The topic of osteochondrosis from the corridors of polyclinics has come into use, has become popular, salon, as an advertisement for weight loss products, the fight against corns on the heels or wrinkles. I can say with confidence: there is currently no other pathology that could be spoken about and written about as much as osteochondrosis.
This concept itself has become a household word, a byword. I could not resist the temptation to say my word, and all the more so on the topic of the pathology of my patients.
Why would such a question be asked by the reader. One of three: they began to get sick more, the number of experts increased by an order of magnitude, or the creation of superradical diagnostic and the same drugs occurred . But the reason for the popularity, most likely, lies, on the one hand, in the way of making easy money, and on the other , in the credulity of law-abiding citizens, because the quality and final results of treatment differ little from those of Avicenna.
However, we will not develop a theory of the origin of this phenomenon, let us denote it in one word – market conditions, where supply is far ahead of demand. I will touch only on the special side of the question: where do headaches, dizziness, and tinnitus come from in case of spinal pathology? Indeed, by definition, the head is not a continuation of the spine. Why are my arms and legs numb? Why does a person begin to “grow” down with age, and during sleep, on the contrary, can extend by 1.5–2 cm? I will answer: in the overwhelming majority of cases, from a violation of the depreciation function of the spine at the level of two or three or a multitude of intervertebral fibrous discs and, of course , from an increase or, on the contrary, weakening of the tone of the muscle corset of the muscles adjacent to the pillar, ensuring the maintenance of its correct statics.
It is generally accepted, and it has become almost an axiom, that the cause of the development of a pain syndrome lies in the infringement of the nerve roots. It is certainly true, but not quite guilty of this whole complex of factors, chief among which is the musculo-tonic and only secondarily – discogenic . In general , the clinic develops in a vicious vicious circle: under the influence of a one-time or long-term physical impact, which is characteristic of young age, or degenerative-destructive changes in the disk, for elderly people, it fragmented crushes, sags, protrusion, and as a result , the corresponding nerve root. The pain impulses arising from irritation lead to a spasm of the extensors of the back of the corresponding side, further exacerbating the compression of the spine.
The circle is closed. A person assumes an antalgic posture appropriate to gait and, if able, goes to the clinic. It is precisely at this stage of the disease that most mistakes are made. Without removing the spasticity of the muscles in the first place, but prescribing many drugs, it is difficult to expect any positive effect, and therefore, along with medication analgesic and antispasmodic drugs, it is very advisable to use acupuncture . Yes, it is acupuncture at the most painful points that even a layman can do. 3-4 needles from a conventional syringe are inserted to a depth of 2-2.5 cm so that they reach the tense muscle. Isn’t this why swimmers use pins for leg cramps? In no case in the acute period, massage and especially manual therapy should not be used, although a slight postisometric muscle relaxation is quite acceptable, but it should be performed by a specialist.
With the introduction of high-resolution diagnostic tools, such as CT scan, MRI, almost every patient, even with the most common radiculitis, began to find herniated discs, not a single word, however, without stuttering about hypertonicity or, conversely, hypotension of the back extensors – The main components in the formation of pain. Well, it would seem, okay, justice has been achieved, hernias have been found, the parties are satisfied. Naturally, since this is a hernia, then, by definition, it is ordered to treat it with a knife. There is no alternative here.
Maybe the game would be worth the candle if the method at least 70 percent removed the problem, but the fact of the matter is that the desired (and in very convincing form) is presented as truth. Almost 75% of those who underwent surgery for disc protrusion are transferred to the disability group, not to mention other costs: material costs, and in addition with repeated tomography, almost the Chernobyl dosage of radiation. Market relations, gentlemen! Surgery on all fronts goes on a decisive offensive.
Gynecologists do not lag behind in this regard, almost every fourth pregnant woman determines their predisposition to pathological births, and, consequently, the recommendations of preventive cesarean section. Again – market conditions, operational intervention plan.
As for the “super-effective” drugs, the market mole penetrated here too. The main thing is that such a tool has a tricky name, the same undeniable annotation, a reference to the positive experience of use by authoritative people. And at the price the patient does not stand. But this is a topic for another conversation.
So can osteochondrosis be cured , which method should be preferred, is the use of surgery justified ? Without exception, we treat all diseases; it is important, however, which results we achieve. As for surgery, I will unequivocally say: yes, the method is necessary, and even extremely, because it is the last, where all the others have exhausted themselves. As for conservative treatment with the use of “radical”, especially Tibetan or Japanese remedies, they help every time in the case where the body, together with time, themselves cope with the problem.
Cases of acute pathology can also be cured at a young age, but where the process turned into a chronic one or bears changes in old age, alas! You can strive for infinity, but it is impossible to achieve it.