Lumbar osteochondrosis affects many patients. This is an unpleasant and very dangerous disease, which can subsequently lead to unpleasant complications. And by the way, among all varieties of this disease, this is found much more often in medical practice, as the lower back has the most strain. At the same time, the spine does not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and simply dry out. The back does not withstand such heavy loads, the fibrous ring protrudes in different directions and breaks.
Diagnostics
If a patient complains of acute pain in the lumbar region, it does not mean that he has osteochondrosis in the lumbar or lumbosacral area. Butto identify the cause of the disease, the doctor must diagnose the patient. And for this:
- probes the affected area and tries to identify the inflammatory processes that the patient is complaining of;
- assesses posture whether it looks straight or not, how curved it is;
- may send a patient for further examination - X-ray;
- designates a further study using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Symptoms
The main symptom of lumbar spine is unbearable low back pain. And this symptom occurs either immediately or after a while after strenuous physical exertion. In this case, the nature of the pain may be completely different:
- low back pain becomes unbearable and can radiate to the leg;
- every time a patient tries to perform some form of physical work, the pain begins to intensify, in addition, this symptom can occur with coughing, chewing as well as any change in body position
- as soon as the patient is in the same position for a long time, any attempt to change position causes pain in the lumbar region;
- the muscles of the back are constantly tense, as if the patient were constantly carrying some weights;
- as a result of the slightest hypothermia, the lower back begins to "shoot";
- nerve endings in buttocks, knees, feet begin to atrophy, ie. the sensitivity in these places decreases;
- goosebumps and slight tingling sensations in the legs become cold
- the arteries of the feet may have cramps and the pulse may be poorly felt;
- the patient begins to sweat actively;
- In the affected area, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel off.
Help: keep in mind that osteochondrosis can become an acute stage if the primary symptoms continue to strain the back or severely overcool the body.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, treatment
In our time there are different schemes for the treatment of the disease. There is drug therapy, acupuncture, there is also gymnastics for osteochondrosis. But in any case, the doctor prescribes the method of treatment.If a patient self-medicates, it can aggravate the disease and end very badly.
Important: it must be remembered that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a disease that is very difficult to recover from. You can completely get rid of it only in the first or second phase.
Protocol and Schedule
There are many methods of treating osteochondrosis, but the treatment regimen is the same. It is necessary to reduce stress on the spine and strengthen the muscles in the spine and lumbar spine. It is also necessary to normalize the nutrition of the spine by restoring metabolic processes and blood circulation. And the ultimate victory will be to regain the sensitivity of the lower body.
First Aid
- When a sudden sharp pain envelops the lumbar region, it is first of all necessary to insulate this area with something warm (woolen scarf, heating pad, etc. ). But at the same time, make sure that the affected area is warm and not hot.
- The body should be placed on something firm and level (bench, table, table, floor).
- A roller should be placed under the back in the lumbar region. However, if the lower legs are tense, the roller should be placed below the knees.
- Call a doctor and take some painkillers before he arrives.
Conservative and operational methods
Methods of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are divided into conservative treatment methods and surgical treatment methods. What is the difference? And thedifference lies in the fact that with conservative treatment methods, the doctor uses a complex technique that affects different areas of medicine.
That is, this technique involves lengthy and sometimes unsuccessful treatment. Surgical intervention depends on neglect of the disease. For example, surgery as one of the methods of surgical treatment is an extreme, but it is impossible without it.
Effective Conservative Methods
In the early stages, medicine and wellness gymnastics are suitable for suppressing pain and normalizing metabolism.However, if the disease progresses to more severe stages, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy as well as surgery. Moreover, in the latter case, this method is considered extreme but quite effective. The most important thing in the treatment of osteochondrosis is not to strain the spine and at the same time try to immobilize the inflammatory foci.
Medicine
- The most basic and effective remedy for acute pain is painkillers (analgin, amidopyrine, phenacetin, etc. ). Medication relieves pain but does not eliminate the cause.
- Also, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs that act on radicular nerves and eliminate swelling. Such drugs reduce and eliminate foci of inflammatory processes.
- For grade 3-4 disease, local anesthesia (eg novocaine) is prescribed.
- To eliminate spastic muscle contraction, your doctor will prescribe muscle relaxants.
- Condo protectors are used to normalize metabolism and restore cartilage tissue. This treatment reduces the risk of cartilage deformation and tissue destruction.
- In combination with medication, the patient is prescribed vitamin B. This group of vitamins improves the body's metabolism, reduces inflammation, is a natural diuretic that allows you to get rid of excess fluid.
- Diuretics can also be prescribed.
- To improve the patient's condition, he is prescribed medication that increases the body's immunity as a whole.
- The image is supplemented with drugs that improve blood circulation at the site of a lesion.
