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 ensures the intervertebral disc loses its elasticity and mobility, and after some time it becomes deformed and wears out.
The result of this deformation is a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae, and the nerve endings located between them are pinched.
This fact leads to pain.
Who is susceptible to this disease?
When reaching the age of 30, few people can say that they do not experience back pain.With age, this unpleasant manifestation only worsens.In comparison with all cases of osteochondrosis mentioned, osteochondrosis of the lumbar region occupies almost 90%.If the disease is not treated at an early stage, when gymnastics can relieve the unwanted consequences, the disease can be ignored.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region appears as a result of improper load on the spinal organs.There are sufficient reasons why this disease develops:
- The presence of congenital defects in this area;
- Changes and disturbances in hormonal balance;
- postural distortion;
- Low physical activity;
- Traumatic injuries;
- Chemical exposure;
- Hypothermia;
- Frequent lifting of weights in a jerky manner;
- Increased anxiety;
- Presence of infection in the body;
- Overweight;
- Flat feet;
- Hypothermia.
Heredity also plays an important role in the appearance 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 certain muscle groups.The pain experienced by this disease is not the same.A distinction is made between pain, sudden and sharp, shooting or burning pain.There is increased pain when making sudden movements, coughing and sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, along with pain, is characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, urethral dysfunction and genital function are possible.
Due to the multitude of symptoms, osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is very difficult to diagnose.And if even some of the listed symptoms are detected, you must go to the hospital.
How can osteochondrosis be treated?
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis can be done in several ways.The choice of method depends on the stage of development of the disease.
Disease stage:
- In the first stage, lumbar osteochondrosis begins with dull pain in the lumbar region when lifting weights.At this time, the intervertebral disc is damaged.
- In the second stage of the development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral space decreases and the fibrous ring is destroyed.During this period the nerve endings are pinched.This procedure is very painful for the lower back.Pain reactions from the lumbosacral region radiate to the thigh, gluteal region and lower leg.
- In the third stage of the development of osteochondrosis, the destruction of the fibrous ring is observed.It is at this time that the formation of an intervertebral hernia begins.This stage of the disease is characterized by intense and constant pain.
- In the fourth stage, due to severe deformation of the spine, it becomes very difficult for the patient to move.The pain becomes constant, but the rare intervals without it also do not please the patient.Diseases in this form can cause disability.
Second stage attacks are accompanied, in addition to pain, by increased sweating and skin "goosebumps".The duration of each subsequent attack increases compared to the previous attack.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region 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 without surgery:
- Treatment with drugs;
- Therapeutic gymnastics training;
- 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-rays and magnetic resonance therapy, the doctor prescribes treatment.In many cases, the medication list consists of pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, 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 surgical methods.Here you need to use all the internal resources of the body.For this purpose, gentle spinal stretching techniques are used in combination with reflexology, massage, acupressure techniques and special exercises.
Gymnastics exercises for osteochondrosis
- Hang on the bar for a little more than one minute;
- The body leans in different directions for 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;
- Ride an imaginary bike while lying on your back;
- Lying on your back, press and stretch your legs 15 times alternately;
- Push-ups 10-15 repetitions;
- Stand on your knees with your hands straight on the floor, fold your body in half and return to the starting position.
By doing this type of exercise every day, 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 in a straight position, which will ensure a flat back surface without protruding shoulder blades.A pulled stomach will allow your chest to move forward.All these comments must always be implemented to avoid the development of osteochondrosis.
How to treat osteochondrosis without drugs
Treatment using folk remedies can relieve the symptoms of the disease and reduce pain, but does not cure the existing disease.Along with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, folk remedies can work well, but they should not be taken as the basis of treatment.
Among the non-medicinal treatment of 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.In addition, manual doctors are able to 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, the massage action is designed for muscle tissue, but manual therapy affects the vertebrae and ligaments.And this impact is done by using some efforts.The main thing here is to calculate the force correctly.For this, the qualifications and experience of the chiropractor are important.
Physiotherapy is very diverse.In certain cases, it is necessary to use amplipulse.This type of physiotherapy, when the painful area is affected, uses a sinusoidal modulated current.Using this procedure, you can get an analgesic, neuromyostimulating, trophic and vasodilating effect.
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.
The massage procedure for osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine is based on the use of unique massage techniques, when preference is given to simple stroking, squeezing and kneading.
Also, to treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with massage, light shaking and rubbing the back surface is allowed.
The massage is performed with the patient in a supine position.Preference is given to hard surfaces to massage.
In this case, a small cushion or pillow is placed under the stomach.At this point your shin should be elevated 45 degrees.The position of the head at this stage should be below the level of the sofa, but not in free floating, but leaning on the support.
To get the best massage effect, it is carried out with a heating agent.It is possible to carry out massage actions after the thermal procedure.
Acupuncture refers to the method of reflexology and allows patients to relieve muscle spasms and increase blood flow in tissues.The Kuznetsov applicator can also be classified as reflexology.It is used on the sore spot.The session duration on this applicator is no more than 20 minutes.Lying on a spiky mat for 5 minutes every day can relieve pain and relax tense muscles.This home doctor is sold in pharmacies at a reasonable price.
Osteochondrosis is treated by affecting 5-7 active points located on the human body.This procedure is performed by a qualified neurologist.
Apitherapy is accompanied by treatment with bee stings.The bite is made on the active point of the spine and resembles acupuncture.Bee venom can warm and relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve joint mobility.Bee venom has a tonic effect and is distinguished by a long-lasting effect and a continuous effect.
As folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis in the lumbosacral region, the following are distinguished:
- rub with bee venom
- formic alcohol
- using a 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 plate;
- wax compressor;
- compress honey with aloe juice;
- honey poultice.
Diet as prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures for lumbar osteochondrosis do not require a strict diet.Special attention in nutrition is given to dairy products, fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and fruit jelly.It is very useful to use olive oil and lemon juice in your diet.
Preference is given to mineral water that has been purified for drinking.And as a second meal, it is necessary to eat protein products, jellied meat or jellied meat, 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.Such products include animal cartilage in combination with sprouted wheat grains and other grains.
Pregnancy is one of the reasons for the development of lumbosacral osteochondrosis.
Pregnant women in late pregnancy are at risk of getting osteochondrosis.Because the increased weight of the fetus contributes to the shift of the body's center of gravity, creating an improper load on the back lumbar region.Combined with changes in metabolism and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, we get favorable conditions that contribute to the development of disease.
Since the number of drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures are reduced to a minimum at this stage, if osteochondrosis occurs in pregnant women, treatment should be prescribed and coordinated by doctors: therapists and gynecologists.
Harmless methods used to prevent osteochondrosis in pregnant women include special bandages and corsets, regular walking, gymnastics for pregnant women and special vitamin courses.