Back pain

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in people over 25 to 30 years of age. They can not only arise from overload, but also act as a symptom of diseases of the spine or internal organs. Therefore, it is important to take care of your health and not ignore the problem. If back pain is caused by the appearance of pathological changes in the spine, it can ultimately lead to serious complications and even disability.

Reasons

In a number of situations, the back hurts for natural reasons: after strenuous physical work, hard training, long walking in high-heeled shoes, etc. In such situations, pain is caused by the formation of lactic acid in the muscles, and in particularly difficult cases and microcrackscauses muscles, sprains. Therefore, to get rid of them, the back must rest for several days.

Pregnancy is a common cause of back pain. Since there are many changes in the body, especially in the late stages of pregnancy, it can respond to this by experiencing lower back pain. If they are not acute and are not associated with discomfort in the lower abdomen or the appearance of an unusual discharge, it is considered a normal variant. At the same time, the persistent changes, a shift in the center of gravity and weight gain in a woman during pregnancy can provoke an exacerbation of chronic diseases or become the cause of the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.

Due to the fact that the stress on a woman's body doubles during pregnancy, it is very important to clean up the spine. Our clinic has developed and prepared a special program of comprehensive examination and treatment for pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy.

It is degenerative-dystrophic processes, as well as other pathologies of the spine, that most often cause back pain in women and men over 30 years of age. With them, the pain can be localized in any part of the back (neck, between the shoulder blades, lower back) and transferred to the head, shoulders, arms, buttocks, legs, etc. They can vary in strength, be acute, shoot, pull, pain, be constantly present or occur after physical exertion. All of these are important signs that will help determine the cause of the development of pain syndrome, and therefore find an effective way to get rid of it.

The most common diseases associated with back pain are:

• osteochondrosis, protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
• curvature of the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis and their combinations);
• myofascial syndrome.

Slightly less often, back pain is caused by compression fractures of the spine (typical for the elderly or people with injuries, falls from great heights, accidents), the development of ankylosing spondylitis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis and other diseases of the spine.

Also, pain in different parts of the back can be caused by the appearance of disorders in the work of internal organs. For example, neck pain can be associated with pathologies of the thyroid gland, inflammation of the lymph nodes, diseases of the blood vessels, and back pain with pathology of the kidneys, pelvic organs and gastrointestinal tract. Complaints in the middle of the back and in the shoulder blade area are rare, but do occur. Its occurrence, in addition to diseases of the spine, may be in the appearance of disorders in the work of the heart, etc.

However, the essence of the problem lies in the fact that diseases of the internalOrgans do not occur out of the blue. They are almost always the result of a violation of segmental innervation, ie the quality of the transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord through nerve roots and nerve branches to certain organs. Each level of the spinal cord has its own pair of spinal roots from which nerves branch off and go to the corresponding organs. When changes occur in the spine, e. g. B. curvatures, displacement of the vertebrae, changes in the height and condition of the intervertebral discs, this inevitably affects the condition of the spinal roots and the spinal cord. They can be compressed or even injured by various vertebral structures as they change their natural parameters and position. Therefore, nerve impulses pass to the organs worse, which leads to the fact that at first insignificant, but constantly progressing disorders appear in their work. Gradually, organic changes appear in the organs, which become the cause of the development of the disease. Therefore, with back pain and the detection of pathologies of internal organs, it is imperative to examine the spine and find the changes that provoked its development. The impact on them will increase the effectiveness of the treatment of internal diseases, and most importantly, eliminate the conditions for their occurrence.

Each movement segment of the spine has its own pair of nerve roots that transmit signals to a specific organ.

Osteochondrosis, protrusion and intervertebral hernia

Osteochondrosis is the most common disease of the spine, occurring in one in two adults at various stages of development. It is accompanied by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, that is, their gradual destruction.

Depending on which part of the back pain occurs and accordingly degenerative-dystrophic processes occur in the intervertebral discs, a distinction is made between osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Most often, the intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine are destroyed, somewhat less often - the cervical spine, and only in rare cases is diagnosed osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

With osteochondrosis, pain is typical, initially weak, pain after physical exertion or prolonged sitting. They gradually intensify and occur more and more frequently. Over time, the discs become so exhausted that their outer shell cannot withstand the stresses exerted on them and is deformed, that is, a protrusion is created that eventually turns into an inguinal hernia. In the latter case, the annulus fibrosus is completely torn and the internal contents of the disc can fall out into the spinal canal.

