Lumbar osteochondrosis affects many patients. This is an unpleasant and very dangerous disease, which in turn can lead to unpleasant complications. And, by the way, among all these types of diseases, these diseases are found more often in medical practice, because the lower back has a lot of burden. At the same time, the spine does not receive enough nutrients, the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and only dries. The back could not withstand such a heavy load, the fibrous rings protruding in different directions and fractures.
Diagnostics
If a patient complains of acute pain in the lumbar region, this does not mean that he or she has osteochondrosis of the lumbar or lumbosacral region. But,to 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 process the patient is complaining about;
- assesses posture, whether it looks straight or not, how curved it is;
- can send the patient for additional examination - X-ray;
- assigns additional examinations using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Symptoms
The most important symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is unbearable lower back pain. And these symptoms arise either immediately or after a while, after doing strenuous physical activity. In this case, the nature of the pain can be completely different:
- lower back pain becomes unbearable and can radiate to the feet;
- Every time a patient tries to do physical work, the pain begins to increase, moreover, these symptoms can occur during coughing, chewing, and even body position changes;
- once the patient has been in the same position for an extended period of time, any attempt to change position causes pain in the lumbar region;
- the back muscles are always tense, as if the patient is always carrying some weight;
- due to the slightest hypothermia, the lower back begins to "shoot";
- nerve endings in the back, knees, legs begin to develop atrophy, i. e. the sensitivity in these places decreases;
- inflamed bumps and a small tingling sensation appear in the legs; feet become cold;
- leg arteries may experience cramps and the pulse may feel unwell;
- patients begin to sweat actively;
- In the affected area, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off.
Help: keep in mind that osteochondrosis can turn into an acute stage if, with major symptoms, it continues to load the back or body too cold.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment
Currently, there are various schemes to treat this disease. There is drug therapy, acupuncture, and there is also gymnastics for osteochondrosis. But, nevertheless, doctors prescribe methods of treatment.If the patient treats himself, the patient can worsen the disease and end badly.
Important: keep in mind that lumbar spine osteochondrosis is a very difficult disease to cure. You can get rid of it completely only in the first or second stage.
Protocols and Schemes
There are many methods to treat osteochondrosis, but the treatment regimen is the same. This is necessary to reduce pressure on the spine and strengthen the muscles of the spine and lumbar. It is also necessary to normalize the nutrition of the spine by restoring metabolic and circulatory processes. And the main win is to regain lower body sensitivity.
First aid
- When a sharp pain suddenly strikes the lumbar region, first of all, it is necessary to isolate this area with something warm (a woolen scarf, warming membrane, 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 (benches, boards, boards, floors).
- The rollers should be placed below 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 take painkillers before he or she arrives.
Conservative and operational methods
Lumbar spine osteochondrosis treatment methods are divided into conservative treatment methods and surgical treatment methods. What is the difference? Andthe difference lies in the fact that with conservative treatment methods doctors use complex techniques that affect different fields of medicine.
That is, this technique implies long-term and sometimes unsuccessful treatment. Surgical intervention depends on the neglect of the disease. For example, surgery, as one of the methods of surgical treatment, is an extreme, but impossible, act without it.
Effective Conservative Methods
In the early stages, drug and health gymnastics is suitable for suppressing pain and normalizing metabolism.However, if the disease develops into a more severe phase, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy, 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 loading the spine and at the same time trying to paralyze the focus of inflammation.
Medicine
- The most basic and effective medicine for acute pain is painkillers (analgin, amidopyrine, phenacetin, etc. ). The drug relieves pain, but does not eliminate the cause.
- Also, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that act on the radicular nerves and eliminate swelling. Such drugs reduce and eliminate the focus of the inflammatory process.
- If pain is 3-4 degrees, a local anesthetic is prescribed (for example, novocaine).
- To eliminate spastic muscle contraction, doctors prescribe muscle relaxants.
- Chondoprotectors are used to normalize metabolism, as well as restore cartilage tissue. This treatment reduces the risk of cartilage deformity and tissue damage.
- In combination with medications, patients are given vitamin B. This group of vitamins increases the body's metabolism, reduces inflammation, is a natural diuretic that allows you to get rid of excess fluid.
- Diuretics can also be prescribed.
- To improve the patient's condition, he was prescribed drugs that boost the body's overall immunity.
- Pictures are complemented by medications that increase blood circulation in the area where there are lesions.
Physical Education
Practice shows that physical therapy helps to overcome osteochondrosis. And it not only helps, in the Far East it is practiced daily and, first of all, is prescribed to patients. Currently, there are various methods of gymnastics training to combat this disease.And among the ancient techniques they practice yoga, qigong, etc.
