How to treat osteochondrosis at home, which doctor to contact, medication

Diseases of the spine and joints are affected by office workers and workers whose work is associated with physical activity. All of them turn to doctors of various specialties to find out how to treat osteochondrosis, what can be done independently. Medicines, folk remedies and a sparing diet help get rid of back pain.

What is osteochondrosis and its causes

The main support of the body, its axis can withstand basic physical stress. Osteochondrosis develops due to changes in the intervertebral surfaces. Degenerative processes first develop in one disk of the spinal column, then in neighboring ones.

Pain of varying intensity is associated with damage to the intervertebral joints, nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord. The syndrome, called “radiculopathy,” is associated with many pathologies of the spine. Osteochondrosis is the most common of them, diagnosed in 9 out of 10 patients who come with back pain.

The causes of the disease:

• imbalance of water and electrolytes in the cartilage discs between the vertebrae;
• physical, sports overload;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• circulatory problems;
• hormonal imbalance;
• metabolic decline;
• infectious process;
• spinal injuries;
• overweight;
• flat feet.

The mechanism of development of osteochondrosis is not fully understood, therefore, there are various theories that explain the occurrence of the disease. Degenerative changes in the spine are directly related to aging. However, the disease affects a lot of young people due to a genetic predisposition, hormonal disorders, spinal injuries of varying severity.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

The vertebral bodies in the cervical region are thin, the spinal canal is narrow. More often bone growths are formed - osteophytes that compress blood vessels. The blood supply to the brain is disturbed. Muscle tension is characteristic of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Compression of the vessels supplying the brain, the organ of hearing is enhanced. There are pains in the back of the head and temples, the back of the neck, forearm, and numb fingers.

Other symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis:

• depression
• noise in ears;
• insomnia;
• nausea.

Damage to the thoracic vertebrae is felt as discomfort in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, heart, stomach. Pain in the intercostal space and hypochondrium is aggravated by coughing, deep breathing, tilting of the body; numb fingers. If the cause of thoracic osteochondrosis is the curvature of the spine (scoliosis), then the symptoms do not appear at the beginning. Then pain periodically occurs, which subsequently become permanent.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar leads to a decrease in the mobility of the trunk, disruption of the digestive tract and kidneys.

Unpleasant sensations increase over time, do not go away without treatment. Cartilage nutrition can be completely disrupted. The pain becomes almost constant with rare periods of relief. Such symptoms may indicate various pathologies of the spine, joints, muscles, nerves.

Which doctor should i contact with osteochondrosis

Orthopedists believe that the spine itself is the root cause, the substrate of change. According to the localization of dystrophic processes in the articular cartilage between the vertebrae in different departments, specialists distinguish cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis.

Patients turn to a neurologist to find out the cause of pain in the neck or back. Experts in this area are sure that the basis of the pathology is damage to the nervous tissue. The patient is recommended to undergo functional examinations - x-rays, computed tomography.

Cervical

Consultation with a neurologist, vertebrologist (a doctor who treats diseases of the spine) will be required. Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is often combined with atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. You should visit a therapist, angiologist, cardiologist. The most serious complications, protrusion and herniated discs, require surgical intervention.

Lumbar

The defeat of the vertebrae of the most massive department is associated with maximum loads. There is a high risk of impotence, gynecological pathologies, intervertebral hernia caused by lumbosacral osteochondrosis. You should contact a neurologist, vertebrologist, urologist and gynecologist.

Thoracic Department

They treat chest pain to a cardiologist and vertebrologist. It is important to know the opinions of several specialists in order to avoid and minimize the risk of complications of the disease.

If you self-medicate without finding out the cause, you can miss the period favorable for conservative therapy.

A good vertebrologist often makes a diagnosis after an initial examination. The specifics of the work of a doctor in this specialty is the need to combine all approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal diseases. Vertebrologists receive in the medical centers of the capital and major cities. If there is no such specialist, then turn to the orthopedist.

How to treat osteochondrosis at home

You can not take potent drugs until the cause of malaise is clarified. You can use external funds with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components in the composition, which will help get rid of pain for a while.

What steps are taken independently in the acute period of osteochondrosis (before visiting the doctor’s office):

1. Limit motor activity.
2. Ointments with diclofenac are used externally.
3. Take medication - muscle relaxant and one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
4. They use folk remedies and some methods of alternative medicine to get rid of pain, accelerate recovery.
5. Perform recommended gymnastic exercises.
6. Do a therapeutic massage.

