Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative pathology of the vertebrae and 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 appear outside the spine, with the involvement of nervous and vascular structures - they are called not. vertebra / extravertebral syndrome. On the other hand, the extravertebral syndrome is divided into reflex and radicular syndrome. Since the word "syndrome" means a group of symptoms, it can be simplified and we can say 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 the mobility of the lower back;
- Localized back pain.
Reflex symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The main reflex symptom is back pain. It can be sudden or permanent. Pain occurs after physical activity or uncomfortable movement. For example, when turning, tilting or lifting weights. Muscle tension and stiffness of movements come - more often in the morning. There are shots in the lower back or legs. The sensitivity of the lower limbs is impaired - numbness, goosebumps, stinging or burning. Changes in walking and coordination. Sweating increases. The work of the bowels and bladder was often disturbed. There are malfunctions in the work of internal organs. Sexual function suffers. Sleep is disturbed by the pain. Mood swings, irritability and fatigue appear. Sometimes there is depression.
Exacerbation triggers include physical exertion, prolonged discomfort, hypothermia, and stress.
Pain reflex symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, depending on the severity and localization of the process, are usually divided into lumbago, lumbago and lumboischialgia.
- Lumbagothe most acute pain. The provocation is awkward movement, sneezing, coughing. To relieve his condition, the patient involuntarily leans forward or to the side. Attempts to straighten up cause new back pain.
- Lumbargia- aching "tolerable" pain with worsening episodes. Over time, it develops into constant severe pain.
- Sciatica- Pain extending from the lower back to the legs.
Radicular symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
They occur due to an effect on the nerves exiting the spine.
Many nerves come out of the spine. These are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve branches gradually and follows a certain area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the zone of segmental innervation. The numbering of all vertebrae, discs, nerves and zones strictly corresponds to each other. If the nerve is affected, the symptoms appear in the segmental innervation zone corresponding to the nerve, and not anywhere - any place.
spinal nerves
The radicular symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are as follows:- decrease or loss of reflexes;
- muscle weakness;
- violation of sensitivity;
- radicular pain.
Not all parts of the lumbar spine are equally susceptible to pathology. The most mobile segments are more commonly affected: 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 L4 spinal nerve. Its main signs: weakness of the knee jerk. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity disturb the front of the thigh.
Osteochondrosis L4-L5- acts on the L5 spinal nerve. Its main signs: weakness of the muscles that lift the big toe and the foot. The patient has difficulty standing. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity disturb from the lower back to the buttocks and thighs "along the strip", then through the leg, gradually moving into its front part and ending in the first three toes of the foot.
Osteochondrosis L5-S1- S1 acts on the spinal nerve. Main symptoms: calf muscle weakness. It is difficult for the patient to stand on his toes. We notice pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity from the bottom, then along the back of the thigh and the lower leg, moving to the side of the foot and little toe.
Sometimes in lumbar osteochondrosis, not only the nerves, but also the radicular arteries can be affected. This threatens the development of the most dangerous pathology - the spinal cord - which has serious consequences for a person - paresis and paralysis, as well as serious dysfunctions of the pelvic organs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- depends on the stage of osteochondrosis;
- aggravated by tilting and turning;
- they appear more often after 30-35 years;
- women are about 3 times more likely than men.
He noticed, of course, that the radicular symptoms were clearly defined, and the reflex symptoms very vague and vague. And as you know, anything that does not have a clear definition serves as a convenient cover for professional helplessness. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and the popular term of doctors such as "age-related changes". Surely many of you are familiar with the situation when the doctor explained the problem with "reflex" or "age-related" processes. Most people at such moments rightfullyhe believes that the doctor simply cannot figure out what is going on and tries to hide his incompetence in a fog of these "magic words".
At one time there was a popular phrase: "Every accident has a name, a surname and a position. "Every disease has its own unique symptoms. It is the doctor's duty to know them clearly. And then you don't have to let the fog in and blame everything on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and the outcome of the treatment depend on this.
