Pain while degenerative disc disease: thoracic, cervical and lumbar vertebra treatment

Pain in osteochondrosis arise as a result of degenerative processes of the intervertebral discs. The attacks start because of nerve root compression and muscle spasms, inflammation.

As develop pain

Why am I having back pain? Osteochondrosis – a disease that is available for human bipedalism. Osteochondrosis erased, dry and deformed cartilage of the intervertebral discs. Normally, these articular structures are cushioning the vertebrae, allowing us to move the spine and then return it to its physiological position. But if the spring is worn out and has too much impact – she bends and ceases to be elastic. This happens in the case of intervertebral discs.

A huge number of future patients with osteoarthritis spends five days a week for long hours sitting in front of a computer monitor. And for leisure, a kind of activity do not change.

Long periods of sitting itself is not the cause of the destruction of disks. But people are not just a change of the Seating position. They don't get up, not warming up, and besides, sitting with the wrong posture. Shoulders raised above the neck, waist bent, arms hanging, body bent forward and back leans against the chair. The muscles in this position bad support the vertebrae, and they put pressure on intervertebral discs.

Complications

There are various complications that affect what pain occur in osteochondrosis. After chronic loads deteriorates the blood circulation of the intervertebral discs and they are dry. And then they it is easy to have a lot of pressure. As a result of the loads, the disk changes shape, bulges – there is a complication like protrusion. And if the shell in place of the protrusion breaks, purposee contents will come out and there will be a hernia. Most likely, it will pinch the nerve root – there is severe pain, impair the transmission of nerve impulses.

Another possible complication that causes pain is the appearance of osteophytes. Due to the fact that the height of the discs when degenerative disc disease is reduced, the bone of the vertebral bodies come into contact with each other, eroding their edges. The body builds up new bone tissue, and these formations appear in the form of studs. Osteophytes are constantly affected cartilage, deforming them. In addition, they may also negatively impact on the nerves. The patient feels stiffness, limited movement.

Pain attacks

Pain in osteochondrosis can occur in different areas have different nature and characteristics. Ache in different ways depending on what Department spinal strain or any nerve roots being pinched.

What and where it hurts at osteochondrosis? Pain can be localized precisely, and can radiate to different areas. So, with cervical osteochondrosis gives into the hands, in the lumbar to the legs. The patient may feel sore kidneys, stomach or heart.

In addition, deteriorating mobility, reduced sensitivity of the upper and lower extremities. But if compression of osteochondrosis begin to experience the vertebral artery, there are symptoms of oxygen starvation of the brain. The worst possible pattern developing stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal and appearance of pressure on the spinal cord.

Cervical osteochondrosis

For compression of the nerve root in the neck, there is pain in the occipital region. Sometimes pain irradiiruet in the area of the brainstem. Deteriorating the sensitivity of the skin of the neck, and sometimes language. The patient may become hard to say. Upon compression of a nerve in the area of the 4th cervical vertebra ache clavicular region. In this case, the pain may resemble cardiac. Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath occurs.

The nervous tissue around the 5th vertebrae cause pain, irradiiruet in the area of shoulder girdle. Become weaker muscles of the Delta, there is a paresthesia to the shoulder girdle when the low back pain.

In most cases, compression occurs at the 6th and 7th vertebra. When compression of the nerve near the 6th vertebra painful sensations are transmitted in the scapular, forearm, and palm. Paresthesia tormented the skin of the upper limbs. If the damage is at the level of the 7th vertebra ache in the back of the shoulder girdle, aching fingers. Deteriorating the sensitivity in the corresponding areas. At a pressure level8th suffer from upper extremity in the forearm – from the elbow to the fingers. Hands become weaker.

Thoracic osteochondrosis

In this region of the spine least likely to present symptoms of low back pain. The intervertebral discs of the chest protected by the bone structure of rib, very sedentary, and bone and affects them in the last turn.

Pain arises in the intercostal region, the sternum, on the back of the back, in the upper part of the peritoneum. Hurts at osteochondrosis of the breast sometimes and on the side. After sudden movements, physical activity and morning awakening syndrome pain is getting stronger, there is stiffness, deteriorating the sensitivity. Sometimes it is easy enough to warm up to the stiffness disappeared.

In the inter-blade area pain can torture in accordance with the rhythm of breathing, the patient, the patient with low back pain, it gets hard to breathe. The frequency of pain attacks may depend on atmospheric pressure, air humidity and weather conditions.

Difficult and painful to turn and bend in osteochondrosis of the thoracic, starts to hurt back. When such movements are deformed intervertebral discs. The dorsal muscles of the thoracic feels the spasmodic contraction, which make the pain and stiffness stronger.

In many cases of pain in osteochondrosis of the breast are taken by the patient for cardiology. It seems that "hurts" the heart, and cardiac medications have no effect. Pain often irradiiruet in the stomach or intestine, doctors may even the suspicion of an inflammatory process of the digestive organs. In fact, if the nerve roots that Innervate the internal organs, a long time feel pressure and deformation, can start problems with the work of the body concerned.

