Back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple physical exercise after an uncomfortable body position to severe disorders in the human body.
A painful type of sensation
The lower back is the lower part of the back that starts at the ribs and ends at the tailbone.Lumbar pain can manifest itself in different ways: it can be sharp or nagging, aching or burning, it can be concentrated in one place or spread throughout the back.
Based on the duration, lumbar pain is classified into:
- periodic, associated with physical activity, too much energy, body characteristics or internal diseases;
- permanent or chronic, caused by irreversible pathology in diseases of the musculoskeletal system or in diseases of the blood vessels of the legs.
The latter type often accompanies an inflammatory or degenerative process in bone or cartilage tissue, which cannot be completely cured, it can only be reduced or stopped for a short period of time.
Why does the discomfort occur?
Pain in the lumbar region is the result of a person walking upright, where a large load falls on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine is made up of bone tissue, and around it are nerve roots that send signals about pain.
If a person sits in one position for a long time, then when standing "lumbago" occurs, which does not allow him to straighten.The reason may be pinched nerve endings near the spine, swelling of muscles, intervertebral discs or ligaments.
To diagnose the problem, it is necessary to undergo an external examination of the spine by a doctor and additional examinations:
- X-ray examination;
- computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The main reason
Back pain is divided into 2 groups based on origin:
- primary, due to the development of pathology in the spinal area, functional changes in muscles, joints, discs, ligaments and tendons;
- secondary, associated with spinal injuries, as well as various infections and diseases of internal organs located in the pelvic area.
The most common causes of pain in the lumbar region include the following diseases:
- Lumbago.It manifests itself as a sudden acute pain in the lumbar region due to pathological changes in the vertebrae.
- Osteochondrosis.Including some diseases of an inflammatory or dystrophic nature, which manifest themselves in impaired elasticity and strength of the intervertebral disc, loosening of the bone surface and cartilage tissue with damage to the nerves.Intervertebral disc protrusion refers to one of the stages of osteochondrosis, where cartilage protrusion occurs.
- Sciatica.Occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed;pain starts in the lower back and radiates down the back of one leg.
- Lumbar radiculitis.It can occur when bending, when sneezing or laughing, it is caused by inflammation of the nerve endings, and can cause impaired sensitivity and loss of the ability to move.
- Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side, manifested in asymmetry in shoulder height, poor posture, and hump formation.The cause of this disease is a decrease in muscle and skeletal 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 hips.
People who spend a long time in an uncomfortable body position (sitting in front of a computer or hunched over a garden bed), which causes muscle tightening and muscle spasms, are prone to spinal diseases.
Diseases of internal organs can also cause lower back pain:
- most often pain occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis, kidney failure, stones, colic);
- diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, adhesions after surgery) - often reflected by disturbing pain in the lumbar region;
- if the lungs are affected (pneumonia), there may be pain in the lumbar region, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- a growing tumor, benign or malignant, that grows towards the nerve fibers in the back.
In men
Periodic lower back pain can occur in men during heavy physical activity, when working in cold conditions or in strong drafts.
In addition, pain is characteristic of several male diseases:
- with prostatitis, they sometimes appear and radiate to the back, which are accompanied by general weakness and fever;
- with epididymitis (inflammatory process in the epididymis) localized in the groin with a return to the lower back.
In women
Pain in the lumbar region in women can occur against the background of gynecological diseases or accompany certain physiological processes in the body:
- with inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis), they start in the lower abdomen and then radiate to the back;
- during the period of childbirth, it can hurt in the lower back and radiate to the spine under the increasing pressure of the fetus (starting from the 5th month of pregnancy), if there is a threat of miscarriage, they manifest themselves in the form of contractions;
- During menopause, the pain changes localization, moving from the head to the chest or lower back;it is caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels in the blood and poor circulation in the pelvic organs.
Women experience back pain and increased suspicion.Those associated with nervous stress are treated with psychological correction.
Methods of pain relief
For lower back pain, after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying disease, the neurologist prescribes painkillers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections.Its use allows patients to feel better to relieve negative feelings and lead a normal life.
The main groups of pain relievers:
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in tablet form;
- steroid hormone drugs;
- injections to relieve spasms and inflammation;
- muscle relaxants that help reduce skeletal muscle tone;
- chondroprotectors are used for spinal hernia;
- ointments, gels and suppositories;
- medical patches and adhesives.
Medicines help not only relieve pain, but also normalize blood circulation and restore nerve tissue.
All drugs have side effects and contraindications, so they are used only after consulting a doctor.
In severe cases, narcotic drugs are used that reduce pain by acting on the nervous system.However, when taken over a long period of time, they can become addictive.
Treatment
After determining the cause of lower back pain, complex therapy for the underlying disease is carried out.
With the permission of the attending physician, it is possible to use alternative methods:
- therapeutic massage courses;
- manual therapy, which should be performed exclusively by highly qualified specialists to avoid complications;
- acupuncture (helps relieve muscle tension and pain);
- physical therapy and yoga.
To get rid of lower back pain, folk recipes are also used:
- Tea made from birch leaves and lingonberries.The dry mixture is mixed 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 affected area.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, you should follow the basic rules of prevention:
- sleep on a semi-rigid mattress, taking the 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 daily set of special gymnastic exercises to train all parts of the spine (only with the doctor's permission).