When choosing a clinic, the most important thing is to contact an experienced and competent doctor.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
To date, there are many modern methods for hardware diagnostics of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of these are MRI and CT. However, the main method is still clinical diagnostics - in which case an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - patient complaints, MRI results, and symptoms revealed by him during the examination. This makes it possible to establish the most accurate diagnosis and create an effective individual treatment program.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
As you understand, osteochondrosis is a real "tangle" of symptoms, untangling which the doctor will save you from pain and torment. But it is impossible to eliminate changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in painand the elimination of other sufferings, then yes - it is quite possible. And if you have a scientific discussion about restoring the original appearance of the vertebrae and discs, "like a newborn child", then no, the past cannot be returned. You have to be realistic and then you won't fall for the scammers.
Don't fall for the scammers!
It is impossible to restore the original appearance of the vertebrae and discs!
What is the main method of treatment?
Soft manual therapy is the main treatment method for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can't live without it. Other types - massage, medicines, physiotherapy and movement therapy - are complementary.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
The nutrition of the discs is directly related to the muscles surrounding the lumbar vertebrae. In addition, the lumbar muscles themselves are one of the main causes of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis. Soft manual therapy is a special method that allows the muscles to return to their natural physiology, eliminates spasms, muscle cramps and improves the nutrition of the disc.
The intervertebral 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, during manual therapy, the chiropractor:
- remove the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it accordingly
- relax the muscles and help them return to normal
Thereby:
Hand punching mobilizes the body's internal forces and initiates self-healing mechanisms. The treatment is completely safe.
All methods of soft manual therapy are used at the clinic:
- release the patient from the restraints
- improves drive performance
- restores the motor functions of the body
normalizes blood circulation
The qualification of the doctors of any professional clinic allows you to freely use these methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In addition, we combine them in each case, taking into account the synergy effect.
Synergy is not just a set of different effects, but the correct order of the combination of methods. Synergy results in additional quality treatment. A simple example of synergy is our hands. How long does it take to pin a button? Seconds? !And if you do it with one hand, you can't do it in a minute. That is, to act with two hands not twice as fast as one, but many times faster. And listening to the same music with some instruments or with the whole orchestra - is there a difference? This is the effect of synergy - it allows us to do everything much more powerfully, efficiently and quickly, but at the same time - more carefully.
Complementary therapies - medicines, massage, physiotherapy and movement therapy
Drug treatment.In the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, drugs with a different spectrum of action are used. These are medications that relieve swelling, inflammation, and pain in deep tissues. Medicines that improve blood circulation. In addition, they use drugs that help restore the damaged cartilage tissue of the disc and pinched nerves - chondroprotectors and B vitamins. The use of medicines, 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. Pleasure massage is performed in spas, and therapeutic massage is performed in medical offices. In the clinic, a therapeutic massage is performed during a gentle manual therapy session. Increasing the efficiency of manual treatment and normalizing metabolic processes - all this can be a therapeutic massage!
Physiotherapy.Many physiotherapy methods help manual therapy in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, such as ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser treatment, etc. A specific recommendation is given by the treating chiropractor.
Physiotherapy- involves regular exercise to strengthen muscles. The main thing is to do the right exercises without sudden movements. During treatment at a specialized clinic, the doctor will recommend the necessary exercises. Pilates is the best choice.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleep and work. Take care of your weight and proper nutrition. Keep up your physical activity. But the most important thing is not to neglect your health and do not skimp on it. Don't let things go by themselves. After recovery, try to do at least one maintenance treatment every 3-6 months - this will reduce the risk factors. Do not forget, neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation. Remember: you need your health first and foremost!
Running osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation.
Advantages of treating osteochondrosis at a special clinic:
- Guarantee for comprehensive and qualified treatment. The word "complete" is key in our work.
- We examine each case individually and comprehensively - no formalities.
- Synergy effect.
- Guaranteed honesty and fair prices.