To understand why your back hurts, you need to understand how our spine is structured, how it works, what functions it performs and what factors can lead to damage.
The human spine consists of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae, 3-5 vertebrae), between which there is an intervertebral disc consisting of cartilaginous tissue.In the middle of the intervertebral disc there is a nucleus pulposus - a semi-liquid mass in the shape of a "ball", performing the function of absorbing shock and surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (fibrous ring).The spinal canal contains the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it, running through the entire spine.This entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The main functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, shock absorption and protection.
Imagine the Ostankino TV tower is kept in a vertical position thanks to an entire system of cables extending from the base to the top.Likewise, our spine is held in the desired position by a group of stabilizing muscles, which normally distribute the load evenly across the spine and joints.Unlike the Ostankino TV tower, our spine is more complex;it can bend in different directions and even twist, all this is possible thanks to the presence of intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments.
Every day, a person performs a number of monotonous, repetitive movements related to work or leisure time.If the same muscles are worked for a long time, they become overstretched and contract, while other muscles at this time are not stressed at all and atrophy.This leads to a change in the "geometry" of the body, the load on the intervertebral disc is redistributed, muscle spasms tighten the vertebrae, and nutrition is impaired.With monotonous hard physical labor, similar processes occur.In addition, the intervertebral disc has no blood vessels and its nutrients are provided by the surrounding muscles, and during movement in the joints between the vertebrae, nutritious synovial fluid enters it.
Cartilage tissue consists of 80-85% water, so water intake is of great importance.During the day, a person should drink at least 2 liters of clean water.If there is not enough water in the body, the disc will become dehydrated (dry), the cartilage will crack and collapse.
In my practice, I have long noted that stress, anxiety, and worry often contribute to back pain.Our bodies perceive any stressful situation as dangerous.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands "pump" stress hormones into the blood, blood pressure increases, heart rate increases, and muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it will run away or defend itself, accordingly, stress hormones will burn and the muscles after work will relax.Man is a social creature, he begins to worry more often and moves less so there is no relaxation.As a result, spinal pain, headaches, muscle spasms and more occur.
In the literature you can find different formulations of osteonecrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteonecrosis is a condition of "disruption" of movement, destruction, and degeneration of cartilage tissue.The cause is incorrect movement patterns and consequently malnourished cartilage.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Symptoms of cartilage degeneration will depend on the location and severity of the damage to the spinal movement segment.In the early stages, patients complain of dull pain, back pain, discomfort, slight limitation of movement in the spine, intermittent numbness in the arms or legs, headaches and fatigue.By starting treatment and changing your lifestyle during this period, results will not take long and recovery will come quickly.
When the disc is severely damaged, there will be severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arms or legs (depending on the extent of the damage).These signs may indicate disc destruction and the presence of a hernia, and it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be extremely severe, possibly causing pelvic organ dysfunction, severe weakness, and numbness in the arms or legs.If these signs are present, emergency hospitalization is necessary to address the problem with surgical treatment.
When cervical spondylosis occurs, pain appears in the neck, can spread to the shoulders, arms or head, numbness or weakness in the arms, headaches, dizziness.
When suffering from thoracic spondylosis, pain occurs in the chest, spreads to the sternum or shoulder blades, intensifies when breathing and moving, sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Patients often confuse this condition with a heart attack.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the lower back, intensifies with movement, spreads to the legs or perineum, and numbness or weakness of the legs may occur.
It must be remembered that our body is a single whole, and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar is arbitrary.As a rule, the disease develops throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the part that bears the greatest load.
Who to contact, methods to examine osteoarthritis
As a rule, when there is pain in the spine, the patient must visit a neurologist, who, based on complaints and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional examination methods (X-ray of the spine, MRI, CT, general urine tests, general blood tests) and draw up a treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment must be comprehensive, aimed at:
- eliminate pain syndrome;
- eliminates the weakened function of the spinal roots;
- Prevents the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine.
During the acute phase,In case of severe pain, drug treatment is indicated: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectors or blockers.
Then the massage is connected,Manual therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, spinal stretching.
Therapeutic exercisesis the main method for conservative treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Exercise therapy aims to form, correct and strengthen the muscle corset;increased range of motion in the spine and joints;develop correct movement patterns and posture;Reduce the load on the spine.
With regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, blood supply and tissue nutrition improve, metabolism is normalized and the space between the vertebrae is increased, leading to recovery.
Listen to your body, if you notice symptoms of osteoarthritis or your lifestyle involves sitting for a long time in front of a computer, driving a car or insufficient physical activity, seek help from a specialist without waiting for an exacerbation.