Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a degenerative pathology of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. It is generally accepted that lumbar osteochondrosis affects both the spine itself and the nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are divided into those that affect the spine itself - they are called vertebral / vertebral syndrome - and those that occur outside the spine with the involvement of nerve and vascular structures - they are called non- vertebral /extravertebral syndrome. Extravertebral, in turn, is divided into reflex and radicular syndromes. Since the word "syndrome" implies a group of symptoms, it can be simply said that the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consist of three groups - vertebral, reflex and radicular.
Vertebral symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
- violation of the configuration of the spine (curvature);
- tension in the muscles of the lower back;
- violation of mobility of the lower back;
- Localized back pain.
Reflex symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The main reflex symptom is back pain. It can be abrupt or permanent. Pain occurs after physical activity or as a result of uncomfortable movements. For example when turning, tilting or lifting weights. Muscle tension and rigidity of movement occur - more often in the morning. There is shooting in the lower back or in the leg. The sensitivity of the lower extremities is impaired - numbness, goose bumps, stinging or burning. Changes in gait and coordination. Sweating increases. The work of the intestines and bladder is often disturbed. There are disruptions in the work of internal organs. Sexual function suffers. Pain disturbs sleep. Mood swings, irritability and fatigue occur. Sometimes there is depression.
Factors provoking an exacerbation are physical exertion, prolonged uncomfortable position, hypothermia, stress.
Pain reflex symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, depending on the severity and localization of the process, are usually divided into lumbago, lumbalgia and lumboischialgia.
- Lumbago (lumbago)is the greatest pain. A provocation is an awkward movement, sneezing, coughing. To alleviate his condition, the patient involuntarily leans forward or bends to the side. Attempts to sit up cause new back pain.
- low back pain- aching "tolerable" pain with episodes of exacerbation. Over time, this develops into constant, severe pain.
- sciatica- Pain from lower back to leg.
Radicular symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
They occur due to the effect on the nerves that come out of the spine.
Many nerves come out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each of these nerves gradually branches out, following a specific area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the zone of segmental innervation. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and zone is numbered strictly corresponding to one another. When the nerve is affected, the symptoms appear in the zone of segmental innervation corresponding to that nerve, and not anywhere - anywhere.
spinal nerves
Radicular symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include:- decrease or loss of reflexes;
- muscle weakness;
- violation of sensitivity;
- radicular pain.
Not all parts of the lumbar spine are equally prone to pathologies. The most mobile segments are affected more often: L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1. According to the principle "More movement - more wear".
Innervation zones of the lumbar segments
Osteochondrosis L3-L4- acts on the spinal nerve L4. Main signs: weakness of the knee reflex. Pain, numbness, and decreased sensitivity bother the front of the thigh.
Osteochondrosis L4-L5- acts on the spinal nerve L5. Main Signs: Weakness in the muscles that lift the big toe and foot. It is difficult for the patient to stand on the heel. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity bother from the lower back to the buttocks and thighs "along the strip", then through the lower leg, gradually moving to its front part and ending in the first three toes of the foot.
Osteochondrosis L5-S1- acts on the spinal nerve S1. Main signs: weakness in the calf muscles. It is difficult for the patient to stand on tiptoe. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity are noted on the buttocks, then along the back of the thigh and lower leg, moving to the side of the foot and to the little finger.
Sometimes with lumbar osteochondrosis, not only nerves, but also root arteries can be affected. This threatens the development of the most dangerous pathology - spinal stroke, with serious consequences for a person - paresis and paralysis, as well as serious malfunctions of the pelvic organs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- depend on the stage of osteochondrosis;
- aggravated by tossing and turning ;
- appear more often after 30-35 years;
- Females are about 3 times more common than males.
You noticed, of course, that the radicular symptoms are clearly defined, and the reflex symptoms are very vague and vague. And as you know, anything that isn't clearly defined serves as a convenient cover for professional helplessness. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and such a popular term among doctors as "age-related changes". Surely many of you know the situation when the doctor explained the problem in terms of "reflex" or "age-related" processes. Most people believe at such momentsrightly so that the doctor simply cannot figure out what is happening and tries to cloak his incompetence in the fog of these "magic words".
There used to be a popular phrase: "Every accident has a name, surname and position. "Each disease has its own unique set of symptoms. And the doctor's duty is to know them well. And then there is no need to let a fog in and blame osteochondrosis of the cervical spine for everything. Now you understand the importance of finding an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and the results of treatment depend on this.
