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, involving nerve and vascular structures - they are called non-vertebral/extravertebral syndrome. Extravertebral, in turn, are divided into reflex and radicular syndromes. Since the word "syndrome" includes a group of symptoms, it can be simplified and said 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 (distortion);
- Lower back muscle tension;
- Impaired 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. The pain occurs after physical activity or from an awkward movement. For example, when turning, tilting or lifting weights. Muscle tension and stiffness of movements appear - more often in the morning. There are gunshot wounds to the lower back or leg. The sensitivity of the lower extremities is disturbed - tingling, goosebumps, stabbing or burning. Changes in gait and coordination. Sweating increases. The work of the intestines and bladder is often disturbed. There are malfunctions in the work of internal organs. Sexual function suffers. Sleep is disturbed due to pain. Mood swings, irritability and fatigue occur. Sometimes there is depression.
Factors provoking exacerbation are physical exertion, prolonged uncomfortable position, hypothermia, stress.
Pain reflex symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, depending on the severity and localization of the process, are usually divided into lumbago, lumbalgia and lumboischialgia.
- Lumbago (lumbago)is the sharpest pain. A provocation is an uncomfortable movement, sneezing, coughing. To relieve his condition, the patient involuntarily leans forward or leans to the side. Attempts to stand up cause new back pain.
- Lumbargia- painful "tolerable" pain, with episodes of exacerbation. Over time, it develops into constant severe pain.
- sciatica- Pain that extends from the lower back to the leg.
Radicular symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
They occur due to an impact on the nerves exiting the spine.
Many nerves exit the spine. These are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve gradually branches out and follows a specific area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the zone of segmental innervation. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and area is numbered strictly corresponding to each other. If the nerve is affected, the symptoms will appear in the area of segmental innervation corresponding to that nerve, not everywhere - in a random place.
spinal nerves
Radicular symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include:- decrease or loss of reflexes;
- muscle weakness;
- sensitivity disorder;
- 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. On the principle - "More movements - more wear. "
Zones of innervation of the lumbar segments
Osteochondrosis L3-L4- acts on spinal nerve L4. Main signs: knee weakness. Pain, numbness, and decreased sensation affect the front of the thigh.
Osteochondrosis L4-L5- acts on spinal nerve L5. Main signs: weakness in the muscles that lift the big toe and the foot. It is difficult for the patient to stand on the heel. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity disturb from the lower back to the buttock and thigh "along the strip", then through the lower part of the leg, gradually moving to its front part and ending in the first three toes of the foot.
Osteochondrosis L5–S1- acts on spinal nerve S1. Main signs: weakness in the calf muscles. It is difficult for the patient to continue standing on tiptoes. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity are found from the buttock, then along the back of the thigh and lower leg, moving to the side of the foot and little toe.
Sometimes, with lumbar osteochondrosis, not only the nerves, but also the radicular arteries can be affected. This threatens the development of the most dangerous pathology - spinal stroke, with severe consequences for a person - paresis and paralysis, as well as serious malfunctions of the pelvic organs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- depends on the stage of osteochondrosis;
- aggravated by tilting and turning;
- more often appear after 30-35 years;
- women are about 3 times more likely than men.
You have, of course, noticed that the root symptoms are clearly expressed, and the reflex symptoms are very vague and vague. And as you know, anything that does not have clear definitions serves as a convenient cover for professional helplessness. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and such a favorite concept among doctors as "age changes". Surely many of you are familiar with the situation when the doctor explains the problem with "reflex" or "age" processes. Most peopleat such moments, they rightly believe that the doctor simply cannot understand what is happening and tries to cover his incompetence in the 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. And it is the doctor's duty to know them clearly. And then there will be no need to run a fog and blame osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae for everything. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Both the correct diagnosis and the results of treatment will depend on this.
When choosing a clinic, the main thing is to get to an experienced and knowledgeable doctor.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
To date, there are a number of modern methods for hardware diagnosis of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of them are MRI and CT. But the main method is still clinical diagnosis - this is when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - from patient complaints, MRI results and symptoms revealed by him during the examination. This allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis and create an effective individual treatment program.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
As you understand, osteochondrosis is a real "entanglement" of symptoms, unraveling which, the doctor will save you from pain and grief. But it is not possible to eliminate changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in eliminating pain and other suffering, then yes - it is quite possible. And if you hold an academic discussion on the topic of returning the vertebrae and discs to their original form, "like a newborn child", then no, the past cannotcome backYou have to be realistic and then you won't fall for the scammers' bait.
Don't fall for the scammers' bait!
It is impossible for the vertebrae and discs to return to their original form!
What is the main method of treatment?
Soft manual therapy is the main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can't do without it. The other types - massage, drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy - are ancillary.
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 you to return the muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms, muscle clamps and improve disc nutrition.
The intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that has no blood vessels and is nourished by the proper functioning of the muscles.
Additionally, in hands-on treatments, the chiropractor:
- remove the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it properly
- relax the muscles and help them return to their normal state
Thus:
Manual impact mobilizes the body's internal forces and activates self-healing mechanisms. The treatment is absolutely safe.
The clinic uses all methods of soft manual therapy:
- release the patient from the clamps
- improving drive power
- restoration of motor functions of the body
normalizes blood circulation
The qualification of the doctors of each professional clinic allows you to freely use all these methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Moreover, in each case we combine them, taking into account the synergistic effect.
Synergy is not just a bunch of different effects, it is the right sequence in the combination of methods. Synergy leads to additional quality of treatment. A simple example of synergy is our hands. How long does it take to fasten a button? Seconds? !And if you do it with one hand, you can't control it in a minute. That is, to act with two hands not twice as fast as with one, but many times faster. And listening to the same music performed by individual instruments or by the whole orchestra together - does it make a difference? This is the effect of synergy - it makes it possible to do everything much more powerfully, more efficiently and faster, but at the same time - more carefully.
Additional therapies - medications, massage, physiotherapy and exercise therapy
Drug treatment.In the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, drugs with a different spectrum of action are used. These are medications that relieve deep tissue swelling, inflammation, and pain. Medicines that improve blood circulation. In addition, drugs are used that help restore the damaged cartilage tissue of the disc and pinched nerves - chondroprotectors and vitamins of group B. Taking drugs in combination with other methods of treatment, if necessary, is prescribed by a chiropractor.
Massage.As you know, there is massage for pleasure and massage for treatment. Massage for pleasure is done in spas, and massage for treatment - in medical clinics. In the clinic, medical massage is performed during gentle manual therapy. To increase the effectiveness of manual treatment and normalize metabolic processes - all this can be a therapeutic massage!
Physiotherapy.There are many physiotherapeutic methods that help manual therapy in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, for example, ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis, laser, etc. A specific recommendation will be made by the treating chiropractor.
Physiotherapy- includes regular gymnastics to strengthen muscles. The main thing is to perform the correct exercises without sudden movements. During treatment in a specialized clinic, the doctor will recommend the necessary exercises. Pilates is the best option.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleep and work. Watch 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 session of gentle manual therapy once every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Remember that neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation. Remember: your health, first of all, must!
Ongoing osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation.
Benefits of treating osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic:
- Guarantee for complete and quality treatment. The word "finished" is key in our work.
- We consider each case individually and comprehensively - without formalism.
- Synergistic effect.
- Guaranteed correctness and correct prices.