Back pain is one of the most common complaints of diseases of people of working age, the elderly and the senile age. The human spine supports almost all of a person's weight. It consists of 33 to 34 vertebrae 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 made up of five fused vertebrae, and the tailbone 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. Most often, pain occurs in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Pain can be caused by diseases and injuries of the discs (disc protrusion, herniated disc) and intervertebral joints (osteoarthritis of the facet joints) or other conditions. The number of people suffering from 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 for 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.
According to the definition of some 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 damage, inflammation of the intervertebral joints (facet osteoarthritis).
Non-specific 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 a 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 great stress every day. Hours spent sitting at the desk, slumped in front of the computer, lifting and carrying heavy objects, or working in the garden in position: minor back pain is a part of everyday life.
Back pain should be taken seriously. The reason for going to the doctor should be situations where 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 isa feeling of numbness.
Throbbing 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 physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises or schedule surgery. With conservative treatment and during the period of postoperative rehabilitation, it is very important to regularly do therapeutic exercises, as they train the muscles, stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
The most common causes of back pain
The spine or spine 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 daily life lead to chronic tension in the back muscles 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. With a decrease in the elasticity of the disc, it begins to swell 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 disturbed.
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 squeezed, then the function of the innervated muscle is disturbed, leading to paralysis.
Impaired posture and heavy lifting can lead to disruption of the anatomical relationships of spinal structures. In some cases, this leads to what is called blockage of the intervertebral joints, usually accompanied by severe pain. When the intervertebral joints are blocked, the back muscles are in a painful state of spasm. Thus, the pain occurs not only in the blocked joint, but in the muscles. This significantly reduces the physical activity of patients to the inability to walk. When blocking the intervertebral joints, effective stabilization of the spine with medical devices helps to eliminate muscle spasms, localize pain and increase motor activity.
As we age, our spine gradually changes in structure, which is described by the general term "degenerative changes". In this case, the word "degenerative" means irreversible changes due to aging. Despite the irreversibility of the process, the use of orthotics helps to relieve and improve the patient's condition.
Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc involve a violation of its elasticity, a decrease in height and a bulge in the lumen of the spinal canal. A decrease in the height of the disc causes increased stress on the intervertebral joints (facets).
The position of the spine, including the lumbar column, is stabilized by the work of the muscles. The back muscles, abdominal muscles, and muscles of the side abdominal wall 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-ligament apparatus. Any pain syndrome negatively affects the functioning of muscles, which can lead to local hypertonia or, conversely, local weakness. As a result, stabilization of the spine is impaired. This, in turn, causes an increase in hypertonia of some muscles, that is, a vicious pathological circle is formed.
Medical gymnastics helps to break the pathological circle, which allows 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 walking can also cause back pain. This is mainly due to the loss of the cushioning function of the foot in the event of certain deformities. Another reason may be the difference in the length of the limbs, exceeding the normal values.
The good news: In many cases, back pain goes away after a few weeks. Nonspecific pain is successfully treated using mobilization techniques (manual therapy) and medication. With such pain, exercise therapy exercises are very effective.
Prophylaxis
Each of us can reduce back strain and prevent pain.
Beneficial exercises for the back.
There are strength training exercises that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. This complex was developed in collaboration with a specialist in physiotherapy exercises.
- Regular exercise: Three 45-minute sessions per week will help improve your well-being, activate the immune system and maintain muscle tone. The optimal back sports are swimming and walking.
- Balanced nutrition: good nutrition is the prevention of excess weight, which is an additional burden on the back.
- Lifting Weights Correctly: When lifting weights, you should squat and lift the load by extending your legs, not your back muscles.
- Carry the 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 walking around during lunchtime.
Ergonomic workstation
Back pain often occurs in the workplace. Prolonged sitting in the wrong position can lead to chronic muscle fatigue and subsequent pain. In addition, back pain is often caused by work combined 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 therapy is ineffective and in a number of other cases.
Physiotherapy and massage
Corrective gymnastics complexes 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 are developed to train the strength of the core muscles. The doctor chooses the exercises that are best for the patient. Massages and physical therapy may be prescribed to reduce the intensity of the pain.
Medical treatment
Drug therapy is prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation in the acute period. Taking pain relievers helps to eliminate the awkward protective position the patient takes for pain relief. Medicines should only be taken as directed by a doctor.
Back exercises
Strong core muscles protect the spine from unwanted stress, reduce the risk of spasm and pain. To prevent back pain, you need to do regular exercises to train your back muscles. Swimming or walking are also helpful.
The exercise set combines strength and stretching exercises and is designed for 20 minutes. The optimal frequency of exercise is 2-3 times per week. Important: Consult your healthcare professional before exercising.
Orthopedic products for the spine
Medical orthodontic appliances and spine braces are designed to treat muscle pain and 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.
Lumbar corsets and corsets with a higher height and more rigid stabilization elements stabilize and support the spine better in the desired position. The ability to move painlessly and participate in social life eliminates the apparent bulkiness of the most rigid 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 are seeing great efficacy in the treatment of back pain. At the same time, patients emphasize the high comfort and durability of the products. Thanks to the special design, all lumbar splints are easy to put on. Additional comfort in the sitting position is also provided by a design solution - a special pattern in the area of the folds of the groin.
Stabilization of the lumbar spine with medi orthopedic products is not accompanied by muscle weakness, much less atrophy. As already mentioned, the ability to move around without pain increases the physical activity of patients. In addition, orthopedic assistance aims to eliminate excessive and / or painful mobility, and not immobilization, which is the cause of functional inactivity of the muscles and their weakening.