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 lead to its damage.
The human spinal column is made up of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3-5 coccygeal), among which there is an intervertebral disc made up of cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-liquid formation in the shape of a "ball", which performs the function of shock absorption and is surrounded by dense cartilaginous tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it, runs through the entire spine.The entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, shock-absorbing and protective.
Imagine the Ostankino television tower, kept upright thanks to an entire 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 evenly distribute the load 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 an intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day a person makes monotonous and repetitive movements associated with work or leisure.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overloaded and spasms, while other muscles at this time do not experience any stress and atrophy.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, spasmed muscles squeeze the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.With hard and monotonous physical work, the same processes occur.In addition, the intervertebral disc has no blood vessels, and its nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles, and during movement, nourishing synovial fluid enters the intervertebral joint.
Cartilage tissue consists of 80-85% water, so the drinking regime is of great importance.During the day, a person should drink at least 2 liters of clean water.If there is not enough water in the body, dehydration (dryness) of the intervertebral disc occurs, the cartilage breaks down and collapses.
In my practice, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety and worries often contribute to the appearance of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as a danger.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands “inject” stress hormones into the blood, blood pressure increases, heartbeat accelerates and muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, runs or defends itself, as a result, stress hormones burn and the muscles, after working, relax.Man is a social being, he began to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.As a result, spinal pain, 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 cartilaginous tissue.The reason is an incorrect motor stereotype and, as a result, 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 segment.In the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of spinal movements, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headaches and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the result will not be long in coming and healing will come quickly.
Severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the level of damage) occurs with severe damage to the intervertebral disc.These signs may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.
In severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, with possible pelvic organ dysfunction, severe weakness, and numbness in the arm or leg.If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization is required to resolve the issue with 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 blade, intensifies with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, and numbness or weakness of the leg may occur.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a single whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops throughout the entire spine, but manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examination of osteochondrosis
As a rule, with pain in the spine, patients turn to a neurologist who, based on complaints and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (spine X-ray, MRI, CT, general analysis of urine, general blood test) and develop a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired functionality of the spinal roots;
- prevention of the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structures of the spine.
During the acute period,in case of severe pain, drug treatment is prescribed: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors, or a blockade is carried out.
So the massage is connected,manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
Therapeutic exerciseis the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Physical therapy is aimed at training, correction and strengthening of the muscle corset;increased range of motion of the spine and joints;development of a motor stereotype and correct posture;reducing the load on the spine.
With regular physical therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved, metabolism is normalized and intervertebral space is increased, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle involves prolonged sitting at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for flare-ups.