The osteochondrosis is a and on the other hand, degenerative damage in the tissues of the spinal column, which causes the change of form and the suppression of the intervertebral discs, bodies of the vertebrae and the surfaces of the joints. Normally degenerative processes affecting in particular the bones and ligaments. This disease is considered to be one of the most common causes of back pain.
The majority of the cases, the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease falls on the lumbar. These statistics are natural, because this department of the spine, falls upon him the burden of the entire upper part of the body. The osteochondrosis occurs the displacement of the vertebrae, and, as a result, you can develop an intervertebral hernia or pressure of the blood vessels and nerve endings. The osteochondrosis is a very painful disease, which leads the sick person a lot of discomfort and poorly treatable.
The types of degenerative disc disease and its stage of development
There are four types of degenerative disc disease. The disease is divided into groups according to place of location:
- the osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine;
- the osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- the osteochondrosis of breastfeeding and of the spinal column;
- common osteochondrosis – the defeat of two or more sections of the column.
The explanation of the location of the degenerative disc disease is very simple – the disease develops in the departments that are in the most pressure and have a high mobility.
The disease develops in stages, moving from the symptoms, until the demonstrations. The stage of development of the degenerative disease of the disk will appear as follows:
- The instability of the vertebrae, caused by the violation of the location of intervertebral disc. At this stage, the patient feels discomfort in the movements that impact affected by the disease of department of the vertebral column. At this time, the osteochondrosis of the spine is very prone to injury.
- The destruction of the fibrous rings, discs, intervertebral cleft decreases in size.
- The stage is characterized by the discontinuity of the fibrous ring and protrusion of one or multiple cores of discs. Appears intervertebral hernia, and the deformation of the line of the spine.
- By bony growths motion sick limited, pain syndrome, bright expressed. Costeniuc the ligaments of the spine.
In any of these stages of success of the treatment of the degenerative disc disease is still possible, but the farther, the more difficult it is to get rid of their consequences, and in the last stage of the national liberation of the disease completely is almost impossible.
The causes of the development of osteochondrosis
The complete list of the causes of the emergence of the degenerative disc disease is very large. It includes some factors, and combinations of the same, are the cause of the displacement of the intervertebral discs. But more often the osteochondrosis develops due to these reasons:
- heredity – if one of the parents was the osteochondrosis is the man enters the risk group, since the structure of the intervertebral cartilage is often transmitted by inheritance;
- the hard work, the load that exceed the health standards for workers;
- long stay in the same posture can also be an important factor. Often, the osteochondrosis is diagnosed in persons in sedentary occupations;
- a variety of diseases of the back, which lead to the curvature of the spine;
- beriberi and hypovitaminosis;
- a back injury;
- infectious diseases;
- birth defects of the spine, leading to the rapid suppression of the intervertebral discs;
- the natural aging of the body;
- obesity;
- permanent stress;
- hypothermia.
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease
According to the place of location of the disease your symptoms may vary considerably. This is because the bulging disc and the crushing of the vessels influences the next tissues and organs, causing a series of symptoms that are unique to this belt of the spine. Therefore, studying the symptoms of different types of degenerative disc disease should be separately.
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease lumbar-part sacrum of the vertebral column
Lumbar-kresttsoviy (or just the lower back) of the osteochondrosis is the most common type of this disease. Loin of pork serves as a shock absorber when the majority of movements and turns are carried out by a person. The symptoms of the location of the disease in this department are:
- the pain in the lower part of the back, especially in the exercises, closed curves or are in a long period of time in the same position. The pain is usually the pain, sharp pains at an early stage are very rare and can serve as a symptom of the intervertebral hernia;
- the pain in the legs caused by pinched from the roots of the spinal cord. This type of pain can be different – shot, that hurts, distributed just on one side of the hip;
- the limited mobility, the patient experiences pain in the curves, slopes and a seat. If the patient takes more comfortable for him, the posture, the pain passes.
If you suffer from similar symptoms, immediately consult your doctor. It is easier to prevent a disease than to deal with the consequences.
The diagnosis
For the diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the back, the doctor neurologist assigned to this type of study of the spine, such as:
- the x-ray;
- ct scan;
- the magnetic resonance imaging.
How is osteochondrosis
In most cases, the treatment of osteochondrosis are conservative methods. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of degenerative disc disease and other diseases of the spine, called the spinal column. I always assign several types of treatment that includes medications, physical therapy, and other methods. The most common ways for the treatment of degenerative disc disease:
- the physical therapy;
- different types of massage;
- medications;
- traction;
- reflexology;
- the chiropractic;
- Lfk.
Let's look at each one of these methods more closely.
Physiotherapy
Almost always applies to the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis. Physical therapy is used the laser, ultrasound, and magnetic vibrations that help to reduce the pain. It also helps to neutralize the inflammation. This method allows to reduce the doses of drugs, necessary for the suppression of pain. There are No side effects.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy produces the same positive results, such as physiotherapy. But you can't use at that time, when the disease is in the acute phase. Massage course in the period of remission has a positive influence on the state of the nervous system, relieves pain and excess muscle tension, stimulates blood circulation and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. In addition, massage therapy can improve the body's resistance to disease and to normalize the process of exchange of substances.
But for therapeutic massages there and some contraindications which may make its application impossible. These include skin diseases, open wounds, any of the inflammatory processes in the body.
