Back problems are very common. According to statistics, over 30% of the population faces pain. About 80% of them suffer from pain of varying intensity during adult life.
Pain in the lumbar region occurs more often than in other segments of the spine. This is due to the fact that the lower back has the greatest load, the risk of developing pathological processes in this area is greater. Pain in the lumbar region can be associated not only with diseases of the spine, but also with pathologies of the internal organs. Before treating low back pain, it is important to find out the nature of its origin.
Causes of pain syndrome
90% of lower back pain is associated with vertebral pathologies, both congenital and acquired.
The most common causes are:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- spondylosis;
- spondyloarthrosis.
Congenital anomalies causing pain:
- irregular shape of the vertebral processes;
- splitting of the vertebrae;
- congenital curvature of the spine.
Neurological causes of lower back pain:
- compression of the nerve roots;
- lumboischialgia (occurs when the sciatic nerve is damaged);
- multiple sclerosis.
Low back pain can be reflexive and symptomatic of non-spinal diseases:
- infections of the urinary tract and genitals;
- kidney disease;
- nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis (stones in the kidneys and bladder);
- tumor formations in the gastrointestinal tract;
- hemorrhoids;
- tumors in the uterus in women;
- radiculitis;
- as a complication after previous viral infections.
Sometimes severe back pain occurs in the lumbar region against the background of physiological changes:
- during menstruation;
- after childbirth;
- during pregnancy;
- as a result of rapid weight gain.
The factors that cause low back pain can be:
- hypothermia;
- weakening of the immune system and the body against the background of infectious lesions;
- irregular physical activity;
- work related to a long stay in a sitting position (office workers, vehicle drivers);
- excessive stress, which causes compression fractures of the spine, cracks, strains of the back muscles;
- power sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, target shooting);
- inappropriate nutrition - deficiency of vitamins and elements necessary for bone tissue (phosphorus, calcium, fluorine), excessive consumption of high-calorie foods;
- curvature of the spine (bending over, kyphosis, scoliosis);
- stressful situations: prolonged nervous tension exacerbates a number of chronic diseases, weakens the body.
Determination of the nature of pain
Back pain in the lumbar spine can be of different nature:
- sharp pains (lasting up to a month and a half);
- subacute (one and a half to three months);
- chronic (more than three months).
Types of pain:
- Non-specific: there is no clear localization of pain sensations and the reasons for their occurrence.
- Specific - is a symptom of certain diseases (tumors, hernias, osteoporosis).
Acute low back pain, usually sudden, occurs in the form of lumbar "back pain" (low back pain). The pain can radiate to the buttocks, lower limbs and other parts of the body, mimicking some diseases.
Depending on what caused the pain in the lumbar spine, they can be of a different nature (stabbing, cutting, pressure, rupture, pain).
At the beginning of the development of the pathological process, the pain is often not pronounced. The patient may feel discomfort in the affected area, a sensation of "goosebumps" on the skin. Gradually, the symptoms begin to increase and become more pronounced.
Be careful!It is very important not to delay visiting a specialist. If not treated in a timely manner, the pain will become more intense, in the future there may be signs of disruption of the work of other organs and systems (sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, paresis, limitation of motor activity).
Effective treatments
Before starting treatment for low back pain, a vertebrologist or neurologist should be consulted. He will try to find out the cause of the pain, prescribe the necessary research. If necessary, he will send for a consultation to other specialists (gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist).
In addition to patient interview and visual examination, it is recommended to diagnose using instrumental methods:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI;
- electromyelography.
In addition, a general blood and urine test, material sampling for histological examination may be required.
The following conditions require immediate medical attention:
- for the first time and suddenly there was an intense pain in the lower back;
- irradiation of pain in the lower leg and foot, a combination of pain with numbness in the thigh, lower leg;
- history of trauma;
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- duration of pain for more than 3 days;
- presence of oncological disease;
- loss of appetite and dramatic weight loss;
- chills and fever;
- presence of bacterial infections;
- inability to self-service due to pain.
In most cases, pain in the lumbar spine occurs due to damage to the vertebral structures, it is necessary to eliminate the cause. The therapeutic approach must be comprehensive.
Drugs
For any back pain, medications are first used to relieve it. The doctor prescribes several groups of drugs in the form of injections, tablets, ointments.
Without finding out the cause of the pain, prescribing certain medications (for example, NSAIDs or pain relievers) can only make the situation worse.
For diseases of the spine, it is recommended to use NSAIDs and analgesics to relieve pain, relieve inflammation.
Muscle spasms are relieved by short-term (up to 5 days) intramuscular or oral administration of muscle relaxants.
The use of ointments for back pain is effective as an adjunct treatment for lower back problems. They help reduce pain, relieve inflammation and have a warming effect. Ointments are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, combined, irritating, chondroprotective. External remedies should be prescribed by a doctor, based on the therapeutic effect that is to be achieved.
Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to quickly relieve very severe pain. Medicines are injected directly into the wound. The course of such treatment should not exceed 2-3 injections.
Drug-free therapy
To restore the lower back and strengthen the result of drug therapy, it is recommended to use the following measures:
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- physical therapy;
- reflexology;
- yoga;
- physiotherapy and other methods of influence.
These methods improve blood supply to problem areas, strengthen muscle tissue and ligaments, make them more elastic and reduce pain. Any medical procedures cannot be performed independently, without the supervision of a specialist. A certain loading mode must be observed.
Helpful hints
Tips:
- In case of back pain, physical activity should be significantly reduced and it is better to ensure peace during the first 2 days of an attack.
- Prolonged bed rest is not recommended unless there are fractures, high fever or other aggravating symptoms. Moderate activity always benefits the spine.
- Taking pain relievers is best in case of unbearable pain. It is best to protect the gastrointestinal tract as much as possible from the effects of drugs.
- It is better to sleep in the fetal position, to relieve the load on the lower back, you can put a pillow between your legs.
- In case of lower back problems, it is recommended to walk as often as possible, to warm up during work, which requires prolonged sitting.
Prevention of low back pain
Pain is a symptom of a malfunction of the body. To avoid problems with the lower back, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of provoking factors as much as possible.
Preventive measures include:
- Regular moderate exercise. Physical education should be given at least half an hour a day. It is useful to do yoga, swimming, morning training.
- Compliance with the alcohol consumption regime. You need to drink up to 2 liters of fluids per day. Most should happen in the first half of the day. After 8 p. m. it is best not to drink liquids at all.
- Eat well. Significantly reduce your intake of fatty and high-calorie foods. Better to use boiled and steamed dishes.
- At least once a year, a routine check should be done.
- Take a therapeutic massage course 2 times a year.
Pain in the lumbar spine is a signal that there is a problem in the body. The causes of pain can be many. You cannot stop it immediately with anesthetic pills, you need to seek the help of a specialist and be examined. After all, the problem can be hidden not only in the spine, but in the disruption of the work of other organs and systems. The earlier the cause of the pain is identified and treated, the better the chances of recovery.