Back pain is one of the most common complaints of diseases of the working-age, elderly, and senile people. The human spine supports 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 with each other. The sacrum and coccyx are special parts of the spine. The sacrum is made up of five fused vertebrae, and the coccyx is a rudimentary part of the spine that does not perform a supportive function.
Pain can develop in one or all three parts of the spine. Most often, pain occurs in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Pain can be caused by diseases and injuries of the discs (disc bulging, herniated disc) and intervertebral joints (osteoarthritis 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 persists after 12 weeks is called chronic pain.
Depending on the definition of certain 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 injuries, inflammation of the intervertebral joints (facet osteoarthritis).
Nonspecific back pain
In some cases, back pain is classified as nonspecific because the exact cause cannot be determined.
Nonspecific back pain can occur with poor posture or lack of physical activity.
Symptoms and complaints.
Almost everyone has experienced a "lumbago" or mild back pain. "Again! " - a very common phrase, because the back is subjected to significant stress every day. Hours spent sitting in the office, hunched over at the computer, lifting and carrying heavy objects, or gardening in one position - mild 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 in which the pain does not go away for several days, when certain movements intensify the pain or when the pain radiates to the limb (s), and especially when there is a sensation of numbness.
Shooting pains in the lower extremities are 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 pain can vary greatly from person to person. Only a doctor can, on the basis of complaints and symptoms, prescribe the necessary examination and treatment appropriate to the situation. Depending on the situation, the doctor may prescribe physical therapy, therapeutic exercises, or schedule surgery. With conservative treatment and during the postoperative rehabilitation period, it is very important to perform therapeutic exercises regularly, as they train the muscles, stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
The most common causes of back pain.
The vertebral column or vertebral 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
Predominantly sedentary work and lack of physical activity in daily life cause chronic tension in the back muscles and pain in the spine in the absence of any disease.
The intervertebral discs act as biological buffers and separate the vertebral bodies from each other. With a decrease in the elasticity of the disc, it begins to bulge in the lumen of the spinal canal (the so-called prolapse), and its height decreases. The latter negatively affects the work of the intervertebral joints, because their biomechanics are impaired.
If the protruding part of the intervertebral disc presses on the sensitive nerve fibers, various sensory disturbances can occur in the area of innervation of the compressed nerve: pain, tingling, numbness, crawling, etc. If the motor nerve fibers responsible for the work of the muscles are compressed, the function of the innervated muscle is interrupted, up to paralysis.
Postural disorders and heavy lifting can cause alteration of the anatomical relationships of the structures of the spine. In some cases, this leads to so-called intervertebral joint blockage, usually accompanied by severe pain. When the intervertebral joints are locked, the back muscles are in a painful state of spasm. Therefore, pain occurs not only in the locked joint, but also in the muscles. This drastically reduces the physical activity of patients up to the inability to walk. By locking the intervertebral joints, effective stabilization of the spine with braces helps eliminate muscle spasms, localize pain, and increase motor activity.
As we age, our spine gradually changes its 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 involve a violation of its elasticity, a decrease in height and a bulging in the lumen of the spinal canal. A decrease in disc height causes increased stress on the intervertebral (facet) joints.
The position of the spine, including the lumbar spine, is stabilized by the work of the muscles. The back muscles, abdominal muscles, and lateral abdominal wall muscles are involved in maintaining posture. The work of the muscles makes the load on the intervertebral discs more uniform and prevents excessive stretching of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus. Any pain syndrome adversely affects the functioning of the muscles, which can lead to local hypertonicity or, conversely, local weakness. As a result, the stabilization of the spine is impaired. This, in turn, causes an increase in the hypertonicity of some muscles, that is, a vicious pathological cycle is formed.
Medical gymnastics helps to break the pathological circle, which allows you to restore the symmetry of the tone of the muscles of the trunk.
The cause of back pain can be localized not only in the trunk. For example, abnormal biomechanics of gait can also cause back pain. This is mainly due to the loss of the cushioning function of the foot in case of certain deformations. Another reason may be the difference in the length of the limbs, exceeding 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 medication. With such pain, exercise therapy exercises are very effective.
Prophylaxis
Each of us can reduce the stress on the back and prevent pain.
Beneficial exercises for the back.
There are strength training exercises that you can easily integrate into your daily routine. This complex was developed in conjunction with a specialist in physical therapy exercises.
- Regular exercise: Three 45-minute sessions per week will help improve your well-being, activate the immune system, and help maintain muscle tone. The optimal sports for the back are swimming and walking.
- Balanced nutrition - proper nutrition is the prevention of excess weight, which is an additional burden on the back.
- Lift Weights Correctly - When lifting weights, you need to squat and lift the load by spreading your legs, not your back muscles.
- Carry Weights Correctly - 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 their physical activity, such as climbing stairs better, getting up more often during the day, walking while talking on the phone, and taking a walk during lunchtime.
Ergonomic workplace
Back pain often occurs in the workplace. Sitting in the wrong position can lead to chronic muscle fatigue and subsequent pain. Also, back pain is often brought on by work associated with frequent bending and lifting.
Back pain treatment
There are many treatments for back pain. First, the treating physician chooses between conservative and surgical treatment. The latter is used when conservative treatment is ineffective and in various other cases.
Physiotherapy and massages
Corrective gymnastics complexes and special exercises for the back should be performed under the supervision of a physician or physical therapy instructor until you have mastered the technique of performing each exercise. These sets of exercises are developed to train the strength of the core 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. The intake of painkillers helps to eliminate the uncomfortable protective position that the patient adopts to relieve pain. Medications should be taken only as directed by a doctor.
Back exercises
Strong trunk muscles protect the spine from adverse stress, reduce the likelihood of spasms and pain. To prevent back pain, you should exercise regularly to train your back muscles. Swimming or walking is also helpful.
The exercise set combines strength training and stretching exercises and is designed for 20 minutes. The optimal frequency of exercise is 2-3 times a week. Important: Consult your healthcare professional before exercising.
Orthopedic products for the spine
Spinal braces and medical devices are designed to treat pain and muscle spasms. 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.
Higher lumbar braces and corsets and more rigid stabilizing elements better stabilize and support the spine in the desired position. The ability to painlessly move and participate in social life removes the apparent bulk of even the stiffest corsets.
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Companies manufacture a large number of orthopedic devices for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world note the high efficacy of back pain treatment products. At the same time, patients note the great comfort and durability of the products. Thanks to the special design, all lumbar appliances are easy to fit. A design solution also provides additional comfort in the sitting position - a special pattern in the area of the groin folds.
Stabilization of the lumbar spine with orthopedic products is not accompanied by muscle weakness, much less atrophy. As already mentioned, the ability to move without pain increases the physical activity of patients. In addition, the orthopedic support aims to eliminate excessive and / or painful mobility, and not immobilization, which is the reason for the functional inactivity of the muscles and their weakening.