Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative pathology of vertebrae and discs. It is generally accepted that lumbar osteochondrosis affects the spine itself and nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are divided into those that affect the spine itself - called vertebral/vertebral syndrome - and those that appear outside the spine, with the involvement of nerve and vascular structures - called non-vertebral/extravertebral syndrome. Extravertebral, on the other hand, is divided into reflex and radicular syndromes. Given that the word "syndrome" implies a group of symptoms, it can be simplified and said that the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consist of three groups - vertebral, reflex and radicular.
Vertebral symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
- Violation of the configuration of the spine (curvature);
- Lower back muscle tension;
- Violation of mobility of the lower back;
- Localized back pain.
Reflex symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
The main reflex symptom is back pain. It can be sudden or permanent. Pain occurs after physical activity or because of an unpleasant movement. For example, when turning, leaning or lifting weights. There is muscle tension and stiffness of movements - more often in the morning. There is shooting in the lower back or in the leg. The sensitivity of the lower extremities is disturbed - numbness, goosebumps, piercing or burning. Changes in gait and coordination. Sweating increases. The work of the intestines and bladder is often disturbed. There are malfunctions in the work of internal organs. Sexual function suffers. Sleep is disturbed due to pain. Mood swings, irritability and fatigue appear. Sometimes there is depression.
Factors that cause deterioration are physical effort, prolonged uncomfortable position, hypothermia, stress.
Reflex pain symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, depending on the severity and localization of the process, are usually divided into lumbago, lumbago and lumboischialgia.
- lumbagois the most acute pain. Provocation is an unpleasant movement, sneezing, coughing. To alleviate his condition, the patient involuntarily leans forward or bends to the side. Attempts to straighten up cause new back pain.
- Lumbargia- painful "tolerable" pain, with episodes of exacerbation. Over time, it develops into constant severe pain.
- Sciatica- Pain that extends from the lower back to the legs.
Radicular symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis
They arise due to the effect on the nerves coming out of the spine.
Many nerves exit the spine. They are called spinal nerves. Each such nerve gradually branches and follows a certain part of the body with clearly defined boundaries. This area is called the zone of segmental innervation. Each vertebra, disc, nerve and zone are numbered strictly from each other. If the nerve is affected, the symptoms will appear in the zone of segmental innervation corresponding to this nerve, and not anywhere - in an arbitrary place.
spinal nerves
Radicular symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine include:- reduction or loss of reflexes;
- muscle weakness;
- violation of sensitivity;
- radicular pain.
Not all parts of the lumbar spine are equally susceptible to pathology. The most mobile segments are more often affected: L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1. According to the principle - "More movement - more wear and tear. "
Zones of innervation of lumbar segments
Osteochondrosis L3–L4- acts on spinal nerve L4. Main signs: knee jerk weakness. Pain, numbness, and decreased sensation interfere with the front of the thigh.
Osteochondrosis L4–L5- acts on spinal nerve L5. Main signs: weakness of the muscles that raise the big toe and foot. It is difficult for the patient to stand on the heel. Pain, stiffness and reduced sensitivity are disturbed from the lower back to the buttocks and thigh "along the line", then through the lower leg, gradually moving to its front part and ending in the first three toes of the foot.
Osteochondrosis L5–S1- acts on spinal nerve S1. Main signs: calf muscle weakness. It is difficult for the patient to stand on his toes. Pain, numbness and reduced sensitivity are detected from the buttocks, then along the back of the thigh and lower leg, moving to the side of the foot and little toe.
Sometimes, with lumbar osteochondrosis, not only nerves can be affected, but also radicular arteries. This threatens the development of the most dangerous pathology - spinal stroke, with severe consequences for the person - paresis and paralysis, as well as serious malfunctions of the pelvic organs.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:
- depends on the stage of osteochondrosis;
- makes tilting and turning worse;
- they appear more often after 30-35 years;
- women are about 3 times more common than men.
You have, of course, noticed that the radicular symptoms are clearly defined, and the reflex symptoms very vague and vague. And as you know, anything that does not have a clear definition serves as a convenient cover for professional helplessness. This applies, among other things, to reflex symptoms and such a favorite concept among doctors as "age-related changes". Surely many of you are familiar with the situation when the doctor explained the problem with "reflex" or "age-related" processes. Most people at such moments rightly believe that the doctor simply cannot understand what is happening and tries to hide his incompetence in the fog of these "magic words".
There used to be a popular phrase: "Every misfortune has a name, a surname and a position. "Every disease has its own unique symptoms. And it is the doctor's duty to know them clearly. And then there will be no need to let go of the fog and blame everything on osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Now you understand how important it is to find an experienced and knowledgeable doctor. Correct diagnosis and treatment results will depend on this.
