Some perceive a crunch in the spine as normal. For others, it causes fear for their he alth. Is it worth taking it seriously? Why does the spine crackle? This phenomenon occurs in absolutely he althy people when performing any physical exercises, and may also indicate a disease. How to recognize whether this phenomenon hides pathological processes in the body or is it still the natural behavior of the joints?
Nature crunch
Until now, doctors argue why the spine crunches, trying to identify the true cause. According to one version, it's all the fault of the gas bubbles that have accumulated in the joint area. Synovial fluid contains oxygen dioxide, a large amount of which expands the intra-articular space. Cavities with reduced pressure are formed. According to the theory, the crackling is caused by bubbles of this gas, falling between the articular surfaces.
Another version of the cause of the crunch is the shock wave that occurs when the resulting gas bubbles collapse. Some experts consider crunching to be the norm, inherent in the joints and due to their structure. Others see the reason for this in excessive mobility.joint, displacement of the vertebrae.
Reasons
Usually, a crunch in the spine is heard when performing any movements aimed at stretching the joints. It can be physical exercises, such as bending forward, to the side, turning. It is considered normal if sounds are heard only at the beginning of the action, and then disappear. The spine crunches, as a rule, after a long stay in one position.
In a he althy person, this phenomenon should not cause discomfort. Often, such sounds occur during professional massage, when the chiropractor puts them in place when the vertebrae are displaced. If the crunch is accompanied by back pain that is permanent, this may indicate the presence of a disease.
What diseases are accompanied by a crunch?
If your spine crackles regularly, the reasons may not be the most harmless. It may be one of the symptoms of the following diseases:
- Osteochondrosis. The cervical and lumbar regions are most often affected. The crunch is associated with the deformation of the intervertebral discs, the growth of bone tissue.
- Kyphosis, lordosis. Curvature of the spine leads to changes in bone and muscle tissue, while movements are accompanied by a crunch.
- Arthrosis. The reason is the same - a change in the tissues of the joint.
- Hernia.
- Injuries and operations.
- Spondylolisthesis. Displacement of the vertebrae makes it difficult for the musculoskeletal system to function properly.
- Protrusion - displacement of the intervertebral disc, its extension beyondspine.
Some diseases of the spine lead to the formation of osteophytes in the joints - outgrowths of cartilage tissue that can cause a crunch, and in a neglected form even impede movement. If symptoms are found, a specialist should be consulted for diagnosis and immediate treatment.
Diagnosis
When the spine crackles, the detection of the disease begins with a doctor's examination. He will draw conclusions about the presence of the disease and send him to one of the examinations: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, myelography, computed tomography. You will need to take blood and urine tests. MRI is considered the most effective method for determining the disease in the case of the spine. After the diagnosis, the doctor will be able to determine whether the fears were in vain or whether the patient still has a disease of the spine. It is good to identify the disease at an early stage, so it is easier to treat. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and get tested. If the doctor does not detect pathologies, you can be sure of the he alth of the spine and not be afraid of the crunch that occurs from time to time. If the disease is not detected in time, you can wait for irreversible consequences that cannot be treated, and perhaps even go under the knife.
Treatment
In order for the crunch to go away, you need to cure the disease that causes it. For this, doctors use anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers - such treatment helps at an early stage. As part of complex therapy, therapeutic massage is used,specially selected physical exercises, physiotherapy. Does the spine crackle for a long period of time, painfully and constantly? Perhaps the disease has already passed into the chronic stage. In this case, surgery may be required.
If the child's spine crackles
Such symptoms can seriously alert parents. But this is not always justified. When a child's spine crunches, but this does not cause him discomfort or pain, the baby does not complain and does not show concern, then they talk about the natural growth process of a small organism. In infants, crunching appears due to lack of fluid in the joints, this is a normal phenomenon that disappears with time. Of course, it is better to inform the local pediatrician about this, but there is no need to panic: most likely, such manifestations do not pose a danger.
The doctor may prescribe a massage for prevention, which is very useful for a growing body. In teenagers, the spine crunches for the same reason - bones, joints and muscles grow rapidly. For prevention, the child should receive enough physical activity for his age, sit less in one position at the computer. If after short movements the crunch goes away, other symptoms do not appear, then it is not dangerous and is quite natural. If you have pain or a constant, persistent crunch when moving, you need to hurry to the doctor, because the sooner the disease is detected, the easier it will be to deal with it.
Crunch incervical spine
It is necessary to distinguish the origin of the crunch by its localization in the spine - cervical or lumbar (thoracic is inactive and rarely has such manifestations). The cervical region is the most mobile, often people hear crackling sounds even with the usual turn of the head to the side. They appear in the morning, after a long stay in one position or sleeping on a high pillow, in the evening - after a hard day at work, long work at the computer.
The reason may also be increased flexibility of the spine due to the mobility of the intervertebral discs. Diseases that can manifest as a crunch in the cervical region are osteochondrosis, arthrosis, spondylolisthesis. The sound effect that accompanies these diseases is associated with changes in bone tissue, its growth and deformation. Pain, stiffness of movements are usually added to the symptoms. You can crunch the spine in the cervical region with curvature: kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis. Such diseases go away on their own, they need to be taken seriously and see a doctor for help.
Crunch in the lower back
The lumbar spine takes on the greatest load. This is his most flexible part, which is responsible for turning, tilting the torso, lifting the legs. In addition, he is responsible for the vertical position of the body, is the center of gravity. Most often, it suffers if a person is involved in sports associated with lifting weights, or is forced to undergo heavy physical exertion in connection with work. The spine crunches in the lower back due tointervertebral disc deformities. The crunch in the spine itself is not treated, as it is either a safe manifestation of the joints, or one of the symptoms of a disease of the spine.
In the latter case, the treatment is aimed at the disease itself, but not at eliminating the crunch. When diagnosing osteochondrosis, prolapse, protrusion, accompanied by the formation of osteophytes, a course of manual therapy, acupuncture, osteopathy is prescribed. A therapeutic massage is used, a specially selected set of physical exercises, more aimed at strengthening the muscles that support the lumbar.
