Manifestations and treatment options for thoracic osteochondrosis in women

Physiotherapy for osteochondrosis

Treatment of osteochondrosis with physiotherapy is a fairly effective measure, and most importantly, it is painless and has virtually no contraindications. Such procedures help relieve inflammation, eliminate spasms, and eliminate pinched nerve endings. Physiotherapy includes procedures such as:

• • Electrophoresis
• • Magnetotherapy
• • Light therapy
• • Shock wave therapy
• • Mud therapy

It is worth knowing that some physiotherapeutic procedures cannot be used during periods of exacerbation. Treatment of osteochondrosis with physiotherapy is prescribed exclusively by a doctor and in combination with drug treatment.

Therapeutic exercise and massage for osteochondrosis

Physical therapy for osteochondrosis helps to form a muscle corset that will help support the diseased spine. A set of exercises is selected individually for each patient individually. For stage 3, exercises are performed only while lying down, smoothly and preferably under supervision.

Treatment of osteochondrosis with massage is also a common practice. The main thing is that the massage is done by a professional who will not harm your spine. After the session, you should feel muscle relaxation, tension removal and general relief. Manual massage helps improve blood circulation. During acute periods of the disease, it is better to abandon this method of treatment.

Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, the patient feels severe pain in the head, neck, arms and shoulder girdle. There may be flickering “fly spots”, ringing in the ears and spots before the eyes. As a rule, in the first stages, the patient goes to have his head examined and does not suspect that the matter is completely different. For cervical osteochondrosis, prescribed

• • Agnioprotectors against dizziness, which most often appears in the morning (Trental, Pentilin).
• • Chondroprotectors, which prevent further destruction of cartilage tissue, reduce inflammation, relieve pain and restore joint mobility (Artracam, Artradol).
• • Antidepressants, which patients sometimes have to resort to because constant pain has a detrimental effect on the psyche and contributes to the development of insomnia and depression (Novo-Passit, Donormil).
• • Vitamins that will improve the general condition of the body.
• • Anticolvusants for headaches that interfere with the full life of patients.
• • NSAIDs are prescribed in the acute period to relieve pain.

Causes and risk factors

The main reason for the development of osteochondrosis in humans is the ability to walk upright, acquired with evolution. When walking, the vertebrae put excessive pressure on each other. Every year this leads to the fact that the amount of intervertebral fluid and connective tissue between the vertebrae decreases, as a result, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing severe pain.

The longer cervical osteochondrosis develops without the necessary treatment, the less chance there is to stop the degenerative processes. In old age, it is almost impossible to restore connective tissue.

Cervical osteochondrosis in old age is predominantly a natural process that is not associated with the influence of external factors. If the problem begins to develop at an early age, if the painful sensations intensify too quickly, it is imperative to look for the cause of this disorder.

The development of cervical osteochondrosis at an early age is most often caused by the following factors:

• Lack of physical activity in daily life. In the modern world, a person leads a predominantly sedentary lifestyle - he works all day in an office, spends time in the evening sitting on the couch or at the computer, and often drives a car;
• In the process of performing work tasks, the human body often takes an unnatural, tense position (strong forward deviation when working at a computer);
• Excessive exercise. The opposite reason is playing sports with uncontrolled loads. Not only ordinary citizens, but also professional athletes face this problem;
• The reasons that cause the spine to be in the wrong position are flat feet, wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes, scoliosis, arthritis, etc.;
• Abuse of junk food, obesity;
• Severe hypothermia of the cervical spine;
• Nervous stress – frequent stress in everyday life and at work, lack of proper sleep at night.

Treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis

With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, sharp pain is observed in the front of the chest, and breathing can become frequent and heavy. Sharp pain may occur when turning and bending in the area of ​​the shoulder blades. It is difficult to diagnose thoracic osteochondrosis, since pain is not felt directly in the spine, and the symptoms are more similar to diseases of the heart, lungs or kidneys. Fortunately, this type of osteochondrosis is very rare and is caused in most cases by scoliosis.

Prevention

Since preventing the disease is much easier than treating it, preventive measures against the occurrence of osteochondrosis are relevant for almost every person over thirty. The main thing is to lead an active life, not experience excessive abnormal stress, and exercise in a balanced manner. Sudden movements, a static sitting position, lifting weights with a jerk - all this can provoke osteochondrosis.

An active lifestyle will help maintain spinal health into old age.

A healthy diet will also help prevent degenerative changes. The occurrence of cervicothoracic osteochondrosis can be promoted by high-calorie food, its excess, plus lack of activity. If you take care of your health, engage in moderately active sports, and perform preventive exercises, your body will be able to resist osteochondrosis on its own, and the disease will not overtake you.

Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis

Lumbar osteochondrosis is the most common type at the present time. This is due to the fact that it is this part of the spine that is subjected to the greatest loads. First, a dull pain appears in the lumbar region, then the pain begins to radiate to the leg and can lead to numbness of the lower extremities. There are problems with flexion and extension. In such cases, the main thing is to begin timely treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis and apply comprehensive measures. Several rules should be followed:

• • Limit physical activity
• • Take all prescribed medications
• • Take prescribed physical therapy
• • Take a course of special massages
• • If necessary, lose excess weight

If treatment is incorrect and recommendations are not followed, surgical intervention may be required for the last lumbar osteochondrosis.

Analgesics

The main task of the doctor in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis is to eliminate pain. For this purpose, various painkillers are prescribed, depending on the cause of the discomfort. They are aimed at improving the patient’s general condition and eliminating spasm. Despite the fact that they effectively relieve pain, they do not have any effect on the cause of the pathological process. The following painkillers are used for lumbar osteochondrosis:

• "Ketanov."
• "Ketorol".
• "Spazmalgon."
• "Novigan".
• "Nise."

Painkillers have a number of serious contraindications, so before prescribing, the doctor carefully examines the patient’s medical history and the presence of chronic pathologies.

Vitamin complexes

To fully restore the affected area of ​​cartilage due to lumbar osteochondrosis, you will need to use drugs with a high content of calcium and other useful substances. It is the elimination of the deficiency of necessary components that helps improve the condition of bones, ligaments, muscles and cartilage. The following drugs are used:

• "Milgamma".
• "Neurorubin."
• "Neurobion".
• "Neuroplex".

All of them contain B vitamins and mineral components that help strengthen bone tissue, protect it from destruction, and reduce the manifestation of the inflammatory process. Thanks to the use of such drugs, it is possible to achieve stable remission and restore the patient's health.

Special plasters effectively relieve pain due to osteochondrosis

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for lumbar osteochondrosis are the basis of therapy, as they can enhance the effect of painkillers and eliminate inflammation, swelling, and reduce pressure on nerve endings. They are used in the form of injections, tablets and ointments.

The main groups of NSAID drugs are:

Tablets that relax muscles for osteochondrosis

• Diclofenac (“Voltaren”, “Diklak”).
• Ketoprofen (“Febrofid”, “Ketonal”).
• Ibuprofen (Dolgit, Nurofen).
• Nimisulide (“Nise”, “Nimesil”).
• Meloxicam (Movasin, Movalis).

Such drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis are not used for a long time, as they can provoke serious damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach or intestines. Therefore, the dosage and duration are selected strictly by the doctor; self-medication is unacceptable.

Medicines during an exacerbation

During the period of exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis, the main task is to eliminate acute pain syndrome. For this purpose, suitable drugs are selected that suppress the inflammatory process, relieve swelling and alleviate the condition. The complex prescribed by the doctor may consist of the following drugs:

• Analgesics (“Tramadol”, “Analgin”, “Baralgin”).
• Non-steroidal drugs (Naloxifene, Indomethacin, Ketorol).
• Muscle relaxants (Baclofen, Sirdalud, Mydocalm).
• Blockade (Lidocaine, Novocaine, glucocorticoid medications).

Injections are carried out only in a treatment room, under the supervision of medical personnel. After providing first aid and stopping the acute form, full treatment is prescribed, including, in addition to medications, physiotherapy and gymnastics.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region requires complex treatment, which includes taking several groups of medications. Only this approach allows not only to relieve unpleasant symptoms for a long time, but also to start the process of regeneration of destroyed cartilage tissue. The release form, dosage and duration of treatment are selected individually, taking into account the patient’s age, the degree of progression of the pathological process and the presence of contraindications. Self-medication is dangerous to health and can cause dangerous complications.

Forms of release of medicines

Medicines are offered in pharmacies in various forms: ointments, tablets, injections. The doctor selects the appropriate one, taking into account the patient’s severe symptoms, concomitant diseases, and chronic pathologies. Many types of painkillers are contraindicated for injections in the presence of pathologies of the kidneys, liver or stomach.

Tablets and capsules

The most convenient and simple form of medicines that is used during the treatment of osteochondrosis. You can take the tablets with you, so you don’t have to interrupt treatment while traveling or on a business trip, and it’s easier to calculate the required dosage. The active substance is in a gelatin or other shell, which dissolves only in the intestines. This eliminates the premature destruction of components due to the negative effects of gastric juice. The tablets are prescribed:

• Analgesics.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Muscle relaxants.
• Vitamin complexes.

