To understand why your back hurts, it is necessary to understand how our spine is structured, how it works, what functions it performs, and what factors can cause its damage.
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 formed by cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, a semi-liquid "ball"-shaped formation that performs the shock-absorbing function and is surrounded by dense cartilaginous tissue (annulus fibrosus).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it, runs throughout the spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, shock-absorbing and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino television tower, which is kept upright thanks to a whole system of cables stretching from the base to the top.Likewise, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizing muscles, which normally evenly distribute the load on the spine and joints.Unlike the Ostankino television tower, our spine is more complex;It can bend in different directions and even twist, all this is possible thanks to the presence of intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day a person performs some monotonous, repetitive movements associated with work or free time.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overloaded and spasm, while other muscles at this time do not experience any stress and atrophy.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, spasmed muscles strain the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.With hard and monotonous 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 during movement in the intervertebral joint, nutritious synovial fluid enters.
Cartilage tissue is made up of 80-85% water, so the drinking regimen 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, dehydration (drying out) of the intervertebral disc occurs, the cartilage cracks and collapses.
In my practice, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety, and worries often contribute to the onset of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as danger.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 heartbeat accelerates and the muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs or defends itself, consequently, the stress hormones are burned and the muscles, after working, relax.Man is a social being, he began to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.As a result, spinal pain, headaches, motor tics, and more occur.
Different formulations of osteochondrosis can be found in the literature, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is a "rupture" of the motor segment, destruction, degeneration of cartilaginous tissue.The reason is an incorrect motor stereotype and, as a consequence, cartilage malnutrition.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the injury in the motion segment of the spine.At the initial stage, patients complain of dull aching back pain, malaise, slight limitation of spinal movements, periodic numbness in arms or legs, headache and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing lifestyle during this period, the result will not take long to arrive and recovery will come quickly.
In case of severe damage to the intervertebral disc, severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness in the arm or leg occurs (depending on the level of damage).These signs may indicate destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, so it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arm or leg.If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization in a hospital is necessary to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, may radiate to the shoulder, arm or head, numbness or weakness in the arm, headache, dizziness.
With osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, pain occurs in the chest, radiates to the sternum or scapula, intensifies with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of shortness of breath.Patients often mistake this condition for heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is located in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, and numbness or weakness in the leg may occur.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a single whole and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examining osteochondrosis.
As a rule, with pain in the spine, patients turn to a neurologist, who, based on 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 must be comprehensive, aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired function of the spinal roots;
- Prevention of the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in spinal structures.
During the acute period,In case of severe pain, pharmacological treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, vitamin B, chondroprotectors or a block is performed.
Then the massage is connected,manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
therapeutic exerciseIt is the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Exercise therapy is aimed at the formation, correction and strengthening of the muscle corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of a 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 involves prolonged sitting at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for exacerbations to worsen.