According to statistics, 8 out of 10 people suffer from discomfort and pain in the spine.Although the majority do not believe that this can be associated with any pathology, the causes are attributed to the characteristic genes associated with the course of life.
What is osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease with complex damage to the cartilage of the spine.In case of development, the process can spread to bone cells and tendons.Severe stress on the spine can lead to the development of this disease.
Lumbar osteochondrosis occurs in the coccyx area, is short-term in nature and has an acute painful effect.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Once diagnosed, lumbosacral osteochondrosis is defined as when the elasticity of the intervertebral discs is lost, cartilage is worn and deformed.Ligaments and adjacent vertebrae are also involved in the deformation process over time.Characteristic signs include limited movement due to back and leg pain.
Most often, such osteochondrosis manifests itself in the thoracic and cervical region due to the load on the sacrum and lower back.Such defects are possible with regular training and innate specificity.
According to ICD-10, lumbosacral osteochondrosis has codes M42, M91-M93 - diseases of connective cells and has the following types:
Polysegmental- considered a common and dangerous disease;pathological processes occur in several segments of the spine and in its various parts.If the lack of treatment leads to complications due to this, it is necessary to diagnose in time and start treatment.- Erosive- This is a progressive type of intervertebral disc injury with severe symptoms.The course of the disease is monitored using CT or X-ray.The main criterion is the preservation of sclerotic annular plates.
- Deforming- indicates a permanent pathology of the joints, in connection with this a degenerative inflammatory process develops.This process destroys the structure of the joints and leads to rapid aging.The cause of this pathology is excessive stress, although it may depend on other factors.
Treatment and rehabilitation
Medical treatment
When treating the lumbar spine, chondroprotectors are mainly used, which are available in the form of tablets and injection solution.For positive use, a multidrug regimen is required.The use of injections takes place in a significantly short time, and is also considered painful due to the injection directly into the spine.
These drugs also have anti-inflammatory drugs and side effects such as nausea and rash.
In the treatment of the lumbar spine, non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs) are used;they have an anti-inflammatory effect and indications for use in chronic forms and in acute pain.
The joint intake of a course of vitamins, chondroprotectors and glucosamine also promotes recovery.
Blockade for osteochondrosis
For intense pain that disturbs normal sleep, it is useddrug blockades.This treatment is used for all types of localization of osteochondrosis.
This application only temporarily relieves pain;the drug is injected through a puncture with a syringe into the spine.Often used therapeutic blockades are performed with a strong pain reliever.
Physiotherapy methods
Physiotherapy treatment consists of reducing pain and inflammation:
- Vibration effect using vibration massageis the most important method of physiotherapy.
- Ultrasound treatment is also used, allows you to treat painful manifestations, has three factors that affect the body: thermal, physicochemical, mechanical.
- Physiotherapy darsonvalIt is performed by delivering current to the skin through a vacuum electrode.When exposed to ionization with air, a weak electrical discharge appears.With increasing voltage and secondary ionization of air, a stronger discharge occurs.
Massage
When the blood vessels in the spinal cord are compressed, asymmetry of the articular muscles appears.In the area of deformation, compression occurs, accompanied by spasms, pain and scarring of muscle tissue.
Massage promotes:
- reduction of pressure on the arteries of the nerve roots;
- spasms disappear;
- the activity of the vertebrae improves;
- blood circulation is normalized;
- tissue breakdown slows down;
- prevents the development of the disease;
- Prevents muscle atrophy and restores tone.
Improves the general well-being of patients;in the early stages, with the use of massage combined with other methods, the symptoms disappear.
Magnetotherapy
To eliminate the aggravation of osteochondrosis, treatment with magnetic fields is used.With this treatment, the pain disappears, the blood circulation normalizes, the muscles relax and the nutrition of the intervertebral discs improves.
The procedure is used with exacerbation, as well as in all stages of the disease, using stationary devices, even portable devices when used at home.
Manual therapy and acupuncture
The method of manual therapy consists of jerking movements using the hands to restore mobility using different techniques:
- Manipulation techniqueinvolves dosed, slow stretching of the joints of the spine in conjunction with versatile bending and twisting.
- Soft techniqueIt is considered to be aimed at relaxation for a gradual reduction of pain and relaxation of the muscular corset.
The method of acupuncture therapy, based on the study of biological zones and the impact on them with needles, deserves close attention.Reduces the patient's need for anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
Therapeutic exercise
Participation in sports procedures for osteochondrosis is considered necessary, but taking into account all stages of the disease, carefully choose physical exercises:
- Exercises on vertebral simulatorspromotes the treatment of spinal curvature, scoliosis, kyphosis, disc herniation and strengthening of the muscular corset.
- Therapeutic exercises in the poollead to good results and are considered safe due to the absence of injuries.In 30-45 minute water procedures, complete muscle relaxation is achieved without much effort.Such activities help improve mood and normalize sleep.Swimming is also recommended by experts to strengthen the lower back muscles.
- Walks with osteochondrosisnecessary in this regard, cane walking is used, recognized by experts as effective.Due to the sticks, the load is distributed evenly on the shoulder girdle and arms, which reduces the pressure on the joints and spine.
It is contraindicated to participate in any sport such as:
- Tennis.
- Discus throw.
- High jump.
- Frequent athletic activities.
The same contraindications for osteochondrosis apply to:
- Intervertebral hernia in the lower back.
- At the stage of deterioration.
Swimming lessons are possible with the permission of a doctor or under the supervision of an instructor.
