Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is a degenerative-dystrophic pathology of the lower parts of the spinal column. In most cases, it affects the intervertebral discs, deforming them, exfoliating and reducing their original height. The development of the disease without the necessary treatment is associated with dangerous complications that lead to limited mobility.
It was previously believed that the manifestations of lumbar spinal osteochondrosis are an age-related disorder, but in recent decades it has been observed not only in the elderly, but also in young people, whose age is 30-35 years.
Complications of osteochondrosis in the lower spine
If the pathology of the lower vertebral section is not treated in time, then the symptoms spread to the entire body. These are malfunctions of the genitourinary system, pain in the kidneys, urinary retention and general discomfort, often without reason.
Often the presence of signs of lumbodynia and a symptom such as inflammation of the sciatic nerve. These factors further constrain movement and make the patient helpless.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the lumbar
This disease of the spine develops due to constant loads, and the more often and more intense they are, the more likely the onset of osteochondrosis. Particularly at risk are patients with excessive body weight and people of working specialties whose daily work is associated with lifting and carrying heavy objects.
Another factor that increases the risk of developing lumbar osteochondrosis is incorrect posture due to the sitting position during work or due to the natural features of the structure of the spine. The problem is aggravated by a sedentary unhealthy regimen and incorrectly performed movements. As a result, improperly distributed loads become an impetus for the formation of disorders in the lumbar spine.
Injuries are also of great importance, so athletes are advised to pay increased attention to the condition of the spine.
In some patients, the pathology occurs due to inflammatory diseases of the lumbar and joints. So Bechterew's disease and rheumatoid arthritis are considered likely causes of osteochondrosis in the future.
In addition to these prerequisites, the list of causes of the disease includes the following items:
- Improper sleep and rest;
- unhealthy diet;
- Regular stress;
- Metabolic disorders;
- Genetic predisposition, weak lumbar;
- The porous structure of the tissues of the spinal column.
Signs of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region
The main symptoms of this pathology are regular pain and deterioration of the general condition. The most severe pain is felt spontaneously, with sudden movements, physical exertion, but can also disturb at rest. Pain can be felt both in the lumbar region, and in the upper back and buttocks. Intense pain in the later stages can bother the patient even when coughing or sneezing, as well as minimal physical activity that does not load the spine. Due to severe discomfort, mobility is impaired, movements become constrained and uncertain. Tilts, turns and position changes are given to the patient with great difficulty.
In addition to pain, osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine manifests itself as a symptom inherent in many diseases - mental disorders. The patient becomes irritable, withdrawn, insomnia appears, as a result of which a strong breakdown is felt.
Without the necessary treatment in the clinic, osteochondrosis can chain the patient to bed, completely depriving him of the opportunity to independently serve himself, and even more so to lead a normal life.
An exception is patients in whom pain begins to appear only after a long time after the onset of the disease. Often they have disc protrusions, hernias, spondylolisthesis, which they could not suspect due to the absence of significant discomfort.
Traditional treatment for lumbar osteochondrosis
From when osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine began to develop, the treatment depends directly.
Osteochondrosis, especially lumbar, involves the rejection of heavy loads, but not complete rest. Since the tangible support for the spinal column is the muscular frame, it is necessary to resort to strengthening it in order to align the posture as much as possible.
Traditional methods include:
- Massage;
- Stretching;
- Manual therapy;
- The course of therapeutic physical culture.
Disadvantages of Traditional Methods
This disease is not always amenable to non-surgical treatment. In such situations, the development of an intervertebral hernia, which requires surgery, is very likely.
In modern medicine, discectomy is most often used - a surgical method for removing a vertebral disc damaged by a disease, which is most effective in osteochondrosis of the lumbar zones. As a rule, the surgical method is carried out endoscopically.
Osteopathic diagnosis of osteochondrosis
To make a diagnosis, the osteopath uses several options for testing:
- Passive and active testing;
- "fascial tension" test;
- Tensile test;
- Axial load checks;
- Craniosacral rhythm test.
In the course of such a diagnosis, the patient undergoes a detailed comprehensive examination of the flexibility and elasticity of the vertebrae and tissues connecting them, the degree of their damage. The weakest points of the spinal column are revealed.
At the same time, the osteopath detects deviations in the position of the internal organs and a change in their size, if the stage of the disease is such that it can cause it.
The study helps to find tension in the tissues of the muscles that interfere with their normal work. Also, during the diagnosis, the doctor finds out the degree of erasure of the intervertebral discs.
