Back pain can have different origins. In most cases, however, their cause is a disappointing diagnosis - osteochondrosis of the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. Should we consider osteochondrosis a sentence? Is it possible to restore your previous lightness on your back? Is surgery necessary?
The answers to the above questions are known to some osteopaths. But first things first.
Rapidly rejuvenating disease
Osteochondrosis is a type of pathology of the spine, its essence lies in dystrophic-degenerative changes in the articular and cartilage tissue.
It affects the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region, causing pain and limiting the dynamic activity of its victim.
More recently, the above disease was thought to be age-related inevitability. However, current statistics show that among our contemporaries suffering from osteochondrosis, there are more and more many young people who have recently passed the age of thirty or are just approaching it.
At the same time, medical research confirms the fact that this disease can, if left untreated without a trace, then prevent or slow its progress.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis progresses gradually. In the initial stages, the symptoms are mild. Therefore, during this period the disease is diagnosed very rarely.
- The first stage is marked by the displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral discs. In this case, squeezing of the neuronal endings in annular fibrosis occurs. The pain may manifest as lumbago or hurt.
- In the second stage, the fibrous fibers of the disk begin to break down. As a result, the vertebrae lose stability, acquire unhealthy mobility and spinal dysfunction is observed. There is a constant tension in the muscles located next to it.
This leads to an almost endless feeling of fatigue in the back.
- Sooner or later, the fibrous fibers break, releasing the nucleus from itself - a hernia is formed, pressing on the nerves.
There are now complaints of severe back pain, limiting his motor function.
- With the subsequent progression of the disease comes deceptive relief. The pain subsides, but the motor function of the vertebrae remains limited.
- The last, most severe degree of osteochondrosis is characterized by bone proliferation.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
There are no specifics in determining the root causes of the disease. It is believed that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is provoked by a combination of a number of adverse factors related to lifestyle and habits:
- physical inactivity - lack of physical activity, sedentary work, lack of walking and exercise lead to weakening of the back muscles that support the spine;
- endocrinological and metabolic diseases lead to disorders in the saturation of the spine with nutrients;
- previously acquired problems related to the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, etc. );
- abuse of physical activity - professional athletes, loaders, etc. are at risk. ;
- poor nutrition;
- Overweight;
- lack of sleep;
- stress.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The first and main symptom that attracts the patient's attention is pain. The intensity of pain directly depends on the stage of osteochondrosis, the degree of destruction of cartilage and disc. In addition, the characteristics of the pain are determined by the presence and level of development of the hernia or bulge. The pain is usually painful, increasing sharply with rapid, careless movements, bends and bends. It tends to intensify during prolonged stay in one position, most often sitting.
The other symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis are described below:
- feeling weak, tired in the lower extremities;
- lack of reflex manifestations in the tendon area;
- curvature of the spine in the lumbar region; osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often a consequence of scoliosis (bending left or right), lordosis (bending forward) or kyphosis (pathological smoothing of bends);
- numbness of the legs, lack of control over stool and urination (if during the progression of osteochondrosis the neurons of the spinal cord are compressed);
- lower body temperature;
- dryness and pallor of the skin in the lumbar region;
- excessive sweating.
In addition to the physiological, psychological symptoms of the disease often appear. The patient feels "exhausted", irritability and withdrawal occur. Sleep disorders tend to manifest as insomnia as well as excessive drowsiness.
Possible complications
A frivolous attitude to the problems of osteochondrosis will not lead anyone to good. This insidious enemy of your health brings with it a number of complications that have a very negative impact on your quality of life, your ability to perform daily activities and meet a wide variety of needs.
The most common consequences of osteochondrosis:
- sciatica - inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by pinching in the sacro-lumbar region;
- hernial formations;
- osteophytosis - pathological growth of bone tissue;
- spondyloarthritis - destructive changes in the facet joints;
- stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to dysfunction of the spinal cord;
- lameness and gait disturbance as a result of thinning of the ilium;
- paresis of the legs, ie a decrease in their muscle activity.
