Spondylosis of the lumbar spine: prevention and treatment

The back is an integral part of all our daily movements. A small disorder in this mechanism leads to the appearance of unnecessary symptoms. Such a disease as spondylosis of the lumbar spine is no exception and is accompanied by a chronic process in the intervertebral joints.

Lumbar Spondylosis can be characterized as a destructive process in which the growth of bone tissue occurs in the form of osteophytes( spines).They, in turn, narrow the intervertebral cracks, causing compression of the spinal nerves and loss of flexibility of the spine.

Causes of the pathology of

Degenerative changes in the vertebrae, and the osteoarticular system in general, accounted for 40 years of age and older. However, not all people are susceptible to this disease. There are certain

1. The long static load on the spine - it refers to: sitting at the desk for a long time without changing the position or reading the book in a permanent posture. During this, there is a strong pressure on certain vertebrae, which in turn react to this factor, causing an increase in their area. Over time, this reaction becomes pathological, resulting in the formation of bone protrusions.
2. Metabolic disorders - as a result excess calcium salts are deposited in the joint slits, causing the formation of osteophytes, because calcium stimulates the growth of bone tissue.
3. Injuries or microtrauma of the spine - the regeneration of damaged structures can go in the pathological direction, resulting in the formation of excessive bone mass.
4. Curvature of the spine - an incorrect distribution of gravity promotes deformation of the vertebrae and muscle overstrain, as a result of which reparative processes are triggered and thorns are formed.
5. The sedentary lifestyle - at which the muscle-ligament apparatus atrophy occurs and degenerative processes in the joints are observed.

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Symptoms of spondylosis

The first stage of the disease may not manifest itself in any way, however, with the progression and increase in osteophytes, symptoms appear useful for diagnosis:

• stiffness of the lumbar spine - as noted earlier, thorns reduce the intervertebral distance,as a result, the flexibility of the back is impaired;
• pain - can be as acute, with infringement of a spinal nerve, and chronic( ie constant).The main diagnostic sign of spondylosis is a reduction in pain when the entire body is tilted forward or lying on its side curled up. This is explained by the fact that there is decompression of the spinal nerves;
• false lameness - appears due to the defeat of the sacral nerve, however the pain in the legs does not disappear at rest, which helps to differentiate with the obliterating endarteritis of the vessels;
• loss of sensitivity of the skin at the site of nerve damage;
• during the examination of the neurologist, the patient feels pain when palpating the spinous processes, in the place of compression of the spinal nerves;
• tingling of the lower extremities, inability to unbend the knee - these are signs of the last stage.

How to treat the disease?

When diagnosed as "spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine," treatment should consist of several components, namely:

Medication

First of all, you need to get rid of the pain syndrome and relieve the inflammatory reaction of the affected nerve roots. To date, the first place is occupied by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their main positive feature is: pain relief, reduction of edema and elimination of inflammation.

Auxiliary treatment of

It is impossible to cure a sick spine only with medicines, it is also necessary to restore the mobility of the joints, and strengthen the muscles of the back, and improve the state of the cartilaginous tissue, and normalize blood circulation, and reduce the compression on the nerves. These methods include:

• Manual therapy - should be in a gentle mode and be performed only by an experienced specialist. Thanks to the manipulation of the hands on certain areas of the back, there is relaxation of the strained muscles and the removal of aching pains.
• Reflexotherapy - during the impact on the acupuncture points, the pain impulses are redistributed, resulting in reduced back pain.
• Physiotherapy - aims to relieve pain, normalize blood circulation and eliminate nerve edema, which aggravates the situation. The methods of this treatment include:
  1. Electrophoresis - with the help of an electric current, the drug is delivered to the affected area.
  2. Magnetotherapy - due to the action of alternating or permanent magnetic fields, there is a reduction in edema and the elimination of pain syndrome.
  3. Alternating current - eliminates muscle spasms.
  4. Phonophoresis - the action of mechanical ultrasonic vibrations can eliminate inflammation and resorbed cicatricial changes, giving the joints flexibility and elasticity. These methods have their plus in that it is possible to act directly on pathological foci, bypassing healthy tissues.
• Massage - thanks to this method of treatment improves blood circulation in the tissues of the back, thereby eliminating the muscle blocks that were formed due to a prolonged compression of the spinal nerves.
• Spa treatment - any person requires the recovery of the whole body, so people with back pain are no exception. Eliminating the cause of the problem( and this is most often the work) allows you to practically restore the former physical activity.
• Therapeutic gymnastics - helps increase the mobility of the spine, normalize the tone of the back and create a so-called "muscle corset".Exercises are selected individually depending on the muscles that require attention, overall endurance of the patient and the stage of the disease.
• Alternative methods of - they can be resorted to as an additional procedure, but they should never be elevated in relation to the main treatment. All kinds of compresses, trituration of a special liquid or warming of a sore spot can both help and aggravate the condition, so first consult with your doctor before using this medication.

Exercises to strengthen the back muscles

In order for to prevent the progression of the disease, the should be engaged in its back, namely to strengthen the muscular corset. To such exercises, which will help you in this, include:

1. Deflection of the back. Lie on your stomach, stretch your arms forward, and now simultaneously raise your arms and legs in a straight position. Hold this posture for a few seconds, then lower and repeat again 10 times.
2. Get on all fours. Now alternately raise the right arm and the left leg, then the left arm and the right leg at the same time. Repeat 20 times.
3. Stay standing in the same position. Now tear your knees off the floor and lift the priest up. Repeat 10 times.

Video: a set of effective exercises for the lumbar region of the back

Conclusion:

Do not start the state. Treatment of spondylosis of the lumbar spine is much more complicated than preventive measures to prevent it.

How to stop the development or progression of spondylosis :

• Normalization of body weight.
• Every day exercise.
• Unload the spine( during exercise or uncomfortable posture, exercise preventive gymnastics).
• Properly eat to normalize metabolism.
• Wearing a corset if spondylosis is already present, especially this is necessary in old age.