Back pain is one of the most common complaints of illness in people of working, elderly and senile age. The human spine carries almost the entire weight of a person. It consists of 33-34 vertebrae, which are connected by intervertebral discs. Thanks to this connection, the vertebrae can move towards each other. The sacrum and tailbone are special parts of the spine. The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae, and the occiput is a rudimentary part of the spine that does not perform a supporting function.
Pain can develop in one or all three parts of the spine. Pain most often occurs in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Pain can be caused by diseases and injuries of the discs (disc protrusion, disc herniation) and intervertebral joints (arthrosis of the facet joints) or other conditions. The number of people with back pain has increased dramatically in recent years and decades, making this complaint the most common in the world.
Types of back pain
Acute back pain lasts up to six weeks. If it lasts up to 12 weeks, it is called subacute. Pain that lasts even after 12 weeks is called chronic pain.
Depending on the definition of specific causes of pain, there are:
- nonspecific back pain;
- specific back pain.
Specific back pain
If the exact cause of the pain is known, it is called specific back pain.
Examples of specific pain include trauma, disc lesions, inflammation of the intervertebral joints (facet arthrosis).
Nonspecific back pain
In some cases, back pain is classified as nonspecific because it is not possible to determine the exact cause.
Nonspecific back pain can occur with poor posture or lack of physical activity.
Symptoms and complaints
Almost all experienced either "lumbago" or mild back pain. "Back again! " - a very common phrase, because the back is under considerable stress every day. Hours spent sitting in the office, getting down in front of a computer, lifting and carrying heavy objects, or working in the garden in a position: minor back pain is an integral part of everyday life.
Back pain should be taken seriously. The reason for going to the doctor should be situations when the pain does not go away for a few days, when certain movements intensify the pain or when the pain radiates to the limbs, and especially when there is a feeling of numbness.
Shooting pain in the lower extremities is characteristic of compression of the spinal cord or its roots (for example, a herniated disc). The pain inherent in arthritic changes in the intervertebral joints is usually dull and local. The nature and intensity of the pain can vary greatly from person to person. Only a doctor can prescribe the necessary examination and treatment according to the situation based on the complaints and symptoms. Depending on the situation, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises or schedule surgery. In addition to conservative treatment and in the period of postoperative rehabilitation, it is very important to do therapeutic exercises regularly, because they train the muscles, stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
The most common causes of back pain
The spine or spinal column is a complex structure made up of vertebrae, intervertebral discs and ligaments. Pain occurs when the interaction of these structures is disturbed. Typical reasons are:
Stress causes back pain
Mostly inactive work and lack of physical activity in everyday life lead to chronic tension in the back muscles and pain in the spine in the absence of any disease.
Intervertebral discs act as biological shock absorbers and separate the vertebral bodies from each other. As the elasticity of the disc decreases, it begins to bulge into the lumen of the spinal canal (so-called prolapse), and its height decreases. The latter negatively affects the work of the intervertebral joints, because their biomechanics are disturbed.
If the protruding part of the intervertebral disc presses on sensitive nerve fibers, then various sensory disturbances can appear in the innervation zone of the compressed nerve: pain, tingling, numbness, crawling, etc. If the motor nerve fibers responsible for the work of the muscles are compressed, then the function of the innervated muscle is disturbed, all the way to paralysis.
Posture disorders and lifting heavy loads can lead to disorders of the anatomical relations of the spine structures. In some cases, this leads to the so-called block of the intervertebral joints, usually accompanied by severe pain. When the intervertebral joints are blocked, the back muscles are in a painful spasm. Thus, pain occurs not only in a clogged joint, but also in the muscles. This dramatically reduces patients ’physical activity to the point of inability to walk. When you block the intervertebral joints, effective stabilization of the spine with the help of media braces helps to eliminate muscle cramps, localize pain and increase motor activity.
As we age, our spine gradually changes structure, which is described by the general term "degenerative changes". In this case, the word "degenerative" means irreversible changes as a result of aging. Despite the irreversibility of the process, the use of orthoses helps to alleviate and improve the patient's condition.
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc include violation of its elasticity, reduction in height and bulging in the lumen of the spinal canal. Decreased disc height causes increased stress on the intervertebral (faceted) joints.
