Lumbar Spondylosis is a state where the affected person feels pain in the lower portion of his/her back due to deteriorative changes in the inter-vertebral discs and facet joints. It affects people normally above forty years of age. Generally, various vertebrae levels are involved in Lumbar Spondylosis. The lumbar spine carries a majority of the weight of the body; hence, chronic forces constitute the function and structure of this part of the spine. Spondylosis is usually portrayed by movement of one vertebra over other. There is misplacement of the vertebrae or spinal cord, which leads to the contracting of the canal. The nerves which venture out of the spine get compressed and thus the affected individual acquires the symptom. There are a number of causes of Lumbar Spondylosis, which include sitting in a position for prolonged periods, physical injury to the spinal region, lifting of heavy weights frequently, etc. Even genetic factors play a major role in stimulating this condition.
Causes of Lumbar Spondylosis
The major cause of Lumbar Spondylosis is largely aging. Certain chemical and biological changes affect tissues all over the body to deteriorate. Other reasons include the slippage of one vertebra on another. It is characterized with misalignment and consequent narrowing of the canal. This slippage is known as spondylolisthesis. The lumbar regions of human beings include five vertebrae or spinal bones and each vertebra possesses a particular gap in between. Because of injury in the back, abrupt fall or tiring of bones, the gap in between these vertebrae gets abnormal. Accordingly, the nerves moving through these vertebrae get pressurized. It causes pain and creates Lumbar Spondylosis. It can develop due to factors like
obesity and sitting for prolonged periods also puts pressure on the Lumbar vertebrae and causes Lumbar Spondylosis. Other factors causing Lumbar Spondylosis include trauma or prior injury which makes a person more susceptible to developing this disease as well as heredity or family history. Though, Lumbar Spondylosis is caused for a number of factors, yet this disorder produces no symptoms.
Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis
The symptoms which are linked to Lumbar Spondylosis vary with regard to the level of activity, the influence of weather and the portion of the vertebra which has been affected due to compression. The most common symptom which has been noticed to diagnose this disorder is pains in the back region. Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis can be pain, stress or heaviness in back, legs and foot. Most patients complain of suffering from stiffness in the morning. Pain and stiffness felt in the lower end at the back radiates in the direction of the buttocks, which leads to sciatica, a serious symptom. This can also be accompanied by some change in the activity of the bladder and the bowel. A patient suffering from this type of disease may also experience muscle spasms and tingling accompanied by the back pain. The extremities get numb or might experience Paresthesia. Lying down with the chest upwards or sleeping causes great pain and this might lead to progressive deformity of the spine. A thorough physical test including tests like X-rays, CT scans, and blood and urine tests can help diagnose the problem.
Treatment of Lumbar Spondylosis
The treatment of Lumbar Spondylosis varies with regard to the actual cause and the exact region affected by Lumbar Spondylosis. However, a number of simple changes can help a person to get relief from the symptoms and pain. Lumbar Spondylosis is a disorder that prevents an individual from carrying on a proper lifestyle. Thus appropriate diagnosis and treatment are required to be prescribed to control and prevent the ailment. Treatment of Lumbar Spondylosis can be by Yogic Asanas such as
Bhujangasana,
Salabhasana as well as Surya
Namaskara.
Changing and improving one`s lifestyle such as doing regular exercise, giving up smoking, modifying work habits can also help. Other general treatments such as- using hot or cold packs, ultrasound treatment, anti-inflammatory medicines and muscle relaxants, metal supports or braces, proper physical therapy, also help a great deal. Natural cures, such as water treatment, applying wet pack after having steam over the affected region also provides immediate relief. A change in diet and using a hard bed and over it a thin mattress are the recommended treatments of Lumbar Spondylosis. If the situation is more serious, surgical methods may be applied to improve condition.
(Last Updated on : 22/06/2011)