When your back hurts in the lumbar region, discomfort appears that varies in strength and character.The cause may be muscle fatigue, but most often lower back pain is the first sign of a serious illness.
Regardless of the duration and intensity of the symptom, the pathological condition is a reason to consult a doctor.A specialist doctor will conduct a thorough diagnosis of the spine and abdominal organs and then prescribe effective treatment for the back.
In the article we tell you in detail about all the causes of low back pain, what each type of pain means (severe, acute, etc.), when to go to the doctor, how to treat it (pills, injections, ointments, patches), photos.I promise it will be interesting.
Reasons
According to statistics, more than 85% of the world's population suffers from low back pain.This fact is due to the great loads that the lumbar spine suffers every day.In a standing position, the pressure on the intervertebral discs is about 100 kg;in a horizontal position, the load decreases to 50 kg, and if the posture is altered, it reaches 220 kg.
Sometimes the cause of lower back pain is excessive stress or prolonged stay in an unusual position.The main feature of this pain is the absence of concomitant manifestations, such as deterioration of the general condition, hyperthermia and spread of the painful reaction to neighboring areas of the body.
In most cases, pain indicates a pathological process that can affect not only the spine, but also internal organs..The main causes of lower back pain include:
- osteochondrosis;
- old wounds
- pancreatitis;
- radiculitis;
- infections (tuberculosis, brucellosis);
- malignant neoplasms and their metastases;
- curvature of the spine: scoliosis, increased lumbar lordosis or thoracic kyphosis;
- kidney pathologies – pyelonephritis, kidney stones;
- Reiter's syndrome;
- spondylolisthesis;
- abscess in the epidural area;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- intervertebral hernia.
Among the atypical factors that provoke a pain reaction are diseases of the intestines or genitourinary system.
in women
Due to physiological characteristics and hormonal fluctuations, back pain in the weaker sex has several specific causes:
- adnexitis (inflammation of the ovaries);
- ectopic pregnancy;
- proliferation of endometrial cells (endometriosis).
Many women experience pain in the lower back during menstruation, as well as during inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs.Hormonal changes during menopause cause the leaching of calcium and an alteration in the mineral composition of bone tissue, which causes the development of osteoporosis.
Along with the femur and pelvic bones, the vertebrae are also affected by osteoporosis, which threatens a pathological fracture of the spine even with minor trauma.
in men
Due to the nature of their work, men more often engage in intense physical activity, which causes premature wear of the lumbar vertebrae.Excessive tension gradually causes morphological changes in the cartilaginous discs, which explains the frequent formation of hernial protrusions in men.The key manifestation of hernias in the lumbar area is acute pain in the lumbar region in the form of lumbago.
The distinctive causes of pain in men are:
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- spondylolisthesis – slipping of the vertebrae against each other;
- pinched sciatic nerve;
- inflammatory process of the prostate gland.
The negative effects of stress and a sedentary lifestyle cannot be ruled out.The lack of sufficient physical activity causes an alteration in the nutrition and gas exchange of the spinal tissues.As a result, metabolic processes are disturbed, leading to irreversible changes that cause pain.
Pain classification
Depending on the nature, intensity, duration and cause of appearance, the pain symptom is divided into several types.
- If the discomfort bothers the patient for no more than a month and a half, the pain is considered acute.
- The duration of the syndrome from 6 weeks to a year is diagnosed as a subacute condition.
- The pain syndrome becomes chronic if its duration exceeds one year.
Depending on the location, there are 3 types of low back pain:
- Local - appears at the site of injury, most often after an injury to the muscles, tendons or bones of the back.
- Reflected: they are a consequence of somatic pathologies, when in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, stomach ulcers) pain is felt in the lower back.
- Projected - a reaction of a neurogenic nature, when a pain impulse spreads to parts of the body along the nerve trunk.An example is pain when pinching the sciatic nerve, which radiates along the entire leg.
The nature of the pain varies from painful and insignificant to sharp and impulsive.This characteristic depends on the disease that is the fundamental cause of the symptom.
strong
Severe pain appears when the pain receptors in the paravertebral tissues are irritated or when a compression effect occurs on the large nerve trunks of the spinal cord.One of the key causes of severe pain is degenerative changes in stages 3-4 of osteochondrosis.
