Back pain can have various origins. However, in most cases, their cause is a disappointing diagnosis - osteochondrosis of the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. Should we consider osteochondrosis a verdict? Is it possible to restore the back to the ancient lightness? Is surgery a necessary measure?
The answers to the above questions are known for certain to osteopaths. But first the main things.
Rapidly rejuvenating disease
Osteochondrosis is a type of pathology of the spine, its essence lies in the dystrophic-degenerative changes in the articular-cartilage tissue.
It affects the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions, causing pain and limiting the dynamic activity of its victim.
More recently, the aforementioned disease was believed to be an age-related inevitability. However, current statistical information suggests that among our peers with osteochondrosis, there are more and more very young people who have recently crossed the threshold of their thirties or are just approaching.
At the same time, medical research confirms the fact that this disease can, if not be cured without a trace, prevent or slow its progress.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis progresses gradually. In the early stages, its symptoms are mild. That is why, during this period, the disease is diagnosed very rarely.
- The first stage is characterized by the displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral discs. In this case, compression of the neuronal endings in the fibrous ring occurs. The pain can manifest as low back pain or be aching.
- In the second stage, the fibrous fibers of the disc begin to break down. As a result, the vertebrae lose stability, acquire unhealthy mobility, and spinal dysfunction is observed. There is constant tension in the muscles located in the immediate vicinity of it.
This leads to an almost infinite feeling of back fatigue.
- Sooner or later, the fibrous fibers break, freeing the nucleus from themselves: a hernia is formed, compressing the nerves.
There are now reports of severe back pain, which limits its motor function.
- With the subsequent progression of the disease, there is deceptive relief. The pain subsides, but the motor function of the vertebrae remains limited.
- 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. Lumbar spine osteochondrosis is thought to be caused by a combination of a number of adverse lifestyle and habits factors:
- physical inactivity - lack of physical activity, sedentary work, lack of walking and exercise lead to weakening of the back muscles that support the spine;
- endocrinological and metabolic diseases involve disruptions in the saturation of the spinal area with nutrients;
- previously acquired problems associated with the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, etc. );
- abuse of physical activity - at risk are professional athletes, loaders, etc. ;
- poor nutrition;
- overweight;
- lack of sleep;
- fatigue.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The first and main symptomatology that attracts the patient's attention is pain. The intensity of pain directly depends on the stage of osteochondrosis, the degree of destruction of the cartilage and disc. In addition, the characteristics of pain are determined by the presence and level of development of the hernia or protrusion. The pain is usually aching, increasing sharply with quick and careless movements, bends and turns. It tends to intensify with prolonged stay in one position, most of the time sitting.
The rest of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are described below:
- feeling of weakness, fatigue in the lower limbs;
- lack of reflex manifestations in the tendon area;
- curvature of the spine in the lumbar region; osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often a consequence of scoliosis (left or right flexion), lordosis (forward flexion) or kyphosis (pathological leveling of the folds);
- numbness in the legs, lack of control over stool and urination (if during the progression of osteochondrosis, the neurons of the spinal cord are compressed);
- decrease in temperature in the lower body;
- dryness and paleness of the skin in the lumbar region;
- excessive sweating.
In addition to physiological symptoms, psychological symptoms of the disease often appear. The patient feels "exhausted", irritability and withdrawal appear. Sleep disturbances tend to manifest as insomnia and excessive sleepiness.
Possible complications
A frivolous attitude towards the problems of osteochondrosis will not lead anyone to good. This insidious enemy of your health brings with it a number of complications that have a very negative impact on the quality of your life, on your ability to carry out daily activities and to satisfy a wide variety of needs.
The most common consequences arising from osteochondrosis:
- sciatica - inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by its pinching in the sacro-lumbar region;
- hernial formations;
- osteophytosis - pathological growth of bone tissue;
- spondyloarthrosis - destructive changes in the facet joints;
- stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to dysfunction of the spinal cord;
- lameness and gait disturbances due to thinning of the ileum;
- paresis of the legs, that is, a decrease in their muscle activity.
