Back pain can be of different origins. However, in most cases, the cause is a disappointing diagnosis - osteochondrosis of the lumbar, thoracic or cervical spine. Should osteochondrosis be considered a verdict? Is it possible to restore back to the former lightness? Is surgery a necessary measure?
The answers to the above questions are known to certain osteopathy practitioners. But first.
Rapid rejuvenation of the disease
Osteochondrosis is a type of pathology of the spine, the essence of which is dystrophic-degenerative changes in the joint-cartilage tissue.
It affects the cervical, thoracic and lumbar region, causing pain and limiting the dynamic activity of its victim.
More recently, it has been believed that the above disease is an age inevitability. However, current statistics suggest that among our contemporaries suffering from osteochondrosis, there are more and more very young people who have recently reached the age of thirty or are just approaching.
At the same time, medical research confirms the fact that this disease can, if not cured without leaving a trace, prevent or slow its progress.
Stages of development of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis gradually progresses. In the initial stages, the symptoms are mild. Therefore, the disease is very rarely diagnosed during this period.
- The first stage is marked by the displacement of the nucleus of the intervertebral discs. In this case, the neuronal endings in the annular fibrosus are squeezed out. The pain may manifest as lumbago or be painful.
- In the second stage, the fibrous fibers of the disc begin to disintegrate. As a result, the vertebrae lose stability, acquire unhealthy mobility, and spinal dysfunction is observed. There is constant tension in the muscles that are in its immediate vicinity.
This leads to an almost constant feeling of fatigue in the back.
- Sooner or later, the fibrous fibers break, releasing the nucleus from itself - a hernia is formed that compresses the nerves.
There are now complaints of severe back pain, which limit his motor function.
- Later progression of the disease results in deceptive relief. The pain subsides, but the motor function of the vertebrae remains limited.
- The last, most severe degree of osteochondrosis is characterized by swelling of the bone tissue.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
There are no specifics in determining the underlying causes of the disease. It is believed that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is caused by a combination of a number of unfavorable factors related to lifestyle and habits:
- physical inactivity - lack of physical activity, inactive work, lack of walking and exercise lead to weakening of the back muscles that support the spine;
- endocrine and metabolic diseases include disorders in the saturation of the spinal zone with nutrients;
- previously acquired problems related to the musculoskeletal system (scoliosis, flat feet, etc. );
- abuse of physical activity - professional athletes, loaders, etc. are in danger. ;
- 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, the degree of destruction of cartilage and disc. In addition, the characteristics of pain are determined by the presence and level of development of a hernia or bulge. Usually the pain hurts, suddenly increasing with fast, careless movements, bending and turning. It tends to intensify by prolonged stay in one position, most often sitting.
Other symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are listed below:
- feeling weak, tired in the lower extremities;
- lack of reflex manifestations in the tendon area;
- curvature of the spine in the lumbar region; osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is often the result of scoliosis (bending to the left or right), lordosis (bending forward) or kyphosis (pathological bending smoothing);
- numbness in the legs, lack of stool control and urination (if spinal cord neurons are compressed during the progression of osteochondrosis);
- lower body temperature decrease;
- 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 disorders tend to manifest as insomnia as well as excessive drowsiness.
Possible complications
A frivolous attitude towards the problems of osteochondrosis will never lead to good. This insidious enemy of your health brings with it a whole range of complications that very negatively affect the quality of your life, your ability to perform daily activities and meet a wide variety of needs.
The most common consequences of osteochondrosis:
- sciatica - inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by pinching in the sacro-lumbar region;
- hernial formations;
- osteophytosis - pathological growth of bone tissue;
- spondyloarthritis - destructive changes in the facet joints;
- stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal, which leads to spinal cord dysfunction;
- lameness and gait disturbance as a result of thinning of the ilium;
- paresis of the legs, ie a decrease in their muscle activity.
Which doctor treats lumbar osteochondrosis?
Starting to feel discomfort due to obsessive painful sensations in the lumbar region, the person asks the question which specialist to turn to for help. What kind of doctor diagnoses and treats lumbar, thoracic and cervical osteochondrosis? From the standpoint of classical medicine, there are several answers in this case.
An orthopedic doctor treats the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, with osteochondrosis, the nervous system suffers, because many of its elements are located in the immediate vicinity of the spinal column. Accordingly, it would be useful for the patient to be examined by a neurologist.
There is such a little-known specialist as a vertebrologist. The mentioned doctor is closely involved in the treatment of the spine, so he should master the skills of diagnosis and methods of dealing with osteochondrosis. Unfortunately, not every clinic, especially the state one, has this expert in its staff.
Since we are talking about doctors who do not meet at a clinic near the house, we cannot but pay special attention to a doctor who works in the field of osteopathy. This unique therapeutic area specializes in identifying hidden cause-and-effect relationships between organs and structures of the human body. Therefore, very often an osteomedic is able to treat those diseases before which others are powerless. Problems of the musculoskeletal system are most often addressed to the mentioned doctor.
Diagnosis
Thus, after providing medical advice, the subject is sent for diagnostic procedures using the following methods.
X-ray examination provides information on 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 method of research gives an almost complete picture of the disease, it is suitable for clarifying the diagnosis and its details.
There are also a number of diagnostic tests that do not require the operation of technically sophisticated equipment. They are most often 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 craniosacral rhythm.
The latter, in accordance with the knowledge carried by osteoscience, coincides with the pulsation rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid and signals various defects in it.
