Lumbar osteochondrosis affects many patients. This is an unpleasant and very dangerous disease, which can later lead to unpleasant complications. And, by the way, among all types of this disease, this one is much more often found in medical practice, because the lower part of the back has the highest load. In this case, the spine does not receive enough nutrients, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and simply dry out. The back can not withstand such heavy loads, the fibrous ring protrudes in different directions and breaks.
Diagnostics
If a patient complains of acute pain in the lumbar region, it does not mean that he has osteochondrosis of the lumbar or lumbosacral region. Butto identify the cause of the disease, the doctor must diagnose the patient. And for this he:
- examines the affected area, trying to identify the inflammatory processes the patient is complaining of;
- assesses body posture, whether it looks correct or not, how curved it is;
- can send the patient for additional examination - X-ray;
- appoints an additional examination using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Symptoms
The most important symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is unbearable lower back pain. And this symptom occurs immediately or after some time, after heavy physical exertion. In this case, the nature of the pain may be completely different:
- Pain in the lower back becomes unbearable and can radiate to the leg;
- whenever a patient tries to do some kind of physical work, the pain starts to intensify, moreover, this symptom can occur when coughing, chewing, as well as any changes in body position;
- as soon as the patient is in the same position for a long time, any attempt to change position causes pain in the lumbar region;
- the back muscles are constantly tense, as if the patient is constantly carrying some weights;
- as a result of the least hypothermia, the lower back begins to "shoot";
- nerve endings in the buttocks, knees, feet begin to atrophy, ie sensitivity in these places decreases;
- geese and slight tingling in the legs appear; feet cool;
- The arteries of the feet may have spasm and the pulse is weak;
- the patient begins to actively sweat;
- In the affected area, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel.
Help: it should be borne in mind that osteochondrosis can turn into an acute phase if, in addition to the primary symptoms, it continues to strain the back or severely over-cool the body.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment
In our time there are various schemes for treating the disease. There is drug therapy, acupuncture, and there is gymnastics for osteochondrosis. But in any case, the doctor prescribes a method of treatment.If a patient engages in self-medication, it can worsen the disease and end very badly.
Important: it should be borne in mind that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a disease from which it is very difficult to recover. You can get rid of it completely only in the first or second stage.
Protocol and schema
There are many methods of treating osteochondrosis, but there is one treatment regimen. It is necessary to reduce the stress on the spine and strengthen the muscles of the back and lumbar spine. It is also necessary to normalize the diet of the spine by restoring metabolic processes and blood circulation. And the final victory will be to restore the sensitivity of the lower body.
First Aid
- When sudden sharp pain affects the lumbar region, it is necessary, first of all, to insulate this area with something warm (woolen scarf, heating pad, etc. ). But at the same time you need to make sure that the affected area is warm and not hot.
- The body must be placed on something firm and flat (bench, plank, plank, floor).
- The roller should be placed under the back, in the lumbar region. But if the lower limbs are tense, the roller should be placed below the knee.
- Call a doctor and get some painkillers before they arrive.
Conservative and operational methods
Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are divided into conservative methods of treatment and surgical methods of treatment. What's the difference? And thedifference lies in the fact that with conservative methods of treatment, the doctor uses a complex technique that affects different areas of medicine.
That is, this technique involves long-term and sometimes unsuccessful treatment. Surgical intervention depends on neglect of the disease. For example, surgery is one of the methods of extreme surgical treatment, but without it it is impossible.
Effective conservative methods
In the early stages, medications and wellness gymnastics are suitable for pain relief and normalization of metabolism. But if the disease progresses to more serious stages, the doctor may prescribe physical therapy as well as surgery. Moreover, in the latter case such a method is considered extreme but quite effective. The most important thing in the treatment of osteochondrosis is not to burden the spine and at the same time try to immobilize the inflammatory foci.
Medications
- The most basic and effective remedies for acute pain are painkillers (analgin, amidopyrine, phenacetin, etc. ). Medications relieve pain but do not eliminate the cause.
- Also, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that affect the radicular nerves and eliminate swelling. Such drugs reduce and eliminate foci of inflammatory processes.
- Local anesthetics (e. g. , novocaine) are prescribed for grade 3-4 disease.
- To eliminate spastic muscle contraction, the doctor prescribes muscle relaxants.
- Chondoprotectors are used to normalize metabolism and regenerate cartilage tissue. This treatment reduces the risk of cartilage deformation and tissue destruction.
- In combination with medication, the patient is prescribed vitamin B. This group of vitamins improves metabolism in the body, reduces inflammation, is a natural diuretic that allows you to get rid of excess fluid.
- Diuretics may also be prescribed.
- To improve the patient's condition, he is prescribed drugs that increase the body's immunity as a whole.
- The picture is complemented by drugs that improve blood circulation at the site of the lesion.