In either case, the protruding parts can squeeze the roots of the spine, provoking the appearance of radicular syndrome. This means that the pain is not only sharp and strong, but also on the arms, legs, buttocks and other parts of the body, which directly depends on which disc is deformed. So, when the nerves in the cervical spine are pinched, pain tends to occur in the shoulders and arms, and when the nerves in the lumbar spine are squeezed, the buttocks and legs. This is often associated with sensory impairments, including numbness, creeping sensations, and gradual muscle atrophy.

The disease is fraught with irreversible changes in the nerve fibers that can lead to paralysis and disability.

Curvature of the spine

The curvature of the spine can be observed in any part of the spine. A perfectly straight spine is a rarity today, so almost every modern person has more or less pronounced deformities. It can be:

• Kyphosis - strengthening the natural curvature of the spine in the cervicothoracic area;
• lordosis - increased natural deflection of the spine in the lumbar spine;
• Scoliosis - lateral deformity of the spine.

In any case, the curvature can lead to compression of various groups of nerves, which also causes a radicular syndrome. However, if in osteochondrosis changes in the initial stages of development cannot be surpassed visually, then spinal deformities can be easily diagnosed by the asymmetry of the position of the shoulder blades, pelvic bones, protrusion of the abdomen or the formation of a hump.

Myofascial Syndrome The myofascial syndrome is not a dangerous, but rather a painful condition in which certain muscle groups cramp due to pressure or physical activity. So, against the background of absolutely normal health, if you press on the place where back pain usually occurs, then you can get a new attack of acute pain, which is an important diagnostic criterion.

Diagnosing the causes of back pain

If back pain occurs, regardless of whether it is in the neck, between the shoulder blades or in the lumbar spine, it is recommended to consult a neurologist. It is necessary to make an appointment with a chiropractor, vertebrate, and neurologist as soon as possible if the pain spreads to other parts of the body, as this is a sign of the development of radicular syndrome.

Our center's specialists use an integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment so that they can make the correct diagnosis quickly. The diagnosis begins with a survey of the patient, during which the type of complaints presented and the characteristics of work and rest are clarified. The doctor must carefully examine the patient, palpate the spine and conduct special functional and neurological tests. This allows you to get a comprehensive picture of the patient's condition, identify signs of a neurological deficit, and assess the degree of damage. To clarify the diagnosis, appoint:

• X-ray examination;
• CT;
• MRI.

If there are no contraindications, MRI is always preferred, as this method can provide the most complete data on the condition of the spine and, in particular, its intervertebral discs, so that even minor changes in its condition can be diagnosed in the earliest stages and timely in thepathological process can be intervened.

In our clinic you can also learn more about the composition of your body and the condition of the vascular system that is involved in the blood supply to the internal organs, the muscles of the musculoskeletal system and the brain. Our experienced doctors explain the results to you in detail. Bioimpedansometry calculates the ratio of fat, muscle, bone and skeletal mass, total body fluid and basal metabolic rate. The intensity of the recommended physical activity depends on the state of the muscle mass. Metabolic processes, in turn, affect the body's ability to recover. Based on the indicators of the active cell mass, the level of physical activity and nutritional balance can be assessed. This simple and quick test will help us identify endocrine disorders and take action. In addition, it is very important for us to know the condition of blood vessels in order to prevent diseases such as heart attack, high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and many more. With Angioscan you can determine such important indicators as the biological age of blood vessels, their stiffness, the stress index (which speaks of the heart rate) and blood oxygen saturation. Such screening is useful for men and women over 30, athletes, those who are undergoing long and difficult treatment, as well as anyone who monitors their health.

If the diagnosis shows that back pain is the result of the development of diseases of the internal organs, then the patient is referred to such close specialists as urologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, cardiologists, etc.

The analysis of the body composition provides information on how much fat tissue is in the body and in the musculoskeletal components. These data will help the rehabilitation doctor correctly draw up a plan for physical activity, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Treatment of back pain

The treatment of back pain is always complex, since pathological changes in the spine can only be eliminated with the help of medication. In addition, the therapy regimen is developed strictly individually for each patient. This takes into account not only the diagnosis and stage of development of the disease, but also the presence of comorbidities, the age of the patient, his habits and work characteristics, physical fitness and other factors. Therefore, treatment can be given in different ways even in patients with the same diagnosis. Only this approach delivers maximum results.

