The spondylosis of the lumbar spine: what is it, treatment

What is spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine? When spondylosis of the lumbar sacral spine is the lesion of the intervertebral discs, loss of their elasticity. Such processes caused by degradation of the structures of the bone tissue, by reducing the thickness of the cartilage, formation of bony outgrowths – osteophytes.

Lumbo-sacral part of the spinal column most susceptible to degenerative changes, as the pressure on the intervertebral discs is the greatest.

The result is loss of mobility of the spine. Some of the vertebrae change their position. In the place of localization there is pain, aggravated by movements. The symptoms are very similar to low back pain, but there are many differences between these two pathologies. Fully reveal spondylosis is possible only after a full survey.

Reasons

The spondylosis of the lumbosacral, is most often caused by age-related changes in the structure of the spine. In old age there is a violation of metabolism, which weakens the vertebrae, which reduces the elasticity of the intervertebral discs. However, some people in old age have a relatively healthy spine, it's all about lifestyle and nutrition.

In most cases, a spondylosis occurs from age-related degradation of structures of the spine. But a sedentary lifestyle greatly accelerates aging of the spine.

There are many factors that can weaken the health of the back and thereby increase the risk of pathologies of the vertebral column. The main causes of spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine:

• The presence of disease in relatives;
• A sedentary lifestyle;
• Violated the metabolism;
• Osteochondrosis and its complications;
• Any curvature of the spine and musculoskeletal system;
• Increased load on the spine;
• The use of alcohol and nicotine;
• Overweight;
• Weakened or underdeveloped muscles-extensors of the back.

Symptoms and stages

There are various signs of spondylosis of the lumbar spine. When there is this disease, the manifestation begins with limiting the mobility of the spine. Many of the symptoms of spondylosis of the lumbosacral depend on the stage of disease, but there are a number of manifestations, which are felt at all stages of the disease.

• See also: the spondylosis of the thoracic

Among these:

• Pronounced pain syndrome;
• Reduced mobility of the spine, especially in the lower back;
• Any turns and sudden movements significantly increase the pain;
• Strong stiffness and lumbar muscles;
• Pain reduced by rounding the lower back.

It is important to understand that the spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine progresses in delaying treatment or ignoring the disease. The speed of progression depends on many factors:

• Lifestyle;
• Food;
• Age;
• Heavy job or occupation power sports;

The spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine has some stages:

1. Reduced flexibility of the spine;
2. Reduced flexibility, pain when moving, cramps;
3. Begin to form osteophytes, lumbar literally "freezes", pain intensifies and begins to give in the limbs;
4. Begins to disrupt the blood circulation, pain significantly enhanced, at this stage it is very easy to diagnose the pathology.

Suggest to read: how to treat osteophytes of the lumbar spine.

Diagnosis

The first step for any pain is usually a trip to the local therapist. The doctor conducts individual survey and making the survey. It is important that the patient is able to correctly analyze the nature of pain and many other features. This will significantly speed up diagnosis. Next, the therapist assigns a number of standard tests that you must pass.

The next step will be trekking to the narrow specialist– neurologist. The attending physician checks the mobility of the spine, correct posture, and muscle spasms. This is followed by a thorough examination, checking reflexes, character and location of pain, complications from spondylosis to other parts of the body.

Not do without the in-depth survey. There are 3 types of diagnostics:

• An x-ray. Helps to get information on the causes of spondylosis, to show the overall picture of pathology. The information is fairly superficial, though, and the method is available to all.
• CT. A great method of diagnosis, giving a detailed, in-depth information about violations in the backbone. Has a number of contraindications: pregnancy and breast-feeding.
• Magnetic resonance imaging. This method of diagnosis is the most productive and informative. It may also be noted a painless and safe this procedure for the body. The price is the only drawback.

According to the prescription of a neurologist may be conducted by another type of diagnosis – pulse study. This procedure helps to learn about the compression of the nerve endings of the affected area and its severity. Based on surveys, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

Treatment

In the treatment of spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine accounted for many factors: individual characteristics of the organism, age, severity of the disease. Only after a complete diagnosis begin treatment, which is complex, diverse. But even this impact is not able to eradicate the pathology, it is only possible to achieve remission.

• I advise you to read: degenerative-dystrophic changes in the lumbosacral

Dependent on the stage of spondylosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. Sometimes it is impossible to solve the problem without surgery, but in most cases proceed to conservative methods of treatment.

Drug

As already mentioned, when the spondylosis of the spine treatment must be an integrated and compulsory part of the treatment – drugs. It is impossible to independently choose them, every drug must be written by an attending physician. A course of medicines is individually based diagnosis and individual characteristics of the person. Now the General pattern of those drugs that can be appointed:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Help relieve swelling, to reduce pain, relieve pressure on the nerve endings and blood vessels.
• Muscle relaxants. Relieve muscle spasm, to help improve blood circulation in the affected area and reduce pain.
• Chondroprotectors. Necessary to accelerate the process of cartilage regeneration, recovery partial elasticity of the intervertebral discs.
• Ointments that have a warming effect. Used in some cases doctor's orders.
• Painkillers. Help reduce or eliminate pain.
• Antidepressants. Used in severe pain, when a person is difficult to move. Usually prescribed rarely, in the most severe cases.
• Vitamins. Strengthen the immune system, bone tissue, speed up the recovery.

The treatment includes various massage, gymnastic exercises and procedures. Such an approach would be very effective if to complement their medical treatment.

Massage

To massage effective, you need to find a qualified therapist. It is important to follow all the techniques that not only was good, but not hurt. The lumbosacral spine respond well to massage, the vertebrae are then massive. With the right approach, the effect will be achieved very quickly.

Physiotherapy

Wondering how to treat spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine simple exercises? It is important not to disrupt the technique and not to give unnecessary load. You need to properly do stretching, good warm up, then the muscles get stronger the load the lower back will gradually begin to subside. Need to find a good coach to perform such exercises in order not to spaserovat muscles, but rather to strengthen and tone.

Procedures

There are many different procedures that are effective for spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine.

• See also: Spondylosis of the lumbar spine.

It is possible to allocate the following procedure:

• Electrophoresis with painkillers (novocaine, and other types of drugs);
• The application of therapeutic mud: marine, organic and others. Have a very positive impact on the spine;
• Electromagnetic effects on the lumbosacral spine;
• Impactmagnetic fields;
• Impact on localization using ultrasound;
• Infrared irradiation of the affected area of the spine;
• Cupping procedure.

Traditional methods

Though traditional medicine seems harmless, some diseases, it can only aggravate the situation. Used for the treatment of compresses, baths and rubbing. It is better to use the following components:

• Of compresses are particularly effective are chamomile, eucalyptus and birch buds.
• Therapeutic baths are very effective. Often used different oils: turpentine and ether.
• Rubbing it is best to apply this kind of: using chestnuts, using the knobs of hops.

• Read: deforming spondylosis of the lumbar

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of spondylosis lumbar is necessary to conduct a correct lifestyle, to strengthen the muscle corset back.

If you lead a sedentary way of life in connection with work, take breaks, morning exercises, take time to easy sports. It is also important to keep your back straight, to monitor the posture, don't slouch.

You need to eat right, lack of vitamins has a strong influence, often this reason cause diseases of the spine . It is also important not to overeat and to watch my weight, because extra pounds are able to create an increased load on the spine.