Low back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple physical overexertion after an uncomfortable body position to serious disorders in the human body.
Types of painful sensations
The lower back is the lower part of the back that starts at the ribs and ends at the tailbone.Low back pain can manifest in many different ways: it can be sharp or persistent, aching or burning, it can be concentrated in one place or spread throughout the entire back.
Based on duration, low back pain is divided into:
- periodic, related to physical activity, overexertion, physical characteristics or medical diseases;
- permanent or chronic, caused by irreversible pathology in diseases of the musculoskeletal system or vascular diseases of the legs.
The latter type is often accompanied by an inflammatory or degenerative process in bone or cartilage tissue, which cannot be completely cured but can only be reduced or stopped for a short time.
Why does discomfort occur?
Lumbar pain is a consequence of walking, in which a large load is placed on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine is made up of bone tissue and around it are nerve roots that send pain signals.
If a person sits in one position for a long time, when he stands up, "back pain" will appear, making him unable to stand straight.The cause may be compression of nerve endings near the spine, swelling in muscles, discs or ligaments.
To diagnose the problem, it is necessary to have an external examination of the spine by a doctor and additional examinations:
- X-ray examination;
- computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main reason
Low back pain is divided into 2 groups based on origin:
- primary, due to the development of pathologies in the spine, functional changes in muscles, joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments and tendons;
- secondary, associated with spinal injuries, as well as various infections and diseases of internal organs located in the pelvic region.
The most common causes of pain in the lumbar region include the following diseases:
- Low back pain.It is manifested by sudden acute pain in the lumbar region due to pathological changes in the vertebrae.
- Osteochondritis.Includes a number of diseases of an inflammatory or dystrophic nature, manifested by a decrease in elasticity and strength of the intervertebral disc, loosening of bone and cartilage tissue surfaces leading to nerve damage.Disc protrusion is related to one of the stages of osteoarthritis, in which cartilage protrusion occurs.
- Sciatica.Occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed;The pain starts in the lower back and spreads to the back of one leg.
- Lumbar nerve root inflammation.It can occur when bending over, when sneezing or laughing, is caused by inflammation of nerve endings and can lead to decreased sensitivity and loss of mobility.
- Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves to one side, manifested by imbalance in shoulder height, poor posture and hump formation.The cause of the disease is the deterioration of muscle and bone function.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease accompanied by loss of joint mobility due to the growth of connective tissue in the lumbar region and other areas.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints, including the hip.
People who are often in an uncomfortable position (sitting in front of a computer or bending over a garden bed), causing muscle tension and spasms, are susceptible to spinal diseases.
Visceral diseases can also cause lower back pain:
- pain that often occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis, kidney failure, stones, abdominal pain);
- diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, postoperative adhesions) - often manifested by persistent pain in the lumbar region;
- If the lungs are affected (pneumonia), there may be a feeling of pain in the lower back, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- Growing tumors, benign or malignant, ascend in the direction of the posterior nerve fibers.
In men
Periodic lower back pain can occur in men during heavy physical activity, when working in cold weather or in places with strong drafts.
In addition, pain is characteristic of certain diseases in men:
- with prostatitis they occasionally appear and spread to the back, accompanied by general weakness and fever;
- with epididymitis (inflammatory process in the epididymis) localized in the groin and returning to the lower back.
In women
Pain in the lumbar region in women can occur due to gynecological diseases or accompanied by certain physiological processes in the body:
- with adnexitis (adnexitis), they begin in the lower abdomen and then spread to the back;
- During childbirth, pain in the lumbar region may occur and spread to the spine under the pressure of the growing fetus (starting from the 5th month of pregnancy). If there is a risk of miscarriage, they manifest themselves in the form of contractions;
- During menopause, the pain changes in location, moving from the head to the chest or lower back;they are caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels in the blood and poor circulation in the pelvic organs.
Women experience back pain and increased suspicion.Those related to nervous tension are treated with psychological adjustment.
Pain relief methods
For lower back pain, after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying pathology, the neurologist will prescribe painkillers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections.Their use allows patients to feel better, reduce negative feelings and lead a normal life.
Main groups of pain relievers:
- analgesic;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in tablet form;
- steroid hormone drugs;
- injections to reduce spasms and inflammation;
- Muscle relaxants help reduce skeletal muscle tone;
- Chondroprotector is used for spondylolisthesis;
- ointments, gels and suppositories;
- patches and medication patches.
The drug not only helps relieve pain, but also normalizes blood circulation and restores nerve tissue.
All drugs have side effects and contraindications and should be used only after consulting a doctor.
In especially severe cases, anesthetics are used to relieve pain by acting on the nervous system.However, when used over a long period of time, they can cause addiction.
Treatment
After determining the cause of lower back pain, complex therapy for the underlying disease will be performed.
With the permission of the attending physician, alternative methods can be used:
- massage therapy courses;
- manual treatment, which should be performed exclusively by highly qualified specialists to avoid complications;
- acupuncture (helps reduce muscle tension and pain);
- Physical therapy and yoga.
To get rid of low back pain, folk recipes are also used:
- Tea made from birch leaves and cranberries.The dry mixture is brewed with boiling water and drunk in small portions throughout the day.
- An ointment made from butter with the addition of chopped garlic cloves and ginger root.It should be applied to the painful area.
prevent
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, you should adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- Sleep on a semi-hard mattress, maintain correct physiological position;
- When sitting in one position for a long time, do not stand up suddenly;you need to rest, warm up or exercise;
- Avoid sudden movements and bending;
- perform a series of special exercises daily to train all parts of the spine (only with your doctor's permission).