Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by damage to the articular cartilage and bone tissue.
This disease affects people who, depending on their profession or lifestyle, are inactive.It is inactivity that causes the intervertebral discs to lose their elasticity and mobility and, after some time, become deformed and worn out.
The result of this deformation is a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and the nerve endings located between them are compressed.
This fact leads to pain.
Who is susceptible to this disease
When they reach the age of 30, few people can say that they have not had back pain.With age, this unpleasant manifestation only gets worse.In comparison with all observed cases of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis of the lumbar region occupies almost 90%.If the disease is not treated in the early stages, when gymnastics can alleviate undesirable consequences, the disease may be neglected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region arises as a result of inadequate load on the spinal organ.There are enough reasons why this disease progresses:
- The presence of congenital defects in this area;
- Changes and disturbances in hormonal balance;
- Posture distortion;
- Low physical activity;
- Traumatic injuries;
- Chemical exposure;
- Hypothermia;
- Frequent lifting of weights abruptly;
- Increased nervousness;
- The presence of infections in the body;
- Overweight;
- Flat feet;
- Hypothermia.
Heredity also plays a significant role in the onset of osteochondrosis.Having relatives with this disease, it is necessary to take preventive measures more seriously.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has its own symptoms
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which consist of various pains and tensions of a certain muscle group.The pain felt by this disease is not the same.A distinction is made between painful, sudden and sharp, sharp or burning pain.There is increased pain when making sudden movements, coughing and sneezing or lifting heavy objects.
Osteochondrosis of the lower back, along with pain, is characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, dysfunction of the urethra and functioning of the genital organs are possible.
Due to the abundance of symptoms, osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is very difficult to ignore.And even if some of the listed symptoms are detected, you must go to the hospital.
How can osteochondrosis be treated?
Lumbar osteochondrosis can be treated in several ways.The choice of method depends on the degree of development of the disease.
Stages of the disease:
- In the first stage, lumbar osteochondrosis begins with a dull pain in the lower back during weight lifting.At this time, the intervertebral discs are damaged.
- At the second stage of development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral distance decreases and the fibrous ring is destroyed.It is during this period that nerve endings are compressed.This procedure is very painful for the lower back.The painful reaction from the lumbosacral region radiates to the thigh, gluteal region and leg.
- At the third stage of development of osteochondrosis, destruction of fibrous rings is observed.It is at this time that the formation of intervertebral hernias begins.This phase of the disease is characterized by intense and constant pain.
- In the fourth stage, as a result of severe deformation of the spine, it becomes very difficult for the patient to move.The pain becomes constant, but the rare intervals without it do not please the patient either.The disease in this form can lead to disability.
The attack of the second stage is accompanied, in addition to pain, by increased sweating and “goosebumps” on the skin.The duration of each subsequent attack increases compared to the previous one.
Osteochondrosis of the lower back can be cured with or without surgery.Operations for the treatment of osteochondrosis are performed in every tenth case.In other cases, complex treatment is used.There are four known ways to treat lumbar osteochondrosis non-surgically:
- Treatment with medications;
- Therapeutic gymnastics exercises;
- Treatment with leeches;
- Massage and acupuncture.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with drug therapy begins with a medical examination.Based on the results of computed tomography, x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging, the doctor prescribes treatment.In many cases, the list of medications consists of analgesics, anti-inflammatories, as well as muscle relaxants and stimulants.
Starting from the third stage of the disease, it is possible to cure osteochondrosis of the lumbar region using the surgical method.Here you will need to use all the internal resources of the body.To achieve this, a gentle spinal stretching technique is used in combination with reflexology, massage, acupressure techniques and special exercises.
Gymnastics exercises for osteochondrosis
- Hang from the bar for just over a minute;
- The body tilts in different directions up to 10 exercises;
- Movement of the pelvis forward and backward;
- Get on all fours with your arms straight, bend your back up and down 15 times;
- Pedal an imaginary bicycle lying on your back;
- Lying on your back, press and stretch your legs 15 times alternately;
- Push-ups of 10 to 15 repetitions;
- On your knees with your arms extended on the floor, fold your body in half and return to the starting position.
By performing this type of exercise daily, it is possible not only to prevent the occurrence of osteochondrosis, but also to reduce the symptoms of this disease.
