Vertebral pain

Nerve endings lead from the spinal cord to all systems of the human body, so pain in the vertebrae, signaling problems with the spine, causes a number of diseases.

The spine is called the core and the most important system of the body, performing a supporting function. Thanks to the unique structure of the spinal column, the human body has acquired mobility. The number of vertebrae is 32-34. Adjacent vertebrae are connected by means of joints, muscles, ligaments, interacting with the help of discs. The spinal cord is located in the spine, which is responsible for the functioning of organs in the body.

Many people are familiar with the curvature of the spine, displacement of vertebrae, osteochondrosis and other diseases that cause headaches, discomfort in the heart or stomach. It is not without reason that doctors in Ancient India and China believed that the cause of all ailments in the body lies in problems with the spine.

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Causes of pain in the vertebrae

Pain syndrome of the spine can be caused by a number of factors. The most common causes of pain in the vertebrae are due to degenerative changes:

1. osteochondrosis – affects the intervertebral discs, adjacent articular surfaces and vertebral bodies;
2. spondylosis – degenerative processes with the formation of a bone growth along the edge of the vertebral body;
3. spondylitis ("stiffness") - inflammation of the vertebral joints.

Osteochondrosis is a degenerative change in the articular cartilage and underlying bone tissue. The disease develops in any part of the spinal column, with special risk zones being: lower cervical, upper thoracic, lower lumbar. The disease is detected in most cases of patients over 40.

At the initial stage, osteochondrosis manifests itself as local pain in the affected vertebra. Pain in the vertebrae is constant or shooting (lumbago) in nature. The pain spreads to the corresponding vertebral section and increases as a result of prolonged stress, an uncomfortable body position, and a sedentary state. Further development of the disease leads to deformation of posture - kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis.

Shooting pain in the vertebrae due to sudden movement or lifting heavy objects is related to the disease lumbago - limited mobility from a couple of hours to several days.

Lumbago is caused by shaking while driving, hypothermia, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, physical exertion. Changes in mobility are insignificant. Bending forward brings significant muscle tension, while bending backwards completely eliminates the pain.

A herniated disc can pinch nerve fibers and spinal cord vessels, causing severe pain in the vertebrae. Disorders occur due to injuries, overloads, poor nutrition, and cause a rupture of the upper fibrous ring of the disc with simultaneous protrusion of its internal contents into the spinal canal.

The process of increasing freedom of movement, the so-called pathological mobility of the vertebral segments, is also accompanied by pain in the vertebrae or discomfort in the neck. At the same time, problems with microcirculation, hypotrophy and decreased tone are observed in the muscle structures, accompanied by uncertain movements of the cervical spine. Often, it is necessary to support the neck with hands due to the inability to withstand the usual load.

Rare causes of pain in the vertebrae:

• congenital vertebral defects – the presence of extra vertebrae or their deficiency;
• spondylolysis/spondylolisthesis – an interarticular defect of the vertebral arch with complete separation/with forward protrusion of the body of the deformed vertebra;
• Bechterew's disease - the lesion begins with the lumbosacral joints;
• osteoporosis is a common cause of pain in the lumbar vertebrae during menstruation in women and in old age. The disease is characterized by low bone density; with excess pressure, the vertebrae acquire a wedge-shaped form;
• tumor processes of the chest organs, lungs, as well as the thyroid, prostate gland and kidneys;
• Staphylococcal infection through the bloodstream with affected lungs, diseases of the genitourinary system;
• development of diseases of internal organs.

Doctors pay more and more attention to psychosomatic reactions to current events and stressful conditions. Psychological instability, a tendency to depression against the background of increased physical activity can cause unbearable pain in the vertebrae, which further knocks a person out of balance. Such a vicious circle without timely participation of a specialist can lead to chronic diseases of the spine.

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Symptoms of pain in the vertebrae

Any problem in the spine has its own symptoms. Shooting pain lasting several seconds/minutes is typical for lumbago. Pulsating, tearing, electric shock-like pain increases with coughing, sneezing. The person is forced to freeze in a painless state and is afraid to move.