The position of the spine, including the lumbar spine, is stabilized by muscle work. The back muscles, abdominal muscles, and lateral abdominal wall muscles participate in maintaining posture. Muscle work makes the load on the intervertebral discs more even and prevents excessive stretching of the tendon-ligament apparatus. Any pain syndrome negatively affects muscle function, which can lead to local hypertension or, conversely, local weakness. As a result, spinal stabilization is impaired. This, in turn, provokes an increase in hypertonicity of some muscles, ie. a vicious pathological circle is formed.
Medical gymnastics helps to break the pathological circle, which allows you to restore the symmetry of the tone of the trunk muscles.
The cause of back pain can be localized not only in the trunk. For example, abnormal gait biomechanics can also cause back pain. This is primarily due to the loss of the cushioning function of the foot in the case of certain deformations. Another reason may be a difference in limb length that exceeds normal values.
The good news: In many cases, back pain goes away after a few weeks. Nonspecific pain is successfully treated with the help of mobilization techniques (manual therapy) and medications. With such pain, exercise therapies are very effective.
Prophylaxis
Each of us can reduce the strain on our backs and prevent pain.
Exercises useful for the back.
There are strength training exercises that you can easily integrate into your daily routine. This complex was developed together with a specialist in physiotherapy exercises.
- Regular exercise: Three 45-minute sessions a week will help improve your well-being, activate your immune system, and help maintain muscle tone. Optimal sports on the back are swimming and walking.
- Balanced diet: Proper nutrition is the prevention of overweight, which is an additional burden on the back.
- Lifting weights properly: When lifting weights, you should squat and lift the load by stretching your legs, not your back muscles.
- Carry weights properly: carry heavy objects as close to your body as possible. Do not carry heavy things in one hand.
- Be physically active: Sedentary workers should take every opportunity to increase physical activity, such as better walking up the stairs, getting up more often during the day, walking while talking on the phone, and walking during lunch.
Ergonomic workplace
Back pain often occurs in the workplace. Prolonged sitting in the wrong position can lead to chronic muscle fatigue and subsequent pain. Also, back pain is often caused by jobs associated with frequent bending and lifting.
Treatment of back pain
There are many treatments for back pain. First of all, the doctor who chooses chooses between conservative and surgical treatment. The latter is used when conservative treatment is ineffective and in a number of other cases.
Physiotherapy and massage
Complex corrective gymnastics and special back exercises should be performed under the supervision of a doctor or physiotherapy instructor until you have mastered the technique of performing each exercise. Such sets of exercises have been developed to train the strength of the torso muscles. The doctor chooses the exercises that best suit the patient. Massage and physical therapy may be prescribed to reduce the intensity of the pain.
Drug treatment
Drug therapy is prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the acute period. Taking painkillers helps to remove the uncomfortable protective position that the patient takes to relieve pain. Medicines should only be taken as directed by a doctor.
Back exercises
Strong torso muscles protect the spine from adverse stress, reducing the likelihood of spasms and pain. To prevent back pain, you should do regular back muscle training exercises. Swimming or walking is also helpful.
The set of exercises combines strength and stretching exercises and is designed for 20 minutes. The optimal frequency of exercise is 2-3 times a week. Important: Talk to your healthcare provider before exercising.
Orthopedic products for the spine
Medical braces and spine braces are designed to treat pain and muscle cramps. Modern bandages and corsets effectively fight pain and increase physical activity. Depending on the diagnosis, devices with greater or lesser potential are used to stabilize the lumbar spine.
Lumbar braces and corsets of higher height and stiffer stabilizing elements better stabilize and support the spine in the desired position. The ability to move painlessly and participate in social life removes the seemingly bulkyness of even the toughest corsets.
Modern orthosis - a practical guide
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The companies produce a large number of orthopedic aids for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world are noticing the high effectiveness of back pain treatment products. At the same time, patients indicate high comfort and durability of the product. Thanks to the special design, all lumbar braces are easy to put on. Additional comfort in a sitting position is provided by a design solution - a special pattern in the groin area.
Stabilization of the lumbar spine with media orthopedic products is not accompanied by muscle weakening, much less atrophy. As already mentioned, the ability to move without pain increases the physical activity of patients. In addition, orthopedic support is aimed at removing excessive and / or painful mobility, rather than immobilization, which is the reason for the functional inactivity of muscles and their weakening.