Osteopathy for lumbar osteochondrosis
The main goal of osteopathic therapy is to return the spine to its correct position while stopping tissue degeneration.
This approach to treatment provides the best result in the shortest possible time, however, in any case, patients are shown a course of several sessions.
Before proceeding with the impact on the lumbar spinal region, the doctor carefully selects the nuances of the upcoming procedure. It takes into account the peculiarities of the course of the disease of the lower vertebrae and the symptoms that accompany it.
Treatment also requires taking into account the age of the patient, his daily lifestyle, the general condition of the body, possible concomitant disorders, which can be both a consequence of the disease and pathologies not related to it.
During the procedure, the doctor gently pushes the vertebrae so that they assume a natural position. In most cases, the result is noted already after the first or second session, which is expressed in freer movements and the absence of pain and stiffness.
After the treatment is over, the patient must follow the doctor's instructions: within 2-3 days, give up exercise, drink at least 1. 5 liters of water, and do not use other therapeutic methods.
Important! Osteopathic impact in the disease of osteochondrosis can be carried out only in the period between attacks.
Benefits of osteopathy for lumbar osteochondrosis
Today, osteopathic methods of therapy are recognized by many scientists and doctors. Treating osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine in this way should be for a number of reasons.
This method of treatment is unique in that during the course, patients do not require medication supplements. This is true for allergy sufferers, people with a diseased liver and many other disorders in which frequent use of medications is undesirable.
After a course of sessions, not only the vertebrae, but also all internal organs take their natural position. This contributes to the fact that gradually the general condition of the patient with lumbar osteochondrosis is on the mend. In this regard, all processes in the body are restored, each organ functions in the correct mode.
Taking into account the fact that changes in the structure of the spine also cause disturbances in muscle tissues, sessions of osteopathic therapy perform another task - the elimination of tension and clamps in the muscles. These troubles can be the cause of pain, aggravating the already difficult condition of the patient.
Edema and inflammation in osteochondrosis, as well as the pain associated with them, are easily removed after the first procedure. Mobility and flexibility return, which makes a person workable and independent again.
It is also important that the blood circulation in the tissues of the muscles and vertebrae is restored in the same volumes, so oxygen starvation associated with a lack of blood supply is excluded.
The sensitivity and functioning of nerve endings is normalized. There is numbness and general discomfort in the back. Thanks to the treatment, the natural mechanisms of regeneration and self-regulation are re-launched in the body.
Can there be complications of osteopathic treatment?
Another plus, which, when choosing a method for eliminating symptoms and the lumbar osteochondrosis itself, is of decisive importance is the guarantee of the absence of relapses in the future. This puts osteopathy one step higher than the classical methods, which allow the termination of remission and new problems that negatively affect the spine and the general condition of a person.
Contraindications for osteopathic treatment
Osteopathy for lumbar osteochondrosis is contraindicated if the patient has the following conditions:
- Increased body temperature;
- Thrombosis;
- tumors;
- Severe diseases of infectious origin;
- Epilepsy;
- Various types of mental illness.
Prevention of lumbar osteochondrosis
So that osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine does not develop, or at least begins to manifest itself in the very old age, it is necessary to carry out prevention. It is advisable to regularly visit an osteopath for the timely detection of signs of pathologies of the spinal column.
For the prevention of the considered disease of the lumbar spine, a whole range of actions has been developed, consisting in several directions.
So, to eliminate the likelihood of developing pathology of the lumbar sacral region, one should adhere to the norms and rules of a healthy diet. It is necessary to introduce the maximum number of low-calorie foods into the diet, and eliminate fatty and excessively high-calorie foods. To reduce the risk of lumbar osteochondrosis, the predominance of certain products is ideal:
- Sea fish;
- vegetable oils;
- Milk, fresh and sour, cheeses;
- Dishes with gelatin;
- Broths on bones and cartilage;
- Fresh vegetables and fruits, greens;
- Mineral water.
It also helps to prevent the manifestation of osteochondrosis, including the lumbar, and other parts of the spine, a course of vitamin and mineral preparations, repeated 1-2 times a year.
To prevent symptoms from manifesting, patients should lead an active lifestyle, engage in physical education. Swimming, walking, and gymnastics have an extremely positive effect on the structure of the lumbar vertebrae.
With osteochondrosis of any zones, including diseases of the lumbar vertebral row, water procedures are very useful. For this reason, patients who have developed osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine often continue treatment and prevention while traveling to specialized sanatoriums.