To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how the spine is built, how it works, what functions it performs, and what factors can cause it to be damaged.
The human spine consists of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3-5 coccygeal), between which there is an intervertebral disc made of cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-liquid formation in the form of a "ball", which performs the function of shock absorption and is surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves coming from it, runs along the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are muscular, shock absorbing and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower standing upright thanks to a whole system of cables stretching from the bottom to the top.Similarly, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizing muscles, which normally distribute the load evenly across the spine and joints.Unlike Ostankino's TV mast, our backbone is more complex;It can bend and even twist in different directions, all this is possible due to the presence of the intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day, a person makes monotonous, repetitive movements related to work or leisure.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overstretched and spasm, while other muscles do not experience stress and atrophy at all.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, spasmodic muscles stretch the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.With monotonous hard physical work, the same processes occur.In addition, the intervertebral disc does not have blood vessels and its nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles, and when moving in the intervertebral joint, the nutritious synovial fluid enters it.
Cartilage tissue consists of 80-85% water, so the drinking regime is of great importance.During the day, a person should drink at least 2 liters of clean water.If not enough water enters the body, then the intervertebral disc becomes dehydrated (dry), the cartilage cracks and breaks.
In my practice, I have long noted that stress, anxiety, and worry often contribute to back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as a threat.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands "inject" stress hormones into the blood, the blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster and the muscles tense up.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs or defends itself, accordingly, stress hormones burn and muscles relax after work.Man is a social being, he began to think more often and move less, so there is no rest.As a result, pain in the spine, headaches, motor tics and more appear.
In the literature, you can find different formulations of osteochondrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is the "disintegration" of the motor segment, destruction of cartilage tissue, degeneration.The reason is incorrect motor stereotype and, as a result, cartilage malnutrition.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the injury in the segment of spinal movement.At the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching pain, discomfort, slight limitation of spinal movement, periodic numbness of hands or feet, headache and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing lifestyle during this period, the results will not be delayed and recovery will come quickly.
In severe intervertebral disc damage, there is severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the level of damage).These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, it is possible to disrupt the function of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arm or leg.In the presence of these signs, urgent hospitalization is required to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
During cervical osteochondrosis, pain appears in the neck, may spread to the shoulder, arm or head, numbness or weakness in the arm, headache, dizziness.
In the case of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, pain appears in the chest, radiates to the chest or scapula, intensifies with breathing and movement, sometimes there is a feeling of shortness of breath.Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is damaged, the pain is localized in the lower back, worsens with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, and leg numbness or weakness may occur.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a single entity and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops in the entire spine, but appears in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of osteochondrosis examination
As a rule, in the case of spine pain, patients turn to a neurologist who, based on complaints and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (spine X-ray, MRI, CT, general urinalysis, general blood test) and develop a treatment regimen.
treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of the disturbed function of the spinal roots;
- Prevention of progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in spinal structures.
during the acute period,In case of severe pain, medical treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors or a blockade is performed.
Then the massage is connected,Manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
therapeutic exerciseis the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Exercise therapy is aimed at forming, correcting and strengthening the muscular corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of motor stereotype and correct posture;Reducing the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved, metabolism is normalized and intervertebral space is increased, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle includes long sitting at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek specialist help in anticipation of exacerbations.