Lumbar osteochondrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology of the lower spine. In most cases, it affects the intervertebral discs, deforming them, eroding them and reducing their original height. Without proper treatment, the development of the disease is associated with dangerous complications that lead to limited mobility.
Previously, it was thought that osteochondrosis of the spine is an age-related disorder, but in recent decades it has been observed not only in the elderly, but also in young people aged 30-35 years.
Complications of osteochondrosis of the lower spine
When pathology of the lower vertebral body is not treated in time, the symptoms spread throughout the body. These are disorders of the genitourinary system, pain in the kidneys, urinary retention, and often general discomfort without cause.
Often there are signs of lumbodynia and a symptom such as inflammation of the sciatic nerve. These factors further restrict movement and leave the patient helpless.
Causes of lumbar osteochondrosis
This disease of the spine develops due to constant loads, and the more often and more intense they are, the higher the probability of the onset of osteochondrosis. Particularly at risk are overweight patients and people whose daily work involves lifting and transporting heavy objects.
Another factor that increases the risk of developing lumbar osteochondrosis is incorrect posture due to sitting position during work or due to the natural features of the structure of the spine. The problem is exacerbated by an unhealthy sedentary lifestyle and wrong actions. As a result, improperly distributed loads lead to the formation of lumbar disorders.
Injuries are also important, so athletes are advised to pay more attention to the condition of the spine.
In some patients, the pathology occurs due to inflammatory diseases of the spine and joints. Thus, Bechterew's disease and rheumatoid arthritis are considered probable causes of osteochondrosis in the future.
In addition to these preconditions, the list of causes of the disease includes the following items:
- Wrong sleep and rest;
- unhealthy diet;
- Constant stress;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Genetic predisposition, weak spine;
- Porous structure of spinal tissues.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region
The main symptoms of this pathology are regular pain and worsening of the general condition. The most severe pain is spontaneous, sudden movements, felt with physical force, but can also be uncomfortable at rest. Pain can be felt in the lower back, as well as in the upper back and hips. In the later stages, severe pain may bother the patient, even during coughing or sneezing, as well as minimal physical activity that does not load the spine. Due to severe anxiety, mobility is impaired, movements are limited and uncertain. Bending, turning and position changes are given to the patient with great difficulty.
In addition to pain, osteochondrosis of the spine manifests itself as a symptom of many diseases - mental disorders. The patient becomes irritable, withdraws, insomnia appears, as a result of which a strong disintegration is felt.
Without proper treatment in the clinic, osteochondrosis can confine the patient to bed, completely depriving him of the opportunity to serve himself independently and lead a more normal life.
The exception is patients whose pain begins to appear only long after the onset of the disease. They often have disc protrusions, hernias, spondylolisthesis, which is not suspected due to the lack of significant discomfort.
Traditional treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis
Treatment depends directly on the onset of lumbar spine osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis, especially of the spine, involves the rejection of heavy loads, but not complete rest. Since the material support for the spine is the muscle frame, it is necessary to apply reinforcement to adjust the posture as much as possible.
Traditional methods include:
- Massage;
- stretch;
- Manual therapy;
- Therapeutic physical education course.
Disadvantages of traditional methods
This disease is not always suitable for non-surgical treatment. In such cases, the development of an intervertebral hernia that requires surgery is very likely.
In modern medicine, discectomy is used more often than others - a surgical method to remove a damaged vertebral disc with a disease that is most effective in osteochondrosis of the lumbar region. As a rule, the surgical method is performed endoscopically.
Osteopathic diagnosis of osteochondrosis
An osteopath uses several test options to make a diagnosis:
- Passive and active testing;
- "Facial tension" test;
- Traction test;
- Axial load inspection;
- Craniosacral rhythm test.
During such a diagnosis, the patient undergoes a thorough examination of the elasticity and resilience of the vertebrae and their tissues, the degree of their damage. The weakest points of the spine are revealed.
At the same time, the osteopath detects deviations in the position of the internal organs and changes in their size, if the stage of the disease can cause it.
Research helps find tension in muscle tissue that interferes with normal functioning. Also, at the time of diagnosis, the doctor studies the degree of removal of the intervertebral discs.
