Lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by damage to articular cartilage and bone tissue.
This disease affects people who are inactive due to their profession or lifestyle.It is inactivity that ensures the elasticity and mobility of the intervertebral discs and after a certain period of time ensures deformation and wear.
The result of this deformation is a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, and the nerve endings located between them are folded.
This fact causes pain.
Who is susceptible to this disease?
After reaching the age of 30, few can say that they have not had back pain.With age, this unpleasant manifestation only worsens.Compared to all mentioned cases of osteochondrosis, lumbar osteochondrosis accounts for almost 90%.If the disease is not treated in the early stages, when exercise can relieve the unwanted consequences, the disease can be ignored.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis in the lumbar region occurs as a result of incorrect load on the spinal organ.There are enough reasons why this disease progresses:
- the presence of congenital defects in this area;
- Hormonal balance changes and disorders;
- Posture distortion;
- low physical activity;
- traumatic injuries;
- chemical exposure;
- hypothermia;
- Frequent heavy lifting;
- increased nervousness;
- presence of infections in the body;
- overweight;
- flat feet
- Hypothermia.
Heredity also plays an important role in the detection of osteochondrosis.Having relatives suffering from this disease makes it necessary to take preventive measures more seriously.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has its own symptoms
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which are various pains and tension in certain muscle groups.The pain experienced by this disease is not the same.Distinguish between painful, sudden and sharp, shooting or burning pain.The pain increases with sudden movements, coughing and sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.
Lumbar osteochondrosis, along with pain, is characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.Lumbar osteochondrosis can cause symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, urethral dysfunction, and genital dysfunction.
Due to the multitude of symptoms, it is very difficult to miss osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region.And if even some of the listed symptoms appear, you should definitely 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 severe pain in the lumbar region during heavy lifting.At this time, the intervertebral discs are damaged.
- In the second stage of the development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral distance decreases and the fibrous ring is destroyed.It is during this period that nerve endings are stretched.This procedure is very painful for the lower back.The pain response from the lumbosacral region radiates to the thigh, gluteal region and lower leg.
- In the third stage of the development of osteochondrosis, the destruction of fibrous rings is observed.It is at this time that intervertebral hernias begin to form.This stage of the disease is characterized by intense and constant pain.
- In the fourth stage, as a result of severe deformation of the spine, it is very difficult for the patient to move.Pain becomes constant, but rare intervals without it also do not please the patient.In this form, the disease can cause disability.
The attack of the second stage, in addition to pain, is accompanied by increased sweating and "goosebumps" of the skin.The duration of each subsequent attack increases compared to the previous one.
Lumbar osteochondrosis can be treated with or without surgery.Treatment operations for osteochondrosis are performed in every tenth case.In other cases, complex treatment is used.There are four known ways of non-operative treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis:
- treatment with drugs;
- therapeutic gymnastics exercises;
- treatment with leeches;
- Massage and acupuncture.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with drug therapy begins with a doctor's examination.Based on the results of computed tomography, X-ray and magnetic resonance therapy, the doctor will prescribe treatment.In many cases, the list of medications includes pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, as well as muscle relaxants and stimulants.
Starting from the third stage of the disease, lumbar osteochondrosis can be cured by a surgical method.Here you will need to use all the internal resources of the body.For this purpose, gentle spinal stretching techniques are used together with reflexology, massage, acupressure techniques and special exercises.
Gymnastics exercises for osteochondrosis
- Hang on the bar for a little more than a minute;
- tilting the body in different directions up to 10 exercises;
- movement of the pelvis forward and backward;
- Standing on all fours with straight arms, bend your back up and down 15 times;
- Pedaling an imaginary bicycle while lying on your back;
- lie on your back, alternately press and stretch your legs 15 times;
- pull-ups 10-15 repetitions;
- Standing on your knees, hands straight 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.
You should pay attention to your posture while walking.Correct posture means keeping your head in the same vertical line with your back.At this moment, the shoulders are in a straight position, which ensures a flat surface of the back without bulging blades.A pulled stomach will allow your chest to come forward.All these comments should be carried out constantly to prevent the development of osteochondrosis.
How to treat osteochondrosis without drugs
Treatment with folk remedies can relieve the symptoms of the disease and reduce pain, but does not cure the existing disease.Folk remedies can work well in conjunction with treatment prescribed by a doctor, but they should not be taken as the basis of treatment.
Among the non-narcotic treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is worth noting:
- 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.In addition, a chiropractor can relieve pain attacks.Manual therapy is vaguely reminiscent of massage, because the chiropractor's area of influence is the back and he works with the help of his hands.
However, massage actions are intended for muscle tissue, but manual therapy affects the vertebrae and ligaments.And this influence is carried out using some effort.The main thing here is to correctly calculate the force.For this, the qualification and experience of the chiropractor is important.
Physiotherapy is very versatile.In a specific case, it is necessary to apply an amplipulse.This type of physiotherapy, when the painful area is damaged using sinusoidally modulated currents.Using this procedure, you can get an analgesic, neuromyostimulating, trophic and vasodilating effect.
Another 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 unique massage techniques, when preference is given to simple compression, compression and kneading.
Also, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with massage, light shaking and friction of the back surface is allowed.
Massage actions are performed with the patient lying down.Hard surfaces are preferred for massage.
In this case, a small pad or pillow is placed under the stomach.At this point, your shins should be raised at 45 degrees.The position of the head at this stage should be below the level of the sofa, but not freely floating, but against the support.
To get the best massage effect, it is performed with heating means.It is possible to perform massage actions after thermal procedures.
Acupuncture refers to reflexology methods and allows the patient to release muscle spasms and increase blood flow to the tissues.The Kuznetsov 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 mat for 5 minutes every day relieves pain and relaxes tense muscles.This home remedy is sold in pharmacies at reasonable prices.
Osteochondrosis is treated by affecting 5-7 active points on the human body.This procedure is performed by a qualified neurologist.
Apitherapy is accompanied by bee sting treatment.Stings are applied to active points on the spine and are similar to acupuncture.Bee venom can warm and relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and improve joint mobility.Bee venom has a tonic effect and is characterized by a long-lasting and persistent effect.
As folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the following stand out:
- Rubbing with bee venom
- Formed alcohol
- Applying pepper paste.
If you want to use folk remedies, it is important to get the doctor's approval in this regard.
Acute back pain can be alleviated by:
- propolis plates;
- wax compresses;
- honey compresses with aloe juice;
- Honey decoctions.
Diet as prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures for lumbar osteochondrosis do not require a strict diet.In nutrition, special attention is paid to dairy products, fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and fruit jelly.It is very useful to use olive oil and lemon juice in the diet.
Purified mineral water is preferred for drinking.And for the second course, it is necessary to eat protein products, jelly or jelly meat and sea fish as often as possible.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 chondroprotectors are very useful for patients with lumbar osteochondrosis.Such products include animal cartilage along with wheat and other cereal grains.
Pregnancy is one of the reasons for the development of lumbosacral osteochondrosis.
Pregnant women in late pregnancy are at risk of developing osteochondrosis.Since the increase in the weight of the fetus contributes to the shift of the center of gravity of the body, which creates an inappropriate load in the lumbar region of the back.Along with the changes in metabolism and the lack of important vitamins and minerals, we get favorable conditions that contribute to the development of the disease.
Given that the number of medications and physical therapy procedures is minimized at this stage, if a pregnant woman has osteochondrosis, the treatment should be prescribed and coordinated by doctors: a therapist and a gynecologist.
Harmless methods used for the prevention of osteochondrosis in pregnant women are special bandages and corsets, frequent walks, gymnastics for pregnant women and a specialized vitamin course.