Therapy for osteochondrosis should be comprehensive. This is the approach that experts use.

Drug treatment

With severe pain, three groups of drugs will help: analgesics, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants. They quickly bring relief from suffering in the acute phase of osteochondrosis. Chondroprotectors protect the vertebrae from further degenerative changes.

Muscle relaxants

Drugs in this group reduce skeletal muscle tension, improve peripheral blood circulation. By taking muscle relaxants, you can reduce the dose of analgesics and NSAIDs. After reduction of skeletal muscle hypertonicity, spasm and pain go away, the range of movements in the affected spine increases.

Muscle relaxants for the treatment of osteochondrosis

Commercial Names	Active substances	Release Forms
Midokalm	Tolperisone + lidocaine	Injections, pills
Kalmirex Tabs	Tolperisone	Pills
Tolizor	Tolperisone	Capsules
Baklosan	Baclofen	Pills
Sirdalud, Tizalud, Tizanidine, Tizanil	Tizanidine	Capsules, tablets

NSAIDs

The cost of tablets with the active ingredient muscle relaxant depends on the amount in the package and the manufacturer. The price range is from 350 to 550 rubles. Domestic drugs are cheaper - from 130 to 200 rubles. Midokalm Richter and Kalmireks injection solutions can be purchased at a price of about 500 rubles for 5 ampoules. With severe pain, intramuscular injections are made twice a day, tablets of 50, 100, 150 mg are taken 3 times, not more than 450 mg of tolperisone per day.

In each family’s first-aid kit there is at least one of the drugs that simultaneously have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. NSAIDs are used for the symptomatic treatment of osteochondrosis, inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

NSAIDs for oral administration and injections for osteochondrosis

Commercial Names	Active substances	Release Forms
Arthrosan	Meloxicam	Pills
Arthrosilen	Ketoprofen	Capsules, injection solution
Brufen	Ibuprofen	Pills
Voltaren, Diklak	Diclofenac	Pills
Dexalgin	Dexketoprofen	Solution for intravenous and intravenous injections
Ibuklin	Ibuprofen + paracetamol	Pills
Indomethacin	Indomethacin	Pills
Nise, Nimulide, Nemulex	Nimesulide	Tablets, granules

Prolonged and uncontrolled intake of NSAIDs at home can lead to various complications from the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. At the same time, drugs of this group quickly eliminate pain. Adults and older people tolerate nimesulide, the combination of ibuprofen + paracetamol.

NSAIDs for topical and external use

Commercial Names	Active substances	Release Forms
Arthrosilen	Ketoprofen	Gel, aerosol, candles
Valusal, Ketoprofen Vramed	Ketoprofen	Gel
Voltaren	Diclofenac	Adhesive, spray, candles
Diclac	Diclofenac	Gel and ointment
Long	Ibuprofen	Gel and cream
Deep Relief	Ibuprofen + menthol	Gel
Diclovit, Diclofenac	Diclofenac	Gel, rectal suppositories
Indomethacin	Indomethacin	Ointment, gel, candles
Nimulide	Nimesulide	Gel
Tsefekon N	Naproxen + Salicylamide	Rectal suppositories

Chondroprotectors

All NSAIDs in the composition of external funds are much less harmful to internal organs, as they are slightly absorbed into the systemic circulation. The active substance of a gel or ointment penetrates into the deep layers of the skin, reaches the inflamed area. The tool causes an analgesic effect. At the same time as the pain subsides, the swelling decreases over the inflamed area, the range of movements increases.

Medicines of this group participate in the construction of cartilage and bone tissue, improve metabolism and inhibit degenerative processes that cause osteochondrosis and similar changes in cartilage. At the same time, chondroprotectors have an analgesic effect. The course of treatment with drugs begins with iv injections, after 10 days they switch to tablets. At the same time, ointments of gels with chondroprotectors are used.

Preparations for oral administration and injections for osteochondrosis

Commercial Names	Active substances	Release Forms
Alflutop	Cartilage bioconcentrate	Injection
Ambene Bio	Glucosamine	Injection
Sustagard Arthro	Glucosamine	Injection
Artradol, Drastop, Chondrogard	Chondroitin sulfate	Injection
Structum, Chondroitin-Akos	Chondroitin sulfate	Pills
Chondroxide	Chondroitin sulfate	Capsules
Don	Glucosamine sulfate	Powder
Teraflex	Glucosamine + Chondroitin Sulfate	Capsules
Teraflex Advance	+ Ibuprofen	Capsules

Chondroprotectors for local and external use - Chondroitin-Akos and Chondroxide ointments additionally contain dimexide. This anti-inflammatory agent has a local analgesic effect, enhances the main ingredient. Ointment treatment is more effective in the early stages of the degenerative process in the cartilage.

