The human spine is conditionally divided into 4 departments: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral-coccygeal. In accordance with this division, there is a differentiation of the destructive process of the spine - osteochondrosis. This disease leads to a change in the structure of both the intervertebral disc (performs the function of a shock absorber) and the vertebrae themselves. As a result, the intervertebral disc is flattened, and its capsule is torn in several places, and osteophytes - outgrowths of bone tissue form on the surface of the vertebrae. All this leads to compression of the vessels and nerve trunks located along the spinal column, and the appearance of pain and stiffness.
Osteochondrosis how to treat? Like any disease, osteochondrosis requires an integrated approach to treatment, but there are several ways to implement it.
1. Conservative therapy, which includes:
- symptomatic drug therapy
- manual therapy
- massage
- reflexology
- physiotherapy exercises
- spinal traction
physiotherapy
Traditional medicine can also be included in this section, but their clinical effect in this disease has not been proven, so in medical practice they have not received their distribution.
2. Surgical treatments for osteochondrosis are aimed at eliminating damage to the intervertebral discs and reducing the compression of blood vessels and nerves. To date, the feasibility and justification of surgery for osteochondrosis is decided by the attending physician and depends on many factors: the degree of compression, the amount of damage, the localization of the process and the effectiveness of conservative therapy.
How to treat osteochondrosis - this question concerns not only most people with this pathology, but also many doctors, because they need to choose the right tactics for managing patients with osteochondrosis.
The general approach to the treatment of these patients is the same, however, some nuances depend on the location of the lesion.
How to cure osteochondrosis of the cervical spine?
Of course, you need to start, first of all, with non-surgical methods, and more specifically with physiotherapy exercises. Separate sets of exercises have been developed for each spine , which help strengthen the muscular skeleton, and, consequently, reduce pain and stress on the spine.
In addressing the issue of “osteochondrosis, how to treat”, you need to start primarily with physical exercises - this is not only a way to treat this disease, but also a prevention method.
Exercise 1: place the palm vertically opposite the forehead and strain the neck muscles, pressing the forehead onto the palm. The duration of the exercise is 7 seconds (3 to 5 times). Then, we also perform pressure on the palm of the head with the same magnification. You can include pressure in the left temple on the left palm, and the right temple on the right palm, lasting 7 seconds 3 times, in the same exercise.
Exercise 2: head slightly thrown back, slowly, overcoming the resistance of muscles, we bend to the jugular fossa. Perform the exercise at least 5 times.
Exercise 3: perform head rotations as much as possible to the right and to the left 5 times, while keeping the shoulders and neck straight.
In addition to physiotherapy exercises, you can use collar and shoulder massage . For this, it is best to consult a specialist. Physiotherapy to this area will help relieve inflammation and relax the muscles in hypertonicity a bit. The use of medications is of great importance in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis : chondroprotectors (strengthen the intervertebral disc), analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs will help cope with the pain symptom.
Osteochondrosis, how to treat - this issue worries all doctors and patients. Indeed, far-reaching forms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine can cause many serious diseases, and bring the patient discomfort and inconvenience.
How to treat thoracic osteochondrosis?
To begin treatment, as in other cases, should be with physiotherapy exercises and massage.
Exercise 1: the exercise is performed while sitting on a chair, we put our hands behind our heads, while inhaling we bend back as much as possible (3-5 times), and on the exhale we touch the shoulder blades of the back of the chair.
Exercise 2: lying on your stomach, stretch your arms in front of you and try to bend as much as possible in the thoracic region, raise your head, arms and legs up, while breathing in the usual rhythm. Perform the exercise 5-8 times.
Exercise 3: stand on all fours, bend the back as much as possible (like a cat) and linger in this position for 3 seconds, you need to keep your head straight. The exercise is repeated 5-8 times.
This set of exercises forms the muscular skeleton of the chest and develops the lungs (which improves blood supply to all organs and tissues, and the patient feels better). Osteochondrosis, how to treat using medication methods, has been described previously, however, it should be noted that often patients confuse pain in osteochondrosis with pathology of the internal organs, therefore, a full examination of such patients is necessary.
In conclusion, it should be noted that osteochondrosis is a disease that does not tolerate self-medication, therefore, when the first signs of a disturbance in well-being appear, it is necessary to seek the advice of specialists. After all, treating the disease in the early stages is much easier and more effective than in the later stages.