Low back pain of an episodic or constant nature often indicates that an inflammatory or degenerative-dystrophic disease is gradually forming in the body. Early detection of this disease can increase the chances of a full recovery. Pain in the lumbosacral region of the spine can indicate osteochondrosis, hernia, protrusions, infections, or internal organ problems.
Why does the lower back hurt?
If a person complains of painful manifestations in the lumbar spine, then the doctor initially expresses suspicions about the patient's problems with the musculoskeletal system. And only after such diseases are excluded, a thorough examination is carried out to assess the state of the internal organs.
This is because there is a general innervation of the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs with the trunks of the nervous tissue. For this reason, the appearance of pain, for example, in the digestive organs, can only be given to the lumbar region. We know in detail some of the causes of low back pain.
Excessive loads
It is a relatively natural source of back pain. With hard physical work or active sports training, muscle tissue is exposed to excessive stress. It accumulates lactic acid, which irritates the tissues of the skeletal muscles. As a result, in addition to pain, a person notes the appearance of a sufficiently strong burning sensation. Any discomfort disappears after a short break, as lactic acid is expelled from the muscles.
In case of low back pain every time during exercise, if their intensity remains unchanged for a couple of hours, you should consult a doctor. Excessive training, lifting heavy objects often provoke the appearance of microtraumas in the discs and vertebrae, the formation of diseases of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.
Osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia
Stage I, II and III lumbar osteochondrosis is the main cause of back pain. At an early stage, the patient is concerned about mild discomfort, which indicates a slight destruction in the intervertebral discs.
In the event that the patient in this period turns to a neurologist for help, a complete cure of the disease, as well as a partial restoration of the destroyed tissues, is possible. Sharp and severe pain that increases during flexion or twisting of the trunk indicates severe damage to the structure of the spine.
Against the background of the II or III radiological degree of osteochondrosis, the formation of hernias or protrusions is often observed. Due to this, piercing pain appears, and it is also possible to develop serious complications: radicular syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Gynecological diseases
Discomfort in the lumbar spine often disturbs women who have been diagnosed with appendixitis, an inflammation that simultaneously affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes (uterine appendages). In addition to pain syndrome, patients note the occurrence of secretions from the genitals, the appearance of problems with conception and irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
A similar symptomatology is observed with inflammation of the uterine appendages, the formation of a cyst in the ovaries and the formation of polyps in the uterus.
Nephropathy
Because the kidneys are located directly next to the lower back, when their function decreases, a person may experience pain in the lower back. The fact that these bean-shaped paired organs are affected is indicated by a violation of urinary function, the appearance of purulent or bloody impurities in the urine and an aggravation of well-being in general.
Lumbar spine pain is often of concern in the presence of such diseases: cystitis (including hemorrhagic), glomerunonephritis, pyelonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure.
Carrying a baby
This is one of the natural factors that leads to unpleasant manifestations in the lumbar spine. When a woman carries a future baby, the uterus and fetus increase in size, as a result of which the nerve receptors located below are violated.
During the last trimester, the expectant mother's body begins to produce a special hormone - relaxin. This leads to the relaxation of the ligaments, tendons, in order to facilitate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Because of this, the intensity of the pain can increase dramatically.
Endometriosis
This is a common gynecological disease, against the background of which the internal uterine tissue grows beyond its limits. The endometrioid tissue has a greater sensitivity to hormones synthesized by the body, which is why endometriosis manifests itself as monthly bleeding. Due to this, inflammation develops, one of the signs of which is pain syndrome, which radiates to the lumbosacral region of the spine.
Menses
Painful manifestations of a pulling nature of moderate severity appear in half of women before menstruation or during bleeding. This pain is quite natural and disappears soon after the period ends. Discomfort can also be felt in the lower back.
The pathological etiology of low back pain during menstruation is indicated by the presence of dyspeptic disorders, diarrhea or constipation, frequent headaches and dizziness. In such a situation, a woman may be diagnosed with algomenorrhea or menstrual dysfunction.
