To understand why our back hurts, we need to understand how our spine is built, 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 coccyx), between which there is an intervertebral disc consisting of a disc.In the center of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-fluid formation in the form of a "ball", which performs the shock-absorbing function and is surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves extending from it, passes through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are locomotor, impact absorbing and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower, held in a vertical position thanks to a system of cables stretched from bottom to top.In the same way, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizing muscles, which generally distribute the load on the spine and joints evenly.Unlike the Ostankino TV tower, our backbone is more complex;it can bend in different directions and even twist, all of this is possible due to the presence of the intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day, people perform monotonous, repetitive movements related to work or leisure.When the same muscles work for a long time, they overextend and spasm, while the other muscles do not experience stress and atrophy at all.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, spasmodic muscles stretch the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.The same processes take place with monotonous heavy physical work.In addition, there are no blood vessels in the intervertebral disc, 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 there is not enough water in the body, the intervertebral disc dries out (dehydration), the cartilage cracks and collapses.
In my practice, I have long observed that stress, anxiety and worries often contribute to the occurrence of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as a threat.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands "inject" stress hormones into the blood, the blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster, and the muscles tense up.In nature, if an animal is scared of something, it runs or defends itself, accordingly, stress hormones burn and muscles relax after work.Man is a social creature, he began to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.This results in spinal pain, headaches, motor tics and more.
In the literature, you will find different forms of osteochondrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is the "breakdown" of the motor segment, the destruction and degeneration of cartilage tissue.This is due to an incorrect motor stereotype and, as a result, malnutrition of the cartilage.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestation of osteochondrosis depends on the location and severity of the lesion in the movement segment of the spine.In the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of spinal movement, periodic numbness of the arms or legs, headache and fatigue.If you start treatment and change your lifestyle during this period, the results will not be long in coming, and healing will happen quickly.
Severe damage to the intervertebral disc causes severe pain, permanent numbness and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the extent of the damage).These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, so you should immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, with possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arms or legs.If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization is required to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
In the case of cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, it 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 shoulder blade, intensifies due to breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
In the case of involvement of the lumbosacral spine, 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.
We must remember that our body is a single whole, and the division of cervical, thoracic and lumbar osteochondrosis is arbitrary.In general, the disease develops in the entire spine, but manifests itself in the part that suffers the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examining osteochondrosis
As a rule, patients with spinal pain consult a neurologist, who can make a preliminary diagnosis based on complaints and a neurological examination, prescribe additional examination methods (spine X-ray, MRI, CT, general urine test, general blood test) and develop a treatment plan.
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive and should focus on:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired function of spinal roots;
- prevention of the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine.
During the acute period,in case of severe pain, drug treatment is prescribed: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, or a blockade is performed.
Then the massage connects,manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
Therapeutic practicethe main method of conservative treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.Exercise therapy is aimed at forming, correcting and strengthening the ligament;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of motor stereotype and correct posture;reduces the load on the spine.
As a result of regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, the blood supply and nutrition of the tissues improves, the metabolism normalizes, the space between the vertebrae increases, which leads to healing.
Listen to your body, if you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis, or your lifestyle involves prolonged sitting in front of a computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for aggravation.