osteochondrosis

osteochondrosis– is a degenerative dystrophic disease characterized by a decrease in the height of the hyaline intervertebral cartilage. Eventually, this leads to disk wear and loss of functionality.The disease is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 30-35 years, with approximately 40% of the population under the age of 35-40 affected and almost 90% of older adults affected. But in the presence of adverse factors, it may appear earlier.Spinal osteochondrosis is one of the leading causes of back pain. Inadequate treatment may result in nerve root damage, spinal cord damage, and destruction of internal organs. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention promptly and take appropriate measures to prevent the development of the disease.

Causes of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a common disease that can occur in older adults, but can also occur in younger people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. This disease occurs due to weakening of the back muscles, resulting in a disruption of blood flow and nutrients to the spine and disc tissue. It can occur for a variety of reasons, including aging, injury, sudden stress, and incorrect work habits.Although the causes of osteochondrosis are not fully understood, they are related to a variety of factors, including:

• genetics,
• Physical development defects,
• metabolic diseases,
• unhealthy diet
• Lack of vitamins and minerals,
• long-term use of medications,
• overweight,
• Increase the load on the spine,
• A sedentary lifestyle, such as when working in an office,
• spinal injury,
• Past infectious diseases and stress.

In addition, malformations of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems can lead to the development of osteochondrosis. Generally speaking, the occurrence of this disease is the result of a combination of factors, and its prevention includes proper nutrition, moderate physical activity, proper distribution of spinal loads, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Signs and symptoms of osteochondrosis

As osteochondrosis progresses, in the first stages, patients often experience the following problems:

• Pain in various parts of the body, such as in the back, neck, or other areas;
• Difficulty and restriction of movement when turning or bending;
• persistent tension and muscle spasms;
• Migraines and dizziness;
• Pain in the heart area;
• Muscular hypotension, decreased muscle tone and strength;
• numbness in limbs;
• pain in arms and legs;
• Spots appear before eyes;
• cooling of extremities;
• Photograph the painful feeling.

If osteochondrosis progresses, serious complications may occur, such as:

• loss of consciousness;
• Decreased sensitivity of limbs;
• Poor blood circulation in blood vessels;
• nerve damage or inflammation;
• Arteries become narrowed and blocked.

Any changes in physical condition should be noted, and if osteochondrosis is suspected, specialist help should be sought. Seeking help early can prevent serious complications and improve quality of life.

risk factors

Osteochondrosis may develop as a result of injury or strenuous physical activity, and is particularly common among athletes. It also manifests as bone overgrowth, osteophytes, disc herniation, and spinal curvature. Congenital spinal defects can also cause rapid wear and tear on the discs. In addition, the following risk factors may also contribute to the development of osteochondrosis:

• Nervous and emotional exhaustion;
• physical overexertion;
• working on a vibrating platform;
• genetic susceptibility;
• Lack of vitamins in the body;
• Multiple pregnancy.

Knowing these risk factors can help you prevent the possibility of developing osteochondrosis. Managing your health through a healthy lifestyle and diet, as well as avoiding injury and overexertion, can reduce the likelihood of this problem developing. If you suspect you have osteochondrosis, talk to your doctor to start treatment quickly and prevent possible complications.

Classification and stages of development of osteochondrosis

Classification of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis comes in many forms and can manifest itself as pain in different parts of the spine.

1. Lombardinha– This is lumbar (lumbosacral) back pain.
2. sciaticaPresents as pain in the back that spreads to the legs.
3. low back pain——This is lumbago, acute, severe pain in the waist.
4. chest pain- This is pain in the chest.

Another form of osteochondrosis, nuchal pain or cervicobrachialgia, can cause pain in the neck and upper limbs.Additionally, the type of osteochondrosis may vary depending on the part of the spine affected. Cervical osteochondrosis presents with headaches and difficulty turning the head, thoracic osteochondrosis causes pain in the thoracic spine, and lumbar osteochondrosis presents with difficulty bending forward and sometimes "tingling" pain. leg.

Stages of development of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases of the spine. Its development has gone through several stages.

• I.In the first stage, the disc core loses moisture and becomes less elastic, leading to loss of height and tissue breakdown. During this stage, the pain is usually barely noticeable, but discomfort may occur during physical activity or abnormal postures.
• two.In the second stage of osteochondrosis development, the disc tissue begins to flatten and bulge, causing the spaces between the vertebrae to narrow and pinching the spinal nerve roots. The fibrous membrane is destroyed, resulting in poor fluid retention in the disc core. You can hear characteristic clicking and crunching sounds in your spine as you move. During this stage, some pain may occur and worsen with active movement.
• three.Stage three is characterized by wear and thinning of the cartilage lining between the discs. At this stage, symptoms of osteochondrosis manifest themselves in the form of acute pain. For quick pain relief, nerve pain painkillers are taken.
• Four.In the final, fourth stage, the discs are so damaged that the joints become immobile and the spaces between the vertebrae become overgrown with bone tissue. Severe dystrophic processes can cause acute pain as growth damages adjacent tissue and compresses nerves. The mobility of the vertebral joints may be completely lost.

