It turns out that back pain in the lower back is a very common phenomenon.
According to biologists, such a symptom is the result of our upright posture, in which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed along the spine.Pain in the lower back can indicate very serious problems not only with the spine, but also with internal organs.
If the pain is severe and accompanied by fever, call an ambulance.
If such symptoms are not observed, you should consult a therapist for an accurate diagnosis.Let's understand why such symptoms occur, how to deal with them and prevent them.
The main causes of pain in the lumbar region
First, let's find out the causes of such unpleasant symptoms.Pain can be primary in pathologies of the spine and secondary in diseases of internal organs.
In addition to the causes, it is important to determine the factors that increase the pain syndrome.
Here they are:
- Features of the profession: heavy physical activity for builders and loaders and heavy lifting for athletes.
- Staying in a sitting position for a long time.
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
- Poor nutrition and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
- Bad habits: alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
Even by reducing the influence of these factors, you will significantly improve your condition and the health of your spine.
Primary factors
Primary factors are associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine.
These include:
- Osteochondrosis is changes in the cartilage and intervertebral discs, causing rupture or deformation of the discs.
- Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bone spurs on the vertebrae.With this growth, the muscles around the spine spasm, which limits its mobility.Appearance of lower back injuries.
- Spondyloarthrosis is the degeneration of joint surfaces in the vertebrae, as well as the involvement of ligaments, joints and muscles in the pathological process.At this time, deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs and the mobility of the spine is limited.
- Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the vertebra, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
- Herniated intervertebral discs.
- Radiculopathy is a nerve root injury.
Secondary factors
Secondary ones occur with accompanying pathologies:
- Problems with metabolism.
- Curvature of the spine.
- When malignant tumors are located near the spine.
- Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
- Spinal injuries.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Painful symptoms of psychogenic nature.
- Diseases of the digestive system.
- Diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Menstrual pain.
Also, spinal problems can be affected by flat feet, i.e. straightening of the arch of the foot.
Pregnancy can also cause pain.It appears in the early stages, when progesterone affects ligaments and muscles, as well as when there is a threat of miscarriage or during an ectopic pregnancy.
Pain after childbirth can appear as a result of stretching of the pelvic muscles or increased load on the spine, as a result of often carrying the child in your arms.
What diseases does such pain indicate?
The location of the pain is also important.
So let's look at each case:
- aching pain in the right and lower back may indicate lung pathology.These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and fever.Also about gallbladder or liver problems.At the same time, the nature of the pain is stabbing;
- if discomfort is felt above the lower back on the left, this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left-sided pleurisy;
- symptoms of pain in the lumbar region indicate osteochondrosis, intervertebral tears, as well as compression fractures in this area;
- the symptom of lower back pain spreading to the lower abdomen is a symptom of diseases of the pelvic organs.Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, pathologies of the prostate gland, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases.This may indicate that the kidneys are not in order.
Which doctor will help?
Back pain is often temporary.Only rarely do such symptoms point to complex diseases.
In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation.Often acute pain occurs with increased physical activity.
In other cases, you can ask for help from a surgeon, urologist or even a chiropractor, who will make a more accurate diagnosis and determine how to treat such a problem.
In addition, for such pains, it may be necessary to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.
Features of treatment
Depending on the cause of your back pain, your doctor will prescribe the following treatment options:
- drug treatment with analgesics and hormones;
- blockades with injections into intervertebral joints;
- manual techniques;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- therapeutic exercises;
- acupuncture.
If conservative treatment does not help, surgery is used.
When treating disc herniation due to osteochondrosis, in addition to the main treatment, physiotherapeutic methods are also used.
Therapeutic blockades are used when other methods do not give the desired effect.Often, for this purpose, anesthetics are injected into the lumen of the affected joint.
Acupuncture is recommended for disc protrusions, osteochondrosis or herniated discs.If the pain spreads to the leg, then physiotherapy is also used.
Wearing a special corset allows you to limit movements in the waist area.It helps reduce pain in the area of inflammation of the joints.
For back pain, your doctor may recommend the following:
- Bed rest on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
- Wearing a special bandage.
- Use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
- Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relieve muscle spasms.Special drugs are also used to help relax the muscles.
- Vascular and diuretic drugs are used to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.
- All kinds of gels and ointments are used as local therapy.
- Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to strengthen the positive result.It can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.
Therapeutic exercises and special massage help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and also eliminate the inflammatory process.
If the pain in the lumbar region is not related to complex diseases, yoga classes will help alleviate the situation.
You can do similar exercises at home and they won't take much time.
Pain due to hypothermia
Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain?At the same time, you don't even need to freeze, just sweat and go under the air conditioner.
In this case, the warm surface of the body will be in contact with the cold air flow.And the next day it will be difficult to stand upright or stand up.
In such a situation, the pain is constant and painful.
First you need to warm up your back.A warming ointment is suitable for this.If there is no other solution, ordinary alcohol will also be useful.After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped with something warm.
A similar procedure is carried out every day.If the pain is severe, you should seek help from a doctor.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.
If you often get hypothermic, buy a belt made of dog or sheep wool.
What to do with back pain?
This pain occurs during intense physical exertion.A sharp pain extending to the leg appears when carrying any weight.
A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis, which is called lumbago or lumbago.In such a situation, you need to lie down on a hard surface.
Take a pain reliever to reduce the pain.
Remember that if you have these symptoms, you should not take hot baths and steam in the sauna.In this case, dry heat will help more.
For example, a special ointment.It is also worth limiting salt and liquid intake for a few days.
What will help with hernia?
With a hernia, there is a sharp and constant pain that increases with any movement.Relief occurs only when lying down.
You may also feel numbness in your lower back.To reduce pain, it is necessary to provide bed rest and take painkillers.Then you need to call a doctor.
In the acute period, serious and qualified treatment is necessary.
What to do for prevention?
Do not wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking preventive measures.
Here they are:
- Identifying and treating co-morbidities that may cause back pain.
- Proper nutrition with sufficient amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
- Heavy physical activity and heavy loads should be avoided.In this case, the load should be evenly distributed.Don't make sudden moves.
- Live an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming or yoga.
- Take therapeutic massage courses regularly.
- Take a break every hour and do some exercise when you are sedentary.
- The bed should be comfortable, for example, with an orthopedic mattress.
For prevention, you can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages.
Such devices are recommended during pregnancy and heavy physical activity.
It is important to control your weight, because a large body weight increases the load on the spine.Get rid of bad habits, and also undergo a preventive examination every year.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Exercise yourself at home to strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain.Physical exercises should be done regularly.
A well-designed set of exercises will help improve posture, increase muscle tone, and activate blood circulation.
In such a complex, you can use the following actions:
- the body bends in different directions.First left and right, then forward and backward;
- turning the body sideways;
- in the knee position - in the elbow position, you need to bend the back up and down;
- lying on your back with your knees, raise the pelvis;
- legs straightened from a lying position should be bent at the knees and pulled to the chest.
Perform each exercise 8-10 times.
Do not neglect the symptoms of pain in the lumbar region, consult a doctor and take preventive measures that will help normalize your well-being and improve your health.