Lumbar osteochondrosis causes, symptoms and treatment

Most people at least once in their lives have experienced a sharp pain in the lumbar region when the torso bends or twists unsuccessfully. Some of them faced pain of such intensity that they had to freeze for a while in an uncomfortable position under the fear of experiencing it again when trying to take a more comfortable position. These symptoms are typical for the development of a disease such as lumbar osteochondrosis.

Why does back pain occur

Most often, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine occurs due to disproportionate distribution of the vertebral load. For example, during a prolonged sitting position, when one muscle group is completely relaxed, while others are tense, an incorrect distribution of muscle tone occurs, therefore a specific part of the spine is under significant stress than it can withstand. As a result, by dramatically changing the position of the body, displacement of strained intervertebral discs can occur, their squeezing, which provokes the formation of hernias.

The structure of the spine allows you to endure a colossal load for some time, but testing its capabilities, of course, is not recommended. The fact is that even if the spine is hardened in this regard, that is, its owner constantly performs physical exercises, this does not insure against problems with intervertebral discs of one nature or another with constant overload. With constant tension, the intervertebral discs are compressed, from which the spinal nerves provoke the development of radicular syndrome, which to some extent limits a person's mobility, and also makes one experience periodic pain and discomfort.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine: characteristic symptoms

Lumbar osteochondrosis implies the presence of dull aching pain localized in the lumbar spine. Sometimes some patients complain of such symptoms, accompanied by a return to the lower extremities when coughing, sneezing, a sharp change in body position, and also with heavy loads.

Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is exacerbated when it is impossible to perform habitual movements or perform habitual exercises. With hypothermia, symptoms such as lumbago appear, that is, a sharp pain in the lumbar region.

There are also other symptoms of the disease, for example:

• creeping and tingling sensation in the lower extremities;
• impaired sensitivity of the thighs, legs, buttocks, and also feet;
• the presence of arterial spasms in the feet, the disappearance of the pulse, chilly sensations of the legs;
• impaired sweating;
• manifestation of dry skin in the area of pain, as well as lack of sensitivity.

The normal position of the back in a healthy person is vertical, tending upward, so any other position of the spine is a consequence of a pinched spinal cord, that is, lumbar osteochondrosis. A patient with pinched spinal discs may even suffer from malfunctions in the urinary system and defecation disorders, as well as incorrect sensitivity of the genitals.

There are also additional symptoms that occur with osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine:

• potency disorders;
• malfunctions of the ovaries, skeins and appendages.

Stages of lumbar osteochondrosis treatment

The result of the therapeutic effect on the spine is the complete elimination of factors affecting the spinal nerves in one way or another, complete restoration of the musculoskeletal system, complete neutralization of the characteristic changes for this disease.

Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine consists of four stages.

1. Medical care aimed at relieving severe pain. It can be provided both by medical workers and by the patient himself because it is a reception of an anesthetic cocktail, compress, rubbing or special massage.

2. The use of symptomatic treatment, which includes the administration of pain relieving, vasodilating and dehydrating medications, as well as the use of surgical methods of treatment. For example: hernia resection; decompression of blood vessels and nerves that are compressed; removal of scar tissue and other painful formations; intervertebral disc prosthetics; fixation of the vertebrae that were struck by the disease.
3. The rehabilitation period after each type of surgery is different. Laser intervention is characterized by the shortest terms of the rehabilitation period, since it is the least traumatic for the patient. When using laser technology, the patient is made a micro-incision, which heals within a few days.
4. Neurological treatment is characterized by a specific form and stage of the disease, when the patient needs the action of hormones with a long-term effect, as well as the action of the appropriate therapy.
5. Special exercises, the implementation of which eliminates remaining symptoms and restores the functional capacity of the spine. Many experts consider exercise to be one of the most effective methods of treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. By performing a set of special exercises, the patient can not only get rid of the symptoms of the disease, but also be completely cured.

A set of exercises for the treatment of osteochondrosis

One of the many fairly effective gymnastic exercises consists of a set of such movements.

1. The first exercise: lying on your back, arms at your sides on a flat firm surface, you need to arch your back trying to stretch the spine as much as possible. The number of attempts is about six times.
2. The second exercise: lying on your back, arms upwards, you should perform stretching movements, trying to relax your back. The number of attempts is about four times.
3. Exercise 3: lying on your stomach, arms at your sides, you should try to round your back, while straining your shoulder girdle. The number of attempts is about five times.
4. Fourth exercise: lying on your back, arms at your sides, rotate the lower body from right to left. In this case, the back should not come off the floor. The number of attempts is about four complete turns.

Performing this gymnastics eliminates some of the symptoms of the disease. In particular, pain. By relaxing the spine in this way, you can not only get rid of some symptoms of osteochondrosis, but also foresee its occurrence, that is, therapeutic gymnastics has both therapeutic and prophylactic character.