The lumbar spine
Loss of neuromusculoskeletal equilibrium at the lumbar spine begins a pernicious degenerative process progressing from micro to macro lesion of the soft articular tissues (ligaments, cartilage and discs) associated with eventual local pain of the lesion itself and chronic irritation of the contiguous nerve tissue (dural sac, spinal cord, cauda equina and spinal nerves roots) with the possibility of symptoms local or distant to the central irritation. The most common sensory symptoms caused by chronic irritation of the nerve tissues are: back pain, abdominal pain, inguinal pain, pubalgia, hip pain, cruralgia, upper or lower leg pain, sciatica, knee pain, heel pain and foot pain. The common motor problem is the loss of instantious muscle coordination with eventual muscle weakness and decreased joint stability. Proper management in the clinic, at home, at work and at play allows recovery normal locomotor equilibrium. Normal motor equilibrium allows the chronically irritated and inflamed tissues to recover and the lesioned soft articular tissues to heal. As healing progresses the symptoms diminish and then eventually disappear.
Below left are a series of lumbar MRIs in profile of typical patients who seek care for pain. They demonstrate visually the relationship between chronic degenerative process at the lumbar spine and contiguous nerve tissue when there is a loss of locomotor equilibrium. Initially symptoms are caused by irritation only. It is the equivalent to having a neurological "pebble in your shoe". Each movement can irritate. This chronic irritation causes motor and sensory dysfunction with eventual spontaneous suffering anywhere within the locomotor system.
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Normal to extreme pathology in fifty years
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Chronic motor neuron irritation causes
peripheral trigger points |
Central irritation causes peripheral pain
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The continuous daily movement of the lumbar spine and pelvis in state of pathological disequilibrium slowly destroys the soft articular tissues of the lumbar spine. Arthrosis, discopathy, disc bulge, bulging disc, herniated disc (arthropathy) with irritation associated with nerve tissue (neuropathy) and the formation of "trigger points" are consequences of the loss of locomotor equilibrium in progress. As you can see in the final MRI images over time the degenerative damage can become quite serious. The symptoms and the resulting irritation can be dramatic and intolerable near or distant to the lesion. Think of it as a river. There is upstream and downstream. If there is a blockage upstream, it makes a change downstream. In the same way - if there is a problem that involves the nerve tissue upstream, you feel it downstream. A common area that this happens is with the nerves that supply the back, hip and leg.
Chronic poor posture, an neglected old back injury, or hidden trigger points in the back or hip muscles can cause pain in the back, abdomen, hip or leg. Common symptoms are pain numbness, swelling, and other unpleasant sensations.
Chronic poor posture, an neglected old back injury, or hidden trigger points in the back or hip muscles can cause pain in the back, abdomen, hip or leg. Common symptoms are pain numbness, swelling, and other unpleasant sensations.
To better understand the significance of proper care of these problems click here.