Physical education
Practice shows that physical therapy helps with osteochondrosis. And not only does it help, in the Far East it is practiced daily and, above all, prescribed to patients. Currently, there are various methods of gymnastic exercises to combat this disease.And among the ancient techniques they practice yoga, qigong, etc.
Which complex of gymnastic exercises should be performed, the doctor decides together with the patient. But it should be borne in mind that each technique has its indications and contraindications. For example, severe forms of the disease cannot be treated with physiotherapy exercises. According to the doctor's decision, gymnastic exercises can be combined with medication and physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy
So it happened that in our country physiotherapy is mostly prescribed after it turns out that the treatment is invalid. Although a person is constantly affected by some physiological processes.
The principle of physiotherapy is that the body is affected by simple physical processes (with the help of electricity, magnets, etc. ). But unlike natural phenomena, physiotherapeutic methods help direct the effects of methods of influence in the right direction. That is, take electrotherapy for example. With the help of electricity, doctors help normalize metabolism or eliminate cramps.
Massage
Massage is prescribed for patients who are recovering. But in some cases, massage may be prescribed during the exacerbation of the disease. Then only healthy parts of the body are massaged.A session of one lesson usually lasts 15-20 minutes, and the number of sessions lasts up to 7 procedures.
But this technique is dangerous for laymen, so it is best to make an appointment with a professional. At the same time, it is now possible to do massage with both hands and special devices.
Lectures on specialized simulators
Doctors believe that the treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis largely depends on the desire and aspiration of the patient. The method of treating the disease is like choosing an instrument through which healing is possible.Exercise machines are one of the tools that help improve the condition and heal faster from ailments. But doctors recommend going to the gym when the patient recovers and the disease begins to recede.
Among such simulators that will help in this matter are:
- horizontal bar;
- extender;
- cardiovascular equipment;
- gym (in this case it is best to sign up for special courses, where the patient will have his personal trainer to help him choose a simulator).
Articular injections
When the disease gets worse, the doctor may prescribe injections. It is an effective medicine in which the spine artificially receives all the nutrients and trace elements. In this case, the injections act directly on the spine, the painful sensations pass much faster.But this method is part of drug treatment, which means it can have its side effects. Therefore, injections must be given under the clear guidance of a physician.
Swimming
Swimming is considered an additional treatment. But at the same time, everyone needs to know thatbefore you start exercising in water, you need to warm up to warm up your muscles. In this case, the water should be at least 27-30 ° C. And after each lesson you can safely reduce the temperature to 23 ° C. Proper breathing is the key to successful exercise. First you should take a deep breath and then a short one. You should also choose the right exercises and swimming technique.
To achieve positive results, you must first swim 30-100 m with a pillow in your hands. Then you need to rest a bit and then squeeze the pillow in your legs and swim the same amount, working only with your hands. Then rest again and swim 20-30 m breaststroke without holding your breath. After a little rest and you can continue.
First you have to immerse your body in water up to your chest and start walking on the spot and then just walk around the pool. Then raise your knees as high as possible and spread your arms to your hips at the same time. Consider your breaststroke swimming. Do the same, just leaning on your side. You should then bend forward, keeping your hands on your belt. Then imagine you are a hippopotamus and protrude your belly back and forth. Then, holding your hips, do a few squats.
How much is treated and what will happen if left untreated
The duration of treatment for lumbar spine osteochondrosis depends on the neglect of the disease. Basically, when a patient visits a hospital for the first time, the doctor prescribes a treatment (course) that lasts a certain amount of time (it all depends on the method). You must also take into account the fact that the patient behaved during the course. Because this disease is chronic in the severe stages of the disease, symptoms may return and treatment will need to be repeated.
Prevention
In order not to feel for yourself what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, you must adhere to the following rules:
- if your job is related to physical activity, you should not strain your back too much and rest them;
- start playing sports, especially strengthening your back muscles;
- pay attention to posture; move more often, evening walks are best;
- pay attention to proper nutrition (it should not be confused with diet, proper nutrition is a complete balance of all vitamins and trace elements);
- follow the correct rest routine;
- Osteochondrosis can be the cause of other back diseases, so pay attention to your health at the time.
Which doctor to contact
When a patient begins to have back pain, the first thing to do is visit a local doctor. But in this case, he identifies only the external symptoms and directs further examination. And the first person to write a referral to is aneurologist or vertebrologist.
These two doctors deal specifically with the problem of osteochondrosis. But when a patient is in remission, massage therapists, gymnastics coaches, physical therapists, and many others come into play, depending on what type of recovery the doctor prescribes.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a rather unpleasant disease. But, as practice shows, the main patients in hospitals are those people who did not monitor their health. Therefore, keep in mind thattimely detection of the disease and its prevention will cost you much less than the advanced stage of the disease.