Symptoms of vertebral pain in lumbago are described by a dull, aching pain that becomes stronger when walking, in a static position of the body, during bending of the body. Sometimes the pain affects the gluteal area, leg. Mobility is not significantly affected. Diagnostics reveals soreness of the spinous processes in the affected area.

Discomfort with osteochondrosis increases with a motionless or sedentary posture, and pain syndrome increases with load. Acute manifestation of pain can spread to the arm, lumbar region, leg.

The main symptom of spinal instability is pain in the vertebrae or discomfort in the cervical region. This condition is a common cause of acute torticollis in children.

Reasons to see a doctor are:

• pain due to tension, physical exertion;
• episodic painful sensation in the neck and back;
• the pain does not go away (increases) after a week;
• the pain is accompanied by fever and nausea;
• the pain is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, frequent urination;
• numbness of the limbs.

Emergency hospitalization with acute pain in the vertebrae is necessary if there is stiffness of movement, shock, or delirium.

Pain in the cervical vertebrae

The mobility of the cervical spine allows a person to bend and turn his head. This, in turn, made the uppermost section of the spine the most vulnerable to injuries and various diseases. During the day, the neck performs about 500 possible movements. It is interesting that the neck muscles are directly involved in the motor activity of the arm, lifting the shoulder blade. The neck is supplied with nerves that transmit impulses from the brain to all parts of the body. The most common cause of neck pain is precisely problems in muscle structures.

Pain in the cervical vertebrae occurs when:

• pinched nerve endings;
• muscle spasms;
• myositis;
• cervical osteochondrosis;
• disc protrusions;
• hernia;
• spinal displacement, muscle strain;
• ischemic heart disease (pain is localized on the front surface of the neck);
• severe diseases - rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.

Pain in the vertebrae when turning may be associated with an inflammatory process of the lymph nodes, throat diseases, the presence of fungal microflora or parasites in the body, thyroid problems, etc. An ENT specialist or therapist will help diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment.

Pain in the neck, arm and occipital area - the cause lies in osteochondrosis, which disrupts blood supply. A specialist can easily determine the disease during an examination, sometimes an X-ray diagnosis is performed.

Muscle pain occurs when you get cold, because of a draft. The symptoms can be so severe that it is impossible to change the position of the neck. It is possible to alleviate the condition by taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen. Apply a vodka or calendula tincture (dilute with water in a ratio of 1 to 3) compress to the neck, put cellophane and wrap it in a warm scarf. At night, rub the painful area well with a warming and pain-relieving ointment. The pain usually goes away in a few days.

Pain in the cervical vertebrae and the back of the head can be caused by a simple sprain or more serious dysfunctions - spondylitis, subluxation, etc.

Severe pain in the neck and back of the head is caused by spondylosis, a disease in which a bone growth forms on the vertebral body. It is more common in old age, but can occur in the younger generation with low physical activity.

Muscle compaction is observed in myogelosis as a result of poor posture, drafts, after waking up, or due to stress. The pain spreads to the neck and shoulders, and is accompanied by frequent dizziness and discomfort in the occipital region.

Pain in the neck, back of the head, ear area, back and lower jaw characterizes occipital neuralgia. The pain increases with sneezing, coughing, and turning the head.

Pain in the cervical vertebrae appears due to serious illnesses (herniated discs, tumor processes, etc.), as well as due to an uncomfortable sleeping position, when carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder, or physical overload.

Pain between the vertebrae

Localization of pain between the vertebrae occurs with disc protrusion. The disease is characterized by the protrusion of the disc from the spinal column and is considered the first stage of the development of a hernia between the vertebrae. Unlike a hernia, intervertebral protrusion occurs without rupture of the fibrous ring.

The course of the disease occurs in stages:

• the first stage is accompanied by attacks of acute, local pain. Fibrous ring cracks are revealed, changes in the disc structure occur;
• at the second stage, the pain between the vertebrae is radiating in nature, and the disc itself protrudes by two to three mm;
• the protrusion at the third stage increases, acute pain can radiate to the leg, buttock. Numbness of the limbs, static-dynamic disorders are often observed.