Osteopathy for lumbar osteochondrosis
The main goal of osteopathic therapy is to restore the spine by stopping tissue degeneration.
This approach to treatment gives the best results as soon as possible, but in any case, patients are shown a course of several sessions.
Before continuing to affect the lumbar spine, the doctor carefully selects the nuances of the upcoming procedure. Takes into account the characteristics of the course of the disease of the lower vertebrae and the accompanying symptoms.
Treatment also requires consideration of the patient's age, daily lifestyle, general condition of the body, as a result of the disease, as well as possible concomitant disorders that may be unrelated pathologies.
During the procedure, the doctor gently pushes the vertebrae to take a natural position. In most cases, the result is noted after the first or second session, which is expressed in more free movements and the absence of pain and stiffness.
At the end of treatment, the patient should follow the doctor's instructions: stop exercising for 2-3 days, drink at least 1. 5 liters of water, do not use other treatments.
It is important! The osteopathic effect in osteochondrosis can be realized only in the period between attacks.
Benefits of osteopathy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Today, osteopathic therapy methods are recognized by many scientists and physicians. Treatment of lumbar osteochondrosis in this way should be for a number of reasons.
This method of treatment is unique in that patients do not require medication during the course. This is especially true for people with allergies, people with liver disease, and many other conditions where frequent drug use is undesirable.
After the course of sessions, not only the vertebrae, but all the internal organs take their natural position. This helps to gradually improve the general condition of the patient with lumbar osteochondrosis. From this point of view, all the processes in the body are restored, and each organ works properly.
Given that changes in the structure of the spine also lead to disorders of muscle tissue, osteopathic therapy sessions perform another task - the removal of tension and cramps in the muscles. These difficulties can be the cause of pain that aggravates the patient's already difficult condition.
In osteochondrosis, edema and inflammation, as well as the pain associated with them, are easily removed after the first procedure. Mobility and resilience return, which makes a person active and independent again.
It is also important to restore the same amount of blood circulation in the tissues of the muscles and vertebrae, so oxygen starvation associated with a lack of blood supply is excluded.
Sensitivity and activity of nerve endings are normalized. There is numbness and general discomfort in the back. Thanks to treatment, the body's natural regeneration and self-regulatory mechanisms are reactivated.
Can there be complications of osteopathic treatment?
Another plus that is crucial when choosing a method to relieve symptoms and osteochondrosis of the spine is to ensure that there are no future relapses. This puts osteopathy at a higher level than classical methods, which allows for the cessation of remission and new problems that negatively affect the spine and the general condition of the person.
Contraindications for osteopathic treatment
Osteopathy for lumbar osteochondrosis is contraindicated in patients with the following conditions:
- Increased body temperature;
- thrombosis;
- tumors;
- severe diseases of infectious origin;
- epilepsy;
- Different types of mental illness.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
Prophylaxis is needed to prevent the development of osteochondrosis of the spine, or at least to begin to manifest itself in old age. It is advisable to visit an osteopath regularly to detect signs of spinal pathology in a timely manner.
A number of measures have been developed for the prevention of low back disease.
Thus, it is necessary to follow the norms and rules of a healthy diet to eliminate the possibility of developing pathology of the lumbar sacral region. It is necessary to include the maximum amount of low-calorie foods in the diet, to eliminate fatty and excessively high-calorie foods. To reduce the risk of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is ideal to prefer certain products:
- sea fish;
- vegetable oils;
- Milk, fresh and sour, cheeses;
- gelatinous containers;
- Broths over bones and cartilage;
- Fresh vegetables and fruits, greens;
- Mineral water.
It also helps prevent the onset of osteochondrosis, including a course of vitamin and mineral supplements repeated 1-2 times a year, including the spine and other parts of the spine.
To prevent the onset of symptoms, patients should lead an active lifestyle and engage in physical activity. Swimming, walking and gymnastics have an extremely positive effect on the structure of the spine.
Water procedures are very useful with osteochondrosis of any zone, including diseases of the lumbar vertebrae. For this reason, patients who develop osteochondrosis of the lumbar region often continue treatment and prevention when traveling to specialized sanatoriums.