The complexity of gymnastics training should be determined by the doctor together with the patientBut it should be remembered that each technique has its own indications and contraindications. For example, severe forms of the disease cannot be overcome with physiotherapy training. At the doctor's discretion, gymnastics training can be combined with medication and physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy
Coincidentally in our country physiotherapy is prescribed, basically, because drug treatment turns out to be invalid. Although a person is always influenced by some physiological process.
The principle of physiotherapy is that the body is influenced by simple physical processes (with the help of currents, magnets, etc. ). But unlike natural phenomena, physiotherapeutic methods help direct the effects of the influence method in the right direction. For example, take, for example, electrotherapy. With current help, doctors help normalize metabolism or relieve cramps.
Sort
Massage is prescribed for patients who are recovering. But, in some cases, massage can be prescribed during exacerbation of the disease. Then only healthy parts of the body are massaged.One-session sessions typically last 15-20 minutes, and the total number of sessions requires up to 7 procedures.
But such techniques are dangerous to the public, so it is better to make an appointment with a professional. At the same time, can now do massages by hand as well as special tools.
Classes on custom simulators
Doctors believe that the treatment of lumbar spine osteochondrosis is highly dependent on the patient's own desires and aspirations. The method of treating the disease is like choosing a tool that makes it possible to cure it.Exercise machine is one of the tools that helps to improve the condition and cure diseases faster. But doctors recommend going to the gym as the patient recovers and his illness begins to subside.
Among the simulators that can help in this regard are:
- horizontal bar;
- developer;
- cardiovascular equipment;
- gym (in this case, it is better to sign up for a special course, where the patient will have his own personal trainer who will assist in choosing a simulator).
Joint injection
When the disease worsens, the doctor may prescribe an injection treatment. This is an effective medicine in which the spine receives all nutrients and trace elements artificially. In this case, the injection acts on the spine directly, the painful sensation passes faster.But this method is included in drug treatment, which means it may have its own side effects. Therefore, the injection must be performed under the guidance of the attending physician clearly.
Swim
Swimming is considered an additional treatment. But at the same time, everyone needs to know thatbefore starting to exercise in the water, you need to warm up to warm up the muscles. In this case, the water must be at least 27-30 ° C. And after each lesson, you can safely lower the temperature to 23 ° C. Proper breathing is the key to successful exercise. First you need to take a deep breath, and then take a short breath. And you should also choose the right training and swimming techniques.
To achieve a positive result, you must first swim 30-100 m with a pillow in your hand. Then you need to relax a bit, then hold the pillow at your feet and swim the same amount, just with your hands. Then rest again and swim with chest style 20-30 m without holding your breath. After a little rest and you can move on.
First you need to soak the body in water to the chest and start walking in place, and then walk around the pool. Then lift your knees as high as possible, and stretch your arms to the sides at the same time. Think about swimming your breasts. Do the same, just lean on the side. After that, you need to bend forward, placing your hands on the belt. Then imagine that you are a hippopotamus and stick your stomach back and forth. Then, holding on to one side, do some 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 the patient first visits the hospital, the doctor prescribes a treatment (course), which takes place at a certain time (it all depends on the method). You also need to take into account the fact of how the patient behaves during the course. Since the disease is chronic at a severe stage of the disease, the symptoms can return and the treatment should be repeated.
Prevention
In order not to experience lumbar spine osteochondrosis, the following rules must be followed:
- if your work is related to physical activity, then there is no need to load your back too much and relax;
- to start playing sports, specifically to strengthen the back muscles;
- watch your posture; move more often, night streets are best;
- observe proper nutrition (not to be confused with diet, proper nutrition is a complete balance of all vitamins and minerals);
- follow a proper rest routine;
- osteochondrosis can be another cause of back pain, so take care of your health at the time.
Which doctor should be contacted
When a patient begins to have back pain, the first thing to do is to see a local doctor. But, in this case, he only identified the external symptoms and directed them further for examination. And the first person he will refer to isa neurologist or vertebrologist.
Both of these doctors specifically deal with the problem of osteochondrosis. But while the patient is in the process of remission, massage therapists, gymnastics trainers, physiotherapists, and many others, depend on the type of recovery activity prescribed by the doctor.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a rather unpleasant disease. But, as practice shows, the main patients in the hospital are those who do not monitor their health. Therefore, keep in mind thattimely detection of the disease and its prevention will cost less than the advanced stage of the disease.