Every day, the human body is subjected to great physical exertion. To a greater extent, this applies to the musculoskeletal system. A common pathological condition from the musculoskeletal system, namely the spine, is osteochondrosis. Which doctors treat osteochondrosis and what problems should be addressed?
Osteochondrosis and features of its course
This is a disease of the spine, which is characterized by the appearance of destruction of cartilage and intervertebral discs. Disks play a huge role in the state of the body, they take part in the following functions:
- provide normal mobility of the spine;
- retain elasticity and resilience of the spine;
- allow to withstand large physical loads.
Osteochondrosis is of several types, which depends on the localization of the pathological process. The disease can flare up in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and can also be common (cover several parts of the spine at the same time).
Etiology of osteochondrosis
The causes of the development of spinal diseases are diverse. The following factors are considered the most common among them:
- obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- post-traumatic changes;
- bad habits;
- hereditary factors;
- hormonal disruptions in the body;
- flat feet;
- frequent stressful conditions.
Symptoms of the disease
When the first symptoms of osteochondrosis appear, many patients do not attach serious importance to them. Well, who does not have a backache after hard work or a tiring day?
If the symptoms disappear after the restoration of a normal physiological state, then the body is in perfect order. In case of progression of the clinical picture or constant appearance of the same symptoms, it is necessary to seek the help of specialists.
The main signs of the development of osteochondrosis requiring medical advice:
- pain in the back of a aching nature, worse after exertion;
- the appearance of numbness or tingling in the legs;
- muscle cramps and the appearance of limited mobility;
- headaches and pains in the upper limbs, tinnitus, the appearance of "flies in front of the eyes" - cervical osteochondrosis;
- pain in the heart or projection of other organs of the chest - chest osteochondrosis;
- lower back pain, which can give to the legs or pelvic organs - osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Which doctors treat osteochondrosis?
In the medical field, there is a concept that this disease is completely impossible to cure. You can only slow down the destruction processes, as well as prevent the occurrence of possible complications.
Patients often become confused before choosing a doctor. The very first option is to contact your local GP or family doctor. After the appointment of the diagnosis, the doctor himself will direct for consultation to the necessary narrow specialist.
What doctors still treat osteochondrosis ? The second doctor you can go to is a neuropathologist, since one of the common causes of the disease is a violation in the functioning of the nervous system. After the examination, the doctor will direct for diagnosis to the radiologist.
A chiropractor may also examine patients with osteochondrosis. Its task is to prescribe a comprehensive treatment for patients who have already confirmed the diagnosis. The manual therapy includes elements of therapeutic massage and other manual procedures that are aimed at restoring the lost functions of the spine.
Vertebrologist is another narrow specialization. This doctor deals exclusively with spinal problems; he has no relation to other elements of the musculoskeletal system.
In cases of lack of treatment effect and severe complicated conditions, the patient is referred to a surgeon for surgical intervention.
Disease Therapy Methods
The treatment methods used will be considered based on a specific type of disease. What is cervical osteochondrosis treated with and what is the prognosis of therapy?
Treatment of the disease should be comprehensive, only in this case it is possible to achieve a favorable result. The following methods are used:
- medications;
- elements of manual therapy;
- massage and therapeutic exercises;
- surgical intervention;
- physiotherapy;
- Spa treatment.
What sanatoriums treat osteochondrosis? Such institutions are quite a large number. The most famous of them are in the Crimea, Moscow Region, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus, as well as in the Caucasus.
At this stage, spa treatment is quite developed, because it offers the patient a large number of procedures to restore the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Among them are exercise therapy, ozone therapy, massage, physiotherapy, mud treatment, balneotherapy, ozokerite therapy, treatment with leeches, etc.
Which devices treat osteochondrosis better
Medical equipment for the treatment of osteochondrosis is represented by devices that can be used at home and on an outpatient basis. For the home - "Vitafon", "Darsonval", "Armos" - these devices use magnetic field pulses in their work. Their task is to relieve muscle cramps, improve blood circulation and blood outflow, and reduce pain.
Before using such devices, it is necessary to consult with a specialist in order to avoid negative consequences.
In conditions of outpatient treatment, devices for UHF-therapy and drug electrophoresis are used. Their action is also aimed at stopping pain and irritation of the nerve endings at the site of exposure in order to improve local blood circulation.
Let's make a small conclusion. Which doctors treat osteochondrosis? This is a therapist, chiropractor, neuropathologist, vertebrologist and surgeon.