Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region is accompanied by damage to the articular cartilage and bone tissue.
This disease affects people who, depending on their occupation or lifestyle, are inactive.It is the inactivity that ensures that the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and mobility and after a period of time they become deformed and wear out.
The result of this deformity is that the distance between the vertebrae is reduced and the nerve endings located between them are pinched.
This fact leads to pain.
Who is prone to this disease?
By the age of 30, few people can say that they have not had back pain.With age, this unpleasant manifestation worsens.Compared to all noted cases of osteochondrosis, osteochondrosis of the lumbar region occupies almost 90%.If the disease is not treated in the initial stages, when exercise can alleviate the unwanted consequences, the disease can be neglected.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region occurs as a result of inappropriate load on the spinal organ.There are several reasons why this disease develops:
- The presence of congenital defects in this area.
- Changes and disorders of hormonal balance.
- Postural distortion?
- Low physical activity?
- Traumatic injuries?
- Chemical exposure?
- Hypothermia?
- Frequent heavy lifting in a jerky manner.
- Increased nervousness.
- The presence of infections in the body.
- Overweight;
- flatfeet;
- Hypothermia.
Heredity also plays an important role in the occurrence of osteochondrosis.Having relatives with this disease, it is necessary to take more serious preventive measures.
Lumbar osteochondrosis has its own symptoms
Lumbar osteochondrosis, the symptoms of which consist of various pains and tension of a specific muscle group.The pain experienced by this disease is not the same.A distinction is made between pain, sudden and sharp pain, shooting or burning.There is an increase in 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, dysfunction of the urethra and the function of the genitals are possible.
Due to the abundance of symptoms, osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region is very difficult to miss.And if even some of the listed symptoms are detected, you need to 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 dull pain in the lumbar region during heavy lifting.At this time, the intervertebral discs are damaged.
- In the second stage of development of osteochondrosis, the intervertebral distance decreases and the annulus fibrosus is destroyed.It is during this time that the nerve endings sting.This procedure is very painful for the lower back.The pain reaction from the lumbosacral region radiates to the thigh, gluteal region and lower leg.
- In the third stage of development of osteochondrosis, destruction of the fibrous rings is observed.At this time, the formation of intervertebral hernias begins.This stage of the disease is characterized by intense and continuous pain.
- In the fourth stage, as a result of severe deformation of the spine, the movement of the patient becomes very difficult.The pain becomes constant, but the rare intervals without it also do not please the patient.The disease in this form can lead to disability.
The attack of the second stage is accompanied, in addition to pain, by increased sweating and skin "goosebumps".The duration of each subsequent attack increases in relation to the previous one.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region can be treated 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 non-surgical ways to treat lumbar osteochondrosis:
- Drug treatment.
- Therapeutic exercise?
- Treatment with leeches;
- Massage and acupuncture.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis with drug therapy begins with an examination by a doctor.Based on the results of CT scan, x-ray and magnetic resonance therapy, the doctor prescribes treatment.In many cases, the list of drugs 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 treat osteochondrosis of the lumbar region using the surgical method.Here you will need to use all the internal resources of the body.For this purpose, a gentle spinal stretching technique is used in combination with reflexology, massage, acupuncture techniques and special exercises.
Gymnastic exercises for osteochondrosis
- Hang on the bar for just over a minute.
- The body leans in different directions up to 10 exercises.
- Pelvic movement forward and backward.
- Standing on all fours with straight arms, bend your back up and down 15 times.
- Pedal a fantasy bike while lying on your back.
- Lie on your back, press and stretch your legs 15 times alternately.
- Push-ups 10-15 repetitions.
- Stand on your knees with your hands directly on the floor, fold your body in half and back 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.
When you walk, 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 straightened state, which will ensure a flat surface of the back without protruding shoulder blades.A tummy tuck will allow your chest to move forward.All these comments must be applied continuously 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.Along with treatment prescribed by a doctor, folk remedies can serve well, but should not be taken as the basis of treatment.
Among the non-drug treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is worth noting:
- manual therapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture;
- bee therapy.
With the help of manual therapy, it is possible to determine the cause of the disease and prevent its development.In addition, a manual doctor is able to relieve pain attacks.Manual therapy is vaguely reminiscent of massage, since the chiropractor's area of influence is the back and he works with the help of his hands.
However, massage actions are designed for muscle tissue, but manual therapy affects the vertebrae and ligaments.And this impact is realized with some effort.The main thing here is to correctly calculate the force.For this, the qualifications and experience of a chiropractor are important.
Physiotherapy is very multifaceted.In a particular case, it is necessary to resort to a pulse.This type of physical therapy, when the painful area is affected using sinusoidally modulated currents.Using this procedure, you can obtain an analgesic, neuromuscular stimulating, trophic and vasodilating effect.
The second natural process that can trigger the regeneration process, reduce pain and eliminate inflammation is UHF therapy.Its action is based on an extremely high frequency magnetic field.
Massage procedures for osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine are based on the use of a unique massage technique, when simple stroking, squeezing and kneading is preferred.
Also, for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine with massage, light shaking and rubbing of the back surface is allowed.
Massage actions are performed with the patient in a supine position.Hard massage surfaces are preferred.
In this case, a small pillow or pillow is placed under the stomach.At this point your shins should be raised 45 degrees.The position of the head at this stage should be below the level of the sofa, but not in free swing, but resting on the support.
To get the best massage effect, it is performed with heating agents.It is possible to perform massage actions after thermal procedures.
Acupuncture refers to reflexology methods and allows the patient to relieve muscle spasms and increase blood flow to the tissues.Kuznetsov's applicator can also be classified as reflexology.It is applied to the sore spot.The duration of the session in this applicator is not more than 20 minutes.Lying on a prickly pear mat for 5 minutes each day can relieve pain and relax tense muscles.This home doctor is sold in pharmacies at reasonable prices.
Osteochondrosis is treated by affecting 5-7 active points located in the human body.This procedure is performed by a qualified neurologist.
Bee therapy is accompanied by treatment with bee stings.The bites are made on active points of the spine and are similar to needling.Bee venom can warm and relieve inflammation, eliminate pain and improve joint mobility.Bee venom has a tonic effect and is distinguished by its long-lasting and persistent action.
As folk remedies for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, the following can be distinguished:
- rubbing with bee venom
- formic alcohol
- applying pepper patch.
If you want to use folk remedies, it is important to get your doctor's approval about it.
Acute back pain can be relieved by:
- propolis slabs;
- wax compresses;
- honey compresses with aloe juice.
- honey poultices.
Diet as prevention of osteochondrosis
Preventive measures for lumbar osteochondrosis do not require a strict diet.Particular attention in the diet 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.
Pure mineral water is preferred for drinking.And as a second course, it is necessary to eat protein products, jelly or jelly 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 combined 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 developing osteochondrosis.Since the increase in the weight of the fetus contributes to the shift of the body's center of gravity, creating an inappropriate load on the lumbar region of the back.Combined with changes in metabolism and a lack of important vitamins and minerals, we have favorable conditions that contribute to the development of the disease.
Taking into account that the number of drugs and physiotherapy procedures is reduced to a minimum at this stage, if osteochondrosis occurs in a pregnant woman, the treatment should be prescribed and coordinated by doctors: therapist and gynecologist.
Harmless methods used to prevent osteochondrosis in a pregnant woman include special bandages and corsets, frequent walks, gymnastics for pregnant women and a specialized course of vitamins.