Back pain and numbness are symptoms that plague many people. Episodic occurrence of these unpleasant sensations is possible for various reasons: prolonged inactivity, long sitting or sleeping in the wrong position. The constant presence of such symptoms indicates the development of degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the tissues of the spine - osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis: what is it?
Osteochondrosis is an extremely common disease, accounting for over half of chronic back pain cases. As a result of a combination of factors (lack of nutrients in the diet, lack of physical activity, impaired metabolic processes in the body), destructive changes begin to occur in the structure of the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, as well as the associated bones and ligaments. This is reflected in a change in their shape and a decrease in elasticity.
The vertebrae are compressed and the spine loses stability in the affected areas. The nerve endings of the spinal cord are pinched, as a result of which the back muscles are constantly in hypertonicity. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, the risk of developing intervertebral protrusions or hernias, as well as spondylosis (the appearance of bone processes - osteophytes) increases.
Types of osteochondrosis and stages of its development
When making a diagnosis, the place of localization of the degenerative process is taken into account. Osteochondrosis is of 4 types:
- lumbar;
- chest;
- cervical;
- widespread (when more than one department is concerned).
More often than others, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is diagnosed, since it is the one that accounts for the load on the upper half of the body.
At the initial stage, osteochondrosis is hidden under the guise of local symptoms, which is why the patient does not receive timely treatment and the disease continues to progress. The sequential stages of the disease are characterized by the following features:
- Displacement of the intervertebral discs and instability of the vertebrae.
- Reduction of the intervertebral space due to the destruction of the fibrous ring of the discs (compression of the vertebrae).
- Deformation of the spinal line and the appearance of intervertebral protrusions or hernias due to the rupture of the fibrous ring and protrusion of the disc nuclei due to inappropriate load on them.
- The presence of bone growths (spondylosis), as a result of which the spine loses its flexibility. The patient's movements are extremely difficult and cause severe pain and discomfort.
As with any disease, the earlier osteochondrosis is diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery. At the same time, after the stabilization of the patient's condition, permanent prevention is required to eliminate the risk of relapse: exercise and a special diet. And since most modern people are at risk of developing this condition, it's best to start a healthy habit of morning exercise right away.
The reasons for the development of osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a disease that is most often diagnosed in the elderly due to natural causes of aging of the body and slowing of metabolic processes. However, in the absence of physical activity and leading a predominantly "sedentary" lifestyle, this disease can develop in younger people. In this case, a weakening of the back muscles can lead to the development of a degenerative process, which disrupts the blood flow and nutrition of the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
Despite the prevalenceosteochondrosis, causeshisemergencynot fully understood. A combination of factors always leads to the development of a disorder, which also includes:
- malformations of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, hereditary factors; defective physical development;
- violation of metabolic processes in the body, improper absorption of nutrients, disruption of the work of the endocrine and digestive systems;
- deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the diet, unbalanced diet, frequent dehydration;
- long-term use of certain drugs;
- excess weight and increased stress on the spine, hard physical work with improper distribution of loads;
- a sedentary lifestyle, prolonged stay in uncomfortable static positions, for example, when working in an office;
- spinal injury; transferred infectious diseases, stress.
It is possible to speak confidently about the disease in the event that, due to the difficulty of accessing nutrients to the tissues of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae, degenerative processes begin to develop in them. In this case, regeneration becomes completely impossible and, against the background of the accompanying factors, a gradual destruction of the vertebrae and discs occurs. As a result of the body's natural self-regulation processes, osteophytes may appear on the vertebrae, a kind of spines of the bone tissue, which seem to cement the intervertebral space. In this case, the flexibility of the spine is lost and the movements bring pain and discomfort.
Symptoms of the disease
If there is a general similarity, different speciesosteochondrosisthey have differencessymptoms and signs. . . This is due to the fact that, depending on the site of localization, as a result of pinching the vessels, painful sensations affect the organs and parts of the body that are nearby.
For osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, aching pain in the lower back is characteristic with sudden movements or prolonged stay in a static position. Due to pinching of the nerve endings, pain can appear in one or both legs, the nature of the pain varies from aching to shooting. By assuming a comfortable position, the pain disappears.
The second most common type of osteochondrosis, cervical, is characterized by the following symptoms: the presence of a dull, pressing headache and dizziness. Unpleasant sensations intensify with head movement, while taking analgesics does not relieve the pain syndrome. Pain can be given to the chest area, the sensations are similar to attacks of angina pectoris, but more prolonged. In addition, there are acute painful sensations in the hands and fingers, their numbness. Perhaps a feeling of numbness of the language, difficulty in carrying out linguistic activity.
