prevention of degenerative changes.As a rule, physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, acupuncture, diet correction, and physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at improving blood circulation and normalizing metabolic processes are indicated.
A neurologist may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.If necessary, they resort to a blockade with novocaine 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 swelling in the patient and begins the restoration of tendons and muscles.Spasms from the longitudinal and oblique muscles are gradually eliminated, and the ability to move in its full range returns to the joint.Such 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: in order for the treatment to bring the desired results, it is necessary to dose the loads, alternating walks 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, physical therapy and herbal medicine are used to treat this type of osteochondrosis.All these procedures can be carried out either in a regular clinic or in 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 too much time on textbooks and the 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 course of injections of B vitamins.
Massage of the collar area, ultrasound and electrophoresis may 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 little warm-up in the middle of the working day.
Among the means of traditional (including oriental) medicine in the treatment of this type of osteochondrosis, the following are widely used: acupuncture, acupressure and herbal remedies - phytotherapeutic agents improve metabolism and the functioning of small vessels, relieve 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 spend too much time on your feet and sitting, you need to rest more often in a lying position.In addition, 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.
Massage, exposure to therapeutic mud and electrophoresis with painkillers, heating, including hot stones, are indicated - this is stone therapy, which has been popular in recent years.
Treatment of osteochondrosis using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods
The approach to the treatment of various types of osteochondrosis, practiced in traditional Chinese medicine, deserves special attention.From the perspective of thousands of years of experience of Chinese doctors, the key method of treating osteochondrosis is acupuncture, also called acupuncture.First of all, the TCM doctor determines priority hypersensitive (acupuncture) points for each patient.It is on them that he acts with the finest needles.This triggers a response from the body that helps restore damaged cartilage and bones and restore joint mobility.
After the therapy, in order to consolidate the therapeutic effect and keep the body in shape, it is recommended to repeat acupuncture courses at a certain frequency in the future, but for preventive purposes.
The technique of placing needles and the duration of the acupuncture session are influenced by the diagnosis and condition of the patient.As a rule, acupuncture sessions are well tolerated by all patients, although the sensations from the procedure differ among patients.For some, the introduction of needles goes unnoticed; others may experience a feeling of itching, slight pressure, and others may even fall asleep.
It cannot be said that the occurrence of osteochondrosis occurs due to any one factor - most often the cause of the development of the disease is an overall incorrect lifestyle.Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive.A diet high in vitamins, 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.