Osteochondrosis of the lumbar 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, with the participation of nerve and vascular structures - are called non-vertebral syndrome /extravertebral. The extravertebral, in turn, is divided into reflex and radicular syndromes. Since the word "syndrome" implies 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 column configuration (curvature);
- Tension of the muscles of the lumbar region;
- Violation of mobility of the lumbar region;
- Localized low 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 awkward movements. For example, when turning, bending or lifting weights. Here comes muscle tension and stiffness of movement - most often in the morning. There are shots in the lower back or leg. The sensitivity of the lower extremities is impaired - numbness, goosebumps, piercing 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 appear. Sometimes there is depression.
The factors that provoke an exacerbation are physical exertion, prolonged uncomfortable position, hypothermia, stress.
The reflex pain symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, depending on the severity and location of the process, are usually divided into low back pain, low back pain and lumboischialgia.
- lumbago (lumbago)it is the most acute pain. A tease is an awkward movement, sneezing, coughing. To alleviate their condition, the patient involuntarily leans forward or leans to the side. Attempts to straighten cause new back pain.
- Backache- "tolerable" painful pain, with episodes of exacerbation. Over time, it develops into constant severe pain.
- Sciatica- Pain that extends from the lower back to the leg.
Root symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
They occur due to the effect on the nerves that come out of the spine.
There are a lot of nerves coming out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each of these nerves gradually branches off and follows a certain area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the zone of segmental innervation. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and zone are numbered strictly corresponding to each other. If the nerve is affected, the symptoms will appear in the zone of segmental innervation corresponding to that nerve, and not anywhere - at an arbitrary location.
spinal nerves
The radicular symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include:- decrease or loss of reflexes;
- muscle weakness;
- violation of sensitivity;
- radicular pain.
Not all parts of the lumbar spine are equally susceptible to pathology. The most mobile segments are the most affected: L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1. According to the principle - "More movement - more wear. "
Innervation zones of the lumbar segments
Osteochondrosis L3–L4- acts on the L4 spinal nerve. Main signs: knee jerk weakness. Pain, numbness and decreased sensation disturb the front of the thigh.
Osteochondrosis L4–L5- acts on the L5 spinal nerve. Main signs: weakness in the muscles that lift the big toe and foot. It is difficult for the patient to stand on the heel. Pain, numbness and decreased sensation disturb from the lower back to the buttock and thigh "along the range", then through the lower leg, gradually moving to the front and ending in the first three toes.
Osteochondrosis L5-S1- acts on the S1 spinal nerve. Main signs: weakness in the calf muscles. It is difficult for the patient to stand on tiptoe. Pain, numbness, and decreased sensation are detected in the buttock, then the back of the thigh and leg, moving to the side of the foot and the 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 - stroke, with serious consequences for a person - paresis and paralysis, as well as serious dysfunctions of Organs pelvic organs.
Symptoms of Osteochondrosis of the Lumbar Spine:
- depend on the stage of osteochondrosis;
- aggravated by tilting and turning;
- most often appear after 30-35 years;
- women are about 3 times more likely than men.
You, of course, noticed that the radicular symptoms are clearly defined and the reflex symptoms are very vague and vague. And as you know, anything that doesn't 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-related changes. "Surely many of you are familiar with the situation where the doctor explained the problem by "reflective" or "age-related" processes. Most people at these moments rightly believe that the doctor just can't figure out what's going on and is trying to hide his incompetence in the fog of these "magic words. "
There was a time when there was a popular phrase: "Every accident has a name, surname and title". Each disease has its own unique symptoms. And the doctor's duty is to know them clearly. And then there will be no need to let in the fog and blame everything on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. 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 it.
When choosing a clinic, the main thing is to get to an experienced and experienced doctor.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
To date, there are several modern methods of hardware diagnosis of osteochondrosis. The most accurate are magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. But the main method is still clinical diagnosis - that's when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - of the patient's complaints, the MRI results and the symptoms that were revealed by him during the examination. This allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis and create an effective individual treatment program.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
As you understand, osteochondrosis is a real "tangle" of symptoms, unraveling them, the doctor will save you from pain and anguish. But it is not possible to eliminate the 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 conduct a scholarly discussion on the topic of returning vertebrae and discs to their original appearance, "like a newborn child, " then no, the past cannot be returned. You need to be realistic and you won't fall for the scammers' bait.
Don't fall for the scammers' bait!
It is impossible to return vertebrae and discs to their original appearance!
What is the main method of treatment?
Gentle 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. Other types - massage, medication, physical therapy and physical therapy - are ancillary.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
Disc nutrition is directly related to the muscles that surround the lumbar vertebrae. Furthermore, the lower back muscles themselves are one of the constituent causes of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis. Gentle manual therapy is a special method that allows you to return muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms, muscle pinching and improve disc nutrition.
Intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the well-functioning muscles.
In addition, when treating with the help of the hands, the chiropractor:
- remove the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it correctly
- relax the muscles and help them get back to normal
This way:
Manual impact mobilizes the body's internal forces and launches self-healing mechanisms. The treatment is absolutely safe.
The clinic uses all gentle manual therapy methods:
- relieve the patient of staples
- improve drive power
- restore the body's motor functions
normalizes blood circulation
The qualification of doctors of any professional clinic allows you to freely use all these methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Furthermore, in each case, we combine them, taking into account the synergy effect.
Synergy is not just a bunch of different influences, it's the right sequence in combining methods. The synergy leads to an additional quality of treatment. A simple example of synergy is our hands. How long does it take to press a button? seconds? !And if you do it with one hand, you can't manage it in a minute. That is, to act with two hands not twice as fast as with one, but many times faster. And hearing the same music performed by individual instruments or by the entire orchestra together - is there any difference? This is the effect of synergy - it makes it possible to do everything much more forcefully, efficiently and quickly, but at the same time - more carefully.
Complementary therapies – medication, massage, physical therapy and exercise therapy
Drug treatment.In the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, drugs of various spectrums of action are used. These are medications that relieve deep tissue swelling, inflammation, and pain. Medicines that improve blood circulation. In addition, medications are used that help to restore damaged cartilage disc tissue and pinched nerves - chondroprotectors and B vitamins. Taking medications, in combination with other treatment methods, if necessary, is prescribed by a chiropractor.
Massage.As you know, there is massage for pleasure and massage for healing. Pleasure massage is done in spas and treatment massage is done in medical clinics. At the clinic, medical massage is performed during a gentle manual therapy session. To increase the effectiveness of manual treatment and normalize metabolic processes - all this can be massage therapy!
Physiotherapy.There are many physiotherapy methods that help manual therapy in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, for example, ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser treatment, etc. A specific recommendation will be given by the assistant chiropractor.
Physiotherapy- involves regular gymnastics to strengthen the muscles. The main thing is to perform the right exercises without sudden movements. During treatment in a specialized clinic, the doctor will recommend the necessary exercises for you. Pilates is the best option.
Prevention of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleeping and working. Pay attention to your weight and proper nutrition. Keep up your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and not save on it. Don't let things happen on their own. After recovery, try to do at least one gentle manual therapy maintenance session once every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Do not forget, neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and herniated disc. Remember: your health, first of all, you need it!
Running osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and herniated disc.
Benefits of treating osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic:
- Guarantee of complete and qualified treatment. The word "complete" is fundamental in our work.
- We consider each case individually and comprehensively - without formalism.
- Synergy effect.
- Honesty guaranteed and fair prices.