Osteochondrosis: damage to the discs and cartilage of the spine. Unfortunately, the problem is widespread: almost one in two people is diagnosed with the disease after the age of 40. But the good news is that musculoskeletal disorders can be remedied if caught early. Next, we will describe the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in adults, symptoms and preventive measures.
Causes of occurrence
People over 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;
- the pregnancy;
- constant load on the spine.
Congenital abnormalities 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 to get rid of the disease.
Development phases
Initially, changes in the spine do not cause problems, but over time, all of the body's systems malfunction. The disease has 4 stages:
- The height of the diseased intervertebral disc is reduced. Fibrous annular cracks appear. The pathology does not go beyond one component.
- The muscles and ligaments attached to the disc move closer together. They lose their tone and sink. The defect affects the adjacent vertebrae. They gain additional mobility. The vertebral segment becomes less and less stable. The vertebrae can move, slide, and cause spondylolisthesis.
- There is an unnatural bulge, the development of arthrosis and dislocations in the intervertebral discs.
- The affected parts try to adapt to the new conditions, get rid of excess mobility at the expense of the forces of the body 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 pain in the problem area, but then the pathology takes a latent form. And the patient stops feeling discomfort. A bony layer is formed in the vertebrae, which "plugged" the entire motor segment.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis.
With degenerative-dystrophic tissue damage, abrasion of the vertebrae, joint surfaces, and intervertebral discs occurs. The disease manifests 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.
Most often in women, the disease manifests itself by pain in the lumbar region. But often a problem is diagnosed in the neck, chest or in several areas at the same time. Activity decreases and fatigue increases, both mentally and physically. Sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities is affected.
In pathology of the cervical spine, the most common symptoms are: headache, sudden drop in vision and eye fatigue. The defeat of the lumbosacral region threatens the dysfunction of the reproductive system.
Effects edit
Lack of proper attention to the problem in the early stages threatens serious disturbances in all systems of the body. The patient experiences severe pain, a feeling of heart attack, dizziness, nausea, chills. In advanced cases, stroke, brain damage, and the development of vascular and heart pathologies are possible.
It is important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of osteochondrosis for treatment without medication. Taking painkillers out of control 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 atraumatically restore the spine and joints. An orthopedic mattress is selected for sleeping. Tall 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 in progress. It includes:
- assessment of body position;
- skin examination;
- palpation and tapping of areas in which the patient complains of pain;
- determination of skin sensitivity.
In addition, 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 state of nerve processes and blood vessels is revealed.
The Center for Medical Innovation also uses ultrasound to diagnose problems. Ultrasound is informative, safe, and considered a less expensive way to detect pathologies.
Methods of treatment of osteochondrosis.
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 age of the patient and the degree of damage to a part of the body. The following methods are used in our center for the treatment of osteochondrosis.
The clinic for the treatment of osteochondrosis offers a comprehensive diagnosis, an individual approach and high-quality disease prevention. The clinic has excellent specialists with extensive experience, including doctors and candidates from the medical sciences. Many physicians have earned the highest rating category. Using their experience, knowledge and skills, the employees of our osteochondrosis treatment center can provide effective assistance in eliminating the disease in adults.
At Innovative Medical Center, the attention of specialists is directed towards finding and eliminating the causes of pain syndrome and further rehabilitation. To eliminate pain, the patient is prescribed blockades, acupuncture courses, shock wave therapy (shock waves) 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 series of exercises that he performs on special simulators and with additional equipment - rollers, balls. By performing tasks, the load is taken off the spine, muscles are trained, and joints are restored. Strengthening the muscular 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.
Masotherapy
It is prescribed only after the exacerbation has been eliminated. The minimum course is 10 sessions. Helps eliminate swelling, relieve pain, and improve blood circulation. The technique and goals of the procedure depend on the exact diagnosis. For example, in case of problems with the cervical spine, the area of the cervical collar is worked. The specialist performs rubbing, caressing 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 pain, and increase the blood supply to the affected areas of the body. The session lasts from 20 to 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 the needles is similar to that of mosquito bites. Although it all depends on the patient's pain threshold.
At Innovative Medical Center, doctors of medical science use this modern method to treat osteochondrosis. Experienced specialists competently perform manipulations, so you do not need to 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 ridge pathologies. 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, improves blood circulation.
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 and intensive massage. Already after 2-3 sessions, a positive trend is noticeable.
Kinesitaping
The therapist uses tape, an elastic patch, to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Gently fixes 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 physical therapy 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 sex. Perfect knowledge of physiology and anatomy is required when applying the tape. At our center, this procedure is performed by experienced chiropractors.
PRP therapy
Plasma therapy: injections of the patient's own plasma. For its implementation, special equipment is used that removes 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, joint fluid is restored and joint mobility 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 one consists of 3 stages:
- A blood sample is taken.
- Plasma is being prepared.
- The autoplasma is injected into the affected area.
The administration of plasma is painless. The patient feels only mild discomfort.
The method not only eliminates the symptoms, but affects the cause of the disease. Long-term effect is provided.
At the Innovative Medical Center you can get detailed advice from a traumatologist, neurologist, physical therapist. 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.