To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how our spine is structured, how it works, what function it performs, and what factors can cause its damage.
The human spine consists of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3-5 coccyx), between which there are intervertebral discs consisting of cartilage tissue.In the center of the intervertebral disc there is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-liquid formation in the shape of a "ball", which performs a shock-absorbing function and is surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves extending from it, passes through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, shock absorbing, and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower, which stands tall 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 stabilizing muscles, which normally distribute the load evenly 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 intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments.
Every day a person performs some monotonous and repetitive movements related to work or leisure time.If the same muscle is worked for a long time, it becomes overstrained and spasms, while other muscles are currently under no stress at all and atrophy.This leads to a change in the “geometry” of the body, the load on the intervertebral discs is redistributed, spasming muscles tighten the spine, and nutrition worsens.With monotonous hard physical work, the same process occurs.In addition, the intervertebral discs do not have blood vessels, and their nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles, and during movements in the intervertebral joints, nutritious synovial fluid enters them.
Cartilage tissue consists of 80-85% water, so drinking habits are 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 discs occurs, the cartilage cracks and collapses.
In my practice, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety and worry often contribute to the occurrence of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as dangerous.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands “inject” stress hormones into the blood, blood pressure rises, the heart rate quickens, and the muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs or defends itself, therefore, stress hormones burn and the muscles, after work, relax.Man is a social creature, he begins to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.The result is pain in the spine, headaches, motor tics and much 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, damage, degeneration of cartilage tissue.The reason is incorrect motor stereotypes and, as a consequence, malnutrition of the cartilage.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the spinal motion segments.In the initial stages, patients complain of dull 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 lifestyle during this period, the results will not be long in coming and recovery will be quick.
With severe damage to the intervertebral discs, severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness in the arms or legs (depending on the degree of damage) occurs.These signs may indicate damage to 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 very severe, dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness of the arms or legs are possible.If these signs are present, immediate hospital admission is necessary to address 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, radiates to the sternum or shoulder blades, increases with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Often patients confuse this condition with heart disease.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, pain is localized in the lower back, increases with movement, radiates to the legs or perineum, and numbness or weakness in the legs may occur.
It is worth remembering that our body is one whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.Usually, the disease develops throughout the spine, but manifests itself in those parts that experience the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examination for 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 (spinal x-ray, 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 spinal root dysfunction;
- prevention of the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures 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 blockades are performed.
Then the massage continued,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 body posture;reduces the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint gymnastics, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved, metabolism is normalized, and the intervertebral space increases, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle involves long sitting at the computer, driving a car, or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for an exacerbation.