Low back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple excessive physical exertion after an uncomfortable position of the body to serious disorders in the human body.
Types of painful sensations
The lower back is the lower part of the back that starts at the ribs and ends at the tailbone.Lower back pain can manifest itself in different ways: it can be sharp or annoying, painful or burning, it can be concentrated in one point or spread to the entire back.
Based on its duration, lower back pain is classified into:
- periodic, associated with physical activity, excessive exertion, bodily characteristics or internal diseases;
- permanent or chronic, which are caused by irreversible pathologies in diseases of the musculoskeletal system or diseases of the blood vessels of the legs.
The latter type often accompanies inflammatory or degenerative processes in bone or cartilage tissue, which are not completely curable, can only be reduced or stopped for a short time.
Why does discomfort occur?
Pain in the lumbar region is a consequence of a person walking in an upright position, in which a large load falls on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine is made up of bone tissue and around it are the nerve roots that send pain signals.
If a person sits in the same position for a long time, "low back pain" occurs when he gets up, which does not allow him to straighten up.The reason for this may be compression of the nerve endings near the spine, swelling of the muscles, intervertebral discs or ligaments.
To diagnose the problem, you need to undergo an external examination of the spine by a doctor and additional tests:
- radiographic examination;
- computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main reasons
Low back pain is divided into 2 groups based on origin:
- primary, caused by the development of pathologies 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 the internal organs located in the pelvic area.
The most common causes of pain in the lumbar region include the following diseases:
- Low back pain.It manifests itself as a sudden sharp pain in the lumbar region due to pathological changes in the vertebrae.
- Osteochondrosis.It includes a number of diseases of an inflammatory or dystrophic nature, which are manifested by reduced elasticity and strength of the intervertebral discs, loosening of the surface of bone and cartilage tissue with nerve damage.Protrusion of the intervertebral disc refers to one of the stages of osteochondrosis, in which protrusion of cartilage occurs.
- Sciatica.It occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed;the pain starts in the lower back and radiates to the back of one leg.
- Lumbar radiculitis.It can occur when bending, sneezing or laughing, is caused by inflammation of the nerve endings and can lead to sensitivity disorders and loss of movement ability.
- Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side, which is manifested by asymmetry of shoulder height, poor posture and the formation of a hump.The cause of the disease is a decrease in the functions of the muscles and bones of the skeleton.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease accompanied by loss of joint mobility due to growth of connective tissue in the lumbar region and other areas.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic inflammation of the joints, including the hip.
People who spend a lot of time in an uncomfortable position of the body (sitting at the computer or bending over garden beds), which causes muscle stiffening and muscle spasms, are predisposed to spinal diseases.
Diseases of internal organs can also cause back pain:
- very often pain occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis, renal failure, stones, colic);
- diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, adhesions after surgery) - often reflected by nagging pain in the lumbar region;
- if the lungs are affected (pneumonia), you may feel a sensation of pain in the lower back, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- growing tumors, benign or malignant, that increase in the direction of the nerve fibers in the back.
In men
Periodic back pain can occur in men during strenuous physical activity, when working in the cold or in strong drafts.
Also, pain is characteristic of some male diseases:
- in prostatitis they appear occasionally and radiate to the back, accompanied by general weakness and fever;
- with epididymitis (inflammatory process in the epididymis) are 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 begin in the lower abdomen and then radiate to the back;
- during the pregnancy period, it can hurt the lower back and radiate to the spine under the pressure of the growing 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, pain changes location, moving from the head to the chest or lower back;they are caused by fluctuations in the level of estrogen in the blood and poor circulation in the pelvic organs.
Women experience back pain and increased suspiciousness.Those associated with nervous stress are treated with psychological correction.
Pain relief methods
For low back pain, after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying disease, the neurologist prescribes painkillers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections.Their use allows the patient to feel better, relieve negative feelings and lead a normal life.
Main groups of painkillers:
- analgesics;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets;
- steroid hormonal 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;
- medicinal plasters and adhesives.
Medicines help not only to relieve pain, but also to normalize blood circulation and restore nervous tissue.
All drugs have side effects and contraindications, so they are used only after consulting a doctor.
In particularly serious cases, narcotics are used that reduce pain by acting on the nervous system.However, if taken over a long period of time, they can be addictive.
Treatment
After determining the cause of back pain, complex therapy for the underlying disease is carried out.
With the permission of the attending physician, you can use alternative methods:
- therapeutic massage course;
- 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 cranberries.The dry mixture is brewed 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 sore spot.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, you must adhere to the basic prevention rules:
- sleep on a semi-rigid mattress, assuming the correct physiological position;
- when sitting in the same position for a long time, do not get up abruptly;you need to take breaks, 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 permission of a doctor).