To understand why you have back pain, you need to understand how our spine is structured, how it works, what functions it performs and what factors can lead to 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 made of cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc there is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-liquid formation in the form of a "ball" that performs the function of shock absorption and is surrounded by dense cartilaginous tissue (annulus fibrosus).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves that flow from it, runs through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The primary functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, shock-absorbing and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower, which is held in a vertical position thanks to a whole system of cables stretched from the base to the top.Likewise, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizing muscles, which normally distribute the load evenly across the spine and joints.Unlike the Ostankino TV tower, our spine is more complex;it can bend in different directions and even twist, all this is possible thanks to the presence of an intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day, a person performs monotonous and repetitive movements associated with work or leisure.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overworked and spasm, while other muscles at that 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 tighten 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 it.
Cartilage tissue consists of 80-85% water, so the drinking regime 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) of the intervertebral disc occurs, the cartilage cracks and collapses.
In my practice, I have long observed that stress, anxiety and worry often contribute to the onset of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as a 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, heart rate accelerates, and muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs or defends itself, as a result, stress hormones burn, and the muscles, after work, relax.Man is a social being, he began to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.This results in pain in the spine, headaches, motor tics, etc.
In the literature you can find different formulations of osteochondrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is a “breakdown” of the motor segment, destruction, degeneration of cartilage tissue.The reason for this is an incorrect motor stereotype and, as a result, cartilage malnutrition.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the movement segment of the spine.At the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of spinal movements, periodic numbness of the arms or legs, headaches and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the result will not be long in coming and recovery will come quickly.
In cases of severe damage to the intervertebral disc, severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness of the arm or leg occur (depending on the level of damage).These signs may indicate destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a herniation, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In more severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, with possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness of the arm or leg.If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization in a hospital is necessary to resolve the question of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, can 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 lack of air.Patients often confuse this pathology with heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, and numbness or weakness of the leg may occur.
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 throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the most stressed part.
Who to contact, methods of examining osteochondrosis
As a rule, in case of 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 (spine x-ray, MRI, CT scan, general urine analysis, general blood test) and draw up a treatment regimen.
Treatment
The treatment must be comprehensive and aim to:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of spinal root dysfunction;
- prevention of progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in spinal structures.
During the acute period,in case of severe pain, drug treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, or a blockade is carried out.
Then the massage continues,manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
Therapeutic exerciseis the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Exercise therapy is aimed at the formation, correction and strengthening of the muscular corset;increased range of motion of 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 the intervertebral space is increased, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you notice 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.