The third stage of protrusion development leads to the appearance of an intervertebral hernia. The high-risk areas are the cervical and lumbar. Pinched nerve roots cause pain radiating to adjacent organs. With a hernia, the following conditions are observed:

• dizziness;
• muscle weakness;
• numbness in fingers/toes;
• pressure drops;
• hearing or vision impairment;
• problems with coordination;
• dysfunctions of the genitourinary system.

Vertebral pain associated with disorders in the spinal column is commonly called vertebrogenic dorsalgia. The majority of acute or chronic pain can be caused by the following diseases: osteochondrosis and its complications, Bechterew's disease, spondylosis, scoliosis, subluxation and displacement of vertebrae.

Pain in the vertebra when pressed

Painful manifestations associated with muscle spasm are called myalgia. The peculiarity of the disease is the presence of dense muscle structures (nodules) or trigger zones. The disease is interpreted as myofascial syndrome and is detected by pain during palpation.

The whole range of unpleasant sensations is divided into sudden, acute and chronic pain in the vertebrae. The term dorsago is used for shooting pain. The main cause of shooting manifestations of the interscapular zone is osteochondrosis. The disease is determined by pain in the vertebra when pressed, there are cases when the patient has difficulty breathing due to the intensity of the pain syndrome.

The characteristic lumbar pain in radiculitis is described by acute pain upon palpation. Pinched nerves, displacement or subluxation of intervertebral discs can also cause pain upon pressing.

Pain in the vertebrae is subject to a process of remission, attenuation. For example, the last stage of intervertebral hernia can be practically imperceptible as a result of complete atrophy of the pinched nerve.

Pain, its intensity, character, and manner of manifestation are of great importance for determining the cause of the disease, so it is necessary to accurately tell the doctor about all symptoms and any changes in pain.

Diagnosis of pain in the vertebrae

A comprehensive examination, including a description of the problem from the patient's words, consists of vertebral pain diagnostics. The doctor needs to collect anamnesis of the disease development (when the first symptoms were detected, how the picture changed, etc.) and the patient's lifestyle. Information about parents, close relatives, hereditary predispositions, sphere of work, presence of allergic manifestations is important.

In an objective study the following are used:

1. inspection;
2. palpation;
3. percussion (tapping).

These manipulations allow us to draw conclusions about the general condition and tone of muscles, symmetry of skin folds and muscle fibers, reflexes. The specialist visually identifies deformations of the spinal column. The presence of redness (areas of hyperemia) will indicate inflammatory processes. The method of palpation reveals zones of maximum pain, pathological mobility of the vertebrae, etc.

Instrumental diagnostics of pain in the vertebrae include:

1. X-ray examination to exclude deformities, fractures, tumors;
2. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – allows you to get a clear picture of the disc and spinal cord disorders, the presence of tumor processes, and to draw a conclusion about the condition of the arteries and veins;
3. computer tomography – to identify pathologies of soft tissues and bone structures. The method is based on the use of X-rays and the introduction of a dye in combination with the achievements of computer progress;
4. myelography - an X-ray examination of the spinal cord to detect tumors, infections, intervertebral hernias, vascular problems, and protrusion of the meninges (meningocele);
5. electromyography – in order to obtain information about disturbances in the functioning of neuromuscular structures. A special device records the magnitude of electrical activity (biopotential) of skeletal muscles;
6. A spinal puncture is performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid. The technique is necessary for hemorrhages in the spinal canal, infectious diseases (meningitis), tumor processes, and measuring intracranial pressure.

Instrumental diagnostic methods for pain in the vertebrae are prescribed by the attending physician.

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Treatment of pain in the vertebrae

A distinction is made between conservative and surgical treatment of vertebral pain. Conservative treatment means the use of medications, physiotherapy, and therapeutic exercise complexes.

Drug treatment for pain includes:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, indomethacin, etc.);
• narcotic substances (promedol, tramadol) are used in cases where other medications do not have an analgesic effect;
• anti-inflammatory steroids - for local injections;
• muscle relaxants to relieve spasms.