Exercises
When doing therapeutic exercises, problem areas are exposed to stress so as not to cause damage and bring them back to normal shape:
- You must lie down on a flat floor,Place one palm on your stomach and the other just above your chest.When you inhale smoothly, the stomach should rise first, then the chest.Exhale slowly.You must repeat it 10 times during the day, 4-3 times.
- Take a lying position and raise your headand the body, after placing your hands in front of you, hold in this position for 1-2 minutes.Then slowly take the starting position, repeat the exercise 3-4 times a day.
- Lock the upper part of the back upwardsslowly bend the back of the chair back while taking a deep breath.Then bend forward while exhaling and do this exercise 4-5 times.
- To the lower back- stand up, put your hands on your hips and gently bend back and forth and to the sides.Then make slow movements of the pelvis back and forth, repeating 10 times in each direction.
Yoga and Pilates
The use of yoga or pilates involves the smoothness and precision of one movement that gradually flows into another.It is necessary to mentally monitor the condition of the muscle in each position.
Deep breathing promotes a relaxing and calming effect;such exercises are similar to yoga:
- In a standing position, while inhaling, raise your arms above youand as you exhale, bend over to your right foot and touch it.Repeat the same action with a tilt towards the left leg.In this case, keep your back straight;this is done for 2 minutes.
- Train cobra— lie on your chest, put your palms close, raise yourself on your hands while inhaling, throw your head back first.Keep your arms straight, breathing should be easy, your chest should be open and stay in this position for 20 seconds.
- Turn your head left and rightat the same time, hold for 10 seconds, then tilt your head down, try to reach the throat with your chin, hold for a while, then tilt your head back and hold.Repeat the exercise for 5 minutes.
Orthopedic devices
Orthopedic devices for spinal correction are indicated for osteochondrosis:
- Orthopedic corset- used to treat weakened muscles, it does not limit movement and protects against displacement of intervertebral discs and also serves to restore the spine.After the first application, thanks to fixation, relief occurs, spasms and pain subside.
- pillow— reduces the load on the lower back by emptying the pelvic organs.The orthopedic device reduces pain, maintains muscle tone and reduces vibrations.There is another type of pillow device designed for the cervical spine during sleep.
The author's technique of Dr.Bubnovsky
Any person, regardless of profession and age, can use Dr.Bubnovsky's method.After the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an individual method of treatment, taking into account the nature of the location and the pain.
Gymnastics using this method is performed independently or on multifunctional training machines under the supervision of a specialist.This allows you to distribute the load specifically to specific muscle groups, while helping to relieve swelling, pain and spasms.
What can and cannot be done with osteochondrosis?
To avoid relapse, people suffering from osteochondrosis try to use different treatment methods.In this case, you have to give up your usual things, but you can leave the heating in the bathhouse.
The sauna promotes good heating and stimulates physiological processes that reduce tension, swelling and pain.It is not recommended to stay in the steam bath for more than 10 minutes at a time and take a break for the same amount of time.
You can also use:
- Massage.
- Yoga.
- Swimming.
- Sport.
What is not recommended to do with osteochondrosis:
- Lift weights.
- Overeat.
- Wear uncomfortable shoes.
Treatment with folk remedies at home
To treat osteochondrosis at home, you can use folk methods in combination with traditional treatment:
- Propolis- for this, roll it out into a thin cake, cut it to the required size for application on the painful part.Fix it on this area and keep it for 1-2 days;the procedure takes place with a break of 12 hours until the pain completely disappears.
- Leeches— the essence of prevention is to relieve pain caused by the outflow of venous blood, which stagnates and provokes inflammation.Leeches bite through the skin of the affected area and suck out the blood, inject Hirudin, which has a healing effect and improves the course of biochemical processes.
- Mummy— used for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, has a stimulating, regenerating and anti-inflammatory effect.For osteochondrosis, compresses of 300 mg are used.Dissolve mumiyo in a glass of water, then make compresses.
- Mustard plaster- has healing warming properties.With the expansion of blood vessels, they have the ability to spread the blood while increasing the supply of useful elements and oxygen.They also relieve pain and inflammation, improving the condition of the intervertebral discs.
Kuznetsov applicatorhas a fairly simple structure, it includes plastic plates with spikes attached to a solid base.Depending on the pain, the applicator has a different shape: a flat mat, a roll or a belt with fasteners.
It also has additional devices with spikes and magnetic elements.The size of the spikes is from 2 to 5 mm, the average length is from 2 to 8 mm.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Neurologists for acute osteochondrosis recommend swimming exclusively in pools, because in natural bodies of water there is a current that increases the load on the spine.The water temperature must be 30 degrees, then it can be lowered to 23 and the swimming style chosen depending on the disease.
Also in prevention, you must follow the rules for proper sleep, which include:
- choosing the right mattress;
- smooth base of medium hardness;
- orthopedic pillows;
- proper diet, which includes eating foods with vitamins C, PP, E, B3.
Rules for sitting - this requires a non-soft chair or chair, and the body weight will not create pressure on the lower back.The body itself must be placed on the ischial tuberosities, which is only possible on hard seats.
Sick leave - for osteochondrosis in the lower back
Sick leave and its duration depend on complications and the nature of the illness:
- Pain syndrome.
- Inactivity caused by illness.
- Working conditions and profession.
- Also from the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
- With radicular syndrome, it lasts up to 3 weeks.
- In case of complications, more than six months.
- Lumbar osteochondrosis - depends on the location, the severity of the pain syndrome depends on complications and lasts at least a week.
24-hour treatment is prescribed in severe cases, after which the doctor recommends a change of profession.