When choosing a clinic, the most important thing is to find an experienced and educated doctor.
Diagnosis of lumbar osteochondrosis
To date, there are a number of modern methods of hardware diagnostics of osteochondrosis. The most accurate of them are MRI and CT. But the main method is still clinical diagnostics - this is when an experienced doctor compares data from at least three sources - from patient complaints, MRI results and symptoms he discovered during the examination. This allows you to make the most accurate diagnosis and create an effective individual treatment program.
Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
As you understood, osteochondrosis is a real "bunch" of symptoms, untangling them, the doctor will save you from pain and anxiety. But it is not possible to eliminate changes in the vertebrae and discs. Therefore, the words "treatment of osteochondrosis" must be understood correctly. If you are interested in eliminating pain and other suffering, then yes - it is quite possible. And if you are having an academic discussion on the topic of returning the vertebrae and discs to their original appearance, "like a newborn", then no, the past cannot be returned. You have to be realistic and then you won't fall for the scammers' bait.
Don't fall for the scammers' bait!
It is impossible to return the vertebrae and discs to their original appearance!
What is the main method of treatment?
Soft manual therapy is the main type of treatment for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It's like an antibiotic for pneumonia - you can't live without it. Other types - massage, medication, physiotherapy and exercise therapy - are helpful.
How does gentle manual therapy work?
The nutrition of the discs is directly related to the muscles surrounding the lumbar vertebrae. In addition, the lumbar muscles themselves are one of the constitutive causes of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis. Soft manual therapy is a special method that allows you to return the muscles to their natural physiology, eliminate spasms, muscle tightness and improve the nutrition of the discs.
The intervertebral discs are the only part of the body that does not have blood vessels and is nourished by the proper functioning of the muscles.
In addition, when treating with the help of hands, the chiropractor:
- remove the load from the affected vertebrae and discs and distribute it properly
- relax the muscles and help them return to normal
in that way:
Manual impact mobilizes the body's internal forces and initiates self-healing mechanisms. The treatment is absolutely safe.
All methods of soft manual therapy are used in the clinic:
- release the patient from the clamps
- improve drive power
- they restore the motor functions of the body
normalizes blood circulation
The qualification of a doctor of any professional clinic allows you to freely use all these methods for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In addition, we combine them in any case, taking into account the synergistic effect.
Synergy is not just a bunch of different influences, it is the correct sequence in the combination of methods. Synergy leads to additional quality of treatment. A simple example of synergy is our hands. How long does it take to fasten a button? Seconds? !And if you do it with one hand, you can't manage it in a minute. That is, to act with two hands not twice as fast as one, but many times faster. And listen to the same music performed by individual instruments or the whole orchestra together - does it make a difference? This is the effect of synergy - it allows everything to be done much more powerfully, efficiently and quickly, but at the same time - more carefully.
Complementary therapies - medicines, massage, physiotherapy and exercise therapy
Drug treatment.In the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, drugs with a different spectrum of action are used. These are drugs that relieve deep tissue swelling, inflammation and pain. Medicines that improve blood circulation. In addition, drugs are used that help restore the damaged cartilaginous disc tissue and pinched nerves - chondroprotectors and B vitamins. Taking drugs, in combination with other methods of treatment, is prescribed by a chiropractor if necessary.
Massage.As you know, there is massage for pleasure and massage for healing. Massage for pleasure is done in spas, and massage for treatment is done in medical clinics. In the clinic, medical massage is performed during gentle manual therapy. To increase the effectiveness of manual treatment and normalize metabolic processes - all this can be a therapeutic massage!
Physiotherapy.There are many physiotherapy methods that help manual therapy in the treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis, for example treatment with ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser, etc. A specific recommendation will be made by the attending chiropractor.
Physiotherapy- includes regular gymnastics to strengthen muscles. The main thing is to perform the right exercises without sudden movements. During treatment in a specialized clinic, the doctor will recommend the necessary exercises. Pilates is the best option.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
To avoid relapses, create comfortable conditions for sleeping and working. Watch your weight and proper diet. Keep up your physical activity. But the main thing is not to neglect your health and do not skimp on it. Don't let things go by themselves. After recovery, try to do at least one session of gentle manual therapy every three to six months - this will reduce risk factors. Do not forget, neglected osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation. Remember: you need your health first!
Running osteochondrosis leads to complications - protrusion and disc herniation.
Advantages of treating osteochondrosis in a specialized clinic:
- Guarantee of complete and qualified treatment. The word "completely" is key in our work.
- We consider each case individually and comprehensively - without formalism.
- Synergistic effect.
- Honesty and fair prices guaranteed.