Back pain can have a variety of origins. However, in most cases, their cause is a disappointing diagnosis - osteochondrosis of the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. Should we consider osteochondrosis a verdict? Is it possible to restore your back to its former lightness? Is surgery a necessary measure?
The answers to the above questions are known for certain to osteopathic practitioners. But first things first.
Rapidly rejuvenating disease
Osteochondrosis is a type of pathology of the spine, its essence lies in dystrophic-degenerative changes in the articular-cartilaginous tissue.
It affects the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions, causing pain and limiting the dynamic activity of its victim.
More recently, it was believed that the above disease is an age-related inevitability. However, current statistical information suggests that among our contemporaries suffering from osteochondrosis, there are more and more very young people who have recently crossed the thirty-year age line or are just approaching it.
At the same time, medical research confirms the fact that this disease can, if not be cured without a trace, then prevent or slow down its progress.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis progresses gradually. In the initial stages, its symptoms are mild. That is why, during this period, the disease is very rarely diagnosed.
- The first stage is marked by the displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral discs. In this case, squeezing of the neuronal endings in the annulus fibrosus occurs. The pain can manifest itself as a lumbago or be aching.
- At the second stage, the fibrous fibers of the disc begin to break down. As a result, the vertebrae lose stability, acquire unhealthy mobility, and spinal dysfunction is observed. There is constant tension in the muscles located in close proximity to it.
This leads to an almost never-ending feeling of back fatigue.
- Sooner or later, the fibrous fibers break, releasing the nucleus from themselves - a hernia is formed, compressing the nerves.
Now there are complaints of severe back pain, restricting its motor function.
- With the subsequent progression of the disease, there is a deceptive relief. The pain subsides, but the motor function of the vertebrae remains limited.
- The last, most severe degree of osteochondrosis is characterized by the proliferation of bone tissue.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
There are no specifics in determining the root causes of the disease. It is believed that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is provoked by a combination of a number of adverse factors related to lifestyle and habits:
- physical inactivity - lack of physical activity, sedentary work, lack of walking and exercise lead to weakening of the back muscles that support the spine;
- endocrinological and metabolic diseases entail disruptions in the saturation of the spine zone with nutrients;
- previously acquired problems associated with the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, etc. );
- abuse of physical activity - at risk are professional athletes, loaders, etc. ;
- poor nutrition;
- overweight;
- lack of sleep;
- stress.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The first and main symptomatology that attracts the patient's attention is pain. The intensity of pain directly depends on the stage of osteochondrosis, on the degree of destruction of cartilage and disc. In addition, the characteristics of pain are determined by the presence and developmental level of the hernia or protrusion. Usually the pain is aching, sharply increasing with rapid, careless movements, bends, and turns. It tends to intensify with prolonged stay in one position, most often sitting.
The rest of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are outlined below:
- feeling of weakness, fatigue in the lower limbs;
- lack of reflex manifestations in the tendon area;
- curvature of the spine in the lumbar region; osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often a consequence of scoliosis (bending to the left or right), lordosis (deflection forward) or kyphosis (pathological smoothing of bends);
- numbness in the legs, lack of control over stool and urination (if during the progression of osteochondrosis, the neurons of the spinal cord are compressed);
- decrease in temperature in the lower body;
- dryness and pallor of the skin in the lumbar region;
- excessive sweating.
In addition to physiological, psychological symptoms of the disease often appear. The patient feels "exhausted", irritability and withdrawal appear. Sleep disturbances tend to manifest as insomnia as well as excessive sleepiness.
Possible complications
A frivolous attitude to the problems of osteochondrosis will not lead anyone to good. This insidious enemy of your health brings with it a range of complications that have a very negative impact on your quality of life, your ability to carry out daily activities and fulfill a wide variety of needs.
The most common consequences arising from osteochondrosis:
- sciatica - inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by its pinching in the sacro-lumbar region;
- hernial formations;
- osteophytosis - pathological growth of bone tissue;
- spondyloarthrosis - destructive changes in the facet joints;
- stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to dysfunction of the spinal cord;
- lameness and gait disturbance as a result of thinning of the ilium;
- paresis of the legs, that is, a decrease in their muscle activity.
Which doctor treats lumbar osteochondrosis?
