Back pain is familiar to everyone and is one of the most common reasons to see a doctor. Furthermore, about 80% of patients correctly complain that their lower back hurts.
Sometimes the reason for the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the lower part of the spine can simply be in an uncomfortable position for a long time. If pain becomes frequent, there is reason to consult a specialist.
Back pain can be a sign of many diseases: from bone necrosis to malignant tumors.
The complexity of treatment measures should be based on the cause of this pain. Medicines and alternative medicine may be used.
Why does the lower back hurt: reasons
There are many different factors that can cause back pain. Only an experienced specialist, based on the patient's examination and further examination, can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective course of treatment. Distinguish between primary and secondary pain syndromes.
In the first case, the lower back is painful due to the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine with such diseases as:
- Osteochondrosis - is a lesion of bone and cartilage tissue, of a dystrophic nature;
- Cervical spondylosis is one of the forms of osteoarthritis, characterized by damage to the disc joints responsible for spinal mobility.
In the latter case, the range of reasons for lower back pain is broader:
- Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine;
- Inflammatory, non-infectious (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome);
- Various infectious diseases (tuberculosis, brucellosis, epidural abscess), in which vertebrae and discs are damaged, are common reasons for lower back pain;
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (acute appendicitis, intestinal obstruction);
- Usually, back pain is reflective in nature. This condition occurs when there is disease of the pelvic organs (renal colic, venereal disease, gynecological pathology).
- A tumor located on the vertebrae or spinal cord that contributes to the pain;
- Stroke and pre-stroke conditions, including a violation of the blood supply to the spinal cord, can cause pain in the lower back;
- During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases greatly, followed by pulling pain in the lumbar spine;
- Fractures of the back vertebrae are the most serious cause of pain.
In addition, the lower back is often painful due to muscle tension, disc deviation, hip osteoarthritis. With acute pain, the patient has to try to force the body, making the ability to move when walking is quite limited. Usually, this problem is encountered by athletes or people whose jobs involve physical activity.
Lower back pain from working for long periods of time in an uncomfortable position, from lifting or carrying weights, falls, bumps, sharp straightening, hypothermia or being in drafts. All of these causes can lead to inflammation of the deep muscles of the back or spasms.
Sometimes the lower back hurts from stress. The fact is that this part of the spine is one of the most psychological parts of the body, so it reacts strongly to various anxieties and experiences. Anger, fear, irritability contribute to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, which leads to increased spinal muscle tone. If adequate drainage does not occur, tense muscles begin to constrict and pain occurs. Therefore, people with psychological instability often have pain in the spine.
Low back pain treatment
Discomfort and even pain in the lower back can vary in intensity - from mild insignificant pain to unbearable pain that makes it difficult to make even the slightest movement. It can also be a sharp, dull, pulling or burning pain, often accompanied by tingling, goosebumps, or numbness. It is often associated with pain in the hips, feet, or knees.
If the lower back hurts for more than 3 days, it is imperative to consult a specialist. Depending on the results of the examination, you may need to consult a specialist. Therefore, to assess the condition of the spine, back muscles or nervous system, a neurologist should be consulted, if urinary system diseases are suspected - consult a urologist if anyfemale reproductive diseases. system - by a gynecologist.
In addition, a general analysis of urine and blood is often ordered to rule out or confirm the inflammatory nature of the disease, ultrasound of the hip, X-ray of the spine (MSCT or MRI), and other studies. Except for severe and severe cases, treatment of low back pain does not require surgery but can be provided with medication.
Careful treatment has three main goals:
- Pain relief for patients;
- Develop a program of therapeutic and preventive measures to reduce negative processes in the spine;
- Bring the patient back to a life of contentment.
Fastest effect if back pain relief with drug treatment. Commonly used in the treatment of:
- Muscle relaxants. They should be used as soon as acute pain occurs. This allows you to relieve spasms from the muscles, eliminating compression (pinching) on the spinal roots;
- Anti-inflammatory pain relievers can quickly relieve pain and inflammation. They can be used in the form of ointments and gels for external use, as well as in the form of tablets and injections.
- Chondoprotectors (drugs including chondroites and glucosamines). These substances are found in cartilage tissue of joints and discs;
- Vitamin therapy.
However, it is not always possible to treat with medication if the lower back is painful. In case of allergies, pregnancy and certain diseases, the drug is contraindicated.
How can you help deal with back pain in this case? Recommendations:
- Massage is one of the safest treatments. The only contraindication is the presence of cancer. Massage procedures allow you to relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain, improve blood flow to all tissues;
- Physiotherapy - exposure to magnetic fields, electric currents can be considered as the most effective method when suffering from spinal diseases. Pain sensation is reduced, tissue nutrition is improved, muscles are strengthened;
- Manual therapy and acupuncture. These methods are similar to massage, but they work on a more subtle level of the interconnectedness of the reflexes.
To reduce the risk of back pain, you should sleep on a firm bed, with a firm mattress, maintain correct posture, and rest while working at the computer or driving a car, during which time you can perform exercises. Simply, avoid lifting weights, try not to gain weight and exercise regularly. . .