Morphological changes affect cartilaginous tissue and bone structures.Gradual softening of the intervertebral disc leads to the formation of a spinal hernia.A protrusion that is directed towards the area of the spinal canal or the exit of the nerve root causes pain, combined with an alteration in sensation along the innervation of the affected area.
If the load on the vertebrae is incorrectly distributed due to degeneration of the cartilaginous disc, marginal osteophytes appear on the vertebral body.When the gap between the vertebral bodies is critically reduced, the growths create compression on the soft tissue structures.
Severe pain in the initial stage of the disease forces the patient to go to the doctor for a diagnosis, which facilitates treatment and guarantees a favorable outcome.
A common cause of severe pain is sciatica of the lumbosacral region.The pain syndrome is caused by inflammation of the spinal cord root of the lumbar spine.The symptom is characterized by irradiation to the buttocks and lower extremities.
constant
Chronic pain is silenced.This pain does not depend on physical activity and remains in a calm state.The symptom appears with spondylosis and is usually accompanied by atony of the leg muscles, paresis and loss of skin sensitivity.Ankylosing spondylitis, metabolic disorders and neoplasms of various types are also accompanied by constant debilitating pain.
Sharp
Sudden pain, forcing a person to adopt a forced position, occurs with sciatica or lumbago.Typically, the patient stands in an inclined position, supporting the lower back with one hand.Sciatica develops when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed.An impulse of sharp pain spreads along the back of the thigh, from the lower leg to the toes.
The cause of low back pain is usually the development of an intervertebral hernia, when pressure is placed on the roots of the spine.Lumbago is a “lumbago” in the lower back, which in most cases is caused by intense physical activity.In this case, the pain is concentrated not only in the back, but extends to the right or left lower extremity.
muscular
Spasms of muscle fibers in the lumbosacral region are the result of:
- unusual physical activity;
- sudden movements that cause muscle tension;
- static tension while in an unusual position;
- curvature of the spine - scoliosis;
- Muscle imbalance in neurological diseases.
In addition, myofascial pain may appear after performing sports exercises.This pain is caused by the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscle fibers.
sore
With myositis, unpleasant and painful sensations occur when the muscles of the back become inflamed.Pancreatitis manifests itself as waist pain in the lumbar region.Pulling sensations accompany diseases of the pelvic organs in men (inflammation of the prostate) and in women (damage to the internal genital organs)..
Pregnant women complain of severe pain in the second half of pregnancy.These manifestations are due to an increase in body and abdominal weight with fetal growth.In this case, muscle tension appears in the lower back, causing a moderate pain reaction.
Sharp
Acute pain syndrome is a consequence of pathological conditions:
- injuries – hematomas, vertebral subluxations, compression fracture;
- hypothermia;
- lifting heavy objects;
- steep slopes.
Acute pain can be caused by renal colic.To clarify the etiology and effectively eliminate the pain syndrome, a detailed diagnosis and a visit to a specialist doctor will be necessary.
When to see a doctor?
A visit to the doctor should not be postponed if the pain symptom does not disappear for more than 3 days.A warning sign would be a fall on your back, which could lead to serious injuries.The spread of the painful impulse to the buttocks, thighs and lower legs should not be ignored.
If there is a burning and tingling sensation on the skin, loss of sensitivity in the legs, groin area and large nerves are involved in the pathological process.Severe cases cause disturbances in urination and bowel movements.All of the above signs indicate a serious pathology that must be diagnosed and treated immediately.
What doctor treats you?
Therapy for low back pain is a complex task, the implementation of which will require consultation with highly specialized doctors.The initial diagnosis is made by a therapist, who refers the patient for consultation to other specialists:
- to a traumatologist, if a back injury is suspected;
- orthopedist - to examine the joints and the entire musculoskeletal system;
- a vertebrologist who treats the spine;
- neurologist – to get rid of neurological symptoms;
- to a neurosurgeon, if surgical intervention cannot be avoided;
- rheumatologist – for autoimmune disorders.
If the functioning of the pelvic organs is disturbed, an additional examination is carried out by a urologist and a women's gynecologist.Therapeutic tactics for low back pain are based on a set of diagnostic results.
What to do if it hurts a lot: first aid
Premedical actions are carried out with the goal of alleviating the condition and maximizing pain relief before seeking medical help.The first aid algorithm includes the following measures:
- Rest and bed rest, excluding tension in the lower back.To do this, the patient is placed on a hard surface.If a back injury is suspected, the victim is not allowed to move.
