Back pain can have different causes. However, in most cases, its cause is a disappointing diagnosis - osteochondrosis of the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. Should we take osteochondrosis as a judgment? Is it possible to give your back its old ease? Is surgery a necessary measure?
The answers to the above questions are certainly known to 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 cartilage tissue.
It affects the neck, chest and lumbar areas, causing pain and limiting the victim's dynamic activity.
Recently, the above disease has been believed to be an inevitability related to age. However, current statistical information suggests that there are more and more very young people among our contemporaries who have osteochondrosis who have recently passed or are approaching the 30-year limit.
At the same time, medical research confirms that if this disease cannot be cured without a trace, it can prevent or slow its progression.
Developmental stages of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis gradually progresses. In the early stages, the symptoms are mild. That is why the disease is very rarely diagnosed during this period.
- The first stage is characterized by the displacement of the core of the intervertebral discs. In this case, the neuronal ends in the annulus fibrosus are squeezed. The pain can manifest as lumbago or be painful.
- In the second phase, the fiber fibers of the intervertebral disc begin to disintegrate. As a result, the vertebrae lose stability, gain unhealthy mobility, and spinal dysfunction is observed. There is constant tension in the muscles that are in close proximity.
This leads to an almost never-ending feeling of back fatigue.
- Sooner or later the fiber fibers break and the core detaches itself - a hernia forms that compresses the nerves.
Now there are complaints of severe back pain that restricts motor function.
- As the disease progresses, there is deceptive relief. The pain subsides, but the motor function of the vertebrae remains restricted.
- The last, most severe, degree of osteochondrosis is characterized by the proliferation of bone tissue.
Causes of Lumbar Osteochondrosis
There are no specifics in determining the root causes of the disease. It is believed that lumbar spine osteochondrosis is caused by 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 a weakening of the back muscles that support the spine;
- endocrinological and metabolic diseases lead to disturbances in the saturation of the spinal zone with nutrients;
- previously acquired problems related to the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, etc. );
- Abuse of physical activity - at risk are professional athletes, loaders, etc. ;
- poor diet;
- Obesity;
- Lack of sleep;
- Stress.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The first and foremost symptomatology that attracts the patient's attention is pain. The intensity of the pain depends directly on the stage of osteochondrosis, the degree of destruction of the cartilage and intervertebral disc. In addition, the characteristics of pain are determined by the presence and stage of development of the hernia or protrusion. Usually the pain is painful and increases sharply with quick, careless movements, bends, and twists. It tends to get worse when you stay in one position for a long time, mostly sitting.
The remaining 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 result of scoliosis (bending to the left or right), lordosis (bending forward), or kyphosis (pathological smoothing of bends);
- Numbness in the legs, lack of control over stool and urination (when the neurons of the spinal cord become compressed as the osteochondrosis progresses);
- Decrease in temperature in the lower body;
- Dryness and pallor of the skin in the lumbar area;
- heavy sweating.
In addition to physiological symptoms, psychological symptoms of the disease often occur. The patient feels "exhausted", irritability and withdrawal occur. Sleep disorders usually manifest as insomnia and excessive sleepiness.
Possible complications
A careless attitude towards the problems of osteochondrosis will not lead anyone for good. This insidious enemy of your health brings with it a number of complications that have a very negative effect on your quality of life, your ability to carry out everyday activities and meet a wide variety of needs.
The most common consequences of osteochondrosis:
- sciatica - inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by pinching it in the sacrum-lumbar area;
- Fractures;
- osteophytosis - pathological growth of bone tissue;
- Spondyloarthrosis - destructive changes in the facet joints;
- stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal, which leads to dysfunction of the spinal cord;
- Lameness and gait disturbance due to thinning of the iliac bone;
- paresis of the legs, that is, a decrease in their muscle activity.
Which doctor treats lumbar osteochondrosis?
