Back problems are very common. According to statistics, more than 30% of the population suffers from pain. About 80% of them suffer from pain of varying intensity throughout their adult life.
Pain in the lumbar region is more common than in other segments of the spine. This is due to the fact that the spine has the greatest load, the risk of developing pathological processes in this area is higher. Low back pain can be associated not only with spinal diseases, but also with pathologies of internal organs. Before treating low back pain, it is important to know its origin.
Causes of pain syndrome
90% of low back pain is associated with both congenital and acquired vertebral pathologies.
The most common reasons are:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- spondylosis;
- spondyloarthritis.
Congenital anomalies that cause pain:
- irregular form of vertebral processes;
- vertebral fragmentation;
- Congenital curvature of the spine.
Neurological causes of low back pain:
- compression of nerve roots;
- lumboischialgia (occurs when the sciatic nerve is damaged);
- multiple sclerosis.
Back pain can be reversible and symptomatic of non-spinal diseases:
- urinary tract and genital infections;
- kidney disease;
- nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis (stones in the kidneys and bladder);
- tumors in the gastrointestinal tract;
- hemorrhoids;
- neoplasms of the uterus in women;
- radiculitis;
- As a complication after previous viral infections.
Sometimes severe low back pain occurs against the background of physiological changes:
- during menstruation;
- after birth;
- during pregnancy;
- As a result of rapid weight loss.
Factors that trigger back pain may include:
- hypothermia;
- weakening of the immune system and the body against the background of infectious lesions;
- irregular physical activity;
- work related to long stay in a sitting position (office workers, drivers);
- Excessive stress that causes compression fractures of the spine, cracks, stretching of the back muscles;
- power sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, shooting);
- malnutrition - lack of vitamins and trace elements (phosphorus, calcium, fluoride) necessary for bone tissue, excessive consumption of high-calorie foods;
- curvature of the spine (flexion, kyphosis, scoliosis);
- Stressful situations - prolonged nervous tension exacerbates a number of chronic diseases, weakens the body.
Determining the nature of pain
Low back pain can be of different nature:
- acute pain (lasts 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 their causes.
- Special - is a symptom of certain diseases (tumors, hernias, osteoporosis).
Acute low back pain, usually sudden, occurs in the form of lumbago. Pain can spread to the legs, lower extremities and other parts of the body, mimicking some diseases.
They can be of a different nature (stabbing, cutting, pressing, breaking, aching), depending on what is causing the back pain.
Pain is often not expressed at the beginning of the pathological process. The patient may experience discomfort in the affected area, a feeling of "gas bubbles" on the skin. Gradually, the symptoms increase and become more pronounced.
Attention!It is very important not to delay a visit to a specialist. If not treated in time, the pain will worsen, and in the future there may be signs of dysfunction of other organs and systems (sexual dysfunction, urinary excretion, paresis, limited motor activity).
Effective treatment
Before starting treatment for low back pain, you should consult a vertebrologist or neurologist. He will try to find out the cause of the pain and determine the necessary research. If necessary, other specialists (gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist) will be sent for consultation.
In addition to meeting with the patient and visual examination, it is recommended to make a diagnosis using instrumental methods:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI;
- electromyelography.
In addition, a general blood and urine test may be required to sample the material for histological examination.
The following conditions require emergency medical care:
- first time and acute severe low back pain;
- radiation of pain in the lower leg and foot, combination of pain with numbness of the thigh, foot;
- trauma history;
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- pain period more than 3 days;
- presence of oncological disease;
- anorexia and dramatic weight loss;
- chills and fever;
- presence of bacterial infections;
- inability to serve himself due to pain.
In most cases, low back pain is caused by damage to the spinal structures, the cause of which must be eliminated. The treatment approach should be comprehensive.
Medications
For any back pain, medication is first used to relieve it. The doctor prescribes several groups of drugs in the form of injections, tablets, ointments.
Prescribing certain medications (such as NSAIDs or analgesics) without knowing the cause of the pain can make the condition worse.
In spinal diseases, it is recommended to use NSAIDs and analgesics to reduce pain and eliminate 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 additional treatment for back problems. They have the effect of reducing pain, eliminating inflammation and warming. Ointments are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, mixed, irritating, chondroprotective. External means should be prescribed by a physician based on the therapeutic effect to be obtained.
Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to relieve severe pain quickly. Medications are injected directly into the lesion. The course of such treatment should not exceed 2-3 injections.
Drug-free therapy
It is recommended to use the following measures to restore the lumbar region and strengthen the results of drug treatment:
- massage;
- manual treatment;
- exercise therapy;
- reflexology;
- yoga;
- physiotherapy and other methods of influence.
These techniques improve blood supply to problem areas, strengthen muscle tissue and ligaments, make them more elastic and reduce pain. No medical procedure can be performed independently without the supervision of a specialist. A certain load mode must be observed.
Helpful Hints
Tips:
- In case of back pain, physical activity should be significantly reduced and it is better to provide rest for the first 2 days of the attack.
- Prolonged bed rest is not recommended unless there are fractures, fever, or other aggravating symptoms. Moderate activity always benefits the spine.
- It is better to take painkillers for unbearable pain. It is better to protect the gastrointestinal tract from the effects of drugs as much as possible.
- It is better to sleep in a fetal position, to reduce the load on the waist, you can put a pillow between your legs.
- It is recommended to walk as often as possible during back problems, to warm up during work that requires sitting for a long time.
Prevention of low back pain
Pain is a symptom of a malfunction in the body. To prevent problems with the lower back, it is necessary to avoid the formation of irritants 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 sports.
- Compliance with drinking regime. You need to drink up to 2 liters of fluid a day. Most should be in the first half of the day. It is better not to drink any liquids after 8 pm.
- Eat right. Significantly reduce the intake of fatty, high-calorie foods. It is better to use boiled and steamed food.
- must undergo a routine examination at least once a year.
- Take a course of therapeutic massage twice a year.
Low back pain is a sign that there is a problem in the body. There can be many causes of pain. You can't stop with pain pills right away, you need to seek help from a specialist and be examined. After all, the problem can be hidden not only in the spine, but also in the dysfunction of other organs and systems. The sooner the cause of the pain is identified and treated, the better the chances of recovery.