To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how our spine is structured, how it functions, 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 consisting of cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-fluid formation in the shape of a "ball", which performs the function of shock absorption and is surrounded by dense cartilaginous tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it, runs through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, cushioning 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 stabilizer muscles, which normally evenly distribute the load on the spine and joints.Unlike the Ostankino TV tower, our backbone is more complex;it can bend in different directions and even twist, all this is possible due to the presence of the intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day, a person makes some monotonous, repetitive movements related to work or free time.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overstrained and spasm, while other muscles do not experience stress at all and atrophy.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, muscle spasms tighten the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.The same processes occur during monotonous hard physical work.In addition, the intervertebral disc has no blood vessels, and its nutrition is ensured 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 very important.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 decays.
In my practice, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety and worries often contribute to the appearance of back pain.Our body perceives every 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, the blood pressure rises, the heart beats faster, the muscles tense up.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, runs or defends itself, stress hormones burn accordingly, and muscles relax after work.Man is a social being, he started to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.As a result, there is pain in the spine, headache, motor tics and more.
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 is an incorrect motor stereotype and, as a consequence, cartilage malnutrition.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the spinal movement segment.In the initial stage, patients complain of dull pain in the back, discomfort, slight limitation of movement in the spine, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headache and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle in this period, the result will not take long and recovery will come quickly.
Severe damage to the intervertebral disc causes severe pain, permanent numbness and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the degree of damage).These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely strong, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arm or leg are possible.If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization in a hospital is necessary to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, may 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 when breathing and moving, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, increases with movement, radiates to the leg or groin, and numbness or weakness in the leg may occur.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a unique whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops in the entire spine, but it manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examining osteochondrosis
As a rule, with pain in the spine, patients turn to a neurologist, who, based on complaints and a neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (x-ray of the spine, MRI, CT, general urinalysis, general blood test) and develop a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of disturbed function of spinal roots;
- preventing the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spinal structures.
During the acute period,in case of severe pain, drug therapy is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors or blockade is performed.
Then massage is combined,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 forming, correcting and strengthening the muscular corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of motor stereotype and proper posture;reducing the load on the spine.
Regular exercise, joint exercises, yoga or swimming improves blood supply and tissue nutrition, normalizes metabolism, increases intervertebral space, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle includes long-term sitting at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for aggravation.