complication

Let's consider the various complications that may arise from osteochondrosis:

• herniated disc, which occurs when the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc herniates beyond the annulus fibrosus. This can lead to spinal pain and dysfunction.
• intervertebral hernia- This is a more serious complication when the disc annulus ruptures and the nucleus pulposus extends beyond it. This can cause severe pain, decreased sensation, and paralysis.
• Radiculitis- This is nerve root compression with severe pain symptoms. Radiculitis can cause loss of sensation, numbness, and weakness in the lower extremities.
• KyphosisIt is a spinal deformity that manifests as a bulge in the chest. This can lead to breathing problems, pain, and poor posture.
• spinal cord stroke– This is the most serious complication of osteochondrosis and can lead to loss of sensitivity, impaired motor function, and even paralysis.
• Lower limb muscle atrophy– This is a loss of muscle mass, accompanied by rapid fatigue and weakness in the legs.
• Leg paralysis– This is a complete loss of voluntary movement of the lower limbs, a serious complication of osteochondrosis.

How to diagnose osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a pathology characterized by degenerative processes of spinal structures. Based on clinical research, we can learn more about how to treat this pathology.If osteochondrosis is suspected, your doctor will conduct a thorough diagnosis, including the following:

• Physical examination.The doctor examines the patient and assesses his general condition, posture, and movements. Doctors may also perform neurological tests to determine whether sensory and motor problems are present.
• Hardware check.For more accurate diagnosis, various hardware examination methods are used, including radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• blood test.A complete blood count can help identify early symptoms of osteochondrosis, such as an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and low calcium levels. To confirm the diagnosis, biochemical tests can be performed to evaluate coagulation parameters, enzyme activity, levels of zinc, cobalt, iron and other components.
• Radiography.During an X-ray, each spine is examined and pictures are taken in direct, lateral, and two oblique projections. If necessary, functional radiographs may be performed to allow you to evaluate the condition of your spine in different locations.
• Computed tomography (CT). A CT is performed after an X-ray and allows you to more accurately determine the condition of the disc. To do this, a photo of one or two segments of the spine is taken.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MRI may be used as a supplement to CT or in situations where more detailed study of blood vessels, nerve processes, and disc conditions is required.

When to see a doctor

If you experience persistent back pain, muscle spasms, and decreased sensitivity, consult your doctor.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the spine characterized by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs. It can cause back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. Treatment of osteochondrosis can be a long and laborious process, but modern methods can help relieve pain and improve quality of life. Depending on the progression and severity of symptoms, conservative or surgical treatment may be used. In most cases, strengthening of ligaments and muscles as well as the use of medications are recommended.When treating osteochondrosis, it is important to consider the individual characteristics of each patient. Certain massage or manual therapy methods may be undesirable or even dangerous for certain situations. Therefore, individual counseling is important before starting treatment.Procedures and methods for treating osteochondrosis include physical therapy, gymnastics (physical therapy), wearing orthopedic pillows or corsets, and taking muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal analgesics.

exercise therapy

Leading countries with higher medical standards prefer the use of exercise therapy. These are classical physiotherapy, aquatic physiotherapy exercises, swimming, simulator training and computerized hardware complexes. Style is chosen by the doctor and may vary based on each patient's personal characteristics. Swimming also has benefits, but proper technique is required to avoid harm to your health.

Using manual therapy to treat osteochondrosis

Manual treatment can be used in the initial stage. This method helps strengthen the muscle frame and eliminate blocked and compressed nerve roots. However, this treatment is not recommended if the shape of the vertebra changes and bone spurs form.Manual therapy, done correctly, can improve the structure of the spine. Sometimes there may be ongoing dysfunction, where areas of stiffness in the spine and sacrum cannot be removed with therapeutic exercises.Modern manual therapy is different from those used in the past. Most doctors no longer use hard techniques accompanied by chewing, preferring soft techniques instead. They are based on knowledge of biomechanics, joint function, and the laws of muscle contraction and relaxation. These methods carry a lower risk of side effects and their effectiveness is unchanged.

massage

There are many contraindications to massage, so a neurologist must develop an individualized treatment plan. It is important to choose a competent massage therapist who works alongside a doctor. Massage should be performed regularly; typically doctors recommend at least 2-3 massages per week for 1-3 months.Correct medical massage for spinal osteochondrosis:

1. Puts extra stress on muscles and increases their tone;
2. Eliminate lactic acid accumulation and relieve muscle spasms;
3. Improves blood circulation to the affected area and adjacent tissues;
4. relief the pain.