Which doctor treats lumbar osteochondrosis?
Beginning to get discomfort from the obsessive painful sensations in the lumbar region, one asks the question of which specialist to turn to for help. What doctor diagnoses and treats lumbar, thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis? From the point of view of classical medicine in this case there are several answers.
The orthopedist deals with the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, with osteochondrosis, the nervous system suffers because many of its elements are located next to the spine. Accordingly, it will be useful for the patient to be examined by a neurologist.
There is also such a little-known specialist as a vertebrologist. The aforementioned doctor is closely involved in the treatment of the spine, therefore he must master the skills of diagnosis and methods of dealing with osteochondrosis. Unfortunately, not every clinic, especially the state one, has this specialist in its staff.
Since we are talking about doctors who do not meet in the clinic near the house, one can not pay special attention to a doctor practicing in the field of osteopathy. This unique therapeutic area specializes in identifying hidden causal relationships between organs and structures of the human body. Therefore, very often the osteomedic is able to treat those diseases for which others are powerless. Most often, the specified doctor is addressed precisely with the problems of the musculoskeletal system.
Diagnosis
Thus, after obtaining medical advice, the subject is sent to undergo diagnostic procedures using the following methods.
X-ray examination provides information about the condition of the bones, joints, intervertebral discs, as well as the ability to detect hernial protrusions and protrusions. Computed tomography, in addition to information about the condition of the disc, shows whether there is damage to the spinal cord. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging as the most accurate method of examination gives an almost complete picture of the disease, it is suitable for use to clarify the diagnosis and its details.
There are also a number of diagnostic tests that do not require the operation of technically complex equipment. They are most often used in practice by osteotherapists.
Among them are:
- various passive and active inspections;
- fascial tension test (slight tension of the tissues in different directions);
- withdrawal checks;
- axial load tests;
- analysis of the craniosacral rhythm.
The latter, in accordance with the knowledge of osteoscience, coincides with the rhythm of the pulsation of the cerebrospinal fluid and signals various malfunctions inside.
With the above diagnosis, the osteopathic therapist identifies the weakest points of the spine, determines the change in the position and size of the internal organs, probes the muscle strain and the level of wear of the intervertebral discs.
Treatment
Medicine in every way seeks to stop the progression of lumbar osteochondrosis, to relieve pain, to return to its previous motor activity. At the same time, the treatment simply has to be comprehensive. The patient will need to establish a lifestyle, monitor diet, fitness, muscle tone, avoid stressful situations and lack of sleep.
An important role is played by choosing a good place to sleep - an orthopedic mattress with sufficient firmness.
Physicians should expect therapy aimed at providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the affected area. It is necessary to stimulate blood flow and restore the sensitivity of the lower body, if the disease has led to its partial or complete loss.
If osteochondrosis does not currently have an exacerbation stage, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and a course of massage.
In addition, bath procedures are highly recommended for victims of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. In the conditions of a bath or sauna, the tight muscle fibers are warmed and relaxed, the movement of blood through the vessels is stimulated, the metabolic and regenerative processes are activated.
Medicines
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the doctor prescribes various medications for the client.
They are available in the form of ointments, tablets and injections.
These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and corticosteroids, chondroprotectors (prevent cartilage destruction), muscle relaxants (relieve muscle spasms), as well as vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements.
Pharmacological treatment is intended to relieve pain and fight inflammation. Please note that most of the above medicines have a specific list of side effects and cannot be used without the appointment of a medical professional.
An alternative to these drugs is homeopathy.
Many believe that its products only have a placebo effect, but this is fundamentally wrong. Modern homeopathic remedies are a unique combination of the successful work of talented scientists and the wisdom of nature.
Homeopathic formulations contain vitamins and trace elements that are necessary not only for the treatment of pathology, but also for the normal functioning of the body in the future. They stimulate the internal structures and organs, which helps to restore them. Against the background of such treatment, the symptoms of other diseases also disappear.
Physiotherapy
Which other doctor will you need to contact for osteochondrosis?
