It turns out that back pain in the lumbar region is quite common.
According to biologists, such a symptom is the result of our vertical posture, during which the load falls mainly on the waist and is not distributed evenly throughout 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, then you should consult a therapist for an accurate diagnosis.Let's find out why such symptoms appear, how to deal with them and prevent them.
The main causes of pain in the lower back
First, let's find out the causes of such unpleasant symptoms.Pain can be primary in spinal pathologies or secondary in diseases of internal organs.
Along with the causes, it is important to identify the factors that increase the pain syndrome.
Here they are:
- Features of the profession: heavy physical work for builders and loaders and heavy lifting for athletes.
- Prolonged sitting.
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
- Poor nutrition and lack of proteins, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
- Bad habits: alcohol and alcohol.
Even reducing the impact of these factors will significantly improve your condition and the health of your spine.
primary factors
The primary factors are related to the degenerative-dystrophic processes of the spine.
This includes:
- Osteochondrosis is a change in the cartilage and intervertebral discs, leading to herniation or deformation of the discs.
- Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bony branches on the vertebrae.With this growth, spasm occurs around the spine, which limits its movement.The appearance of lesions on the lower back.
- Spondyloarthrosis is the degeneration of the articular surfaces of the spine, as well as their involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles.In this case, the intervertebral discs are deformed and the mobility of the spine is limited.
- Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the spine, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
- Hernia of intervertebral discs.
- Radiculopathy is a nerve root injury.
secondary factors
It becomes secondary 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 a psychogenic nature.
- Diseases of the digestive system.
- Diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Menstrual pain.
Also, problems with the spine can be affected by flat feet, i.e. flattening of the arch of the foot.
Pregnancy can also cause pain.In the early stages, they appear when progesterone acts on ligaments and muscles, as well as when there is a threat of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
After childbirth, pain can appear as a result of stretching of the pelvic muscles or increased load on the spine, often carrying the baby in the arms.
What diseases does such pain indicate?
Localization of pain is also important.
So let's look at each case:
- A sharp pain in the right and lower back may indicate lung pathology.These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and fever.Also about gall bladder or liver problems.At the same time, the nature of the pain is sharp;
- If discomfort is felt on the left above the back, then this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left-sided pleurisy;
- Symptoms of pain in the lumbar region indicate osteochondrosis in this area, intervertebral hernia, as well as compression fractures;
- The symptom of pain in the lower back, radiating to the lower abdomen, is a sign of diseases of the pelvic organs.Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathologies, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases.It can also indicate that the kidneys are not in order.
Which doctor will help?
Most often, back pain appears temporarily.Only in rare cases, such symptoms indicate complex diseases.
In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation.Often sharp pain occurs with increased physical activity.
Otherwise, you can refer to a surgeon, urologist or even a chiropractor, who will make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe how to solve such a problem.
In addition, for such pain, you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.
Peculiarities of treatment
Depending on the cause of the back pain, the doctor will prescribe the following treatment options:
- Medical treatment with analgesics and hormones;
- blockade, which is injections in the intervertebral joints;
- manual technique;
- Physiotherapy procedures;
- therapeutic exercises;
- Acupuncture.
If conservative treatment does not help, then surgery is used.
In the treatment of disc herniation due to osteochondrosis, in addition to the main treatment, physiotherapeutic methods are also used.
Therapeutic blockade is used when other methods do not give the desired effect.Most often, for this purpose, anesthetics are injected into the lumen of the affected joint.
Acupuncture is recommended for disc herniation, osteochondrosis or herniation.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 to reduce pain in the area of joint inflammation.
In case of back pain, the doctor may give you the following recommendations:
- Bed rest on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
- Wearing a special bandage.
- Use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
- Myorelaxants are prescribed to get rid of muscle spasm.Special medications are also used to help relax the muscles.
- Vascular and diuretic agents 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 ensure a positive result.It can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.
Therapeutic exercise and special massage help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and eliminate the inflammatory process.
If the pain in the lower back is not related to complex diseases, then yoga classes will help alleviate the condition.
You can do similar exercises at home and they won't take much time.
Pain due to hypothermia
Did you know that a common cause of back pain is hypothermia?At the same time, you do not need to freeze, but only sweat and go under the air conditioner.
In this case, the hot surface of the body comes into contact with the flow of cold air.The next day, it will be difficult to straighten or stand up.
In such a situation, the pain becomes constant and painful.
First of all, you need to warm up your back.A warming ointment is suitable for this.If there is no way, then ordinary alcohol will do.After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.
A similar procedure is carried out every day.If the pain is severe, you should consult a doctor.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.
If you often suffer from hypothermia, then buy a belt made of dog or sheep wool.
What to do with back pain?
This pain occurs during intense physical activity.When carrying any weight, there is a sharp pain in the legs.
A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral sciatica, which is called lumbago or lumbago.In such a situation, you need to lie down on a hard surface.
Take a pain reliever to relieve the pain.
Remember that if you have these symptoms, you should not take a hot bath or steam in a 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 a hernia?
In the case of a hernia, there is a sharp and constant pain that increases with any movement.Relief occurs only in the supine position.
You may also feel numbness in your lower back.To reduce pain, you should ensure bed rest and take painkillers.Then you need to call a doctor.
In the acute period, serious and qualified treatment is necessary.
What should we do for prevention?
Do not wait for severe pain, but start taking preventive measures.
Here they are:
- Identifying and treating co-morbidities that may cause low back pain.
- Proper nutrition with sufficient amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
- Heavy physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided.In this case, the load should be evenly distributed.Do not make sudden movements.
- Lead an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming or yoga.
- Take therapeutic massage courses periodically.
- Take a break and exercise every hour when working in a sitting position.
- 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 have a preventive examination every year.
Therapeutic exercise
To strengthen back muscles and prevent pain, exercise at home.Physical exercise 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 movements:
- The body bends in different directions.First left and right, then forward and backward;
- turning the body to the sides;
- In the knee position - in the position of the elbow, you should bend your back up and down;
- Lie on your back with your knees bent, lift your pelvis up;
- From a lying position, straightened legs should be bent at the knees and pulled towards the chest.
Perform each exercise 8-10 times.
Do not ignore the symptoms of pain in the lower back, consult a doctor and take preventive measures that will help normalize your well-being and improve your health.