Only medical massage is suitable for treating osteochondrosis, while Thai massage is dangerous. Most Thai massage therapists use harsh manual therapy techniques and do not pay attention to the patient's physical condition.

physiotherapy

Depending on the location and stage, patients may receive the following types of physical therapy:

• Magnet therapyIt is the effect of a constant frequency magnetic field that stimulates cellular responses.
• Osteochondrosis electrophoresis– This is the effect of an electric field on the tissue, which accelerates blood circulation and activates regenerative processes.
• Laser TreatmentIt is a method of stimulating the biological processes of nerve fibers and also has anti-inflammatory, wound healing and analgesic effects.
• shockwave therapyIt is a method of using sound waves to affect diseased parts of the body, which can improve microcirculation and metabolic processes and relieve swelling and pain.

All of these methods can be tailored by a physician based on the patient's individual needs and the stage of the disease.

Kinesio tape

Kinesio taping is a safe method that is widely used in sports medicine and is widely used in Korea.Kinesio Tape is a cotton patch with hot melt adhesive that can be used to treat neck, chest, back pain and joint problems. There are special types of therapeutic applications that can be used at home, but you need to be careful when taping yourself as complications may arise. When performing kinesthesia tape, limitations should be taken into account: for women, this is pregnancy and menstruation. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to the patch.

acupuncture

Acupuncture is a method in which a doctor inserts special needles into specific areas of the body. This accelerates blood circulation, lymph circulation and metabolic processes, improving the condition of the spine and the entire body. Acupuncture can be used to treat the early stages of osteochondrosis, as well as severe pain and poor vertebral mobility.There is also a dry needling technique in which a drug-free needle is inserted into a spasming muscle, usually the piriformis muscle. This method can reduce pain in the back and pelvic area. It is worth noting that acupuncture is effective even in chronic cases.

Leech therapy

Leech therapy is a method of using medicinal leeches to treat various conditions, including osteochondrosis. Leech therapy prevents increased blood coagulation and thrombosis, dilates blood vessels, eliminates inflammatory processes and has an analgesic effect. In osteochondrosis, leeches are used to improve the blood supply to the cells, thus stimulating repair of damaged discs.

medical treatement

Currently, there is a trend toward reducing the use of medications for the treatment of osteochondrosis. This is because some medications can have serious side effects and negatively impact a patient's health.The pain of osteochondrosis often occurs with minor changes in the spine, and if doctors choose the right treatment without the need for drugs, patients can avoid recurring episodes of pain. If you take medications long-term, the structural changes in your spine may worsen and the medications may no longer work. Additionally, drug therapy may be contraindicated in some cases.An alternative to medication is kinesio tape. This is a method of applying a special elastic patch to the affected area of the body. Kinesio tape is safer and more effective than medication and can be used as a pain reliever.

reflexology

Reflexology is a method based on the correct influence on pain points and reflex zones. It is used to relieve pain and restore the natural load of the spine. Reflexology is never used alone, but is often combined with massage to achieve more dramatic results.Reflexology techniques can be used to treat osteochondrosis and other spinal conditions. Its use helps eliminate pain and restore the natural load of the spine. Additionally, reflexology can be used to improve the overall condition of the body and prevent disease.

Prevention and prognosis of osteochondrosis

Prevention of osteochondrosis is an extremely important issue, as it aims to prevent factors that may lead to the development of this disease. First, this is for people at certain risks:

1. genetic predisposition to spinal disease;
2. Chronic gastrointestinal problems may lead to malabsorption of nutrients;
3. Diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
4. Having serious infections in childhood, such as rickets;
5. spinal injuries;
6. overweight.

However, prevention is also important for people with sedentary lifestyles, those with greater stress on their spines, and women planning a pregnancy. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to exercise regularly, watch your weight, avoid injuries and eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals. It is also recommended to consult a doctor and undergo regular physical examinations for early detection of diseases.

osteochondrosis diet

One of the important aspects of treating osteochondrosis is proper nutrition. The body must obtain the substances it needs to synthesize cartilage tissue, so a balanced diet is recommended.It is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, protein foods, and dishes containing mucopolysaccharides such as jelly, jelly, or fish jelly. However, you should avoid fatty, fried and salty foods and limit sugar and alcohol intake as they can cause inflammation.It is recommended to drink plenty of water to ensure proper hydration and maintain the health of your spinal discs. It is also recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist to develop an individualized diet based on the characteristics of the disease and the individual needs of the patient.

Exercises for osteochondrosis

If pain occurs, doctors may prescribe exercises to treat osteochondrosis of the spine. This set of exercises is chosen individually according to the form, degree and stage of the disease. For example, in the early stages of cervical osteochondrosis, it is recommended to:

• perform head tilt;
• Turn your head from side to side;
• Use your chin to draw numbers from 0 to 9 in the air;
• Move your chin back and forth in a horizontal plane.