Pain in the spine when moving or
even at rest, it probably occurred in almost every adult.Such unpleasant sensations can be caused by many factors, ranging from chronic dietary disorders to serious illnesses.But one of the most common causes of pain in the spinal column is osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is a complex pathology that is primarily associated with impaired nutrition of the bone and cartilaginous structures of the spine.The consequence of this is a gradual flattening of the intervertebral disc, a deterioration in its shock-absorbing properties, as well as a weakening of the muscular-ligamentous apparatus that supports the spine.
Scientists today believe, oddly enough, that the main cause of spinal osteochondrosis is an evolutionary factor.This is a kind of “payback for walking upright.”After all, with a vertical position of the body, the load on the spinal column will be maximum.The situation can worsen and accelerate the development of pathology:
- work involving frequent bending, turning and sudden movements;
- constant sitting in the wrong position;
- Frequent lifting and carrying of heavy loads;
- intense participation in certain sports.
What are the types of osteochondrosis?
There are several variants of this disease, classifying them depending on which part of the spine the disorders occur in:
- cervical osteochondrosis;
- chest;
- lumbosacral.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The main symptom of this disease is pain, which is caused by compression of the nerve pathways emerging from the spinal cord.The pain can be constant, or it can appear in the form of attacks or shooting in the neck, shoulder and forearm.These are quite intense sensations, which are further intensified by sudden turns of the head or after a period of immobility (for example, after sleep).Also symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis are:
- decreased freedom of movement in the neck;
- crunching sound heard when turning the head;
- constantly tense neck muscles;
- smoothness of the cervical curve of the spine;
- forced head tilt.
A dangerous complication here is compression of the neck vessels, impairing blood circulation in the brain.This causes constant headaches that are difficult to respond to analgesics, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, and visual impairment.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Pathology of the thoracic spine is characterized by pain throughout the chest, in the back, interscapular region, armpit and hands.Often pain with thoracic osteochondrosis spreads along the intercostal nerves, becoming encircling.
Pain during movements leads to limitation of their amplitude, the person feels constrained.Along with motor disorders, all types of sensitivity, both superficial, cutaneous, and deep, proprioceptive, also suffer.
The pathological process may also involve internal organs that are innervated by the roots of the thoracic spinal cord.Thus, pain may often appear in the heart and behind the sternum, pain in the right hypochondrium, in the liver area, and the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region
This is the most common type of osteochondrosis of the spinal column, since it is the lumbosacral region that usually bears the highest load when walking, running, jumping and other active movements.The leading symptom of this pathology is pain in the lumbar region, which spreads along the sciatic nerve into the buttock and down the back of the leg.
This pain is most often dull and aching in nature and is difficult to treat with analgesic drugs.The intensity of unpleasant sensations with lumbar osteochondrosis increases with sudden movements or long-term immobility.Sometimes there is also muscle weakness in the leg, muscle atrophy and skin sensitivity disorders.The lumbar curve of the spine may flatten, limiting freedom of movement.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
It is imperative to treat this pathology, since it has a high risk of complications such as a herniated disc, which can only be eliminated surgically.Treatment of osteochondrosis includes pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, physical therapy, massages, diets and orthopedic techniques.