In addition to the above diagnosis, the osteopathic therapist identifies the weakest points of the spine, determines the change in position and size of internal organs, probes excessive muscle tension and the degree of wear of the intervertebral discs.
Treatment
Medicine is trying in every possible way to stop the progress of lumbar osteochondrosis, alleviate the pain, and return to its former motor activity. At the same time, the treatment simply has to be comprehensive. The patient will need to establish a lifestyle, monitor diet, physical fitness, muscle tone, avoid stressful situations and lack of sleep.
An important role is played by choosing a good place to sleep - an orthopedic mattress of sufficient rigidity.
Physicians should expect therapy aimed at providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects to the affected area. It is necessary to stimulate blood flow and restore the sensitivity of the lower body if the disease has resulted in partial or complete loss.
If osteochondrosis does not currently have a worsening phase, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy exercises (exercise therapy) and a course of massage.
In addition, bathing procedures are warmly recommended for victims of lumbar osteochondrosis. In the conditions of a bath or sauna, tense muscle fibers are heated and relaxed, the movement of blood through the veins is stimulated, metabolic and regenerative processes are initiated.
Medications
As part of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, the doctor prescribes various medications to the client.
They are available in the form of ointments, tablets and injections.
These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and corticosteroids, chondroprotectors (prevent cartilage destruction), muscle relaxants (relieve muscle cramps), 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 medications have a specific list of side effects and cannot be used without the appointment of a healthcare professional.
An alternative to these drugs is homeopathy.
Many believe that its products only have 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 preparations contain vitamins and trace elements that are necessary not only for the treatment of pathology, but also for the normal functioning of the body in the future. They stimulate internal structures and organs, which helps in their recovery. In the background of such treatment, the symptoms of other diseases disappear.
Physiotherapy
What other doctor will you need to contact with osteochondrosis?
As part of the complex treatment, the patient receives a referral to a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy is designed to stop or at least slow down destructive processes in the area of intervertebral discs.
The following procedures are carried out within its framework:
- phonophoresis;
- laser phosphoresis;
- darsonvalization;
- amplitude-pulse treatment;
- diadynamic current treatment;
- exposure to magnetic resonance imaging.
Surgery
No matter how complex the principle of resolving the pathology in question, its outcome is not always successful. Surgery is the main solution. In the simplest case, its essence lies in removing the part of the cartilage that has gone beyond normal limits. 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 over 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 indicating the location of degenerated discs.
During discectomy - and this is the name of the operation to remove the cause of lumbar osteochondrosis - the degenerated structures are removed. In the case of a large-scale excision, a graft must be inserted into the spine, which is attached to its own bones with metal plates. Once rooted and the bones grow, this part of the lumbosacral region of the operated patient will remain immobile for the rest of his life.
In accordance with a different technique, a modern elastic disc prosthesis is installed in the spine, which from the point of view of biological mechanics is almost completely identical to real cartilage and allows you to maintain mobility in the lumbar region.
However, the prosthesis described above is very expensive. And the probability that a foreign body will be inside will not please any person until the end of his days. Many, in fear of such prospects, postpone surgery, worsening their well-being. However, there is a great way to avoid surgery for a huge number of people who suffer from osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
Osteopathy
When neither medication nor exercise therapy helps, and the neurologist and orthopedist raise their hands in helplessness, nodding their heads toward the operating table, even the most ardent supporters of classical medicine begin to think about whether it was worth seeking help from another doctor. And someone weighed all the advantages and disadvantages at the first signs of the disease, analyzed the positive reviews from friends and the Internet and went to visit an osteopractor.
The main task of an osteopath who treats lumbar osteochondrosis is to return the spine to a normal position, relieve pain and stop destructive processes.
With treatment with osteopathic techniques, significant success can be expected in the shortest possible time - an osteopath can alleviate the pain of a patient with osteochondrosis during the first session.
However, for complete healing of the lower back, a full course of treatment must be completed. 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 deal with osteochondrotic backs of the lumbar, cervical, and sternum lies in the fact that such treatment can be dispensed with expensive drugs that the client can hardly notice. Although their use is not strictly excluded.
This aspect is relevant, above all, for people who suffer from allergies, liver diseases, etc.
Osteotherapy heals the entire interior of the human body, replacing joints, bones and organs. Metabolic processes, the functioning of all parts of the body are normalized. The general well-being of the osteomedical department is rapidly improving. An osteopath can also help with muscle cramps, pinching or straining. It is a frequent companion to the pain discussed and can make it worse. The osteotherapist is able to treat not only the pain that affected the lumbar region, but also other types, different localizations and etiologies.
The said doctor alleviates the pain of his ward by various techniques. These include structural, craniosacral, manual, and reflexology. The kinesio taping method shows excellent results - the application of special elastic adhesive tapes to damaged areas. Using kinesio tapes, the doctor not only relieves pain, but also helps with healing.
Although osteopathy treats many diseases, it has a (very small) list of contraindications:
- feverish conditions, high fever;
- bloody clothes;
- benign and malignant neoplasms;
- severe infections;
- epileptic seizures.
Osteopractic is also an excellent preventive measure. Its general healing and restorative effect on the body is simply invaluable. In addition, prevention sessions allow you to deal with many problems that are in the bud. The disease usually does not manifest itself and does not cause discomfort for a long time without compromising the diagnosis. By comprehensively monitoring your own health and regular visits to the Osteopathic Center, you will save yourself from the many difficulties that await you on the path of life.