To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how our spine is structured, how it works, what functions it performs and what factors can damage it.
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 consisting of cartilage tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-fluid 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 emerging from it, runs through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spinal cord are musculoskeletal, shock-absorbing and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower, which is kept in a vertical position due to a whole system of cables stretching from the base to the top.Similarly, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizer muscles, which normally evenly distribute the load on the spine and joints.Unlike the Ostankino TV tower, our spine is more complex;It can bend and twist in different directions, all this is possible due to the presence of intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments.
Every day a person performs some monotonous, repetitive activities related to work or leisure time.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become excessively stressed and spasm, while other muscles do not have any stress at all and become atrophied.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral discs is redistributed, spasmodic muscles tighten the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.With monotonous hard physical labor, the same processes occur.In addition, the intervertebral disc does not contain blood vessels, and its nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles, and during movement in the intervertebral joint, nutritious synovial fluid enters it.
Cartilage tissue consists of 80-85% water, so drinking regimen is very important.A person should drink at least 2 liters of clean water a day.If not enough water enters the body, dehydration (drying up) of the intervertebral discs occurs, the cartilage breaks down and collapses.
In my practice, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety and worries often contribute to the occurrence of 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, blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster and the muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs away or defends itself, accordingly, stress hormones burn and the muscles relax after work.Man is a social animal, he started worrying more and moving less, hence there is no rest.As a result, spinal pain, headaches, motor tics and more occur.
In the literature you can find various formulations of osteochondrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is "rupture" of the motor segment, destruction of cartilage tissue, degeneration.The reason for this is incorrect motor stereotype and, as a consequence, malnutrition of the cartilage.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the spinal motion segment.In the early stages, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, restlessness, slight loss of motion in the spine, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headaches, and fatigue.By starting treatment and making changes in your lifestyle during this period, results will not take long and recovery will also be quick.
With severe damage to the intervertebral discs, there is severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness in the arms or legs (depending on the level of damage).These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of 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, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arms or legs are possible.If these signs are present, immediate hospitalization is necessary to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, there is pain in the neck, can spread to the shoulder, arm or head, numbness or weakness in the arm, headache, dizziness.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, there is pain in the chest, radiating to the sternum or scapula, intensifying with inhalation and movement, and sometimes a feeling of lack of air.Patients often mistake this condition for heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, spreads to the leg or perineum, and may cause numbness or weakness in the leg.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops in the entire spine, but it manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Whom to contact, methods of examining osteochondrosis
As a rule, with pain in the spine, patients turn to a neurologist, who, on the basis of complaints and a neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (spinal 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 impaired function of the spinal nerve roots;
- Preventing the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine.
During the acute period,In case of severe pain, drug treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, or blockades are performed.
Then massage is connected,Manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
therapeutic exerciseThe main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Exercise therapy is aimed at building, improving and strengthening the muscle corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;Development of motor stereotype and correct posture;Reducing load on the spine.
Regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming improves blood supply and tissue nutrition, normalizes metabolism, and increases the intervertebral space, facilitating recovery.
Listen to your body, if you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle includes long sitting at a computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for the situation to worsen.