Thoracic osteochondrosis is relatively rare. The main reason for its development is the curvature of the spine, less often injuries. This type of disease is the most difficult to diagnose because the clinical signs are similar to other diseases. In addition to painful sensations in the back, which intensify with movement and flexion, with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, pain can occur in the region of the heart, liver and gastrointestinal tract. There is a feeling of numbness in the muscles of the sternum, and the functions of the genitals are weakened.
Common osteochondrosis combines the signs of several types of osteochondrosis.
How is the diagnosis made?
When diagnosing osteochondrosis, external examination of the patient is not enough. In addition to collecting data, a neurologist or vertebrologist prescribes the following types of examinations to clarify the nature and determine the degree of damage to the spine:
- X-ray;
- Magnetic resonance;
- CT scan.
The final diagnosis is made on the basis of the results of the images, after which the appropriate treatment regimen is selected.
How to treat osteochondrosis of the back
From then onosteochondrosisa combination of various factors affectstreatmentalways includes a whole range of sizes. After the removal of the acute condition with the help of painkillers (if there is such a need) and the appointment of a balanced diet, the following recovery methods are used:
- Physical therapy is physical therapy, a series of exercises aimed at developing damaged areas of the spine and normalizing muscle tone. At the same time, physical activity is limited, aimed at strengthening the back muscles and restoring the flexibility of the joints and ligaments. Physical therapy is considered the most effective method of treating osteochondrosis, but it should be performed under the supervision of a specialist. There are several areas of physical therapy, which include kinesitherapy, health path, lessons on special simulators. Physical therapy has practically no limits, since in most cases each patient is assigned an individual set of exercises. Physical therapy cannot be undertaken in the acute phase of the disease or with severe spinal injuries.
- Physiotherapy, which has a complex of procedures aimed at reducing pain and stimulating natural regenerative processes in the tissues of the vertebrae and discs. They use the influence of a laser, ultrasound, magnetic vibrations. As an additional method of relaxing muscles and generally strengthening the body, as well as restoring the nervous system, a course of coniferous or pearl baths can be prescribed.
- Massage is used to relieve pain and restore blood circulation in the muscles. Massage is not prescribed in the acute stage of the disease.
- Spinal traction or traction. In this procedure, the vertebrae return to their natural position, so that the load on the spine becomes uniform.
- Reflexotherapy, when using a specialist, acts on the reflex zones and painful points, thus reducing pain. It is used in conjunction with massage.
- Preventive measures that give a tangible therapeutic effect include the use of special orthopedic devices: orthopedic mattresses, pillows, shoes or insoles, special corsets that support the damaged parts of the spine in the correct position.
- Reception of chondroprotectors, which become an additional source of nutrition for damaged tissues. You should also introduce into the diet the use of jelly-based dishes: jelly, jellied meat, jelly.
- According to the doctor's prescription, after passing the appropriate tests, foreign experts recommend taking vitamin D3, omega fatty acids and vitamin B complex.
What will happen if you don't treat osteochondrosis
With untimely or incorrect treatment, osteochondrosis can cause the development of the following pathologies:
- Vegetovascular dystonia.
- Oxygen starvation of the brain.
- Intervertebral hernia, which can lead to impaired motor function of the arms or legs.
Methods of prevention
Prevention of osteochondrosis should be aimed at excluding factors that increase the risk of its development. This mainly applies to people who have:
- genetic predisposition to diseases of the spine;
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in which the absorption of nutrients is impaired;
- diseases associated with metabolic disorders;
- severe infectious diseases, rickets transferred in childhood;
- spinal injury;
- excess weight.
Prevention is very important for people with a sedentary lifestyle, who experience increased stress on the spine and for women planning to have children.
The main and easiest way to prevent osteochondrosis is moderate and regular physical activity - gymnastics or swimming. It is essential to monitor your posture, not to sit in unnatural positions for a long time. When working sedentary, it is necessary to take breaks, during which to organize physical exercises - to knead stiff muscles, restoring blood circulation in them.
As a rule, everyday habitual movements, which are performed incorrectly, without taking into account the load they carry on the spine, become a concomitant factor in the development of osteochondrosis. For example, you should avoid lifting weights, get rid of the habit of constantly carrying a heavy bag on the same shoulder. It is not possible to lift heavy objects from the floor from a standing position, you need to sit down first. When doing housework - cooking, cleaning, washing, getting into the correct position - standing up, without bending over.
Another secret is to wear comfortable shoes, ideally orthopedic or with orthopedic insoles. It is better to refuse high heels altogether, or at least not to wear them all the time.