Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by damage to the articular cartilage and bone tissue.
This disease affects people who are inactive due to their occupation or lifestyle.Due to inactivity, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and mobility and over time they deform and wear out.
The result of this deformation is a reduction in the distance between the vertebrae and pinching of the nerve endings between them.
This fact leads to pain.
Who is susceptible to this disease?
By the time they reach age 30, few people can say they haven't had back pain.This unpleasant phenomenon only gets worse with age.When comparing all known cases of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occupies almost 90%.If the disease is not treated in the early stages, when gymnastics can alleviate undesirable consequences, the disease can be neglected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region occurs as a result of improper loading of the spinal organ.There are enough reasons why this disease progresses:
- The presence of congenital defects in this area;
- Changes and disorders in the hormonal balance;
- postural distortion;
- Low physical activity;
- Traumatic injuries;
- chemical exposure;
- hypothermia;
- Frequent jerky lifting of weights;
- Increased nervousness;
- The presence of infections in the body;
- obesity;
- flat feet;
- Hypothermia.
Heredity also plays an important role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis.If you have relatives with this disease, you need to take preventive measures more seriously.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has its own symptoms
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which consist of various pains and tension in a specific muscle group.The pain that occurs with this disease is not the same.A distinction is made between aching, sudden and stabbing, stabbing or burning pain.Pain increases with sudden movements, coughing and sneezing, and when lifting heavy objects.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is characterized, in addition to pain, by nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, dysfunction of the urethra and the functioning of the genitals are possible.
Due to the abundance of symptoms, osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is difficult to miss.And if even some of the listed symptoms are detected, you need to go to the hospital.
How can osteochondrosis be treated?
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis can be done in different ways.The choice of method depends on the degree of development of the disease.
Stages of the disease:
- In the first stage, lumbar osteochondrosis begins with dull pain in the lumbar region when lifting heavy loads.At this point the intervertebral discs are damaged.
- In the second stage of development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral distance decreases and the fibrous ring is destroyed.During this time, the nerve endings become pinched.This procedure is very painful for the lower back.The pain reaction from the lumbosacral region radiates to the thigh, gluteal region and lower leg.
- In the third stage of development of osteochondrosis, destruction of the fibrous rings is observed.At this point, the formation of intervertebral hernias begins.This stage of the disease is characterized by severe and persistent pain.
- In the fourth stage, it becomes very difficult for the patient to move due to severe deformation of the spine.The pain becomes constant, but even the rare intervals without pain do not please the patient.In this form, the disease can lead to disability.
The second stage attack is accompanied by pain, increased sweating and “goosebumps” on the skin.The duration of each subsequent attack increases relative to the previous one.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine can be cured with or without surgery.In every tenth case, operations are performed to treat osteochondrosis.In other cases, complex treatment is used.There are four known ways to treat lumbar osteochondrosis non-surgically:
- treatment with medication;
- therapeutic gymnastics exercises;
- treatment with leeches;
- Massage and acupuncture.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with drug therapy begins with a medical examination.Based on the results of computed tomography, X-ray and magnetic resonance therapy, the doctor prescribes treatment.In many cases, the list of medications includes painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants and stimulants.
Surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is possible from the third stage of the disease.Here you need to use all the body's internal resources.For this purpose, a gentle spinal stretching technique is used in combination with reflexology, massage, acupressure techniques and special exercises.
Gymnastic exercises for osteochondrosis
- Stay on the bar for just over a minute.
- Body tilts in different directions up to 10 exercises;
- movement of the pelvis forward and backward;
- Stand on all fours with your arms extended and arch your back up and down 15 times.
- Pedal an imaginary bike while lying on your back.
- Lie on your back and alternately press and straighten your legs 15 times.
- Push-ups 10-15 reps;
- Stand on your knees and extend your arms straight to the floor.Fold your body in half and back to the starting position.
By performing this type of exercise daily, it is possible not only to prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis, but also to relieve the symptoms of this disease.
When walking, you need to pay attention to your posture.Proper posture includes keeping your head on the same vertical line as your back.At this moment, the shoulders are in a stretched state, which ensures a flat back surface without protruding shoulder blades.A retracted stomach allows your chest to move forward.All these instructions must be constantly implemented in order to avoid the development of osteochondrosis.
