Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by damage to articular cartilage and bone tissue.
This disease affects people who, depending on their profession or lifestyle, are inactive.It is inactivity that causes the intervertebral discs to lose elasticity and mobility, and after a while they become deformed and wear out.
The result of this deformation is a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and the nerve endings located between them are pinched.
This fact causes pain.
Who is susceptible to this disease?
By the time they reach the age of 30, few people can say they have not had back pain.With age, this unpleasant manifestation only worsens.Compared to all known cases of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis of the lumbar region occupies almost 90%.If the disease is not treated in the early stages, when gymnastics can alleviate unwanted consequences, the disease can be neglected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region appears as a result of inadequate loading on the spinal organ.There are enough reasons why this disease progresses:
- The presence of congenital defects in this area;
- Changes and alterations in hormonal balance;
- Posture distortion;
- Low physical activity;
- Traumatic injuries;
- chemical exposure;
- Hypothermia;
- Frequent lifting of weights with jerks;
- Increased nervousness;
- The presence of infections in the body;
- Overweight;
- flat feet;
- Hypothermia.
Heredity also plays an important role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis.When you have family members with this disease, it is necessary to take preventive measures more seriously.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has its own symptoms.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, whose symptoms consist of various pains and tensions in a certain group of muscles.The pain experienced by this disease is not the same.A distinction is made between aching, sudden and sharp, stabbing or burning pain.An increase in pain occurs when making sudden movements, coughing and sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, along with pain, is characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, dysfunction of the urethra and functioning of the genitals are possible.
Due to the abundance of symptoms, osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is very difficult to miss.And if even some of the listed symptoms are detected, it is necessary to go to the hospital.
How can osteochondrosis be treated?
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis can be carried out in several 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 objects.At this time, the intervertebral discs are damaged.
- At the second stage of the development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral distance decreases and the annulus fibrosus is destroyed.It is during this period that the nerve endings are pinched.This procedure is very painful for the lower back.The painful reaction from the lumbosacral region radiates to the thigh, gluteal region and lower leg.
- In the third stage of the development of osteochondrosis, destruction of the fibrous rings is observed.It is at this time that the formation of intervertebral hernias begins.This stage of the disease is characterized by intense and constant pain.
- In the fourth stage, as a result of severe deformation of the spine, the patient finds it very difficult to move.The pain becomes constant, but the rare intervals without it also do not please the patient.The disease in this form can cause disability.
The attack of the second stage is accompanied, in addition to pain, by increased sweating and goosebumps.The duration of each subsequent attack increases in relation to the previous one.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region can be cured with or without surgery.Operations for the treatment of osteochondrosis are performed in one in ten cases.In other cases, a complex treatment is used.There are four known ways to treat lumbar osteochondrosis non-surgically:
- Drug treatment;
- 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 CT scan, X-ray and MRI therapy, the doctor prescribes treatment.In many cases, the list of medications consists of pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, as well as muscle relaxants and stimulants.
Starting from the third stage of the disease, it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar region by the surgical method.Here you will need to use all the internal resources of the body.To do this, a gentle spinal stretching technique is used in combination with reflexology, massages, acupressure techniques and special exercises.
Gymnastics exercises for osteochondrosis.
- Hang it from the bar for just over a minute;
- The body is tilted in different directions for up to 10 exercises;
- Movement of the pelvis forward and backward;
- Standing on all fours with arms straight, bend your back up and down 15 times;
- Pedaling an imaginary bicycle while lying on your back;
- Lying on your back, press and straighten your legs 15 times alternately;
- Push-ups for 10 to 15 repetitions;
- Kneeling with your arms straight toward the floor, bend your body in half and return 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 reduce the symptoms of this disease.
When walking, you should pay attention to your posture.Correct posture involves keeping your head in the same vertical line as your back.At this time, the shoulders are straightened, which will ensure a flat surface of the back without protruding shoulder blades.A retracted stomach will allow your chest to advance.All these comments must be implemented constantly to avoid the development of osteochondrosis.