Physical Education
Practice shows that physiotherapy helps with osteochondrosis. And it does not just help, in the Far East it is practiced daily and primarily prescribed to patients. Currently, there are various methods of gymnastic exercises to combat this disease.And among the ancient techniques they practice yoga, qigong, etc.
The complex of gymnastic exercises to be performed is decided by the doctor together with the patient. But it must be remembered that each technique has its own indications and contraindications. For example, severe forms of the disease can not be treated with physical therapy exercises. According to the doctor's decision, gymnastic exercises can be combined with medication and physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy
It so happened that physiotherapy in our country is prescribed, basically, after drug treatment proved to be invalid. Although a person is constantly affected by some physiological processes.
The principle of physiotherapy is that the body is affected by simple physical processes (using a current, a magnet, etc. ). But unlike natural phenomena, physiotherapeutic methods help direct the effects of the methods of influence in the right direction. Take, for example, electrotherapy. Using electricity helps doctors normalize metabolism or eliminate spasms.
Massage
Massage is prescribed for patients who are recovering. However, in some cases, massage may be prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease. Then massage only healthy parts of the body.A session in a lesson usually lasts 15-20 minutes and the number of sessions takes up to 7 procedures.
But this technique is dangerous for the layman, so it is best to make an appointment with a professional. At the same time it is now possible to massage both with the hands and with special devices.
Classes on specialized simulators
Physicians believe that treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine largely depends on the desire and aspiration of the patient himself. The method of treating a disease is like choosing an instrument through which healing is possible.Exercise machines are one of the tools that help improve the condition and heal faster from suffering. But doctors recommend going to the gym when the patient recovers and the disease begins to recede.
Among such simulators that can help in this case are:
- horizontal bar;
- expander;
- cardiovascular equipment
- gym (in this case it is best to sign up for special courses where the patient has his own personal trainer who helps choose simulators).
Joint injections
When the disease worsens, your doctor may prescribe injection treatments. It is an effective remedy in which the spine artificially receives all nutrients and trace elements. In this case, the injections act directly on the spine, the painful sensations go much faster.However, this method belongs to drug treatment, which means that it can have its own side effects. Therefore, injections should be given under the clear guidance of the attending physician.
Swimming
Swimming is considered an additional treatment. But at the same time, everyone needs to know thatBefore you start training in water, warm up to warm up your muscles. In this case, the water should be at least 27-30 ° C. And after each lesson you can safely lower the temperature to 23 ° C. Proper breathing is the key to a successful workout. First, take a deep breath and then take a short breath. And also you need to choose the right exercises and swimming technique.
To achieve positive results, first swim 30-100 m with a pillow in your hands. Then rest a little and then hold the pillow in your legs and swim the same amount and only work with your hands. Then rest again and swim 20-30 m breaststroke without holding your breath. After a little rest and you can continue.
First, immerse your body in water up to your chest and start walking in place and then just walking around the pool. Then lift your knees as high as possible and spread your arms to the sides at the same time. Think about your swimming in the breaststroke. Do the same, leaning only on the side. Then bend forward and keep your hands on your belt. Then imagine that you are a hippopotamus and stick your stomach back and forth. Then hold on to the side and do a few squats.
How much is treated and what will happen if left untreated
The duration of treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine depends on the neglect of the disease. Basically, when the patient first visits the hospital, the doctor prescribes a treatment (course) that lasts a certain amount of time (it all depends on the method). You must also take into account how the patient behaved during the course. As this disease is chronic in severe stages of the disease, the symptoms may return and treatment must be repeated.
Prevention
In order not to feel for yourself what osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is, the following rules must be observed:
- if your work is related to physical activity, it is necessary not to load your back too much and rest it;
- to start playing sports, especially to strengthen the back muscles;
- see your posture; move more often, evening walks are best;
- observe proper nutrition (not to be confused with diet, proper nutrition is a complete balance of all vitamins and minerals);
- follow the correct resting routine;
- osteochondrosis can be the cause of other back diseases, so be aware of your health at that time.
Which doctor to contact
When a patient begins to have back pain, the first thing to do is see a local doctor. But in this case, he identifies only external symptoms and leads on for investigation. And the first person he will refer to isa neurologist or a vertebrologist.
These two doctors deal specifically with the problem of osteochondrosis. However, when a patient is in remission, massage therapists, gymnastic coaches, physiotherapists and many others come into play, depending on the type of recovery activities the doctor prescribes.
Conclusion
Osteochondrosis is a rather unpleasant disease. But as practice shows, the most important patients in hospitals are the people who do not monitor their health. Therefore, keep in mind thattimely detection of the disease and its prevention will cost you much less than the advanced stage of the disease.