To understand the causes of back pain, you need to understand how the spine is structured, how it works, what functions it performs, and what factors can cause damage to it.
The human spine is composed of 32-34 vertebrae (7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae, and 3-5 coccyx). There is an intervertebral disc composed of cartilage tissue between the vertebrae.In the middle of the intervertebral disc is the nucleus pulposus, a "ball"-shaped semi-liquid structure that has a shock-absorbing function and is surrounded by dense cartilage tissue (annulus fibrosus).The spinal canal contains the spinal cord and the nerves that extend from it throughout the spine.The entire structure is surrounded by muscles and ligaments.The primary functions of the spine are musculoskeletal, shock absorption, and protection.
Imagine the Ostankino TV Tower, which is kept in a vertical position thanks to an entire system of cables extending from the bottom to the top.Likewise, our spine is held in the desired position by a set of stabilizer muscles that normally distribute the load evenly on the spine and joints.Unlike the Ostankino TV Tower, our spine is more complex; it can bend in different directions and even twist, all made possible by the presence of intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments.
People perform monotonous, repetitive actions every day related to work or leisure time.If the same muscles are worked for a long time, they can become overstrained and spasm, while other muscles receive no stress at all and atrophy.This causes changes in the "geometry" of the body, redistribution of load on the discs, tightening of the vertebrae by spastic muscles, and nutritional deterioration.The same process occurs during monotonous hard manual labor.In addition, the intervertebral disc has no blood vessels, and its nutrition is provided by the surrounding muscles. When the intervertebral joints move, nutritious synovial fluid enters it.
Cartilage tissue is composed of 80-85% water, so drinking habits are very important.During the day, a person should drink at least 2 liters of clean water.Without enough water entering the body, the discs become dehydrated (dry out) and the cartilage can break down and collapse.
In my practice, I noticed early on that stress, anxiety, and worry often contribute to the development of back pain.Our bodies view any stressful situation as dangerous.At the same time, the sympathetic part of the nervous system is activated, the adrenal glands "inject" stress hormones into the blood, blood pressure increases, the heart beats faster, and muscles tense.In nature, if an animal is afraid of something, it will run away or protect itself, and accordingly, stress hormones will burn and muscles will relax after work.Man is a social animal. He begins to worry more and takes less action, so he does not relax.As a result, symptoms such as spinal pain, headaches, and motor twitching may occur.
In the literature you can find different expressions of osteochondrosis, but their essence is the same.Osteochondrosis is the "collapse" of motion segments, destruction and degeneration of cartilage tissue.The reason is incorrect exercise stereotypes, which lead to chondrodystrophies.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis
The manifestations of osteochondrosis depend on the location and severity of the lesion in the spinal motion segments.In the initial phase, patients complain of back pain, discomfort, mild limitation of spinal movement, periodic numbness in the arms or legs, headaches, and fatigue.By starting treatment and making lifestyle changes during this time, results will come quickly and recovery will be quick.
Severe disc damage can result in severe pain, persistent numbness, and/or weakness in the arms or legs (depending on the extent of the injury).These signs may indicate disc damage and herniation, requiring immediate consultation with a doctor and initiation of treatment.
In the most severe cases, the pain syndrome can be so severe that it can lead to pelvic organ dysfunction and severe weakness and numbness in the arms or legs.If these symptoms occur, emergency hospitalization may be needed to address surgical treatment.
With cervical osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the neck and can radiate to the shoulders, arms or head, causing numbness or weakness in the arms, headaches, and dizziness.
In patients with thoracic osteochondrosis, pain occurs in the chest and radiates to the sternum or scapula. It intensifies with breathing and movement, and sometimes there is a feeling of lack of air.Patients often confuse this condition with heartache.
When the lumbosacral spine is affected, the pain is localized in the waist, intensifies with activity, radiates to the legs or perineum, and leg numbness or weakness may occur.
What needs to be remembered is that our body is a whole and the division of osteochondrosis into cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine is arbitrary.Typically, the disease occurs throughout the spine, but manifests itself in the parts that bear the greatest load.
Who to contact and how to get tested for osteochondrosis
Typically, patients with spinal pain refer to a neurologist, who, based on the chief complaint and neurological examination, can make a preliminary diagnosis, prescribe additional tests (spine X-ray, MRI, CT, general urinalysis, general blood tests) and formulate a treatment plan.
treat
Treatment should be comprehensive and aimed at:
- Eliminate pain syndrome;
- Eliminate damaged function at the roots of the spinal cord;
- Preventing the progression of degenerative dystrophic changes in spinal structures.
During the acute phase,If the pain is severe, treat with medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins, chondroprotectants, or blocks.
Then connect to massage,Manual therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, spinal traction.
therapeutic exerciseIt is the main method of conservative treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases.The purpose of exercise therapy is to form, correct and strengthen muscle bundles; increase the range of motion of the spine and joints; form movement stereotypes and correct posture; reduce the load on the spine.
Through regular exercise therapy, joint exercises, yoga or swimming, recovery can be improved by improving blood supply and tissue nutrition, normalizing metabolism, and increasing intervertebral space.
Listen to your body, and if you notice symptoms of osteochondrosis or if your lifestyle involves sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time, driving, or not getting enough physical activity, seek help from a specialist immediately rather than waiting until the condition worsens.