How to treat osteochondrosis without drugs
Treatment with folk remedies can relieve the symptoms of the disease and reduce pain, but does not cure the existing disease.In addition to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies can serve well, but they should not be used as the basis of treatment.
Among the non-drug treatments for lumbar osteochondrosis, the following should be highlighted:
- manual therapy;
- Massage;
- physiotherapy;
- Acupuncture;
- Apitherapy.
With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to determine the cause of the disease and prevent its development.In addition, a manual doctor is able to relieve pain attacks.Manual therapy is somewhat reminiscent of a massage, as the chiropractor's area of activity is the back and he works with the help of his hands.
However, massage actions are designed for muscle tissue, but manual therapy affects the vertebrae and ligaments.And this effect is achieved with some effort.The most important thing here is to calculate the force correctly.The qualifications and experience of a chiropractor are important for this.
Physiotherapy is very diverse.In individual cases an amplipulse must be used.In this type of physiotherapy, the painful area is treated with sinusoidally modulated currents.This procedure allows you to achieve an analgesic, neuromyostimulating, trophic and vasodilating effect.
The second physical intervention that can trigger the regeneration process, relieve pain and eliminate inflammation is UHF therapy.Its effect is based on an ultra-high frequency magnetic field.
Massage procedures for osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine are based on the use of a unique massage technique, in which simple stroking, pressing and kneading are preferred.
Also for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, massage, light shaking and rubbing of the surface of the back are permissible.
Massage actions are carried out with the patient lying on his back.Hard surfaces are preferred for massage.
This involves placing a small pillow or pillow under your stomach.At this moment, your shins should be raised 45 degrees.The position of the head at this stage should be below the level of the couch, but not floating, but resting against the support.
In order to achieve the best massage effect, the massage is carried out with warming active ingredients.It is possible to carry out massage actions after thermal procedures.
Acupuncture refers to reflexology methods and allows the patient to relieve muscle spasms and increase blood flow to tissues.Kuznetsov's applicator can also be classified as reflexology.It is applied to the sore spot.The duration of the session with this applicator is no more than 20 minutes.Lying on a prickly mat for 5 minutes every day can relieve pain and relax tight muscles.This family doctor is sold in pharmacies at reasonable prices.
Osteochondrosis is treated by affecting 5-7 active points on the human body.This procedure is carried out by a qualified neurologist.
Apitherapy is accompanied by treatment with bee stings.The bites occur at active points on the spine and are similar to acupuncture.Bee venom can warm and relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and improve joint mobility.Bee venom has a tonic effect and is characterized by its long-lasting effect and lasting effect.
As folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the following are distinguished:
- Rubbing with bee venom
- Formic alcohol
- Applying a pepper plaster.
If you want to use folk remedies, it is important to get your doctor's approval in this regard.
Acute back pain can be relieved by:
- propolis plates;
- wax compresses;
- honey compresses with aloe juice;
- Honey poultices.
Diet as a prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures for lumbar osteochondrosis do not require a strict diet.Particular attention in the diet is paid to dairy products, fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and fruit jelly.It is very useful to use olive oil and lemon juice in your diet.
Purified mineral water is preferably used for drinking.And as main dishes it is necessary to eat protein products, jellied meat or jellied meat and sea fish as often as possible.In addition, foods for patients with osteochondrosis should contain as much calcium, vitamins A and D, B and C, magnesium and phosphorus as possible.
Products containing chondoprotectors are very useful for patients with lumbar osteochondrosis.These products include animal cartilage in combination with sprouted wheat grains and other cereals.
Pregnancy is one of the reasons for the development of lumbosacral osteochondrosis.
Pregnant women in late pregnancy are at risk of developing osteochondrosis.Since an increase in the weight of the fetus leads to a shift in the body's center of gravity, this creates incorrect strain on the lumbar region of the back.In combination with changes in metabolism and a lack of important vitamins and minerals, favorable conditions arise that promote the development of the disease.
Since the number of medications and physiotherapeutic procedures at this stage is reduced to a minimum, if osteochondrosis occurs in a pregnant woman, treatment should be prescribed and coordinated by doctors: a therapist and a gynecologist.
Harmless methods of preventing osteochondrosis in a pregnant woman include special bandages and corsets, frequent walks, gymnastics for pregnant women and a special vitamin course.