To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how our spine is built, how it works, what functions it performs and what factors can cause 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 cartilage tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus pulposus - a semi-fluid formation in the form of a "ball" that performs the function of shock absorption and is surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord and the nerves extending from it, runs through the entire spine.All this structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are supporting, shock absorbing and protective functions.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower, which is kept vertical thanks to the entire system of cables running from the base to the top.Similarly, our spine is normally held in any position by a group of stabilizer muscles that distribute the load evenly across 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 the intervertebral disc, muscles and ligaments.
Every day, a person performs some monotonous, repetitive actions related to work or leisure.If the same muscles work for a long time, they become overstretched and spasm, while other muscles do not feel any stress and atrophy.This causes a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, spasmodic muscles compress the vertebrae, and nutrition deteriorates.The same processes occur with monotonous hard physical labor.In addition, the intervertebral disc has no blood vessels, and its nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles, and nutritious synovial fluid enters the intervertebral joint during movement.
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 the body does not get enough water, dehydration (drying) of the intervertebral disc occurs, the cartilage cracks and collapses.
In my experience, I have long noticed that stress, anxiety and worry often contribute to back pain.Our body perceives any stressful situation as a threat.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands "place" stress hormones into the blood, blood pressure rises, heart rate accelerates, and muscles tense up.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it runs away or defends itself, accordingly, stress hormones burn and the muscles relax after working.Man is a social being, he began to worry more often and move less, so there is no rest.As a result, pain in the spine, headache, motor tics, etc.
In the literature, you can find different formulations of osteochondrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is the "destruction" of the motor segment, destruction of cartilage tissue, degeneration.The reason is incorrect motor stereotype and, as a result, cartilage malnutrition.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
Manifestations of osteochondrosis will depend on the location and severity of damage in the movement segment of the spine.At the initial stage, patients complain of dull, aching back pain, discomfort, some limitation of movements in the spine, occasional numbness in the arms or legs, headache, fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, the result will not last long and recovery will come quickly.
Severe damage to an intervertebral disc causes severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arm or leg (depending on the extent of the damage).These symptoms may indicate the destruction of the intervertebral disc and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and start treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, possible dysfunction of the pelvic organs, severe weakness and numbness in the arm or leg.If these symptoms are present, urgent hospitalization in the hospital is necessary to resolve the issue of surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck, it 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, spreads to the sternum or scapula, intensifies with breathing and movement, sometimes there is a feeling of shortness of breath.Patients often confuse this condition with heart pain.
When the lumbar-sacral spine is damaged, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, radiates to the leg or perineum, numbness or weakness may occur in the leg.
It is necessary to remember that our body is a single whole and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops in the entire spine, but it manifests itself in the part that experiences the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods of examination of osteochondrosis
As a rule, patients with pain in the spine refer to a neurologist who can make a preliminary diagnosis based on complaints and neurological examination, and prescribe additional examination methods (x-ray of the spine, MRI, CT, general urinalysis, general blood test).
Treatment
Treatment should be comprehensive, should be aimed at:
- elimination of pain syndrome;
- elimination of impaired function of spinal roots;
- preventing the development 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 blockade.
Then the massage closes,manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, traction of the spine.
Therapeutic exerciseis the main method of conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Exercise therapy is aimed at forming, correcting and strengthening the muscle corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;development of motor stereotype and correct posture;reduce the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition are improved, metabolism is normalized, the intervertebral space increases, which leads to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you find signs of osteochondrosis or if your lifestyle consists of sitting for a long time at the computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for an aggravation.