A person begins with discomfort from obsessive painful sensations in the lumbar region and asks which specialist to turn to. What type of doctor diagnoses and treats lumbar, thoracic, and cervical osteochondrosis? From the perspective of classical medicine, there are several answers in this case.
The orthopedist deals with the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, with osteochondrosis, the nervous system suffers, since many of its elements are in the immediate vicinity of the spine. Accordingly, it makes sense to have the patient examined by a neurologist.
There is also such a little-known specialist as a vertebrologist. The above doctor is closely involved in the treatment of the spine, so he should master the skills of diagnostics and methods of dealing with osteochondrosis. Unfortunately, not every clinic, especially a state one, has these specialists.
Since these are doctors who do not meet in the clinic near the house, special attention can be paid to a doctor in the field of osteopathy. This unique therapeutic area specializes in identifying hidden causal relationships between organs and structures in the human body. Therefore, the osteomedic is very often able to treat those complaints that others are powerless to deal with. Most often, the specified doctor is addressed precisely with the problems of the musculoskeletal system.
diagnosis
After seeking medical advice, the subject is sent for diagnostic procedures using the following methods.
The X-ray examination provides information about the condition of bones, joints, intervertebral discs and the ability to identify protrusions and protrusions from the hernia. In addition to information about the condition of the intervertebral disc, computed tomography shows whether there is damage to the spinal cord. After all, magnetic resonance tomography, as the most precise examination method, provides an almost complete picture of the disease, it is suitable for clarifying the diagnosis and its details.
There are also a number of diagnostic tests that do not require the use of sophisticated equipment. Most often they are used in the practice of osteotherapists.
These are:
- various passive and active checks;
- Fascial tension test (slight tissue tension in different directions);
- Strain controls;
- axial load tests;
- Analysis of the craniosacral rhythm.
According to the knowledge of osteoscience, the latter corresponds to the pulsation rhythm of the liquor and signals various internal malfunctions.
With the diagnostics mentioned above, the osteopathic therapist identifies the weakest points of the spine, determines the changes in position and size of internal organs, probes muscle overload and the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs.
treatment
Medicine tries in every possible way to stop the progression of lumbar osteochondrosis, relieve pain, and return to its previous motor activity. At the same time, the treatment simply has to be comprehensive. The patient needs to build a lifestyle, monitor diet, physical fitness, muscle tone, avoid stressful situations and lack of sleep.
Choosing a good place to sleep plays an important role - an orthopedic mattress with sufficient rigidity.
Doctors should expect therapy aimed at producing anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects on the damaged area. It is required to stimulate blood flow and restore lower body sensitivity when the disease has resulted in partial or complete loss.
If the osteochondrosis is not currently in an exacerbation stage, the doctor will prescribe physical therapy exercises (exercise therapy) and a course massage.
In addition, bathing procedures are highly recommended for those with lumbar spine osteochondrosis. Under the conditions of a bath or sauna, the tense muscle fibers are warmed up and relaxed, the blood flow to the vessels is stimulated, and metabolic and regeneration processes are triggered.
Medication
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the doctor prescribes various drugs to the client.
They are available in the form of ointments, tablets, and injections.
These include anti-inflammatory drugs of non-steroidal origin, pain relievers and corticosteroids, chondroprotectors (prevent the destruction of cartilage), muscle relaxants (relieve muscle spasms), as well as vitamins, minerals and other biologically active additives.
The pharmacological treatment is intended to relieve pain and combat inflammation. Please note that most of the above drugs have a specific list of side effects and cannot be taken without the appointment of a doctor.
An alternative to the drugs mentioned is homeopathy.
Many believe that his products only have a placebo effect, but that 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, which are necessary not only for the treatment of pathologies, but also for the normal functioning of the body in the future. They stimulate the internal structures and organs, which aids their recovery. Against the background of such treatment, symptoms of other ailments also disappear.
physical therapy
What other doctor should you contact with osteochondrosis?
