Lumbar osteochondrosis affects many patients. This is an unpleasant and very dangerous disease that can subsequently lead to unpleasant complications. And, by the way, among all the varieties of this disease, this one is found much more often in medical practice, since the lower back has more loads. At the same time, the spine does not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and simply dry out. The back cannot withstand such heavy loads, the fibrous ring protrudes in different directions and ruptures.
Diagnosis
If a patient complains of acute pain in the lumbar region, this does not mean that he has osteochondrosis of the lumbar or lumbosacral region. Butto identify the cause of the disease, the doctor must diagnose the patient. And for this he:
- probes the affected area, trying to identify the inflammatory processes the patient complains about;
- evaluates the posture, if it seems straight or not, how curved it is;
- can send a patient for further examination: X-ray;
- designates an additional examination using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Symptoms
The most important symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is excruciating low back pain. And this symptom occurs immediately or after a while, after intense physical exertion. In this case, the nature of the pain can be completely different:
- Lower back pain becomes excruciating and can radiate to the leg;
- whenever a patient tries to do some kind of physical work, the pain begins to intensify, in addition, this symptom can occur when coughing, chewing, as well as any change in body position;
- as soon as the patient is in the same position for a long time, any attempt to change the position causes pain in the lumbar region;
- the back muscles are constantly tense, as if the patient is constantly carrying some weights;
- as a result of the slightest hypothermia, the lower back begins to "shoot up";
- the nerve endings in the buttocks, knees, feet begin to atrophy, that is, the sensitivity in these places decreases;
- goose bumps and slight tingling sensations appear on the legs; feet get cold;
- the arteries in the feet may spasm and the pulse may feel bad;
- the patient begins to sweat actively;
- In the affected area, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off.
Help: it should be remembered that osteochondrosis can turn into an acute stage if, with the primary symptoms, they continue to burden the back or overcool the body.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment
In our time, there are several schemes for treating the disease. There is drug therapy, acupuncture, and also gymnastics for osteochondrosis. But in any case, the doctor prescribes the method of treatment.If a patient self-medicates, it can exacerbate the disease and end very badly.
Important: remember that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a disease from which it is very difficult to recover. You can completely get rid of it only in the first or second stage.
Protocol and schema
There are many methods of treating osteochondrosis, but the treatment regimen is the same. It is necessary to reduce the stress on the spine and strengthen the muscles of the back and lumbar spine. It is also necessary to normalize the nutrition of the spine by restoring metabolic processes and blood circulation. And the final victory will be to regain the sensation of the lower body.
First Aid
- When a sudden sharp pain envelops the lower back, it is necessary to first isolate this area with something warm (wool scarf, heating pad, etc. ). But at the same time, you need to make sure that the affected area is warm and not hot.
- The body should be placed on something firm and level (bench, board, board, floor).
- A roller should be placed under the back, in the lumbar region. But if the lower extremities are tense, the roller should be placed below the knees.
- Call a doctor and take some pain relievers before I arrive.
Conservative and operational methods
Treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are divided into conservative treatment methods and surgical methods of treatment. What is the difference? Andthe difference lies in the fact that with conservative treatment methods, the doctor uses a complex technique that affects different areas of medicine.
In other words, this technique involves long-term and sometimes unsuccessful treatment. Surgical intervention depends on the neglect of the disease. For example, an operation, as one of the surgical treatment methods, is extreme, but it is impossible without it.
Effective conservative methods
In the early stages, medications and wellness gym are suitable for suppressing pain and normalizing metabolism. But, if the disease progresses to more serious stages, the doctor may prescribe physical therapy, as well as surgery. Also, in the latter case, such a method is considered extreme, but quite effective. The most important thing in the treatment of osteochondrosis is not to load the spine and at the same time try to immobilize the inflammatory foci.
Medications
- The most basic and effective drug for acute pain are analgesics (analgin, amidopyrine, phenacetin, etc. ). Medications relieve pain, but do not eliminate the cause.
- In addition, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that affect the root nerves and eliminate swelling. These drugs reduce and eliminate foci of inflammatory processes.
- In case of 3-4 degree disease, local anesthetics (eg novocaine) are prescribed.
- To eliminate spastic muscle contraction, the doctor prescribes muscle relaxants.
- Chondroprotectors are used to normalize metabolism and restore cartilage tissue. This treatment reduces the risk of cartilage deformation and tissue destruction.
- In combination with drugs, the patient is prescribed vitamin B. This group of vitamins improves the body's metabolism, reduces inflammation, is a natural diuretic that allows you to remove excess fluid.
- Diuretics may also be prescribed.
- To improve the patient's condition, drugs are prescribed that increase the immunity of the body as a whole.
- The table is complemented with drugs that improve blood circulation in the place where there is an injury.
