Lumbar osteochondrosis affects many patients. This is an unpleasant and very dangerous disease, which can subsequently lead to unpleasant complications. And, incidentally, among all varieties of this disease, it is found much more frequently in medical practice, since the lower back is the one that carries the most. At the same time, the spine does not receive enough nutrients, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and simply dry out. The rear cannot withstand such heavy loads, the fibrous ring protrudes in different directions and breaks.
Diagnosis
If a patient complains of acute lower back pain, it does not mean that he has osteochondrosis of the lower back or lumbosacral region. But,to identify the cause of the disease, the doctor must diagnose the patient. And for that he:
- probes the affected area, trying to identify the inflammatory processes that the patient complains about;
- evaluates the posture, whether it looks straight or not, how curved it is;
- can send a patient for further exams - X-ray;
- assigns an additional exam using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Symptoms
The most important symptom of lumbar osteochondrosis is unbearable low back pain. And this symptom occurs immediately or after a while, after a great physical effort. In that case, the nature of the pain may be completely different:
- low back pain becomes unbearable and can radiate to the leg;
- whenever a patient tries to perform some type of physical work, the pain begins to intensify, in addition, this symptom can occur during coughing, chewing, as well as any change in body posture;
- as soon as the patient remains in the same position for a long time, any attempt to change position causes pain in the lower back;
- the back muscles are constantly tense, as if the patient is constantly carrying some weights;
- as a result of less hypothermia, the lower back begins to "fire";
- nerve endings in the buttocks, knees, feet begin to atrophy, that is, it decreases the sensitivity in these places;
- chills and mild tingling sensations appear in the legs; feet get cold;
- the arteries in the feet may have spasms and the pulse may be badly felt;
- the patient starts to sweat actively;
- In the affected area, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel.
Help: remember that osteochondrosis can turn into an acute stage if, with the primary symptoms, you continue to carry your back or seriously cool your body.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment
In our time, there are several schemes for treating the disease. There is drug therapy, acupuncture and also gymnastics for osteochondrosis. But, in any case, the doctor prescribes the method of treatment.If a patient self-medicates, it can worsen the disease and end very badly.
Important: it must be remembered that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a disease from which recovery is very difficult. You can completely get rid of it only on the first or second stage.
Protocol and schema
There are many methods of treating osteochondrosis, but the treatment regimen is the same. It is necessary to reduce stress on the spine and strengthen the muscles of the back and lumbar spine. It is also necessary to normalize spine nutrition, restoring metabolic processes and blood circulation. And the final victory will be to recover the sensitivity of the lower body.
First aid
- When a sharp and sudden pain hits the lower back, it is necessary, first of all, to isolate that region with something warm (wool scarf, thermal pad, etc. ). But at the same time, you need to ensure that the affected area is warm, not hot.
- The body must be placed on something firm and level (bench, board, board, floor).
- A roller should be placed under the back, in the lower back. But if the lower limbs are tense, the roller should be placed under the knees.
- Call a doctor and take some painkillers before he arrives.
Conservative and operative methods
The methods of treating lumbar spine osteochondrosis are divided into conservative methods of treatment and surgical methods of treatment. What is the difference? Andthe difference lies in the fact that with conservative methods of treatment the doctor uses a complex technique that affects different areas of medicine.
That is, this technique implies long-term and sometimes unsuccessful treatment. Surgical intervention depends on the abandonment of the disease. For example, an operation, as one of the methods of surgical treatment, is an extreme, but without it it is impossible.
Effective conservative methods
In the early stages, medication and wellness gymnastics are suitable for suppressing pain and normalizing metabolism.But, if the disease progresses to more severe stages, the doctor may prescribe physical therapy as well as surgery. In addition, in the latter case, such a method is considered extreme, but quite effective. The most important thing in the treatment of osteochondrosis is not to load the spine and at the same time try to immobilize the inflammatory foci.
Medication
- The most basic and effective medication for acute pain is analgesics (analgin, amidopyrine, phenacetin, etc. ). Medications relieve pain, but do not eliminate the cause.
- In addition, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that affect the root nerves and eliminate swelling. These drugs reduce and eliminate foci of inflammatory processes.
- For grade 3-4 disease, local anesthetics (for example, novocaine) are prescribed.
- To eliminate spastic muscle contraction, the doctor prescribes muscle relaxants.
- Condoprotectors are used to normalize metabolism, as well as restore cartilage tissue. This treatment reduces the risk of cartilage deformation and tissue destruction.
- In combination with medicines, vitamin B is prescribed. This group of vitamins improves the body's metabolism, reduces inflammation, is a natural diuretic that allows you to eliminate excess fluid.
- Diuretics may also be prescribed.
- To improve the patient's condition, drugs are prescribed that increase the immunity of the body as a whole.
- Complementing the picture are medications that improve blood circulation at the injury site.