Tablets and capsules are prescribed mainly during outpatient treatment. When staying in a hospital, it is more advisable to use injections, since the likelihood of an allergic reaction to one of the components of the drug is lower.

Ointments and gels

If there are a large number of contraindications, doctors prescribe products for external use. These can be balms, creams, gels or ointments that act locally on the affected area. They are non-toxic, and the active substance reaches the right place through the skin and has the desired effect. The main drugs used in the form of ointments:

• "Viprosal."
• "Finalgon"
• "Capsicam."
• "Gevkaman."

The big advantage is minimal entry into the bloodstream, which eliminates the likelihood of developing systemic side effects. Ointments can be used simultaneously with tablets or injections, which allows you to reduce the dose of drugs and minimize the burden on the patient’s body.

Injections

Solutions for intramuscular or intravenous administration are used mainly for inpatient treatment of a patient. They can effectively relieve severe pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation. For intolerable radicular syndrome, blockades using Novocaine or Lidocaine are used. They are injected directly into the lesion and allow you to eliminate unpleasant sensations for a long time.

One of the advantages of this dosage form is the rapid onset of the therapeutic effect, eliminating stiffness of movement within a few minutes. The effect of use lasts for several days.

Chondroprotectors

Drugs from the category of chondroprotectors are indispensable in the treatment of degenerative processes of the lumbosacral spine. Most of them contain glucosamine as an active substance, which helps restore cartilage tissue and protect healthy cells from damage. The following medications are prescribed to patients:

• "Mukosat."
• "Triactive".
• "Rumalon".
• "Arteparon".
• "Structum".
• "Movex".

It will take a long time to treat the affected tissue with tablets; for some patients, courses of up to six months are prescribed. But the resulting effect lasts for life. The most effective chondroprotectors are in the form of injections and tablets. They provide effectiveness depending on the stage of development of the pathological process.

How to increase the effectiveness of folk remedies for osteochondrosis?

It will not be easy to get rid of osteochondrosis using folk remedies if the very cause of the development of the pathology is not eliminated and the hormonal balance is not restored. But how to do that? Synthetic hormones are not safe. Taking them even in minimal dosages can provoke the development of serious disorders in the body, including the formation of malignant neoplasms.

An innovative Russian development - Osteomed Forte . Its creator is Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences. V. I. Strukov devoted more than 60 years of his life to the search for safe and effective methods of treating diseases of the osteoarticular system.

The new osteoprotector has nothing to do with hormone replacement therapy. It does not compensate for the age-related deficiency of human sex hormones with synthetic ones, but stimulates the production of its own active substances. Here we should say in more detail about how this happens.

The main component of Osteomed Forte is a specially preserved drone jelly, called HDBA organic complex. In addition to vitamins, minerals, amino acids, it contains bee hormones. The human body uses them as precursors to its own hormones. As a result, hormone replacement does not occur. Testosterone levels are restored to normal. The number of bone cells involved in bone tissue renewal increases. The cavities that impede the natural course of metabolic processes gradually decrease in size, and in some cases completely disappear. Degenerative processes in cartilage tissue are stopped, in some cases even reversed.

In addition to the HDBA organic complex, Osteomed Forte contains vitamins B6 and D3, as well as the easily digestible citrate form of calcium. The latter serves as a building material for bone tissue. Its amount in the preparation is carefully adjusted: sufficient for bone mineralization and not enough for the development of calcification of soft tissues and blood vessels. Maximum absorption of calcium is ensured by the inclusion of vitamin D3, and the strength of the collagen framework is ensured by the addition of vitamin B6.

Research organized on the basis of the Penza Institute for Advanced Medical Studies has demonstrated the high efficiency of domestic development in restoring metabolic processes in bone tissue and its regeneration, as well as in improving the condition of cartilage tissue.

Attention! Already now, the unique development of Professor V.I. Strukov is available for purchase in pharmacies and online stores.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators are also prescribed for osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, which help restore normal blood circulation in the affected area. They stabilize the condition by saturating tissues with oxygen and other nutrients. The following medications are usually used by doctors:

• "Pentoxifylline."
• "Berlition".
• "Eufillin."
• "Trental."

The drugs are used with extreme caution, as they have a large number of contraindications. It is unacceptable to prescribe them if you have heart problems, kidney failure, or a high probability of an allergic reaction to one of the components of the drug.

Injectable drugs are used primarily in hospital settings