To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how our spine is structured, how it works, what functions it performs and what factors can cause damage.
The human spine consists of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3-5 coccygeal), among which there are intervertebral discs consisting of cartilage tissue.In the center of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus pulposus - a semi-fluid formation in the form of a "ball", which performs the function of shock absorption and is surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves extending from it, runs through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main function of the spine is musculoskeletal, shock absorbing, and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower, which is held in a vertical position thanks to the entire cable system that stretches from the base to the top.Similarly, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizing muscles, which normally distribute the load on the spine and joints evenly.Unlike the Ostankino TV tower, our spine is more complex;it can bend in different directions and even twist, all this may be due to the presence of intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments.
Every day a person makes several boring, repetitive movements associated with work or leisure.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become too tense and spasm, while other muscles during this time do not experience any direct stress and atrophy.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral discs is redistributed, the spasmodic muscles tighten the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.With hard, boring physical work, the same process occurs.In addition, the intervertebral disc does not have blood vessels, and 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 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 collapses.
In my practice, I have long noted that stress, anxiety, and worry often contribute to the occurrence of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as a danger.At the same time, the part of the sympathetic nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands "inject" stress hormones into the blood, blood pressure rises, the heart beats fast, and muscles tense.Naturally, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs or defends itself, therefore, stress hormones burn and muscles, after work, relax.Man is a social creature, he begins to worry more often and moves less, so there is no relaxation.As a result, pain in the spine, headaches, motor tics and more occur.
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 incorrect motor stereotypes and, as a result, cartilage malnutrition.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestation of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesions in the segment of spinal motion.In the early stages, patients complain of dull back pain, back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of movement in the spine, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headaches, and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the results will not be long in coming and recovery will come quickly.
With severe damage to the intervertebral disc, severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness in the arms or legs occurs (depending on the extent of the damage).These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately see a doctor and start treatment.
In the worst cases, the pain syndrome can be very severe, possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arms or legs.If these signs are present, immediate hospitalization in a hospital is necessary to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, 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, radiating to the sternum or scapula, increases with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Patients often confuse this condition with heart disease.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the legs or perineum, and numbness or weakness in the legs may occur.
It should be remembered that our body is one whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic, and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, this disease develops throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, how to check osteochondrosis
As a rule, with pain in the spine, the patient turns to a neurologist, who, based on complaints and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (x-ray of the spine, MRI, CT, general urinalysis, general blood tests) and develop a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, aiming to:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired function of spinal roots;
- prevention of the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine.
During the acute period,in case of severe pain, drug treatment is prescribed: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, or restrictions are performed.
Then the massage is connected,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 the formation, correction and strengthening of the muscle corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of motor stereotypes and correct posture;reduce the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved, metabolism is normalized, and the intervertebral space is increased, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle involves prolonged sitting in front of the computer, driving a car, or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for an exacerbation.