How to treat osteochondrosis without drugs.
Treatment with home remedies can relieve the symptoms of the disease and reduce pain, but it does not cure the existing disease.Along with treatment prescribed by a doctor, home remedies can serve well, but should not be taken as the basis of treatment.
Among the non-drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is worth highlighting:
- 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.Additionally, a family doctor can relieve pain attacks.Manual therapy is vaguely reminiscent of massage, since the chiropractor's area of influence is the back, and he works with the help of his hands.
However, massage actions are designed for muscle tissue, while manual therapy affects the vertebrae and ligaments.And this impact is achieved with some effort.The main thing here is to correctly calculate the force.For this, the qualifications and experience of a chiropractor are important.
Physiotherapy is very multifaceted.In a specific case it is necessary to resort to an amplipulse.This type of physiotherapy, when the painful area is affected by sinusoidally modulated currents.With this procedure you can obtain an analgesic, neuromyostimulant, trophic and vasodilator effect.
The second physical procedure that can trigger the regeneration process, reduce pain and eliminate inflammation is UHF therapy.Its action 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, when preference is given to simple stroking, squeezing and kneading.
Also, to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with massage, shaking and light rubbing of the surface of the back is allowed.
The massage actions are performed with the patient in a supine position.Preference is given to hard surfaces for massage.
In this case, a small cushion or pillow is placed under the stomach.At this point your shins should be elevated 45 degrees.The position of the head at this stage should be below the level of the sofa, but not floating freely, but resting against the support.
To achieve the best effect of the massage, it is performed with heating agents.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 in the tissues.The Kuznetsov applicator can also be classified as reflexology.It is applied to the sore spot.The duration of the session with this applicator does not exceed 20 minutes.Lying on a prickly mat for 5 minutes every day can relieve pain and relax tense muscles.This home doctor is sold in pharmacies at reasonable prices.
Osteochondrosis is treated by affecting 5 to 7 active points located on the human body.This procedure is performed by a qualified neurologist.
Apitherapy is accompanied by treatment with bee stings.The bites are performed on active points of the spine and resemble acupuncture.Bee venom can warm and relieve inflammation, eliminate pain, and improve joint mobility.Bee venom has a tonic effect and is distinguished by its long-lasting and persistent effect.
As home remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the following are distinguished:
- rubbing with bee venom
- formic alcohol
- applying pepper patch.
If you want to use home remedies, it is important to get your doctor's approval in this regard.
Acute back pain can be relieved with:
- propolis plates;
- wax compresses;
- honey compresses with aloe juice;
- honey poultices.
Diet as prevention of osteochondrosis.
Preventive measures for lumbar osteochondrosis do not require a strict diet.In nutrition, special attention is paid to dairy products, fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and fruit jellies.It is very useful to use olive oil and lemon juice in your diet.
Preference is given to purified mineral water for drinking.And as a second course, it is necessary to eat protein products, jellied meat or jellied meat and sea fish as often as possible.In addition, food products for patients with osteochondrosis should contain as much calcium as possible, vitamins A and D, B and C, magnesium and phosphorus.
Products containing condoprotectors are very useful for patients with lumbar osteochondrosis.These products include animal cartilage in combination with sprouted grains of wheat 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 contributes to a change in the center of gravity of the body, creating an inadequate load on the lumbar region of the back.Combined with changes in metabolism and a lack of important vitamins and minerals, we obtain favorable conditions that contribute to the development of the disease.
Taking into account that the number of medications and physiotherapy procedures is reduced to a minimum at this stage, if osteochondrosis occurs in a pregnant woman, treatment should be prescribed and coordinated by doctors: a therapist and a gynecologist.
Harmless methods used to prevent osteochondrosis in a pregnant woman include special bandages and corsets, frequent walks, gymnastics for pregnant women, and a specialized course of vitamins.