Breast size
The spine in females with large breasts is heavily loaded. If the mammary glands are not distributed correctly, the risk of the formation of degenerative-destructive processes increases. Women with large breasts often sag, which contributes to the deterioration of the spine.
Uncomfortable shoes
Painful sensations in the lumbar spine that appear at the end of a working day are a common condition for women who walk in tight shoes with high heels. This leads to a violation of blood vessels, blood circulation disorders in the lower limbs and pelvic organs. As a result, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region worsens, as a result of which they are destroyed. The situation is getting worse due to the increased stress on the spine.
Menopause
During the period of menopause in the woman's body, there is a decrease in the production of estrogen involved in the regulation of recovery processes in the musculoskeletal system. The bone structure loses the ability to completely assimilate the trace elements necessary for its restoration. It becomes brittle, which can lead to frequent fractures. Painful manifestations in the lumbar spine during menopause may indicate bone resorption, the formation of osteoporosis.
Overweight
Overweight is one of the causes of lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Excess weight increases the load on the intervertebral discs, which leads to an increased risk of microtrauma with further destruction of the vertebral tissues.
An overweight person does not usually eat well. His diet is rich in high-calorie foods and fresh vegetables and fruits containing trace elements and essential vitamins are not consumed in sufficient quantities. With increased loads in combination with a lack of useful substances, there is a tendency to form osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
Oncology
Changes in the genetic structure of cells lead to a violation of the regulation of their growth and reproduction. As a result, there is a pathological proliferation of tissue, the formation of a tumor of a benign or malignant nature.
Pain in the lumbar spine can manifest itself against the background of a violation of the tumor of sensitive nerve receptors, spine, soft tissues and circulatory system. Calcium is absorbed in large quantities by the neoplasm, as a result of which a deficiency of this substance develops in the bone tissue, which leads to thinning of the bones.
Hypothermia
The skeletal muscles in the lumbosacral region are often inflamed due to the influence of low temperatures. This becomes the reason for the formation of myositis, a disease that manifests itself as a local pain syndrome in damaged muscles. Its intensity increases significantly during movement and palpation. Against the background of the inflammatory process, there is an increase in muscle tone, which makes the lower back less mobile.
Variety of pain
An initial diagnosis can be made on the basis of a detailed description of the worrying symptoms. With each disease, pain manifests itself with different severity, frequency, a condition that precedes its occurrence.
Strong pain
This pain syndrome is typical of stage II and III of lumbar osteochondrosis. At this stage, significant destruction occurred in the intervertebral discs and their depreciation characteristics were lost. They are unable to soften the load during movement, which makes the vertebral structure unstable.
This leads to soft tissue compression. Severe pain begins to bother even in a motionless state, growing against the background of twists and turns, loud laughter, coughing and sneezing. Also, there is a feeling of "goosebumps" and weakness in the muscles.
Sharp pain
The reason for the appearance of acute pain syndrome is the squeezing of receptors in the spinal canal by osteophytes or discs. This is typical for an attack of low back pain, often manifested in rheumatic diseases, lumbosacral osteochondrosis, radiculopathies.
Painful sensations are so pronounced, piercing, burning that the patient is unable to move. Often a person cannot straighten their back due to the fear of pain appearing.
It's a dull pain
Pain in the lumbar spine of a dull, aching and pressing character is characteristic of diseases of the internal systems, including the genitourinary and reproductive organs. Such discomfort may indicate the development of osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, spondyloarthritis.
The pain is not localized but can radiate to the hips, buttocks and ankles. Often, aching pain is evidence of a destructive process in the spine or inflammation in the internal system.
Chronic pain
Pain of a constant nature in the lower back indicates the transformation of the disease into a chronic one. It is sharp, strong during relapse, radiating to nearby areas of the body. During the period of remission, slight discomfort appears during hypothermia, physical exertion, exacerbation of other diseases, acute respiratory viral infections.
The pain syndrome increases against the background of bending over, turning the torso, climbing stairs and walking for a long time.