Pharmacology in its rapid heyday is capable of only temporarily alleviating suffering, masking the pain in the vertebrae. All kinds of drugs, dietary supplements, stimulants do not cope with the cause of pain, cause a lot of side effects, and also lead to the development of new diseases and complications.

I would like to mention homeopathic preparations of the German company "Heel", consisting exclusively of natural components and having a therapeutic effect. The injection solution "discus compositum" is used to treat osteochondrosis, diseases of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine, neuralgia, rheumatism. The substance is used to conduct blockades along the spinal column or directly into the affected vertebra. The means "tsel-T" and "traumeel-S" are produced in the form of a solution, tablets and ointment, which helps to have a comprehensive effect on the problem. The first drug is effective for arthrosis, and the second is indispensable in stopping acute and chronic processes (bursitis, osteochondrosis, etc.). You should consult a specialist about the methods of application and dosages.

The drug "Dona" with an active substance based on articular cartilage has a pronounced regenerative, chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anabolic effect. The remedy for the restoration of cartilage tissue is prescribed for osteoarthrosis, including intervertebral osteochondrosis, in the postoperative period (removal of intervertebral hernia). The drug is available in the form of powder (daily dose - a packet per glass of water, 20 minutes before meals) and in ampoules (one injection two days or twice a week). The course lasts up to 12 weeks with a cyclicity of 2-3 times a year.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is based on the use of heat, cold, UHF, ultrasound or massage techniques in the painful area. Therapeutic gymnastics helps to strengthen the muscles, and a special corset gives the spine and muscles a stable, fixed position. To eliminate pain in the vertebrae as a result of nerve compression, a traction method is used.

Surgical intervention is applicable if after six months there is no improvement in the patient’s condition, when conservative methods have not yielded results.

Spondylodesis is the fusion of adjacent vertebrae to eliminate mobility. It is used in cases of excessive motor activity due to scoliosis and degenerative processes. The recovery period reaches a year.

Laminectomy is the removal of a section of the vertebra that compresses the nerve root. As a result, its normal functioning is restored and long-awaited relief from pain occurs.

Among the newest methods of treating pain in the vertebrae, one can single out the implantation of an artificial intervertebral disc and the introduction of interspinous spacers, which expand the space around the nerve root.

Prevention of pain in the vertebrae

Preventive measures for healthy spine development should begin in infancy, when natural curves are formed in the skeleton. Babies need to be hardened, swimming, sunbathing, and age-appropriate physical activity are indispensable. It is also important to eat well and properly.

Infectious diseases can cause irreparable damage to the spine. For example, tuberculosis results in deformation of the spinal column, and osteomyelitis destroys the base of the bones and the spinal cord. Vaccination is not only a preventative measure against vertebral pain, but also a preventative measure against serious diseases.

The deposition of calcium and phosphorus in bone structures is fraught with rickets, causing deformation of the skeleton and associated complications. Sufficient amounts of vitamin D and a balanced diet along with gymnastics can protect your child from dire consequences.

An inactive lifestyle is a real scourge of modern society. We sit at work, at home, in a car, in a cafe, and the result is the same - severe pain, restricting movement, preventing the ability to stand, etc. Proper organization of the workplace will help prevent pain in the vertebrae:

1. the chair should be adjustable;
2. watch your posture and the position of your legs (do not cross them, rest your entire foot on the floor);
3. the table should be comfortable so that you don’t have to slouch;
4. Place the computer monitor at eye level so that your neck bends slightly while working;
5. take breaks, get up, stretch;
6. introduce industrial gymnastics.

Disorders of the functioning of the internal systems of the body lead to diseases of the spinal column. Prevention of pain in the vertebrae is maintaining the internal organs in a healthy state, timely treatment at the hospital, and preventing the development of chronic processes.

Pain in the vertebrae is unfortunately familiar to most young people in their twenties. The statistics are disappointing, and the lifestyle of young people is limited to relaxing near the computer. According to experts, lack of physical activity leads to skeletal disorders, causes muscle atrophy and threatens chronic diseases of the internal systems of the body.