Back pain is one of the most common complaints of the disease in able-bodied, elderly and elderly people. The human spine carries almost all of a person's weight. It consists of 33-34 vertebrae connected by intervertebral discs. Thanks to this connection, the vertebrae can move relative to each other. The sacrum and tailbone are special parts of the spine. The sacrum is formed by five fused vertebrae, and the coccyx is the primary part that does not perform the supporting function of the lumbar spine.
Pain can develop in any or all three of the spine. Often the pain is 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 it the most common complaint in the world.
Types of back pain
Acute low back pain lasts up to six weeks. If it lasts up to 12 weeks, it is called subacute. Pain that lasts after 12 weeks is called chronic pain.
Depending on the definition of certain causes of pain, there are:
- non-specific low back pain;
- specific low back pain.
Special back pain
When the exact cause of the pain is known, it is called specific low back pain.
Specific pain patterns include trauma, disc lesions, and inflammation of the intervertebral joints (facet arthrosis).
Non-specific low back pain
In some cases, back pain is classified as non-specific because it is not possible to determine the exact cause.
Non-specific low back pain can occur with poor posture or lack of physical activity.
Symptoms and complaints
Almost everyone has experienced either lumbago or mild back pain. "Come back! " Is a very common phrase, because the back is significantly stressed every day. Hours spent sitting in the office, leaning in front of a computer, lifting and carrying heavy objects, or working in a garden: Small back pain is an integral part of everyday life.
Back pain should be taken seriously. The reason for going to the doctor may be that the pain does not go away for a few days, that some movements intensify the pain, or that the pain spreads to the area (s) and is especially a feeling 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 characteristic of arthritic changes in the intervertebral joints is generally dull and localized. The nature and intensity of pain can vary greatly from person to person. Based on the complaint and symptoms, only a doctor can prescribe the necessary examination and treatment according to the situation. Depending on the situation, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises or surgery. With conservative treatment and postoperative rehabilitation, regular therapeutic exercise is very important because it trains the muscles, stabilizes the spine, and reduces pain.
The most common causes of back pain
The spine or spinal column is a complex structure consisting of the spine, intervertebral discs and ligaments. Pain occurs when the interaction of these structures is broken. Typical reasons are:
Stress causes back pain
Lack of physical activity, mainly sedentary work and daily life, causes chronic tension in the back muscles and pain in the spine when there is no disease.
Intervertebral discs act as biological shock absorbers and separate the vertebral bodies. With a decrease in the elasticity of the disc, it begins to protrude into the lumen of the spinal canal (so-called prolapse) and decreases in height. Second, it adversely affects the function 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 innervation zone of the compressed nerve: pain, tingling, numbness, crawling, etc. If the motor nerve fibers responsible for muscle function are compressed, the function of the innervated muscles is disrupted to the point of paralysis.
Posture disorders and heavy lifting can lead to disruption of the anatomical connections of spinal structures. In some cases, this leads to the so-called intervertebral joint block, which is usually accompanied by severe pain. When the intervertebral joints are blocked, the back muscles are in a state of painful spasm. Thus, pain occurs not only in a blocked joint, but also in the muscles. This drastically reduces physical activity until patients are unable to walk. When closing the intervertebral joints, effective stabilization of the spine with the middle supports helps to relieve muscle spasms, localize pain, and increase motor activity.
As we age, our spine gradually changes its structure, which is explained 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 loss of its elasticity, a decrease in height, and protrusion into the lumen of the spinal canal. Decreased disc height increases stress in 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 muscles of the lateral abdominal wall are involved in maintaining posture. The work of the muscles further balances the load on the intervertebral discs and prevents excessive stretching of the tendon-ligament apparatus. Any pain syndrome has a negative effect on muscle function, which can lead to local hypertension or, conversely, local weakness. As a result, the stabilization of the spine is impaired. This, in turn, leads to an increase in hypertonicity of some muscles, ie. a bad pathological circle occurs.
Medical gymnastics helps to break the pathological circle, which allows 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 cushioning function of the foot in the case of certain deformations. Another reason may be the difference in the length of the limbs, which exceeds the normal values.
The good news: In most cases, back pain goes away after a few weeks. Non-specific pain is successfully treated with mobilization methods (manual treatment) and medication. Exercise therapy exercises with such pain are very effective.
Prophylaxis
Each of us can reduce the tension in the back and prevent pain.
Exercises that are useful for the back.
There are strength training that you can easily integrate into your daily life. This complex was developed in collaboration with a physiotherapist.
- Regular exercise: Three sessions of 45 minutes a week will help improve your well-being, activate your immune system and maintain muscle tone. Optimal back sports 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 should squat with the legs extended, not the back muscles, and lift the load.
- Carry weights correctly: move heavy objects as close to your body as possible. Do not carry heavy objects in one hand.
- Be physically active: Sedentary workers should take every opportunity to increase their physical activity, such as better walking up stairs, getting up more often during the day, walking while talking on the phone, and walking for lunch.
Ergonomic workplace
Back pain often occurs at work. Prolonged sitting in the wrong position can lead to chronic muscle fatigue and subsequent pain. In addition, back pain is often triggered by work associated with bending and lifting.
Treatment of low back pain
There are many treatments for back pain. First of all, the attending physician chooses between conservative and surgical treatment. Second, it is used when conservative treatment is ineffective and in a number of other cases.
Physiotherapy and massage
Therapeutic gymnastics complexes and special exercises for the back should be performed under the supervision of a physician or physiotherapist instructor until you have mastered each exercise technique. Such training kits are designed to build the strength of the muscles of the trunk. The doctor chooses the actions that are most suitable for the patient. Massage and physical therapy may be prescribed to reduce the intensity of the pain.
Drug treatment
In the acute period, medication is prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Taking painkillers helps to alleviate the anxious protective condition that the patient receives to reduce pain. The drug should be taken only on doctor's instructions.
Rear movements
Strong trunk muscles protect the spine from negative stress, reduce the likelihood of spasms and pain. To prevent back pain, you need to do exercises that train your back muscles regularly. Swimming or walking is also helpful.
The set of exercises combines strength training and stretching exercises and is designed for 20 minutes. The optimal frequency of training is 2-3 times a week. Important: Consult your doctor before exercising.
Orthopedic products for the spine
The spine and dental floss are designed to treat pain and muscle spasms. Modern dressings and corsets effectively combat pain and increase physical activity. Depending on the diagnosis, devices with more or less potential are used to stabilize the lumbar spine.
Waist folds and corsets with higher height and stiffer stabilizing elements better stabilize and support the spine in the desired position. The ability to move painlessly and participate in public life eliminates the apparent bulk of even the toughest corsets.
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Companies produce a large number of orthopedic devices for the treatment of various diseases. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world report the high effectiveness of products for the treatment of back pain. At the same time, patients point to the high comfort and durability of the products. Thanks to the special design, all lumbar brakes are easy to wear. Additional comfort in the sitting position is also provided by the design solution - a special example in the area of groin wrinkles.
Stabilization of the waist with moderate orthopedic products is not accompanied by muscle weakness, less atrophy. As already mentioned, the ability to move painlessly increases the physical activity of patients. In addition, orthopedic support is aimed at relieving excessive and / or painful mobility, not immobilization, which causes functional inactivity and weakening of muscles.