Diagnostic measures
The disease is diagnosed on the basis of the patient's complaints, his visual examination, anamnestic data, the results of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics. The most informative for identifying problems with the musculoskeletal system is the X-ray examination. In the resulting image, you can see the altered vertebrae, formed osteophytes (bone formations).
If the doctor suspects the development of a hernia, protrusion, diseases of the internal systems, ultrasound, MRI and CT are prescribed. Thanks to these diagnostic methods, it is possible to find out where the disease is localized, to assess the degree of progression of inflammation.
A clinical study of blood and urine is mandatory. If the presence of a systemic disease (gout, rheumatoid arthritis) is suspected, a biochemical and serological study is performed.
Which doctor to contact
Often, back pain appears after an injury: subluxation of the vertebrae, severe bruising, spinal canal injury. In such a situation, you will need the help of a traumatologist.
You can also see a therapist. Such a doctor can diagnose diseases of the spine, internal systems. After reviewing the diagnostic results, he will determine what close specialist consultation is needed (rheumatologist, neuropathologist or orthopedist) to prescribe further treatments.
First aid
If there is severe acute pain, the victim should be placed on a hard surface in a position where the discomfort becomes less pronounced. You can lie down with your knees slightly bent and put a rolled up blanket under them. To quickly relieve pain, you can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Therapeutic actions
Pain relievers can help get rid of back pain. Their effect will not last long if the underlying disease is not properly treated. Some pathologies of the internal systems are well treated, including oncology. But the complete restoration of the destroyed intervertebral discs and deformed vertebrae against the background of osteochondrosis is impossible. The goal of therapy is to achieve a stable remission, during which lumbar spine pain does not worry.
Pharmacological therapy
First, for back pain, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the form of tablets or capsules is prescribed.
In case of oncological diseases, they resort to the help of narcotic analgesics. If pain occurs due to skeletal muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are indicated.
In the treatment of diseases of the internal systems, analgesics are also prescribed.
Treatment with ointments and gels
Ointments and gels are used to relieve mild to moderate discomfort in the lower back. Drugs for external use are also included in therapeutic regimens to reduce the dosage of injections and tablets, to reduce the drug burden on the body.
For back pain, the use of external agents of the following groups may be prescribed:
- NSAIDs - have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effects.
- Warming gels and ointments: have an analgesic, local irritating and distracting effect.
- Chondroprotectors against the background of osteochondrosis: they have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate the recovery of the disc.
injections
Choosing painkillers, the doctor is based on the type of disease, its course, the severity of the pain syndrome. To eliminate acute pain, they often resort to the help of drug blockades with the use of glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics. The use of hormonal agents is quite harmful to the body, so such procedures can be carried out a maximum of 1 time in 1-3 months.
To eliminate severe pain, NSAIDs are prescribed in the form of injections into the muscle.
Physiotherapy
If a disease has already been diagnosed or to prevent its development, experts advise patients to perform therapeutic gymnastic exercises every day. This will help:
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscle structure of the back;
- reduce the intensity of pain.
The gymnastic complex is developed by the attending physician based on the type of disease, the complications present and the physical condition of the patient.
Massage
To improve the supply of blood and nutrients to the tissues, to normalize the tone of skeletal and smooth muscles, to strengthen the muscles, it is recommended to perform a massage:
- classic;
- point;
- segmental;
- in box.
Massage is prescribed both for therapeutic purposes and to prevent the development of exacerbations in the chronic course of the pathology.
Hot and cold treatment
The effect on the lumbar spine with heat helps to eliminate pain, but only after the acute inflammatory process has been stopped. For these purposes, a heating pad, warming ointment or gel, bath is suitable.
Under the influence of cryotherapy (cold treatment), adaptation systems are activated. At the heart of this physiotherapy procedure, the body's response is not hypothermia of the outer layers of the skin.
Preventive actions
It is possible to prevent the onset of pain in the lumbar spine by excluding the factors that can cause the problem to appear. It is necessary to stop walking in high-heeled shoes, to minimize the consumption of high-calorie foods. Regular sports, swimming and yoga are good prophylaxis.