Lumbar osteochondrosis

The pain syndrome in osteochondrosis concentrated in the area of the affected intervertebral disc, and gives to the lower limbs, buttocks. The attacks begin after a long stay in a static position, physical exertion, sudden movements, heavy lifting. Sometimes it gets worse even after you cough or sneeze, laughter. Manifested spasm of the lumbar muscles, shooting pains. Deteriorating the sensitivity of the lower extremities, a feeling of "running ants" feeling. Leg muscles are weak, seem so hard to control.

• Suggest to read: cough in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.

If there is compression of the nerve root, may disrupt the work of the pelvic organs: rectum, bladder. The patient cannot go to the toilet due to excess fluid in the body in osteochondrosis occur swelling. In some cases, on the contrary, tormented with incontinence of feces and urine, manifested reduced potency.

• Suggest to read: the zone of lumbar osteochondrosis.

During sleep when lumbar osteochondrosis difficult to find a comfortable position, occur pain because of the static position. Normal night rest.

Backache

For degenerative disc disease characterized by a painful condition like lumbago. It occurs as the result of compressions. In this state (which usually occur after sudden movements and heavy loads) the patient is not able to make any movements one way or another spine. Him to prevent a sharp shooting pain and muscle spasm. In fact, muscle tension in this situation is just a protective reaction of the mechanism for deformation of the nerve root. Restricting the muscles in the affected spine, our body gives us to bring even greater harm to the further compression of the nervous tissue.

• With cervicalgia is called a lumbago with cervical osteochondrosis;
• Torakalgiya seen after sharp movements in the chest. Reminiscent of the sensations a heart attack;
• Lumbodyniaor lumbago lumbar, widely known in the nation. In most cases, the pain attack starts after trying to straighten;
• Sciatica is a kind of lumbago, in which the spasm and the pain and even affect the upper limb with one hand.

After the shot the patient with osteochondrosis instinctively making efforts to change the situation. Unfortunately, to do that is just not necessary – the state of the nervous tissue can only deteriorate, and there will come a new pain.

When the shooting pains that occur along with the cramps and inability to move, you need to first take the most comfortable position. Forced to change position, stretch in these moments is contraindicated. On the contrary, stay in the busy position for a while, try to relax the muscles in the affected spine.

When the pain will become a bit easier, very gradually try to develop different areas of muscles. Turn the patient spine to the point where pain is notintensified, but the feeling's getting stronger. Abstain in this position for a few seconds. Relax, take a step again.

If you have no apparent reason there was a "shot" of a spine, after a seizure, contact your doctor. Osteochondrosis easier treatable in the early stages. Plus, the sooner you begin diagnostics and therapy the lower the chance of complications.

Oxygen starvation

With osteochondrosis, due to various reasons can be compression of one of the arteries carrying nutrients and oxygen to the brain. Hold them can osteophytes, vertebrae, protrusion or herniation. This most often occurs because of muscle spasms. The vertebral artery is arranged so that if one of them undergoes compression, it doesn't matter because of osteoarthritis or other reasons, the brain will survive. It will nourish the artery on the other side, but in any case will begin to experience a lack of oxygen, and there will be unpleasant symptoms.

The asymmetry of the vertebral arteries, as well as any pain attacks in cervical osteochondrosis develops in strength for static loads or sudden movements. Due to lack of oxygen and nutrients occurs headache.

Headache in cervical osteochondrosis accompanied by an increase in pressure, hypertensive surges. Patients, measuring pressure, often come to the conclusion that you need to use medicines that lower blood pressure. This is fundamentally the wrong approach, leading to the deterioration of. Because blood pressure rises in order that the blood could circulate through the clamped blood vessels. Yes, because of pressure occurs pain syndrome – but it's better than starvation to be the Central organ of the human body. And if the pressure is artificially lowered with drugs, come the worst symptoms.

If despite the increase in pressure any oxygen deficit of the brain and disrupt its work. The patient howls in your ears, stand before the eyes dark spots and twinkling lights. Sick and vomiting does not bring relief. The patient falls into a pre-existing condition, to the extent that may briefly lose consciousness.

In order to suppress the unpleasant symptoms need not to underestimate the pressure and improve the blood circulation of the brain. This task will help to manage the so-called cardiovascular drugs. Drugs of this type increase the space inside blood vessels or thinning the blood.

What to do at the time of the attack

How to relieve pain in osteochondrosis? This is not a disease that can be cured by some medicines. To slow degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, it is necessary to change the way of life. For the treatment of pain in osteochondrosis fit physical therapy sessions, swimming in the pool, massage and physiotherapy techniques. You will also need to change your daily eating habits, give up bad foods. And just to lose weight to reduce the load on the vertebral cartilage.

• Suggest to read: swimming in osteochondrosis.

But when bound by pain, and there is no possibility normally to move – think about such changes in his life before. In moments of aggravation and pain attacks you should first relax, take a comfortable position. Eliminate all stress factors, both physical and mental. Take a pill analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. When you feel better, think about going to the doctor is necessary to prevent the disease moved to running the chronic stage.

• Suggest to read: aggravation of degenerative disc disease of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar.

At a painful syndrome of the vertebral region, people often start to use different hot tools – compresses, ointments. But the area affected by the inflammatory process, it is impossible to warm up in the first two days after the start of the exacerbation. During this period, the best fit tools such as a cold compress or ointment on the basis of menthol. The cold will relax the nerves, distract them from pain.