It turns out that low back pain is very common.
According to biologists, such a symptom is a consequence of our upright posture, in which the load is mainly placed on the lumbar region, and not evenly distributed throughout the spine. Lower back pain can signal very serious problems not only with the spine but also with internal organs.
If the pain is acute and is accompanied by a fever, call an ambulance.
If such symptoms are not observed, then for an accurate diagnosis you should contact a therapist. Let's see why these symptoms occur, how they can be treated and prevented.
The main cause of lower back pain
First, let's find out what causes these unpleasant symptoms. Pain can be primary with diseases of the spine or secondary to diseases of internal organs.
Along with the reasons, it is important to identify the factors that increase the pain syndrome.
Here they are:
- Features of the profession: heavy physical activity for builders and loaders and lifters for athletes.
- Long sitting.
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
- Improper nutrition and the body lacks protein, calcium and phosphorus.
- Bad habits: alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
Even by reducing the impact of these factors, you will significantly reduce your condition and the health of your spine.
Key factors
The main factors are involved in the degenerative-dystrophic process in the spine.
Including:
- An osteosarcoma is a change in cartilage and discs that leads to a herniated or deformed disc.
- Spondylolisthesis is characterized by the formation of bones that grow over the vertebrae. With this development, spasms of the muscles surrounding the spine occur, limiting its mobility. Presence of injuries in the lower back.
- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the articular surfaces in the vertebrae, as well as their involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles. In this case, deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs, and mobility of the spine is also limited.
- Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
- Disc.
- Radiculopathy is a nerve root injury.
Additional factors
Secondary ones arise with concomitant pathologies:
- Metabolic problems.
- Curvature of the spine.
- When located near the spine of malignant formations.
- Infectious diseases: myelitis, tuberculosis spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Painful symptoms of a psychotic nature.
- Digestive system diseases.
- Diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Dysmenorrhea.
In addition, spinal problems can be affected by flat feet, i. e. flat arches.
Pregnancy can also be painful. In the early stages, they appear when progesterone comes into contact with ligaments and muscles, as well as threatening miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
After childbirth, pain can be caused by pelvic muscle tension, or by stress on the spine, when you often hold the baby in your arms.
What diseases do such pains signal?
It is also important to determine the location of the pain.
So let's consider each case:
- Pain in the right and upper lower back can be a sign of lung disease. These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Also about problems of the gallbladder or liver. In this case, the nature of the pain is stabbing;
- if discomfort is felt in the upper left lower back, this could be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left pleurisy;
- pain symptoms in the lumbar region signal bone necrosis in this region, disc herniation, as well as compression fractures;
- Pain in the lower back, spreading to the lower abdomen, is a sign of diseases of the pelvic organs. Such diseases include uterine fibroids, endometriosis, prostate diseases, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases. It may also indicate that the kidneys are not working.
Which doctor will help?
Usually, back pain is temporary. Only in rare cases do such symptoms signal complex diseases.
In any case, it is important to know which doctor can help in such a situation. Usually, sharp pain occurs with increased exertion.
In other cases, you may seek help from a surgeon, urologist or even an orthopedist, who will more accurately diagnose and prescribe rather than treat a problem. similar subject.
Also, with such pain, you may need to see a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, specialist or gynecologist.
Treatment Features
Depending on the cause of your back pain, your doctor may prescribe the following therapy options:
- drug therapy with analgesics and hormones;
- blocking drugs, which are injected into the disc joints;
- craft techniques;
- physical therapy procedures;
- physical therapy;
- Acupuncture.
If conservative treatment does not help, then surgery is used.
In the treatment of disc herniation against the background of osteonecrosis, physiotherapy is used in addition to the main treatment.
Curative blockade is used when other methods do not give the desired effect. Usually, anesthetic is injected into the lumen of the affected joint to do this.
Acupuncture is recommended for disc protrusions, osteomas, or hernias. If the pain radiates down the leg, then physical therapy is also used.
Wear a special corset that allows you to limit movement in the lower back. This helps relieve pain in the inflamed joint.
For back pain, your doctor may make the following recommendations:
- Lie on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
- Wear a special bandage.
- The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
- To get rid of muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed. Special medications are also used to help relax the muscles.
- To improve blood circulation and reduce edema, diuretics and vascular drugs are used.
- All gels and ointments are used as topical therapy.
- To consolidate the positive result, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. This can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis, and magnetic therapy.
Physiotherapy and special massage help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and eliminate inflammation.
If the pain in the lower back is not associated with complex diseases, then yoga will help alleviate this.
You can do these exercises at home, and they don't take much time.
Hypothermia pain
Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain. In this case, you don't even need to freeze, just sweat and go under the air conditioner.
In this case, the hot surface of the body will be exposed to a stream of cold air. And the very next day, it will be very difficult to straighten or increase.
In such a situation, the pain becomes constant and aching.
First of all, you need to warm your back. Warm-type ointments are suitable for this. If there is no remedy, then regular alcohol will also help. After the massage, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.
A similar procedure is carried out every day. In case of severe pain, you should seek help from a doctor. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.
If you suffer from frequent hypothermia, get a belt made of fleece or dog fur.
Low back pain what to do?
Such pain occurs with intense exertion. Sharp pain transmitted to the leg occurs when wearing any heavy object.
A similar symptom is characteristic of luminous myositis, known as low back pain or low back pain. In such a situation, you must lie on a hard surface.
Take painkillers to relieve the pain.
Remember that with such signs, you cannot take a hot bath or sauna. In this case, dry heat will help more.
For example, a special ointment. Also limit salty foods and liquids for a few days.
What will help with a hernia?
With a hernia, there is a sharp and constant pain that increases with movement. Relief comes only in the supine position.
You may also feel numbness in your lower back. To relieve pain, it is recommended to rest in bed and take pain relievers. Then you need to call the doctor.
In the acute phase, serious and qualified treatment is required.
What to do for prevention?
Don't wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking preventive measures.
Here they are:
- Identify and treat co-morbidities that can cause low back pain.
- Proper nutrition with adequate amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
- Heavy exertion and heavy lifting should be avoided. In this case, the load should be evenly distributed. Do not make sudden movements.
- Lead an active lifestyle. Walk, swim or do yoga.
- Take therapeutic massage courses from time to time.
- When sedentary, take a break every hour and get a little exercise.
- The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.
As a precaution, you can wear a special elastic belt, a posture corrector or a bandage.
Such devices are recommended for pregnancy and heavy physical exertion.
Weight control is very important, as excess body weight increases the load on the spine. Quit bad habits, and at the same time have an annual health check.
Physical therapy
Exercise yourself at home to strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain. Exercise should be done regularly.
A well-designed set of exercises will help improve posture, increase muscle tone, and also activate blood circulation.
In such a complex, you can use the following movements:
- body tilted in different directions. First left and right, and then back and after;
- turns of the body to the sides;
- at the knees - in the elbow position, you need to bend your back up and down;
- lying on your back, legs bent at the knees, pelvis raised;
- From a prone position, legs straight should be bent at the knees and pulled toward the chest.
Do each exercise 8-10 times.
Don't ignore symptoms of low back pain, go to your doctor and take preventive measures that will help normalize your mental well-being and boost your health.