pain in the spine when moving or moving
This can happen to almost every adult, even while resting.This unpleasant feeling can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from chronic eating disorders to serious illness.But one of the most common causes of spinal pain is osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is a complex pathology primarily associated with nutritional impairment of the skeletal and spinal cartilaginous structures.The result is a progressive flattening of the disc, deterioration of its shock-absorbing properties, and a weakening of the muscle-ligament apparatus that supports the spine.
Strangely enough, scientists today believe that the main cause of osteochondrosis of the spine is evolutionary.This is a kind of "reward for walking upright."After all, the load on the spine is greatest when the body is in a vertical position.This condition may worsen and accelerate the development of pathology:
- Work that involves frequent bending, turning, and sudden movements;
- often sitting in the wrong position;
- Frequent lifting and carrying of heavy objects;
- Intense participation in certain sports.
What are the types of osteochondrosis?
There are several variants of this disease, classified according to where in the spine the disease occurs:
- Cervical osteochondrosis;
- Chest;
- Lumbosacral region.
cervical osteochondrosis
The main symptom of this disease is pain, which is caused by compression of nerve pathways emanating from the spinal cord.The pain may be constant, or it may come in the form of attacks or severe pain in the neck, shoulders, and forearms.These are very intense sensations that are further exacerbated by sudden movements of the head or after a period of immobility (for example, after sleep).Symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis include:
- Reduced freedom of movement of the neck;
- Hearing a crunching sound when turning the head;
- Persistent tension in the neck muscles;
- Smoothness of the cervical curve of the spine;
- Force your head to tilt.
A dangerous complication here is compression of blood vessels in the neck, impairing blood circulation to the brain.This can lead to persistent headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, and visual disturbances that are difficult to relieve with analgesics.
Thoracic osteochondrosis
Pathology of the thoracic spine is characterized by pain in the entire chest, back, interscapular area, armpits and hands.Pain from osteochondrosis of the chest often spreads along the intercostal nerves, forming a loop.
Pain during movement can cause its range to be limited, making the person feel restricted.In addition to movement disorders, all types of sensitivity, whether superficial, cutaneous, or deep proprioceptive, can be affected.
The pathological process may also involve visceral organs innervated by the roots of the thoracic spinal cord.Therefore, pain may often occur behind the heart and sternum, pain in the right ribs, liver area, and the function of the digestive system is disrupted.
Lumbar osteochondrosis
This is the most common type of spinal osteochondrosis because the lumbosacral region usually bears the highest load during walking, running, jumping, and other active movements.The main symptom of this pathology is pain in the lower back that travels along the sciatic nerve to the buttocks and down the back of the leg.
This pain is often dull and aching and difficult to treat with pain relief medications.The unpleasant sensations of lumbar osteochondrosis increase with sudden movements or long periods of immobility.Leg muscle weakness, muscle wasting, and skin sensitivity disorders sometimes occur.The lumbar curve of the spine may flatten, limiting freedom of movement.
Treatment of spinal osteochondrosis
Treating this pathology is imperative because it carries a high risk of complications, such as disc herniation, which can only be eliminated through surgery.Treatment of osteochondrosis includes medications, physical therapy, physiotherapy, massage, diet, and orthopedic techniques.