The main components of conservative therapy for back pain of vertebral origin are:

• drug therapy;
• osteopathy;
• manual therapy;
• massage;
• Physiotherapy (phonophoresis, carboxytherapy, ozone therapy, pressotherapy (HF currents);
• One-to-one lessons with a rehabilitation doctor.

Spinal surgery is only indicated in very advanced cases with absolute ineffectiveness of conservative treatment.

Patients are definitely advised to reduce weight as much as possible and avoid excessive physical exertion and a sedentary lifestyle. A balanced diet will further enhance the effects of the treatment.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy may include drugs from different pharmacological groups depending on a combination of different factors. In the vast majority of cases, patients are prescribed:

• NSAIDs;
• corticosteroids;
• muscle relaxants;
• chondroprotectors;
• B vitamins;
• Vitamin D.

Patients with very severe radicular pain that cannot be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers can be offered blocks. The procedure involves putting a solution of lidocaine or novocaine, sometimes combined with corticosteroids, directly into the area where the compressed nerve passes. They do not have a therapeutic effect, but they allow you to quickly get rid of even severe pain of neurological origin. However, performing blockades requires special skills and absolute sterility, since such injections can lead to the development of serious complications.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is rightly seen as one of the main components in the treatment of back pain of various origins, as it allows you to restore the normal anatomy of the spine and at the same time:

• to improve the quality of the transmission of nerve impulses along peripheral nerves to all organs of the human body;
• activates blood circulation and lymph flow;
• starts the natural processes of body recovery and creates favorable conditions for its flow;
• strengthens immunity and increases the body's ability to adapt to new living conditions, etc.

The use of special techniques of manual action directly on the spine and surrounding tissues makes it possible to remove the pressure of various anatomical structures on the roots of the spine, which leads to the elimination of pain, including those that radiate to the limbs and other parts of the body. With their help, it is also possible to increase the distance between the vertebral bodies, which provides the most favorable conditions for the restoration of deformed intervertebral discs, and active kneading of the muscles helps to eliminate functional blockages, increase the mobility and flexibility of the spine and the course ofAccelerate metabolic processes.

We do not have a common standard of treatment, we apply an individual approach to each patient. The technique of the author of Gritsenko has shown high efficiency over the years. This implies a special effect on the spine, due to which not only back pain disappears, but also eliminates the causes of its appearance. And normalization of the segmental innervation of the spinal cord will help improve the functioning of internal organs and eliminate the causes of the progression of their diseases.

Thus, after 1-2 sessions of manual therapy according to the method of the author of Gritsenko, patients with back pain can expect pronounced positive changes. How many procedures are required to achieve the maximum possible result and its consolidation is selected for each patient individually.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is prescribed outside of the acute period of the disease. With its help, it is possible to increase the effect of other methods of influence. As a rule, patients are prescribed procedures that are characterized by anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic properties, namely:

• electrophoresis;
• traction therapy (spinal traction);
• UHF;
• laser therapy;
• Ultrasound therapy etc.

Movement therapy

Physiotherapy is not the final component in treating back pain. The stability of the result largely depends on the regularity and correctness of its implementation, since exercise therapy is primarily aimed at strengthening the muscular corset of the back, thereby supporting the spine and relieving the load on the intervertebral discs. In addition, exercise therapy helps improve the quality of blood circulation, which leads to a more active supply of the lesion sites with drugs and nutrients, which increases the effectiveness of the therapy.

However, it is not recommended to choose a set of exercises yourself, as performing generally recommended exercises can harm the patient due to overloading certain muscle groups. Therefore, the development of the optimal complex should be entrusted to a doctor-rehabilitologist, who will teach a person to correctly perform each exercise.

Although back pain is known to every adult, it is not worth considering as harmless. Such negligence can lead to serious complications and, at best, can be treated surgically. In the worst case, the patient is disabled. If back pain occurs with enviable regularity or is very acute, make an appointment with a neurologist and find out the real cause of the discomfort. After all, the disease is much easier to stop in the early stages of development.