- Cold is applied to the affected area.To do this, use a heating pad with ice, cooled food, which is pre-wrapped in a cloth to avoid hypothermia.The cold compress should be kept for no more than 15 minutes and reused after 3 to 4 hours.
- Severe pain is a direct indication to contact a doctor, so the patient should be transferred to a medical facility as soon as possible.
General and local analgesics should be taken as prescribed by the doctor.Self-medication is dangerous to health and can lead to serious complications.
The uncontrolled use of analgesics attenuates the pain, which complicates the diagnosis.In addition, with the development of inflammatory processes or acute conditions that affect the functioning of internal organs, the course of the disease worsens.
the best drugs
The most effective method of treating back pain is drug therapy.Medicines prescribed by a doctor not only relieve the pain symptom, but also eliminate the etiological factor.
Sharp, sharp pains are blocked by local blocks performed by a neurologist or surgeon.At home, remedies are used in the form of tablets, ointments or injections.
tablets
For symptomatic treatment, the following drugs are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that effectively relieve pain and inflammation.
- Glucocorticosteroids when NSAIDs are ineffective.
- Muscle relaxants for pain caused by back spasms.
- B vitamins to improve the nutrition of muscle tissue and nerve cells.
- Chondroprotectors to inhibit degeneration of the joints and spine.
Injections
Drug injections are prescribed for severe forms of the disease to achieve a quick therapeutic effect.Basic criteria for the use of injections:
- the time before the appearance of the therapeutic effect of the drug is reduced;
- the drug is not subject to decomposition by gastric juice;
- It is used for patients who have contraindications to taking pain relievers.
The manipulation must be carried out by a qualified specialist;Self-administration of injections is not recommended.The choice of the drug and the prescription of its dosage are the responsibility of the treating physician, taking into account the degree of the disease and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Ointments
Topical treatments can help improve the condition at home.Depending on the active ingredient, the ointment eliminates pain, relieves swelling and inflammation:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic effect.
- Combined with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-edema effects.
- Ointments and creams with an irritating effect have a warming effect.
- Cooling medicines to relieve pain.
When using warming agents for local treatment, it is important to remember that during inflammation and in the first two days after injury, their use is strictly prohibited.
Plasters
This is the most convenient form of local remedies.The advantage of patches is that you just have to stick them on the painful area and wait for the effect.The entire time the product is on the skin it is effective.List of the most effective patches:
- A patch containing an anesthetic that works well against inflammation and mild pain.It cannot be used for more than 5 days.The patch is valid for 12 hours.
- NSAID patch.It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.Do not use more than 10 days.The effect of a patch is 24 hours.
How to treat at home
Therapeutic measures at home consist of strict compliance with the doctor's prescriptions.After the acute period is over, massage sessions are recommended to normalize muscle tone and improve blood circulation in the lumbar region.
Therapeutic exercise helps reduce pain, strengthens the muscular corset of the back and restores spinal mobility.A physiotherapist individually selects a series of exercises, taking into account the general functional state and age of the patient.
Traditional medicine is used as a complement to the main treatment.Cabbage with honey has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.To do this, wash a white cabbage leaf and grease it with liquid honey, then apply it to the sore spot.Fix the compress on top with plastic wrap and cover it with a warm blanket.The duration of the procedure can be up to 12 hours.
Vacuum massage cups are an effective treatment method that can be used at home..Thanks to the vacuum produced when using cupping, blood circulation increases, toxins are eliminated and congestion disappears.This leads to a faster recovery of the patient.
If you are seriously thinking about treating your lower back yourself, physical therapy devices can be of great help.With its help, many diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be cured in a short time.
Prevention
To prevent lower back pain from appearing, it is important to follow some simple recommendations:
- eat well and lead an active lifestyle;
- perform vigorous physical exercise;
- avoid heavy loads;
- perform routine treatment of chronic diseases;
- wear quality shoes;
- Correct deformities of the spine and feet.
- If pain syndrome appears, take preventive courses of massage and exercise therapy annually.
Whatever the cause, low back pain cannot be ignored at any age.Most often, a pain symptom is a consequence of spinal pathology, a chronic injury or a somatic disease.
When your back hurts in the lumbar region, an early consultation with a doctor will help prescribe effective treatment that will speed up recovery and restore back mobility.