Physical Education
Practice shows that physical therapy helps with osteochondrosis. And it not only helps, in the Far East it is practiced daily and, first of all, prescribed to patients. At the moment, there are several methods of gymnastic exercises to combat this disease.And among the ancient techniques they practice yoga, qigong, etc.
The doctor together with the patient decides which complex of gymnastic exercises to perform.. But it should be remembered that each technique has its own indications and contraindications. For example, severe forms of the disease cannot be treated with physical therapy exercises. At the doctor's discretion, gymnastic exercises can be combined with medications and physical therapy.
Physiotherapy
It happened that in our country physiotherapy is prescribed mainly after drug treatment has proven invalid. Although a person is constantly affected by some physiological processes.
The principle of physiotherapy is that the body is influenced by simple physical processes (with the help of current, magnet, etc. ). But unlike natural phenomena, physiotherapeutic methods help steer the effects of influencing methods in the right direction. I mean, let's take electrotherapy for example. With the help of the current, doctors help to normalize the metabolism or eliminate spasms.
Massage
Massage is prescribed for recovering patients. But, in some cases, massage may be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease. Then only healthy parts of the body are massaged.A session of a lesson usually lasts 15-20 minutes and the number of sessions takes up to 7 procedures.
But this technique is dangerous for the layman, so it is best to make an appointment with a professional. At the same time, it is now possible to perform massage both with your hands and with special devices.
Classes in specialized simulators
Doctors believe that the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine largely depends on the desire and aspiration of the patient himself. The method of treating a disease is like choosing an instrument through which healing is possible.Exercise machines are one of the tools that help to improve the condition and heal from ailments faster. But doctors recommend going to the gym when the patient is recovering and the disease begins to subside.
Among the simulators that will help in this matter are:
- horizontal bar;
- expander;
- cardiovascular equipment;
- gym (in this case, it is best to sign up for special courses, where the patient will have her own personal trainer to help her choose the simulators).
Joint injections
When the disease worsens, the doctor may prescribe injection treatments. It is an effective remedy in which the spine receives all the nutrients and trace elements artificially. In this case, the injections act on the spine directly, the painful sensations pass much faster.But this method belongs to drug treatment, which means that it may have its own side effects. Therefore, injections should be performed under the clear guidance of the treating physician.
Swimming
Swimming is considered an additional treatment. But at the same time, everyone should know thatbefore starting to exercise in the water, you need to warm up to warm up the muscles. . In this case, the water should be at least 27-30 ° C. And after each lesson, you can safely lower the temperature to 23 ° C. Correct breathing is the key to a successful workout. You need to take a deep breath first and then take a short breath. And you also need to choose the right swimming exercises and technique.
To achieve positive results, you must first swim 30 to 100 m with a pillow in your hands. Then you need to rest a little, and then hold the pillow on your legs and swim the same amount, working only with your hands. Then rest again and swim 20-30 m breaststroke without holding your breath. After a little rest you can continue.
First you need to submerge your body in water up to your chest and start walking in place, and then walk around the pool. Then raise your knees as high as possible and extend your arms out to the sides at the same time. Think about your breaststroke swim. Do the same, just leaning on your side. After that, you need to lean forward, keeping your hands on the belt. Then imagine that you are a hippopotamus and you stick your belly back and forth. Then, holding onto the side, do a few squats.
How much is treated and what will happen if it is not treated
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine depends on the neglect of the disease. Basically, when the patient visits the hospital for the first time, the doctor prescribes a treatment (course), which lasts for a certain time (it all depends on the method). You should also take into account the fact of how the patient behaved during the course. Since this disease is chronic in severe stages of the disease, symptoms may return and treatment will need to be repeated.
Prevention
In order not to feel for yourself what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, the following rules should be observed:
- if your work is related to physical activity, then you don't need to load your back too much and give it rest;
- start playing sports, in particular by strengthening your back muscles;
- watch your posture; move more often, night walks are best;
- observe proper nutrition (not to be confused with a diet, proper nutrition is a complete balance of all vitamins and microelements);
- follow the correct rest routine;
- Osteochondrosis can be the cause of other back diseases, so pay attention to your health at that time.
Which doctor to contact
When a patient begins to have back pain, the first thing to do is consult a local doctor. But, in this case, it only identifies external symptoms and directs more for examination. And the first person you will write a referral to,is a neuropathologist or vertebrologist.
These two doctors specifically treat the problem of osteochondrosis. But when a patient is in remission, massage therapists, gym coaches, physical therapists, and many others come into play, depending on the type of recovery activities the doctor prescribes.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a rather unpleasant disease. But, as practice shows, the main patients in hospitals are those people who did not control their health. Therefore, remember that the timely detection of the disease and its prevention will cost you much less than the advanced stage of the disease.