背痛可能與椎骨有關(guān)

Vertebrae are the bones of the spine, which encase the spinal cord and offer outlets for nerves to branch off the main spinal cord to the rest of the body, according to Cleveland Clinic. In total, there are 33 vertebrae in a human adult. In addition to housing the all-important spinal cord, the vertebrae are also responsible for neck and back movement.

根據(jù)克利夫蘭診所的說法，椎骨又稱脊柱骨，它包裹著脊髓，為神經(jīng)提供了從主脊髓分支到身體其他部位的出口。一個(gè)成年人總共有33個(gè)椎骨。除了容納至關(guān)重要的脊髓外，脊椎還負(fù)責(zé)頸部和背部的運(yùn)動(dòng)。

Each vertebra is stacked between two discs that act as shock absorbers, creating a cushion, so the bones don't rub against each other (via American Association of Neurological Surgeons). The discs are composed of a tough outer layer known as the annulus and a gel-like center called the nucleus. Naturally, these discs begin to deteriorate with age, and the ligaments that hold them in place begin to weaken. Both age and injury are factors that can increase the risk of a herniated disc, which occurs when the disc tears and the inner nucleus leaks out, pushing against the spinal cord or nearby nerves. This can lead to some pretty significant pain.

每個(gè)椎骨都疊放在兩個(gè)椎間盤之間，椎間盤起到減震器的作用，形成一個(gè)緩沖墊，這樣骨頭就不會(huì)相互摩擦。椎間盤由堅(jiān)韌的外層環(huán)和凝膠狀的中心核組成。自然地，隨著年齡的增長，這些椎間盤開始惡化，固定它們的韌帶開始變?nèi)酢Ｄ挲g和損傷都會(huì)增加椎間盤突出的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，當(dāng)椎間盤撕裂和內(nèi)核泄漏，擠壓脊髓或附近的神經(jīng)時(shí)，就會(huì)發(fā)生椎間盤突出。這可能會(huì)導(dǎo)致相當(dāng)嚴(yán)重的疼痛。

Symptoms and treatment options for herniated discs

椎間盤突出癥的癥狀和治療選擇

If a disc herniates but does not press against a nerve or the spinal cord, you may experience little or no pain, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. However, if a nerve is pressed, it can cause pain and other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or weakness in the arms or legs, depending upon where the affected nerve is.

根據(jù)美國神經(jīng)外科醫(yī)生協(xié)會(huì)的說法，如果椎間盤突出但沒有壓迫到神經(jīng)或脊髓，你可能會(huì)感覺輕微或沒有疼痛。然而，如果神經(jīng)受壓，可能會(huì)引起疼痛和其他癥狀，如麻木、刺痛、灼熱感或四肢無力，具體取決于受影響神經(jīng)的位置。

Treatment often includes rest, over-the-counter pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen, and applying heat or ice to areas with pain (via Cleveland Clinic). Consider speaking with your doctor if symptoms don't improve after four to six weeks, if you have trouble standing or walking, or if the pain interferes with your daily activities. Your healthcare provider may recommend muscle relaxants or therapeutic interventions, including electrical stimulation, massage, ultrasound therapy, and stretching. In more severe cases, spinal injections, such as epidurals or surgery, may be necessary to reduce pain and other symptoms.

治療方法通常包括休息、非處方止痛藥，如非甾體抗炎藥(NSAIDs)或?qū)σ阴０被樱约霸谔弁床课患訜峄虮?。如果你在站立或行走時(shí)有困難，或者疼痛已經(jīng)影響你的日常活動(dòng)，且癥狀在四到六周后沒有改善，請考慮和你的醫(yī)生談?wù)?。您的醫(yī)療保健提供者可能會(huì)推薦肌肉松弛劑或治療干預(yù)措施，包括電刺激、按摩、超聲波治療和拉伸。在更嚴(yán)重的情況下，可能需要脊髓注射，如硬膜外注射或手術(shù)，以減輕疼痛和其他癥狀。