When walking, you need to pay attention to your posture.Correct posture involves keeping your head in the same vertical line as your back.At this time, the shoulders are straight, which will ensure a flat surface of the back, without protruding shoulder blades.A retracted stomach will allow your chest to move forward.All these comments must be constantly implemented to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
How to treat osteochondrosis without medication
Treatment with folk remedies can alleviate the symptoms of the disease and reduce pain, but it does not cure the existing disease.Along with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies can serve well, but they should not be taken as the basis of treatment.
Among the non-drug treatments for lumbar osteochondrosis, it is worth highlighting:
- manual therapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- apitherapy.
With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to determine the cause of the disease and prevent its development.Additionally, a medical manual is able to alleviate pain attacks.Manual therapy is vaguely reminiscent of massage, as the chiropractor's area of influence is the back and he works with the help of his hands.
However, massage actions are designed for muscle tissue, but manual therapy affects the vertebrae and ligaments.And this impact is made with some effort.The main thing here is to correctly calculate the force.For this, the qualifications and experience of a chiropractor are important.
Physiotherapy is very multifaceted.In a specific case, it is necessary to use an amplipulse.This type of physiotherapy, when the painful area is affected using sinusoidally modulated currents.With this procedure, it is possible to obtain analgesic, neuromyostimulating, trophic and vasodilatory effects.
The second physical procedure that can trigger the regeneration process, reduce pain and eliminate inflammation is UHF therapy.Its action is based on an ultra-high frequency magnetic field.
Massage procedures for osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine are based on the use of a unique massage technique, giving preference to simple stroking, squeezing and kneading.
Also, to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with massage, it is allowed to lightly shake and rub the surface of the back.
Massage actions are performed with the patient in a supine position.Preference is given to hard surfaces for massage.
In this case, a small cushion or pillow is placed under the stomach.At this point, your shins should be raised 45 degrees.The position of the head at this stage should be below the level of the sofa, but not floating freely, but resting on the support.
To obtain the best effect from the massage, it is carried out using warming agents.It is possible to carry out massage actions after thermal procedures.
Acupuncture refers to reflexology methods and allows the patient to relieve muscle spasms and increase blood flow in tissues.Kuznetsov's applicator can also be classified as reflexology.It is applied to the painful area.The duration of the session on this applicator is no more than 20 minutes.Lying on a spiked mat for 5 minutes every day can relieve pain and relax tense muscles.This home doctor is sold in pharmacies at reasonable prices.
Osteochondrosis is treated by affecting 5 to 7 active points located on the human body.This procedure is performed by a qualified neurologist.
Apitherapy is accompanied by treatment with bee stings.The bites are made at active points on the spine and resemble acupuncture.Bee venom can warm and relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and improve joint mobility.Bee venom has a tonic effect and is distinguished by a long-lasting and persistent effect.
As folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the following are distinguished:
- rubbing with bee venom
- formic alcohol
- applying pepper patch.
If you want to use folk remedies, it is important to get your doctor's approval in this regard.
Acute back pain can be relieved by:
- propolis plates;
- wax compresses;
- honey compresses with aloe juice;
- honey poultices.
Diet as prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures for lumbar osteochondrosis do not require a strict diet.Particular attention in nutrition is paid to dairy products, fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and fruit jellies.It is very useful to use olive oil and lemon juice in your diet.
Preference is given to purified mineral water for drinking.And as a second course, it is necessary to consume protein products, chilled meat or jelly and sea fish as often as possible.And also, food products for patients with osteochondrosis should contain as much calcium, vitamins A and D, B and C, magnesium and phosphorus as possible.
Products containing chondoprotectors are very useful for patients with lumbar osteochondrosis.These products include animal cartilage in combination with sprouted grains of wheat and other cereals.
Pregnancy is one of the reasons for the development of lumbosacral osteochondrosis.
Pregnant women late in pregnancy are at risk of developing osteochondrosis.Increased fetal weight contributes to shifting the body's center of gravity, creating an inadequate load on the lumbar region of the back.Combined with changes in metabolism and the lack of important vitamins and minerals, we obtain favorable conditions that contribute to the development of the disease.
Considering that at this stage the number of medications and physiotherapeutic procedures is reduced to a minimum, if osteochondrosis occurs in a pregnant woman, treatment must be prescribed and coordinated by doctors: therapist and gynecologist.
Harmless methods used to prevent osteochondrosis in pregnant women include special bandages and corsets, frequent walking, gymnastics for pregnant women and a specialized course of vitamins.