As part of the complex treatment, the patient receives a referral to the physiotherapist's office. Physiotherapy is designed to stop or at least slow down the destructive processes in the area of the intervertebral discs.
The following procedures are performed within its framework:
- phonophoresis;
- laser tophoresis;
- darsonvalization;
- amplitude-pulse treatment;
- diadynamic current treatment;
- magnetic resonance imaging.
Surgery
No matter how complex the principle of eliminating the pathology in question, the result is far from always successful. Surgery is the main solution. In the simplest case, its essence is to remove part of the cartilage that has exceeded normal limits. But in some cases, treatment requires replacement of the intervertebral disc with an artificial graft.
One of the indications for surgery is the lack of positive dynamics for several months. Of course, such an indication must be accompanied by the results of diagnostic tests, which determine the cause of the disease in the form of specifying the location of the degenerated discs.
During a discectomy - and this is the name of the operation to remove the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis - the degenerated structures are removed. In the case of large-scale excision, a graft must be inserted into the spine, which is attached to its own bones by means of metal plates. When it takes root and the bones grow together, this part of the lumbosacral area of the operated patient will remain immobile for the rest of his life.
In accordance with a different technique, a modern elastic disc prosthesis is implanted in the spine, which is almost completely identical in terms of the biological mechanics of real cartilage and allows you to maintain mobility in the lumbar region.
However, the prosthesis described above is very expensive. And the prospect of having a foreign body inside is unlikely to please a person until the end of his days. Many, fearing such prospects, postponed the operation, deteriorating their well-being. However, there is an excellent way to avoid surgery for a huge number of people suffering from osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Osteopathy
When neither medication nor exercise therapy helps, and a neurologist and orthopedist raise their hands helplessly, nodding to the operating table, even the most ardent supporters of classical medicine begin to wonder if it is worth seeking help from another doctor. And someone who at the first signs of the disease weighed all the pros and cons, analyzed the positive feedback from friends and the Internet and went to see an osteopractor.
The main task of the osteopath, who treats lumbar osteochondrosis, is to return the spine to its normal position, relieve pain and stop destructive processes.
With treatment with osteopathic techniques, significant success can be expected in the shortest possible time - the osteopath can relieve the pain of the person suffering from osteochondrosis during the first session.
However, a complete course of treatment must be completed to completely heal the lower back. Its duration is determined individually and depends on the characteristics of the patient and the severity of the lesion.
Before starting treatment, the specialist assesses the specifics of the situation, the accompanying symptoms and complications, age, etc.
The uniqueness of osteomedicine as a way to get rid of lumbar, cervical and thoracic osteochondrotic lesions lies in the fact that such treatment can be given with expensive drugs that are difficult for the client to accept. Although their use is not strictly excluded.
This aspect is suitable, first of all, for people suffering from allergies, liver diseases, etc.
Osteotherapy heals all the insides of the human body, replaces joints, bones and organs. Metabolic processes, the functioning of all parts of the body are normalized. The overall well-being of the osteomedic ward is rapidly improving. An osteopath can also help with muscle spasms, pinching or straining. It is a frequent companion to the pain under discussion and may worsen it. The osteotherapist is able to treat not only pain that has affected the lumbar region, but also other types of it with different localization and etiology.
The aforementioned doctor relieves the pain in his ward using various techniques. These include structural, craniosacral, manual and reflexology. The method of kinesio gluing shows excellent results - the application of special elastic adhesive tapes on the damaged areas. Using kinesio tapes, the doctor not only relieves pain but also helps to heal.
Although osteopathy cures many diseases, it has a (very small) list of contraindications:
- fever, high fever;
- blood clots;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- severe infections;
- epileptic seizures.
Osteopractice is also an excellent preventative measure. Its overall healing and restorative effect on the body is simply invaluable. In addition, prevention sessions allow you to deal with many problems that are in their infancy. The disease tends not to manifest itself and does not cause discomfort for a long time without being diagnosed. By observing your own health thoroughly and visiting the osteopathy center regularly, you will be saved from a number of difficulties that await you on the way of life.