Back pain is one of the most common complaints of diseases in people of working age, adults and old age. The human spine carries almost the entire weight of a person. It consists of 33-34 vertebrae that are connected by intervertebral discs. Thanks to this connection, the vertebrae can move relative to each other. The sacrum and coccyx are special parts of the spine. The sacrum is formed by five fused vertebrae, and the coccyx is a rudimentary part of the spine that does not perform a supporting function.
Pain can develop in any one or all three parts of the spine. The most common pain occurs in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Pain can be caused by diseases and injuries of the discs (protrusion of the disc, 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. The pain that lasts for 12 weeks is called chronic pain.
Depending on the definition of certain causes of pain there are:
- non-specific 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 everyone has experienced either lumbago or mild back pain. "Back! "- a very common phrase because the back is under significant stress every day. Hours spent sitting in the office, bending in front of the 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 to go to the doctor should be situations where the pain does not subside for several days, when certain movements intensify the pain or when the pain radiates to the limb (s), and especially when there is a feeling of stiffness.
Shooting pain in the lower extremities is characteristic of compression of the spinal cord or its roots (eg, 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, based on complaints and symptoms, prescribe the necessary examination and treatment appropriate to the situation. Depending on the situation, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises or prescribe surgery. In conservative treatment and in the period of postoperative rehabilitation it is very important to do regular therapeutic exercises, 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 disrupted. Typical reasons are:
Stress causes back pain
Predominantly sedentary work and lack of physical activity in everyday life lead to chronic tension in the muscles of the back and pain in the spine in the absence of any disease.
The 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 swell in the lumen of the spinal canal (so-called prolapse) and its height decreases. The latter has a negative effect on the work of the intervertebral joints, as their biomechanics are impaired.
If the protruding part of the intervertebral disc compresses the sensitive nerve fibers, then in the area of innervation of the compressed nerve can occur various sensory disturbances: pain, tingling, numbness, crawling, etc. If the motor nerve fibers responsible for muscle function arecompress, then the function of the innervated muscle is impaired, to paralysis.
Posture disorders and heavy lifting can lead to disruption of the anatomical relationships of the structures of the spine. 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 state of painful spasm. In this way, the pain occurs not only in the blocked joint, but also in the muscles. This drastically reduces patients' physical activity to the point of not being able to walk. When you block the intervertebral joints, effective stabilization of the spine with media clamps helps eliminate muscle spasm, localize pain and increase motor activity.
As we age, our spinal system 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 suggest a violation of its elasticity, reduction in height and protrusion in the lumen of the spinal canal. Decreasing the height of the disc causes increased stress on the intervertebral (facet) joints.
The position of the spine, including the lumbar, is stabilized by muscle function. The muscles of the back, abdominal muscles and muscles of the lateral abdominal wall are involved in maintaining posture. The work of the muscles makes the load on the intervertebral discs more even and prevents excessive stretching of the tendon-ligament apparatus. All pain syndromes adversely affect 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 provokes an increase in the hypertension of some muscles, ie a vicious pathological circle is formed.
Medical gymnastics helps to break the pathological cycle, 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, unusual gait biomechanics can also cause back pain. This is primarily due to the loss of the damping function of the foot due to certain deformations. Another reason may be the difference in limb length exceeding normal values.
The good news: In many cases, back pain goes away after a few weeks. Non-specific pain is successfully treated with the help of mobilization techniques (manual therapy) and medication. In such pain, exercise therapy is very effective.
Prevention
Each of us can reduce the load on the back and prevent pain.
Exercises that are useful for the back.
There are strength training exercises that you can easily integrate into your daily routine. This complex was developed jointly 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. The optimal back sports are swimming and walking.
- Balanced diet: proper nutrition is the prevention of overweight, which is an additional burden on the back.
- Lift weights properly: When lifting weights, you should squat and lift the load by lengthening your legs, not your back muscles.
- Carry weights properly: carry heavy objects as close to your body as possible. Do not carry heavy items in one hand.
- Be physically active: sedentary workers should take every opportunity to increase their physical activity, such as walking up the stairs better, getting up more often during the day, walking while talking on the phone andwalk around for 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 provoked by work associated with frequent bending and lifting.
Treatment of back pain
There are many treatments for back pain. First of all, the attending physician chooses between conservative and surgical treatment. The latter is used when conservative treatment is ineffective in a number of other cases.
Physiotherapy and massage
Complexes of therapeutic gymnastics and special exercises for the back should be performed under the supervision of a doctor or physiotherapy instructor until you master the technique of performing each exercise. Such sets of exercises are designed to train the strength of the muscles of the trunk. The doctor chooses the exercises that best suit the patient. Massage and physical therapy may be prescribed to reduce the intensity of the pain.
Medication treatment
Drug therapy is prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the acute period. Taking painkillers helps to eliminate the uncomfortable protective position that the patient occupies to relieve pain. Medicines should only be taken as directed by a doctor.
Back exercises
The strong muscles of the trunk protect the spine from adverse stress, reduce the likelihood of spasm and pain. To prevent back pain, you should exercise regularly to train your back muscles. Swimming or walking are also helpful.
The set of exercises 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 training.
Orthopedic products for the spine
Medical braces and spinal braces are designed to treat pain and muscle spasm. 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 with higher heights and firmer stabilizing elements better stabilize and maintain the spine in the desired position. The ability to move without pain and to participate in social life eliminates the apparent volume of even the hardest corsets.
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The companies produce 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 effectiveness of products for the treatment of back pain. At the same time, patients indicate the high comfort and durability of the products. Thanks to the special design, all lumbar braces are easily placed. Additional comfort in a sitting position is provided by a design solution - a special model in the area of the groin folds.
Stabilization of the lumbar spine with medical 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, orthopedic support is aimed at eliminating excessive and / or painful mobility, rather than immobilization, which is the reason for the functional inactivity of muscles and their weakening.