Medications
Pharmacological treatment of osteochondrosis of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine is almost always carried out. As a general rule, the drugs are applied in the period of exacerbation of the disease, and its action is directed towards the reduction of the symptoms of pain. Contraceptive pill, ointments, gels, and capsule are divided into types, depending on the spectrum of action and their type. There are funds for reconstruction of cartilage tissue, the ointment for the stimulation of the circulation of the blood, gels with the warming effect, and other ways to set the function of the propulsion system of the body.
Reflexology
Reflexology is typically used in conjunction with a massage service. It is based on the impact on pressure points and areas of reflection. As a method of this treatment is not applied, but it is a good complement to other methods of treatment of degenerative disc disease, cervical and other types of this disease. Reflexology relieves pain, recovers natural load at different points of the spine, but it has much short term effect.
Lfk
Therapeutic exercise is considered the main form of treatment of degenerative disc disease, regardless of the area of its location. It is a very effective method for that, with the help of the limited loads in the joints and muscles, strengthening the corset muscles of the back. The exercises of the osteochondrosis cervical are performed only under the supervision of an instructor or in accordance with their recommendations. Dealing with the therapy may be at any age and in any form of degenerative disc disease, with the exception of cases, when the disease is in the acute phase, and the major back injury, which can worsen. Physical therapy helps to get rid of the pains in the back, to return the spine flexibility and improve general well-being of the patient.
The gym to the osteochondrosis includes a series of exercises, which does not require great physical effort and that focus on the slow establishment of muscle tone of the patient. Make can as by the patient, with the participation of a physician, and with the additional application of training equipment. The physical therapy are the types of methodologies:
- treatments of such exercises are performed on a patient in special vehicles, and fitness equipment. The method is applied when would be the degree of the lesion of the spine osteochondrosis, when the movement of the person is difficult. This method also helps to the development needs of the different groups of muscles and helps to improve posture;
- kinesitherapy – structure of the breathing and exercise a physical impact that leads directly to the area of development of osteochondrosis. The course is developed individually for each patient and helps to improve mobility of the joints, the muscle tone, elasticity of the ligaments and tendons;
- path, hiking paths, at which it enters the complex of simple exercises and physical activities. By using this method can improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, improve endurance, and to establish respiratory function;
- hydro kinesitherapy – gymnastics, the exercises that are performed are in the pool. Usually, it is done in salt water or hot water. The exercises help strengthen the muscles, joints, and ligaments, in addition to improving the well-being of the patient;
medicinal swimming is a good method for the prevention and treatment of various species of osteochondrosis. Help to adopt the correct posture and to make the natural position of the shoulder of the spine. Swimming can even help in the correction of the deformation of the spinal column.
The treatment of osteochondrosis with the help of gymnastics
The osteochondrosis any type of need of treatment by the method of loads and exercises. This approach not only helps to quickly get rid of the pain and discomfort, but also accelerates the overall process of treatment, recovers posture and increases the flexibility of the spine. Each type of degenerative disc disease involves the processing of different types of exercises. According to the place of location of the disease complex may be targeted to a specific group of muscles and bones of the spine.
The exercises of the lumbar spine osteochondrosis
The most effective method for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is considered to be the swimming. It is also recommended that the complex of special exercises in the simulator, and the gym. Most of the exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles of the back. One of the most frequent exercises of the "bike". Is performed by lying on your back. The patient performs the movement of the foot, the simulation of the rotation of the pedals of the bike. Another popular exercise, with the support of the elbows bent, you should turn several times in the division, and to secure a position in 4 seconds. Repeating exercises not more than five times in the same complex. The grade of loads must be controlled by the patient. If health allows, then little by little, you can increase, and if the patient to make the gym feel the pain, the exercises should cancel or temporarily suspend.
The exercises of the osteochondrosis of cervical
The treatment of degenerative disc disease, cervical requires the appointment of gymnastics of two types:
- exercises for the cervical spine, in which the amplitude of movements is minimal. The patient himself creates resistance to the movements of the neck with the hand. Exercises are directed to the overcoming of the resistance, and therefore strengthens the group of the cervical vertebrae;
- the second part of the methodology involves dynamic exercises and circular turns of the head, improve the joint mobility in the cervical region. All the exercises related to the strengthening of neck, should be performed at a slow pace, without sudden movements and without heavy loads.
As a complement to the exercises, you can assign the path and treatment of swimming. Both methods of treatment the goal of the same, which gymnastics on the improvement of the mobility of the cervix.
Exercises at the osteochondrosis of breastfeeding and the division of
The particularity of the treatment of breastfeeding and the osteochondrosis is that the majority of the exercises he performed were standing. The most common variant, suitable for the majority of patients with this diagnosis – mahi arms and flex the trunk. Warming up before you perform the gymnastics which is performed in the sitting position in a chair. On the inhalation, the patient places his hands on the nape of the neck and folded back is a player before you press the upper part of the backrest of the chair. On the exhale, the patient lower the arms to the sides.
Other therapeutic exercise complex when the osteochondrosis is progibanija being on four legs. Absolutely all types of exercises should be performed slowly and without sudden movements. Patients with osteochondrosis of breastfeeding and the division are also useful in swimming, massage treatments and hydro-kinesitherapy.
The danger
The osteochondrosis without proper treatment, it gives rise to complications, such as:
- vascular dystonia;
- low back pain;
- intervertebral hernia;
- the violation of supply of oxygen to the brain.