As part of the complex treatment, the patient is referred to the physiotherapist's practice. Physiotherapy aims to stop or at least slow down the destructive processes in the area of the intervertebral discs.
The following procedures are carried out within this framework:
- Phonophoresis;
- Laser tophoresis;
- Darsonvalization;
- Amplitude pulse treatment;
- Treatment with diadynamic current;
- Magnetic resonance exposure.
surgery
As complex as the principle of eliminating the pathology in question, its result is far from always successful. Surgery is the cardinal solution. In the simplest case, their essence is to remove a section of cartilage that has gone beyond normal. In some cases, however, treatment requires replacing the disc with an artificial graft.
One of the indications for surgery is the lack of positive dynamics over several months. Of course, such an indication should be accompanied by the results of diagnostic studies that will determine the cause of the development of the disease in the form of the indication of the location of degenerated intervertebral discs.
In discectomy - this is the name of the operation to eliminate the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis - the degenerated structures are removed. In the case of a large-area excision, a transplant must be inserted into the spine, which is attached to the patient's own bone with metal plates. If it takes root and the bones grow together, that part of the patient's lumbosacral region will remain motionless for the rest of their life.
According to another technique, a modern elastic disc prosthesis is implanted in the spine, which is biologically and mechanically almost identical to real cartilage and allows you to maintain mobility in the lumbar vertebral area.
However, the prosthesis described above is very expensive. And the prospect of having a foreign body inside is unlikely to please anyone until the end of their days. Many postpone surgery and worsen their well-being for fear of such prospects. Still, for many people with lumbar spine osteochondrosis, there is an excellent way to avoid surgery.
Osteopathy
When neither medication nor exercise therapy help and a faint neurologist and orthopedic surgeon raise their hands and nod towards the operating table, even the most ardent followers of classical medicine begin to wonder whether it is worth visiting another doctor. And already at the first signs of illness, someone weighed up all the advantages and disadvantages, analyzed the positive reviews from friends and from the Internet and went to the osteopractor.
The main task of an osteopath treating lumbar osteochondrosis is to return the spine to its normal position, relieve pain and stop destructive processes.
With a treatment with osteopathic techniques one can expect clear results in a very short time - the osteopath can already relieve the pain of an osteochondrosis patient in the first session.
However, a full course of treatment must be completed for full lower back healing. Their 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, accompanying symptoms and complications, age, etc.
The uniqueness of osteomedicine as a means of eliminating osteochondrotic lesions in the lumbar, neck and chest area lies in the fact that such treatment can be dispensed with expensive drugs that are difficult for the client to perceive. Although their use is not strictly excluded.
This aspect is particularly relevant for people with allergies, liver diseases, etc.
Osteotherapy heals the entire interior of the human body, replacing joints, bones and organs. Metabolic processes, the function of all parts of the body are normalized. The general well-being on the osteomedical ward is improving rapidly. An osteopathic specialist can also help with a cramp, pinching, or overuse of a muscle. It is a frequent companion of the pain discussed and can make it worse. An osteotherapist is able to treat not only pain that has affected the lumbar spine, but also other types of different localization and etiology.
The doctor mentioned relieves the pain in his ward with various techniques. These include structural, craniosacral, manual, and reflexology. The Kinesio taping process - the application of special elastic adhesive tapes to the damaged areas - shows excellent results. With kinesio tapes, the doctor not only relieves pain, but also helps with healing.
Although numerous complaints are treated with osteopathy, there is a (very small) list of contraindications:
- Feverish conditions, high temperature;
- Blood clot;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- severe infections;
- epileptic seizures.
Osteopractic care is also an excellent preventive measure. Its general healing and invigorating effects on the body are simply priceless. Additionally, preventive sessions can help you nip numerous problems in the bud. The disease tends not to manifest itself and not to cause discomfort for a long time without giving in to the diagnosis. Comprehensive monitoring of your own health and regular visits to the osteopathy center will save you a number of difficulties that await you on your life path.