The human back is a complex structure that consists of bones, intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments, nerves and muscles. The spine consists of 33 bones - 24 cervical and dorsal vertebrae, the sacrum of 5 fused vertebrae and 4 vestigial vertebrae of the coccyx. They all form a chain from the skull to the pelvis.
Structure of the lumbar spine
The most mobile and at the same time loaded part of the spine is the lumbar. It is formed by 5 massive and strong vertebrae. With heavy loads on the intervertebral discs, pressure of several centners per square meter is exerted. The structure of the lumbar vertebrae differs from the rest in the spinal column in size. The lumbar vertebrae are the most powerful in the entire spinal column, which is explained by the increased load on the lower spine. The five human lumbar vertebrae and the sacrumprovide complex turns and tilts of the human body.
Lumbar vertebrae
The lumbar vertebrae are cylindrical bodies - strong bone bases that are located in front of the bone marrow and serve as support for all organs and tissues located above the pelvis. Attached to each such cylinder is an arc enclosing the spinal cord at the back. This arc provides protection to the spinal canal. Processes depart from it: back - spinous, to the sides - transverse, and up and down - articular. The spinous process of the lumbar vertebra serves to protect the spinal cord from external influences. It is the articular ones that form combinations with other vertebrae.
The lumbar vertebrae are designed in such a way that, connecting with each other, they create a strong but movable support for the body, protecting the spinal cord from external negative influences. Intervertebral discs serve to cushion the joints between the vertebral bodies. They protect against excessive external influences on the spine. The lumbar vertebrae create lumbar lordosis, which is formed in infancy during the first attempts to stand and walk. The lumbar spine has the most active shock-absorbing task, which is weakened in old age.
Function of the lumbar vertebrae
Each vertebra has its own function. If a disorder occurs in the first vertebra, it can cause hernia, constipation, colitis, or diarrhea, and damage to the second vertebra leads to suchdiseases like appendicitis, intestinal colic, pain in the hip and groin. Malfunctions in the third vertebra lead to bladder diseases, impotence and knee problems. Damage to the fourth vertebra leads to sciatica and lumbago. And finally, the fifth vertebra affects the work of the legs, feet and toes. Swelling, pain in the legs and flat feet are the result of a malfunction of the fifth vertebra.
Possible diseases of the lumbar vertebrae
• Herniated disc.
• Ankylosing spondylitis.
• Displacement of the vertebrae.
• Fractures of the lumbar vertebrae.
Bone density and strength decline with age, increasing the risk of bone-destroying disease, osteoporosis. The risk of spinal fractures increases with it. Most people with osteoporosis are not even aware of it until they suddenly experience a fracture.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a flexion inflammation of the vertebrae, primarily the sacroiliac, that hold the spine to the pelvis. It usually manifests itself with the first symptoms - pain and stiffness of the lower back, especially in the morning. Inflammation can spread up the spine, capturing the entire back. Without proper treatment, the spine can become twisted and the back will be stiff and painful.
Displaced vertebrae
Causes of misaligned vertebrae:
1. A misaligned lumbar vertebrae may be the result of a birth defect in a vertebra, usually the fifth lumbar, that is misaligned with respect to the sacrum.
2. Vertebral wear occurs mainly inolder people, especially menopausal women.
3. Spinal injury. Fatigue fractures, which are typical for certain sports, as well as compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. A strong displacement of the vertebra is fraught with infringement of the spinal nerves, manifested by numbness, tingling and shooting pain and weakness in the legs. Displacement is characterized by pain and decreased mobility in the lower back.
Fractured vertebrae
Fracture is the most common bone injury, most often caused by trauma, impact or a fall. Vertebrae can have a compression fracture resulting from compression of the bone when part of it is completely destroyed. Lumbar vertebrae affected by osteoporosis are especially affected. In the affected area, pain is felt, which is aggravated by probing and exertion, back movements become painful and difficult. Both a possible fracture and displacement of a vertebra are detected using X-ray, which allows you to determine the nature of the pathology and prescribe the appropriate treatment or surgical intervention.
Treatment of lumbar vertebrae
In case of damage to the vertebrae, the use of traditional and non-traditional methods of treatment is appropriate.
Methods of treatment of diseases of the spine:
• chiropractic;
• osteopathy;
• acupuncture;
• shiatsu;
• hirudotherapy, • Exercise therapy.
Special exercise aimed at relieving symptoms, maintaining mobility and preventing deformityspine. Swimming is very helpful. The lumbar region is the least stable due to the combination of high loads with intense mobility, and therefore is injured most often. This is due to the fact that the entire upper body is pressing on him.
Prevention of diseases of the lumbar vertebrae
The best prevention is physical education, which maintains the strength and tone of the vertebrae and muscles. Regular exercise helps keep your lower back strong and flexible:
1. Tilts in the supine position with bent legs to the sides.
2. Standing forward bends.
4. Press pumping.
5. Back extension.
Some of age-related changes are inevitable. From a certain age, the mass of bones and muscles begins to decline. In women over 45, a drop in estrogen levels accelerates the fall in bone mass - up to 3-5% annually. The same is observed in males over 50 years of age. At the same time, changes gradually affect posture and coordination of movements. Between the ages of 65 and 80, the spine can shorten by 2.5 cm due to asymptomatic destruction of the vertebrae and a decrease in the elasticity of the intervertebral discs. These age-related changes are inevitable, but proper nutrition and moderate physical activity allow you to maintain a he althy spine and normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system at any age. It should be remembered that it is much easier to maintain bone density than to increase it, so the prevention of osteoporosis should be addressed before it develops.
