Osteochondrosis - damage to the discs and cartilage of the spine. Unfortunately, the problem is widespread - almost every other 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. In the following, we will describe the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine in adults, symptoms and preventive measures.
Causes
People over the age of 40 are at risk. But some factors influence the onset of problems in adolescence. The list of causes of the disease includes:
- obesity;
- inactive lifestyle;
- delayed spinal injuries by displacement;
- scoliosis and flat feet;
- pregnancy;
- constant load on the spine.
Congenital anomalies of the spine, oncology in this area and long-term stress contribute to the development of the disease. Regardless of the factor, the experts of our clinic will select the optimal plan for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine and help get rid of the disease.
Stages of development
Initially, changes in the spine do not create problems, but over time, not all body systems work properly. The disease has 4 stages:
- The height of the diseased intervertebral disc is reduced. Fibrous annular cracks appear. Pathology does not go beyond one component.
- The muscles and ligaments attached to the disc are approaching. They lose tone and decay. The defect affects the adjacent vertebrae. They get extra mobility. The vertebral segment becomes less and less stable. The vertebrae can move, slide, causing spondylolisthesis.
- There is an international protrusion, the development of arthrosis and dislocations of the intervertebral discs.
- The affected parts try to adapt to the new conditions, get rid of excess mobility at the expense of physical strength and protect the spine. As a result, osteophytes - bone growths - are formed. 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 a latent form. And the patient stops feeling discomfort. A bony shell is formed on the vertebrae that "walled up" 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 can spread to other parts of the body. There are unpleasant sensations in the legs, numbness of the 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 the problem is diagnosed in the neck, chest or in several areas at the same time. Activity decreases and fatigue increases - both mentally and physically. The sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities is impaired.
In the pathology of the cervical spine, the most common symptoms are: headache, sudden drop in vision and eye fatigue. Defeat of the lumbosacral region threatens the dysfunction of the reproductive system.
Effects
Lack of proper attention to the problem in the early stages threatens serious disorders in all body systems. The patient feels severe pain, feeling of 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 pain pills 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 muscular corset. Classes on special decompression simulators - kinesitherapy are ideal. These simulators are specially designed to restore the spine and joints in an attractive way. An orthopedic mattress was chosen for sleeping. High or flat pillows are not used.
Diagnosis
A history is taken to identify the problem and prescribe the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis. All patient complaints are taken into account. A visual inspection is performed. This includes:
- body position assessment;
- skin examination;
- palpation and tapping of areas where the patient complains of pain;
- determination of skin sensitivity.
Next, a study of the most affected spine is assigned. The patient was referred for X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With the help of procedures, the degree of damage to the back area, the state of nervous processes, blood vessels is revealed.
The Center for Medical Innovation also uses ultrasound to diagnose problems. Ultrasound is informative, safe and is considered a cheaper way to detect pathology.
Methods of treating osteochondrosis
An integrated approach is needed to completely address the disease. The choice of the way to remove it depends on the etiology of the disease, the age of the patient, the degree of damage to a part of the body. The following methods are used in our osteochondrosis treatment center.
The osteochondrosis treatment clinic offers comprehensive diagnostics, individual approach and high-quality disease prevention. 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 osteochondrosis treatment center are able to provide effective help in resolving pathology in adults.
At the Innovative Medical Center, the attention of experts is focused on finding and eliminating the causes of the pain syndrome and further rehabilitation. To relieve pain, the patient is prescribed blockades, acupuncture courses, shock wave therapy (shock wave) or Khivamat therapy. Then comes the period of restoration of damaged spine functions, during which the following modern and effective methods of osteochondrosis treatment are used in the 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 renewed. Strengthening the muscular corset is a guarantee of the absence of risk of recurrence of the disease after a certain period. The method has a minimal list of contraindications and is suitable for patients of any age.
Mass therapy
It is prescribed only after the deterioration has been removed. The minimum course is 10 sessions. It helps to remove swelling, relieve pain and improve blood circulation. The technique and goals of the procedure depend on the correct diagnosis. For example, in the case of problems with the cervical spine, it is done with the cervical-collar zone. The specialist performs rubbing, caressing and kneading to relieve pain, revitalize. But the therapist can also prescribe treatment for osteochondrosis with acupressure massage. Pain and acupuncture points are affected during this procedure.
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 parts of the body. The session lasts 20-60 minutes. The duration depends on the scale of the treated skin. 10-15 procedures are prescribed by default. In a complex course of treatment, the number of procedures may be smaller due to the complementary action of other procedures. The manipulations are practically painless. The action of the 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 experts competently perform 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 degenerative complications of the disease - disc herniation and other pathologies of the ridge. The principle of action of shock wave therapy is the impact of the shock wave on the affected area. This causes the destruction of salts and salt deposits, 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 pathology development. The effectiveness of the therapy is compared to a deep, intense massage. After 2-3 sessions, a positive trend is noticed.
Kinesitaping
The therapist uses a band-aid, an elastic band-aid, to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is lightly fixed to the affected area of the body, gently lifting the top layer of skin. The patient is not limited in physiological mobility.
Kinesitaping is prescribed together with physiotherapy exercises. Because of its elasticity, which is compared to the elasticity of the skin, the tape begins to affect the inflamed area from day one. The plaster is usually fixed for 3-5 days, and then the course is repeated 2 more times until the discomfort during movement is removed.
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 performed by experienced chiropractors.
PRP therapy
Plasma therapy - injections of the patient's own plasma. For its application, special equipment is used that removes platelets from the blood. Plasma mixes with blood cells and is injected into the patient. The procedure allows you to quickly regenerate the affected tissue, stopping the inflammation. As a result, joint fluid is restored and joint mobility is improved. 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 phases:
- Blood sampling is performed.
- Plasma is being prepared.
- Autoplasma is injected into the affected area.
Plasma intake does not cause pain. The patient only feels discomfort.
The method not only eliminates the symptoms, but also affects the cause of the disease. Long-term effect is enabled.
At the Innovative Medical Center, you can get detailed advice from traumatologists, neurologists, physiotherapists. Once diagnosed, he will prescribe a series of measures aimed at addressing back disease without pills. We have modern equipment and offer effective methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis in women and men of any age.