Starting to get discomfort from obsessive painful sensations in the lumbar region, a person asks the question of which specialist to turn to for help. What kind of doctor diagnoses and treats lumbar, thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis? From the point of view of classical medicine, there are several answers in this case.
The orthopedic doctor deals with the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, with osteochondrosis, the nervous system suffers, since many of its elements are located in close proximity to the spinal column. Accordingly, it will be useful for the patient to be examined by a neurologist.
There is also such a little-known specialist as a vertebrologist. The aforementioned doctor is narrowly involved in the treatment of the spine, therefore, it is he who is supposed to be fluent in the skills of diagnostics and methods of dealing with osteochondrosis. Unfortunately, not every clinic, especially a state one, has this specialist on its staff.
Since we are talking about doctors who do not meet in the clinic near the house, one cannot but pay special attention to a doctor practicing in the field of osteopathy. This unique therapeutic area specializes in identifying hidden causal relationships between organs and structures of the human body. Therefore, very often the osteomedic is capable of treating those ailments before which others are powerless. Most often, the specified doctor is addressed precisely with the problems of the musculoskeletal system.
Diagnostics
So, having secured medical advice, the subject is sent to undergo diagnostic procedures using the following methods.
X-ray examination provides information about the condition of bones, joints, intervertebral discs, as well as the ability to detect hernial protrusions and protrusions. Computed tomography, in addition to information about the condition of the disc, shows whether there is damage to the spinal cord. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging as the most accurate research method gives an almost complete picture of the disease, it is suitable for use to clarify the diagnosis and its details.
There is also a number of diagnostic tests that do not require the operation of technically sophisticated equipment. Most often they are used in practice by osteotherapists.
Among them are:
- various passive and active checks;
- fascial tension test (light tissue tension in different directions);
- stretching checks;
- axial load tests;
- analysis of the craniosacral rhythm.
The latter, in accordance with the knowledge that osteoscience carries, coincides with the rhythm of the pulsation of the cerebrospinal fluid and signals various malfunctions inside.
With the aforementioned diagnostics, the osteopathic therapist identifies the weakest points of the spine, determines the change in the position and size of internal organs, probes muscle overstrain and the level of wear of the intervertebral discs.
Treatment
Medicine in every possible way seeks to stop the progress of lumbar osteochondrosis, relieve pain, return to its former motor activity. At the same time, treatment simply has to be comprehensive. The patient will need to establish a lifestyle, monitor nutrition, physical fitness, muscle tone, avoid stressful situations and lack of sleep.
An important role is played by the selection of a good sleeping place - an orthopedic mattress of sufficient rigidity.
Physicians should expect therapy aimed at providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the damaged area. It is required to stimulate blood flow and return the sensitivity of the lower body if the disease has resulted in its partial or complete loss.
If osteochondrosis does not currently have an exacerbation stage, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and a course massage.
In addition, bath procedures are highly recommended for victims of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. In a bath or sauna, the tightened muscle fibers are warmed up and relaxed, the movement of blood through the vessels is stimulated, metabolic and regenerative processes are triggered.
Medicines
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the doctor prescribes various medications for the client.
They are available in ointment, tablet and injectable form.
Among them are anti-inflammatory drugs of non-steroidal origin, pain relievers and corticosteroid drugs, chondroprotectors (prevent the destruction of cartilage), muscle relaxants (relieve muscle spasms), as well as vitamin, mineral and other biologically active additives.
Pharmacological treatment is designed to relieve pain and fight inflammation. Please note that most of the above drugs have a certain list of side effects and cannot be used without the appointment of a healthcare professional.
An alternative to the indicated medications is homeopathy.
Many believe that its products have only a placebo effect, but this is fundamentally wrong. Modern homeopathic remedies are a unique combination of the successful work of talented scientists and the wisdom of nature.
Homeopathic formulations contain vitamins and trace elements necessary not only for the treatment of pathology, but also for the normal functioning of the body in the future. They stimulate the internal structures and organs, which helps them to recover. Against the background of such treatment, symptoms of other ailments also disappear.
Physiotherapy
What other doctor will you have to contact with osteochondrosis?
