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 spine consists of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, 3-5 coccygeal), between which there is an intervertebral disc consisting of cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus - a semi-liquid “ball”-shaped formation, which performs the shock-absorbing function 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 along the entire spinal column.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 remains vertical thanks to a whole system of cables stretched from base to 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 spine is more complex;it can bend in different directions and even twist, all this is possible due to the presence of intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day a person performs some monotonous and repetitive movements associated with work or leisure.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overloaded and spasm, 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, spasmodic muscles squeeze the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.With monotonous and heavy physical work, the same processes occur.In addition, the intervertebral disc does not have blood vessels, and its nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles, and during movement in the intervertebral joint, nutritious synovial fluid enters it.
Cartilaginous tissue consists of 80-85% water, therefore the drinking regime is of great importance.During the day, a person should drink at least 2 liters of clean water.If not enough water enters the body, dehydration (drying out) of the intervertebral disc occurs, the cartilage cracks and collapses.
In my practice, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety and worries often contribute to the occurrence of back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as 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 rises, the heartbeat accelerates and the muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs or defends itself, respectively, stress hormones burn and muscles, after work, relax.Man is a social being, he starts to worry more often and move less, so there is no relaxation.As a result, back pain, headache, motor tics and much more occur.
In the literature you can find different formulations for 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, consequently, cartilage malnutrition.
Osteochondrosis symptoms
The manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the motor segment of the spine.In the initial stage, patients complain of back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of spinal movements, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headache and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the results will not be long in coming and recovery will come quickly.
With severe damage to the intervertebral disc, severe pain, persistent numbness and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the level of damage) occurs.These signs may indicate destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, making it necessary to immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.
In the most serious cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely intense, possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, intense weakness and numbness in the arm or leg.If these signs are present, urgent hospitalization is required to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
In cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, which 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 scapula, intensifies with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of shortness of breath.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 in the leg may occur.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a whole and that the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examining osteochondrosis
As a rule, with back pain, 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, computed tomography, general urinalysis, general blood test) and develop a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment must be comprehensive, aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired function of 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: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors or a blockade is performed.
Then the massage is connected,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 muscular corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of a motor stereotype and correct posture;reducing the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition improve, metabolism is normalized and the intervertebral space increases, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you encounter symptoms of osteochondrosis or your lifestyle involves sitting at a computer for a long time, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for exacerbations.