Which doctor treats lumbar osteochondrosis?
Beginning to experience discomfort from obsessive painful sensations in the lumbar region, a person asks which specialist to turn to for help. What type of doctor diagnoses and treats lumbar, thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis? From the point of view of classical medicine, there are several answers in this case.
The orthopedic doctor deals with the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, with osteochondrosis, the nervous system suffers, since many of its elements are located in the vicinity of the spine. Consequently, it will be helpful for the patient to be examined by a neurologist.
There is also such a little-known specialist as a vertebrologist. The aforementioned doctor is closely involved in the treatment of the spine, so it is he who should master the diagnostic skills and methods of treating osteochondrosis. Unfortunately, not all clinics, especially state-owned ones, have this specialist on their staff.
Since these are doctors who do not meet in the clinic near their home, one cannot fail to pay particular attention to a doctor who practices in the field of osteopathy. This unique therapeutic area specializes in identifying hidden causal relationships between organs and structures of the human body. Therefore, very often the osteomedist is able to cure those ailments in front of which others are powerless. Most often, the specified doctor turns precisely to the problems of the musculoskeletal system.
Diagnostics
Then, after securing medical advice, the subject is sent to undergo diagnostic procedures using the following methods.
X-ray examination provides information about the condition of bones, joints, intervertebral discs, as well as the ability to detect hernial protrusions and protrusions. Computed tomography, in addition to information on the condition of the disc, shows if there is damage to the spinal cord. Finally, MRI as the most accurate method of research provides an almost complete picture of the disease, it is suitable for use in clarifying the diagnosis and its details.
There is also a number of diagnostic tests that do not require the operation of technically sophisticated equipment. Most often they are used in practice by osteotherapists.
Among these are:
- various passive and active controls;
- fascial tension test (slight tension of the tissues in different directions);
- elongation controls;
- axial load tests;
- Craniosacral rhythm analysis.
The latter, in accordance with the knowledge that osteoscience brings with it, coincides with the rhythm of the pulsation of the cerebrospinal fluid and signals various malfunctions inside.
With the aforementioned diagnostics, the osteopath identifies the weakest points of the spine, determines the change in position and size of the internal organs, probes muscle overload and the level of wear of the intervertebral discs.
Treatment
Medicine in every possible way tries to stop the progress of lumbar osteochondrosis, relieve pain, return to its former motor activity. At the same time, the treatment simply needs to be comprehensive. The patient will have to establish a lifestyle, monitor nutrition, fitness, muscle tone, avoid stressful situations and lack of sleep.
An important role is played by the choice of a good place to sleep - an orthopedic mattress of sufficient rigidity.
Doctors should expect therapy aimed at providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the damaged area. It is necessary to stimulate blood flow and return the sensitivity of the lower body if the disease caused its partial or complete loss.
If osteochondrosis does not currently have an exacerbation stage, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy exercises (physical therapy) and a course massage.
Additionally, bath procedures are highly recommended for lumbar spine osteochondrosis victims. In the conditions of a bath or sauna, tense muscle fibers are heated and relaxed, the movement of blood through the vessels is stimulated, metabolic and regenerative processes are activated.
Medicines
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the doctor prescribes various medications for the client.
They are available in the form of ointments, tablets and injections.
Among them are anti-inflammatory drugs of non-steroidal origin, pain relievers and corticosteroid drugs, chondroprotectors (prevent the destruction of cartilage), muscle relaxants (relieve muscle spasms), as well as vitamins, minerals and other biologically active additives.
Drug treatment is designed to relieve pain and fight inflammation. Please note that most of the above medications have a certain list of side effects and cannot be used without the appointment of a healthcare professional.
An alternative to the indicated drugs is homeopathy.
Many believe that its products only have a placebo effect, but this 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 necessary not only for the treatment of pathology, but also for the normal functioning of the body in the future. They stimulate internal structures and organs, which helps in their recovery. Against the background of such treatment, the symptoms of other ailments also disappear.