Physical Education
Practice shows that physical therapy helps with osteochondrosis. And not only does it help, in the Far East it is practiced on a daily basis and, above all, prescribed to patients. There are currently several methods of gymnastic exercises to combat this disease. And among the ancient techniques they practice yoga, qigong, etc.
The complex of gymnastic exercises to be performed is decided by the doctor together with the patient. But it is necessary to remember that each technique has its indications and contraindications. For example, severe forms of the disease cannot be treated with physical therapy exercises. At the doctor's discretion, gymnastic exercises can be combined with medication and physical therapy.
Physiotherapy
It turns out that in our country physiotherapy is prescribed, basically, after the drug treatment proved to be invalid. Although a person is constantly affected by some physiological processes.
The principle of physiotherapy is that the body is influenced by simple physical processes (with the help of a chain, a magnet, etc. ). But, unlike natural phenomena, physical therapy methods help to direct the effects of influencing methods in the right direction. That is, take, for example, electrotherapy. With the help of the current, doctors help to normalize metabolism or remove spasms.
Massage
Massage is prescribed for recovering patients. But in some cases, massage may be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease. Then, only healthy parts of the body are massaged.A session in a class usually lasts 15-20 minutes, and the number of sessions takes up to 7 procedures.
But this technique is dangerous for the layman, so it is better to make an appointment with a professional. At the same time, it is now possible to massage with both hands and special devices.
Lessons in specialized simulators
Doctors believe that the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine depends very much on the patient's own desire and aspiration. The method of treating an illness is like choosing an instrument by which a cure is possible. Exercise machines are one of the tools that help to improve the condition and cure diseases faster. But doctors recommend going to the gym when the patient is recovering and the disease starts to subside.
Among these simulators that will help in this matter are:
- horizontal bar; expander
- ;
- cardiovascular equipment; Academia
- (in this case, it is better to enroll in special courses, where the patient will have his own personal trainer who will help him in choosing the simulators).
Injections in the joints
When the disease gets worse, the doctor may prescribe injection treatments. It is an effective remedy in which the spine artificially receives all nutrients and trace elements. In this case, the injections act on the spine directly, the painful sensations pass much faster.But this method belongs to drug treatment, which means it can have its own side effects. Therefore, injections should be administered under the clear guidance of the attending physician.
Swimming
Swimming is considered an additional treatment. But at the same time, everyone needs to know thatbefore you start exercising in the water, you need to warm up to warm up your muscles. In this case, the water must be at least 27-30 ° C. And after each lesson, you can safely lower the temperature to 23 ° C. Correct breathing is the key to a successful workout. First you need to take a deep breath and then take a deep breath. You must also choose the correct swimming exercises and technique.
To obtain positive results, you must first swim 30-100 m with a pad in your hands. Then you need to rest for a while, then hold the pillow on your legs and swim the same amount, working only with your hands. Then rest again and swim for 20-30 seconds while holding your breath. After a little rest, you can continue.
First you need to submerge your body in water up to your chest and start walking without moving, then just walk around the pool. Then raise your knees as high as possible and, at the same time, spread your arms out to the sides. Think of your breaststroke swimming. Do the same, just by leaning to the side. After that, you need to bend forward, keeping your hands on your belt. Then imagine that you are a hippo and stretch your belly back and forth. Then, holding to the side, do some squats.
How much is treated and what will happen if not treated
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine depends on the neglect of the disease. Basically, on the patient's first visit to the hospital, the doctor prescribes the treatment (course), which lasts for a certain time (everything depends on the method). You also need to take into account the fact that the patient behaved during the course. As this disease is chronic in severe stages of the disease, symptoms may return and treatment should be repeated.
Prevention
In order not to feel what lumbar spine osteochondrosis is, the following rules must be observed:
- if your work is linked to physical activity, then it is necessary not to carry your back too much and take a break;
- to start playing sports, mainly to strengthen the back muscles;
- observe your posture; move more often, night walks are best;
- observe proper nutrition (not to be confused with diet, adequate nutrition is a complete balance of all vitamins and minerals);
- follow the correct rest routine;
- Osteochondrosis can be the cause of other diseases in the back, so pay attention to your health right now.
Which doctor to contact
When a patient begins to experience back pain, the first thing to do is to consult a local doctor. But in this case, he only identifies external symptoms and forwards them for later examination. And the first person to whom he will write a reference -is a neuropathologist or vertebrologist.
These two doctors deal specifically with the problem of osteochondrosis. But when a patient is in remission, massage therapists, gym coaches, physiotherapists and many others take action, depending on the type of recovery activities the doctor prescribes.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a very unpleasant disease. But, as practice shows, the main patients in hospitals are those people who have not monitored their health. Therefore, remember thatthe timely detection of the disease and its prevention will cost much less than the advanced stage of the disease.