Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative pathology of the spine and discs. It is generally accepted that lumbar osteochondrosis affects the spine as well as nerves and blood vessels. Thus, 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, is divided into reflex and radicular syndromes. Since the word "syndrome" refers to a group of symptoms, we can simplify and say that the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consist of three groups - vertebral, reflex and radicular.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
- Violation of the configuration of the spine (curve);
- lower back muscle tension;
- Lower back mobility disorder;
- Localized back pain.
Reflex symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The main reflex symptom is back pain. It can be sudden or permanent. Pain occurs after physical activity or awkward movement. For example, when turning, bending or lifting weights. Muscle tension and stiffness of movement appear - more often in the morning. There are shootings in the lower back or legs. The sensitivity of the lower limbs is reduced - numbness, goosebumps, piercing or burning. Changes in walking and coordination. Sweating increases. The work of intestines and bladder is often disturbed. There is a malfunction 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.
Exacerbation factors are physical exertion, long uncomfortable posture, hypothermia, stress.
Reflex symptoms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis pain, depending on the severity and localization of the process, are usually divided into lumbago, lumbago, and lumboischialgia.
- lumbago (lumbago)It is the most acute pain. Provocation is awkward movement, sneezing, coughing. To relieve his condition, the patient involuntarily leans forward or sideways. Trying to straighten up causes new back pain.
- Lumbargia- Painful "tolerable" pain, with episodes of exacerbation. Over time, it turns into constant severe pain.
- sciatica- Pain that extends from the back to the legs.
Radical symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
They are formed due to the influence on the nerves coming from the spine.
Many nerves come out of the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve gradually branches and follows a certain area of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called segmental innervation zone. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and area is numbered strictly corresponding to each other. If the nerve is affected, the symptoms will appear in the zone of segmental innervation corresponding to this nerve, and not anywhere - an arbitrary place.
Spinal nerves
Radical 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 more often affected: L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1. According to the principle - "more movement - more wear".
Innervation zones of lumbar segments
Osteochondrosis L3-L4- Acts on spinal nerve L4. Main symptoms: knee weakness. Pain, numbness and decreased sensation in the front of the thigh.
Osteochondrosis L4-L5- Acts on spinal nerve L5. Key signs: Weakness of the muscles that lift the big toe and the big toe. The patient has difficulty standing on the heel. Pain, numbness and decreased sensitivity are felt from the back to the buttock and thigh "along the band", then through the lower leg, gradually moving to its front part and ending with the first three toes.
Osteochondrosis L5-S1- Acts on spinal nerve S1. Main symptoms: calf muscle weakness. The patient has difficulty standing on his toes. Pain, numbness and loss of sensitivity appear from the buttock, then along the back of the thigh and lower leg, moving to the side of the foot and the little toe.
Sometimes, during lumbar osteochondrosis, not only nerves, but also 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 malfunction of pelvic organs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- depends on the stage of osteochondrosis;
- makes it difficult to bend and turn;
- It appears more often after 30-35 years;
- Women are about 3 times more likely than men.
You will, of course, notice that the radicular symptoms are clearly expressed, while 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, among other things, refers to reflex symptoms and such a favorite concept of doctors as "age-related changes". Of course, many of you are familiar with the situation when the doctor explained the problem with "reflex" or "age-related" processes. At such moments, most people rightly believe that the doctor simply does not 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". How important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor, both the correct diagnosis and the results of the treatment will depend on it.
When choosing a clinic, the most important thing is to go to an experienced and knowledgeable doctor.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
Today, there are a number of modern methods of diagnosing osteochondrosis. MRI and CT are the most accurate of them. But the main method is still clinical diagnosis - this is when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - from the patient's complaints, the results of MRI and the symptoms he has revealed. 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, the solution of which the doctor saves you from pain and suffering. But it is impossible to eliminate changes in the spine and discs. Therefore, the words "osteochondrosis treatment" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in eliminating pain and other suffering, then yes - it is quite possible. And if you have an academic discussion on the topic of returning the spine and discs to their original appearance, "like a newborn baby", then no, the past cannot be brought back. You have to be realistic and then not fall for the scammers.
Don't fall for the scammers!
It is impossible to return the original appearance of vertebrae and discs!
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 live without it. Other types -- massage, medication, physical and exercise therapy -- are helpful.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
The nutrition of the discs is directly related to the muscles surrounding the lumbar spine. In addition, lumbar muscles are one of the constituent 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.
Intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the proper functioning of muscles.
In addition, when treating with the help of hands, the chiropractor:
- Remove the load from the affected spine and discs and distribute it properly
- Relax the muscles and help them return to their normal state
with this:
Manual exposure mobilizes the body's internal forces and self-healing mechanisms. The treatment is absolutely safe.
All methods of soft manual therapy are used in the clinic:
- Release the patient from the restraints
- Improve driving force
- Restores motor functions of the body
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. In addition, in each case, we combine them taking into account the synergy effect.
Synergy is not just a pile of different influences, 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 won't be able to do it in a minute. That is, to act with two hands not twice as fast as with one, but many times faster. And listen to the same music with individual instruments or the whole orchestra together - is there a difference? This is the effect of synergy - it makes it possible to do everything much more powerfully, more efficiently and quickly, but at the same time - more carefully.
Complementary therapy - medications, massage, physical therapy and exercise therapy
Treatment with drugs.For the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, drugs of 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 for the recovery of damaged disc cartilage tissue and stretched nerves are used - chondroprotectors and B vitamins. Taking medication, along with other methods of treatment, if necessary, is prescribed by a chiropractor.
Massage.As you know, there is massage for pleasure and massage for healing. Massage for pleasure is done in baths, and therapeutic massage is done in medical clinics. In the clinic, medical massage is performed in a gentle manual therapy session. To increase the effectiveness of manual treatment and normalize metabolic processes - all this can be a therapeutic massage!
Physiotherapy.There are many physiotherapy methods that help manual therapy in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, for example, ultrasound treatment, electrophoresis, laser, etc. Sh. The attending chiropractor will give a specific recommendation.
Physiotherapy- involves regular exercise to strengthen muscles. The main thing is to perform 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 prevent relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleep and work. Watch your weight and proper nutrition. Keep up your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and do not save on it. Don't take things for granted. After recovery, try to have at least one maintenance session of gentle manual therapy every three to six months to reduce risk factors. Do not forget, neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation. Remember: you need your health first!
Running osteochondrosis causes complications - protrusion and disc herniation.
Advantages of osteochondrosis treatment in a specialized clinic:
- Guarantee of complete and qualified treatment. The word "complete" is the key to our work.
- We consider each case individually and comprehensively - no formalism.
- synergy effect.
- Honesty and fair prices guaranteed.