As part of the complex treatment, the patient receives a referral to the physiotherapist's office. Physiotherapy is designed to stop or at least slow down the destructive processes in the area of the intervertebral discs.
Within its framework, the following procedures are carried out:
- phonophoresis;
- lasertophoresis;
- darsonvalization;
- amplitude-pulse treatment;
- treatment with diadynamic current;
- magnetic resonance exposure.
Surgery
No matter how complex the principle of getting rid of the pathology in question is, its outcome is far from always successful. Surgery is the cardinal solution. In the simplest case, its essence lies in the removal of a section of cartilage that has gone beyond the normal range. But in some cases, treatment requires replacing the intervertebral disc with an artificial graft.
One of the indications for surgery is the lack of positive dynamics for several months. Of course, such an indication should be accompanied by the results of diagnostic studies that determine the cause of the development of the disease in the form of specifying the location of degenerated discs.
During a discectomy - and this is the name of the operation to eliminate the causes of lumbar osteochondrosis - the degenerated structures are removed. In the case of large-scale excision, a graft must be inserted into the spine, which is attached to its own bones by means of metal plates. When it takes root and the bones grow together, this part of the lumbosacral region of the operated patient will remain motionless for the rest of his life.
In accordance with a different technique, a modern elastic disc prosthesis is implanted into the spine, which is almost completely identical from the point of view of biological mechanics to real cartilage and allows you to maintain mobility in the lumbar region.
However, the prosthesis described above is very expensive. And the prospect of having a foreign body inside is unlikely to please any person until the end of his days. Many, in fear of such prospects, postpone the operation, exacerbating their well-being. Nevertheless, there is an excellent way to avoid surgical intervention for a huge number of people suffering from osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Osteopathy
When neither medications nor exercise therapy help, and a neurologist and an orthopedist in powerlessness throw up their hands, nodding towards the operating table, even the most ardent adherents of classical medicine begin to think about whether it was worth seeking help from some other doctor. And someone already at the first signs of the disease weighed all the pros and cons, analyzed the positive reviews from friends and from the Internet and went to see an osteopractor.
The main tasks of an osteopath who treats lumbar osteochondrosis is to return the spine to its normal position, relieve pain and stop destructive processes.
With treatment using osteopathic techniques, one can expect significant success in the shortest possible time - the osteopath can relieve the pain of an osteochondrosis sufferer already during the first session.
However, to completely heal the lower back, you need to undergo a full treatment course. Its duration is determined on an individual basis and depends on the characteristics of the patient and the severity of the lesion.
Before starting treatment, the specialist assesses the specifics of the situation, accompanying symptoms and complications, age, etc.
The uniqueness of osteomedicine as a way to get rid of lumbar, cervical and thoracic osteochondrotic lesions lies in the fact that such treatment can be dispensed with expensive medications that are difficult for the client to perceive. Although their use is not strictly excluded.
This aspect is relevant, first of all, for people suffering from allergies, liver ailments, etc.
Osteotherapy heals all the insides of the human body, puts joints, bones and organs back in place. Metabolic processes, the functioning of all parts of the body are normalized. The general state of health of the osteomedic ward is rapidly improving. An osteopathic specialist can also help with a spasm, pinching or overstrain of a muscle. It is a frequent companion to the discussed pain and can aggravate it. An osteotherapist is capable of treating not only pain that has affected the lumbar region, but also its other types, of various localization and etiology.
The aforementioned doctor relieves the pain of his ward using a variety of techniques. These include structural, craniosacral, manual and reflexology. Excellent results are shown by the kinesio taping method - the application of special elastic adhesive tapes to the damaged areas. Using kinesio tapes, the doctor not only relieves pain, but also helps healing.
Although osteopathy treats numerous ailments, it has a (very small) list of contraindications:
- feverish conditions, high temperature;
- blood clots;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- severe infections;
- epileptic seizures.
Osteopractice is also an excellent preventive measure. Its general healing and restorative effect on the body is simply priceless. In addition, preventive sessions allow you to deal with numerous problems that are in the bud. The disease tends not to manifest itself and not to cause inconvenience for a long time, without giving in to diagnosis. By comprehensively monitoring your own health and regularly visiting the Osteopathy Center, you will save yourself from a number of difficulties that await you on the path of life.