In many cases, complex preparations for oral and external use are preferable.

The introduction of small doses of NSAIDs can enhance the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of chondroprotectors without toxic effects on the liver and other organs. In combined preparations, the dosage of each drug is lower, but the effectiveness does not change or even increases. Such drugs are increasingly used for the prevention and treatment of degenerative processes in the spine and joints.

Preparations containing chondroprotectors or their combination with NSAIDs are not cheap. The cost of one package is 800–2200 rubles. The most affordable - Chondroitin-Akos ointment, Chondroxide tablets.

Folk remedies and methods of alternative medicine

A sick person often prefers such a treatment that reduces the use of drugs. Physiotherapeutic procedures act selectively on the site of inflammation. Unfortunately, many of them are not available at home. You can use medicines, folk remedies and alternative medicine methods in the complex.

Herbal remedies:

• Fir essential oil is added to massage oil, rubbed into a sore spot.
• Horseradish juice is rubbed into the lower back to relieve pain, the back is tied with a warm scarf.
• Rub the affected area with raw chopped potatoes, wrap up heat.
• A mixture of equal parts of clover grass and baskets of chamomile is brewed with boiling water, placed hot in a tissue and applied to a sore spot.
• A fresh leaf of burdock on the back side is greased with honey, tied to the affected area with a scarf, left overnight.
• The juice of black radish is moistened with a bandage and applied to a sore spot.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a warming compress collar is used. Wipes soaked in hot water (55 ° C) are taken, squeezed, put on a sore spot, a piece of oilcloth is placed on top and covered with a folded flannel diaper or a woolen shawl. After 10 minutes, the bottom layer is changed.

The compress on the area of ​​the thoracic spine is fixed with a cruciate bandage using a long and wide bandage. To increase the analgesic effect, you can add vodka or alcohol diluted with water.

Gymnastics and physical education for osteochondrosis

Engaged in exacerbation of the disease, without simulators. Perform exercises for the muscles of the shoulder girdle, neck, lower back.

Gymnastics with thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis:

1. The head is bent and the chin is pressed to the chest. Slowly head back. In total, they perform 40–50 bends, take a break after every 5–10 movements.
2. The palm of the right hand is applied to the forehead and pressed on it for 10 seconds. At the same time, they press on the palm of the forehead. Repeat with the left hand. Perform 10 times.
3. The exercise does not seem to be the previous one, but only instead of the forehead put a palm to the cheek and press.
4. Lean to the left, take a breath, straighten out on the exhale (like the toy "Vanka-vstanka"). Repeat the other way.

"Gingerbread Man" - an exercise in osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region:

• should lie on your back;
• pull the knees to the chest;
• they bend their heads to their knees, clasp them with their hands;
• swinging in different directions.

This exercise helps strengthen muscles and ligaments. The amplitude of movements and mobility of the spine and hip joints are gradually increasing.

Massotherapy

Use a general or local massage in combination with physical therapy. To improve the tone of the back muscles, normalize blood circulation, measured movements are used - tapping and stroking. Massage is performed in a patient lying position. In some cases, self-massage is possible.

Superficial strokes are performed slowly, rhythmically, at a frequency of 25 per minute for analgesic and soothing effects. This may be an independent procedure. Often stroking is performed before and after other techniques (begins and ends massage).

Rubbing is a technique used to normalize metabolism in affected tissues, eliminate inflammatory seals. It is made with fingers in various directions or with the edge of brushes (sawing). Other massage techniques are also used: rubbing, kneading, vibration and patting.

Prevention

It is necessary to adhere to a sparing diet during the treatment period and between exacerbations. After eating salty, sour, oily, the balance of electrolytes is disturbed. Pain in the affected spine is intensified, an increase in doses of analgesics and NSAIDs is required, which is not desirable. Preparations of these groups irritate the gastric mucosa, have serious side effects. The complex of preventive measures also includes the fight against overweight.

Extra pounds cause tension in the spine, lead to back pain.

Taking medications, the use of medical procedures and folk remedies for osteochondrosis is recommended to be combined with feasible physical activity. With sedentary work, exercises should be performed every hour for 5-7 minutes. If you have to stand for a long time, then you must definitely give rest to the spine - to sit down or lie down.