A person suffering from back pain must learn to live again: any awkward movement or careless step causes unbearable suffering.
Back pain, osteochondrosis, disease prevention, small pelvis, lumbar region, diseases of the digestive system, kidney disease
The lumbar spine receives the most stress when walking, lifting weights, bending and turning the body. According to the biomechanics of the spine, simply lifting the arms in a horizontal position doubles the load on the lower back. And if you lift a bag weighing 10 kg, the load on the lumbar vertebrae increases to 206 kg! It is not surprising that in the rhythm of modern life, almost everyone from time to time experiences unpleasant sensations in the back.
Why does back pain occur?
The most common cause of back pain is a degenerative disease of the spine - osteochondrosis. Over the years, the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae, wear out and become thinner. The intervertebral joints relax, the vertebral bodies acquire excessive mobility and can move slightly. Bone spines - osteophytes grow at the ends of the vertebrae.
All these factors lead to narrowing and deformation of the intervertebral fissures, where the spinal nerves and blood vessels pass. Any load on the spine in such a situation can cause them to compress, which leads to the onset of pain syndrome. The cartilage tissue that consists of the intervertebral discs loses moisture and elasticity and can break. As a result, disc herniation is formed. In some cases, the hernia compresses the spinal cord, worsening the patient's condition.
How to improve the quality of life with osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, it is impossible to cure. However, there are some recommendations, following which, you can significantly improve your quality of life and avoid recurring periods of pain.
Royal attitude
The correct posture is the position in which the bones and joints of the spine are exposed to the least pressure. By straightening our back and straightening our shoulders, we give rest to our "vital nucleus". With proper walking, the head, body and pelvis are aligned.
Furniture that you have to sit on for a long time must be rigid. The back should be pressed against the back of the chair. In the car, you can place a small support under the lower back to maintain the natural curve of the lumbar spine and relieve muscle tension on long journeys.
Healthy sleep
Even in the supine position, the lower back is under pressure. This is manifested by a weight on the back after sleeping in an overly soft or hard bed. Therefore, for those who suffer from back pain, it is important to choose the right pillow and mattress.
Its rigidity must correspond to the weight of the body. In the lateral position, the shoulders and pelvis should press against the mattress so that the spine forms a straight line. For extra relief of the lower back, it is recommended to lie on your back and place a pillow under your knees.
If your back pain (back pain) gets worse, it is important to sleep on a hard surface. In the absence of a good mattress, you can lie on the floor or put a solid shield on the bed and twist small rollers under your neck, lower back and knees.
Bending and lifting weights
For people with back pain, it is advisable to avoid prolonged flexion. That's why it's important to equip your life properly. All kitchen worktops must have the right height. The bathroom can be equipped with special handrails to save the spine from unnecessary work. In summer cottages, it is better to work sitting on a light portable bench or kneeling, placing under them a thermal insulation mat.
Improper lifting of the load is the main reason for the worsening of osteochondrosis of the spine during the holidays, when we prepare our suitcases or take the crop out of the dacha. To relieve the pain, try to transfer the load with both hands, distributing the load evenly. When lifting weights, do not bend your back under any circumstances. All slopes must be replaced by squats and lifting the load off the ground only because of the strength of the legs.
For those who suffer from back pain, the maximum allowable luggage weight is 15 kg. If you need to carry more, buy a trolley or a wheeled suitcase. A backpack equipped with a waist belt and support frame perfectly distributes the load on the spine. It should be installed and extinguished by high support or with assistance.
The most dangerous movements for the spine are to turn from side to side and bend with a turn to the right or left with a load in your hands. With such a load, the compression of the spinal nerves, the vessels that supply the spinal cord and the chance of rupture of the intervertebral disc are extremely high. All loaded turns must be made on foot.
Artificial fastening
To eliminate pain and prevent lumbar injuries, all types of splints have been developed: straighteners (corsets, braces), recliners, bandages, belts. These devices hold the spine in the correct position, prevent its pathological deformation, reduce the compression of the intervertebral fissures and improve the venous outflow.
Such funds are good for those who, due to their duty, spend a lot of time on the computer, in transportation and are engaged in hard physical work. However, their use should be discussed with an orthopedic surgeon. Prolonged and uncontrolled use of a spine splint can lead to atrophy of your muscular corset and increased pain attacks.
Physical fastening
The back muscles are the natural stabilizers of the spine. In order not to lose their tone, strength and elasticity, daily training is required: morning exercises, contrast shower, warm-up during the working day.
When doing physical exercises, you need to be careful about your emotions - the main thing here is not the result, but the process. It is important to maintain a measured pace and a normal range of motion.
The best sport for back pain is swimming. In the aquatic environment, the load on the spine is reduced; during swimming movements, almost all the muscles of the body work, especially the back, arms and legs. In addition to flare-ups, spine stretching exercises that can be performed on a horizontal bar are helpful. It is important to learn how to gradually relax your back muscles and stretch them again, gradually sinking into your legs.
For those suffering from osteochondrosis of the spine, special groups of physiotherapy exercises have been developed.
Medications "for the lower back"
Traditional medicine has a wide range of treatments to relieve the course of osteochondrosis of the spine. During the period of exacerbation, the following are prescribed:
- strict rest in bed.
- dry heat in the lumbar region.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of injections, which reduce pain and inflammatory changes in the tissues.
- B-complex vitamins?
- drugs that relieve spasm in inflammatory muscles of the back, relieve pressure on the spinal nerves, improve blood circulation.
- external ointments with heating, fragmentary and anti-inflammatory action.
Physiotherapy techniques work well: massage, electrophoresis with various drugs, acupuncture, etc. A physiotherapy system has been developed, when, with the help of special exercises, the patient learns to stop a pain attack independently, strengthens his muscular framework. body in simulators. In addition to an attack, your doctor may recommend taking chondroprotectants and vitamins, which help to improve the nutrition of the spinal tissues, speed up the metabolism and repair the damage.
Low back pain can be the result of a variety of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, pelvic organs, circulatory system. Therefore, the first step in the onset of back pain should be a visit to the doctor, who will make an accurate diagnosis.