When choosing a clinic, the most important thing is to get to an experienced and knowledgeable doctor.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
To date, there are a number of modern methods of hardware diagnostics of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of these are MRI and CT. However, the main method is still clinical diagnostics - in this, an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - from patient complaints, MRI results and the symptoms he found during the examination. This allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis and create an effective individual treatment program.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
As you can understand, osteochondrosis is a real "tangle" of symptoms, the unraveling of which the doctor will save you from pain and torment. But it is not possible to eliminate changes in vertebrae and intervertebral discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be correctbe understood. If you are interested in getting rid of pain and other ailments, then yes - it is quite possible. And if you are having an academic discussion on the subject of returning the vertebrae and intervertebral discs to their original appearance, "like a newbornchild", then no, the past cannot be brought back. You have to be realistic, then you will not fall for scammers.
Don't fall for scammers!
It is impossible to restore the vertebrae and intervertebral discs to their original appearance!
What is the main treatment method?
Gentle manual therapy is the main type of treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can't do without it. Other types - massage, medication, physical and exercise therapy - are supportive.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
The nutrition of the intervertebral discs is directly related to the muscles around the lumbar vertebrae. In addition, the lumbar muscles themselves are one of the constituent causes of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis. Gentle manual therapy is a special method that allows you to return muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms and muscle tension, and improve intervertebral disc nutrition.
The discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the proper functioning of the muscles.
In addition, when treating with the hands, the chiropractor can:
- relieve the affected vertebrae and intervertebral discs and distribute them correctly
- relax muscles and help them return to normal
In order to:
A handshake mobilizes the inner forces of the body and sets self-healing mechanisms in motion. The treatment is absolutely safe.
The clinic uses all methods of gentle manual therapy:
- relieve the patient of staples
- improve drive performance
- Restoration of the motor functions of the body
normalizes blood circulation
The qualification of doctors of a specialized clinic allows you to freely use all these methods of treating osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In addition, we combine them in each case, taking into account the synergy effect.
Synergy isn't just a bunch of different influences, it's the right order in the combination of methods. Synergy leads to additional treatment quality. A simple example of synergy is our hands. How long does it take to attach a button? seconds? !And if you do it with one hand, you can't do it in a minute. This means not trading twice as fast with two hands as with one, but many times faster. And hearing the same music played by individual instruments or by the whole orchestra together - is there a difference? This is the effect of synergy - it makes it possible to do everything much more powerfully, efficiently and quickly, but at the same time - more carefully.
Complementary therapies - medication, massage, physiotherapy and exercise therapy
treatment with medication.In the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, drugs with different spectrums of action are used. These are drugs that reduce deep tissue swelling, inflammation, and pain. Drugs that improve blood circulation. In addition, drugs are used that help restore damaged cartilage tissue of the intervertebral disc and pinched nerves - chondroprotectors and B vitamins. Taking medication, if necessary in combination with other treatment methods, is prescribed by a chiropractor.
Massage.As you know, there is massage for pleasure and massage for healing. Massage for pleasure is performed in spas, and massage for treatment is performed in medical clinics. At the clinic, medical massage is performed during a gentle manual therapy session. To increase the effectiveness of manual treatment and normalize metabolic processes - all this can be a therapeutic massage!
Physical therapy.There are many physiotherapeutic methods that support manual therapy in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, e. g. B. Treatment with ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser, etc. A specific recommendation will be made by the treating chiropractor.
physical therapy- includes regular gymnastics to strengthen the muscles. The main thing is to do the right exercises without sudden movements. During treatment in a specialized clinic, the doctor will recommend the necessary exercises. Pilates is the best option.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
To avoid relapses, create comfortable sleeping and working conditions for yourself. Watch your weight and eat right. Maintain your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and not save on it. Don't let things take their course. After recovery, try to do at least one maintenance session of gentle manual therapy every three to six months — this reduces risk factors. Do not forget that neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and herniated disc. Remember: you need your health first!
Ongoing osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and herniated disc.
Advantages of treating osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic:
- Guarantee of a complete and qualified treatment. The word "complete" is key in our work.
- We consider each case individually and comprehensively - no formalism.
- synergy effect.
- Guaranteed honesty and fair prices.