Physiotherapy
What other doctor will you need to contact with osteochondrosis?
As part of the complex treatment, the patient receives a referral to the physiotherapist's office. Physiotherapy is designed to stop or at least slow down the destructive processes in the area of the intervertebral discs.
Within its framework, the following procedures are performed:
- phonophoresis;
- lasertophoresis;
- darsonvaluation;
- pulse-width treatment;
- treatment with diadynamic current;
- MRI exposure.
Surgery
No matter how complex the principle of getting rid of the pathology in question, its result is far from always winning. Surgery is the cardinal solution. In the simplest case, its essence lies in the removal of a section of cartilage that has gone beyond the normal range. But in some cases, treatment requires replacing the intervertebral disc with an artificial graft.
One of the indications for surgery is the lack of positive dynamics for several months. Of course, such an indication should be accompanied by the results of diagnostic studies that determine the cause of the development of the disease in the form of an indication of the location of degenerated discs.
During the discectomy - and this is the name of the operation to eliminate the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis - the degenerated structures are removed. In the case of large-scale excision, a graft must be inserted into the spine, which is attached to one's bones by means of metal plates. When it takes root and the bones grow together, this part of the patient's lumbosacral region will remain immobile for the rest of his life.
According to a different technique, a modern elastic disc prosthesis is implanted in the spinal column, which is almost identical from the biological mechanics point of view to the real cartilage and allows to maintain mobility in the lumbar region.
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, in fear of such prospects, postpone the operation, exacerbating their well-being. However, there is an excellent way to avoid surgery for a huge number of people suffering from osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Osteopathy
When neither drugs nor physical therapy help, and a helpless neurologist and orthopedist raise their hands, nodding towards the operating table, even the most ardent followers of classical medicine begin to think whether it is worth asking some other doctor for help. And someone already at the first signs of the disease weighed all the pros and cons, analyzed the positive reviews of friends and the Internet and went to see an osteopractor.
The main task of an osteopath who treats lumbar osteochondrosis is to return the spine to its normal position, relieve pain and stop the destructive processes.
With treatment with osteopathic techniques, significant success can be expected in the shortest possible time: the osteopath can relieve the pain of an osteochondrosis patient already during the first session.
However, for complete healing of the lower back, a full course of treatment must be completed. Its duration is determined on an individual basis and depends on the characteristics of the patient and the severity of the injury.
Before starting treatment, the specialist assesses the specifics of the situation, associated symptoms and complications, age, etc.
The uniqueness of osteomedicine as a means of eliminating lumbar, cervical and thoracic osteochondrotic lesions 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 relevant, first of all, for people suffering from allergies, liver disease, etc.
Osteotherapy heals all internal parts of the human body, replaces joints, bones and organs. Metabolic processes, the functioning of all parts of the body are normalized. The general well-being of the osteomedical ward is improving rapidly. An osteopathic specialist can also help with a spasm, pinch or overload of a muscle. He is a frequent companion of the pain discussed and can aggravate it. An osteotherapist is able to treat not only the pain that has affected the lumbar region, but also its other types, of various localization and etiology.
The aforementioned doctor relieves the pain of his ward using a variety of techniques. These include structural, craniosacral, manual, and reflexology. Excellent results are shown by the kinesio taping method - the application of special elastic adhesive tapes to the damaged areas. Using kinesio tapes, the doctor not only relieves pain, but also aids in healing.
Although osteopathy treats numerous ailments, it has a (very small) list of contraindications:
- febrile conditions, high temperature;
- blood clots;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- severe infections;
- Seizures.
Osteopractic is also an excellent preventative measure. Its general healing and restorative effect on the body is simply invaluable. In addition, preventive sessions allow you to deal with numerous problems that are 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. By comprehensively monitoring your health and regularly visiting the Osteopathy Center, you will save yourself from a number of difficulties that await you on the path of life.