80% of people in the world have experienced low back pain at least once. Their causes can vary, from so-called psychological disorders, when low back pain is provoked by stress, to a diagnosis of cancer that is gruesome and much more difficult to treat.
How to understand when discomfort and back pain indicate a diseased spine, and when do they signal unhealthy conditions in other organs? And how not to miss the right time to see a doctor when suffering from low back pain?
Causes of low back pain
In the lumbar region there are several organs and systems at once - that is, the digestive, urinary, reproductive, musculoskeletal and several glands that affect a person's health. Fortunately, most conditions that cause pain in the lower back and lower back are treatable and not life-threatening. Only 20 cases of low back pain required surgical intervention or complex treatment measures.
Consider the causes of low back pain in more detail. Including:
- overactivity of the back muscles, especially the circular muscle area;
- spasms of muscles and internal organs;
- the presence of inflammation or abscess;
- Hormonal disorder;
- heart disease;
- diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, peptic ulcer, and others);
- postural disorders;
- neuralgia, incl. psychotic character;
- osteonecrosis, spinal stenosis, spinal hernia and other pathologies of the spine;
- disease of the kidneys or internal genitalia;
- fat;
- pregnancy;
- cancer metastasis.
The nature of pain in osteonecrosis of the lumbar
It is important to distinguish between primary pain in the lumbar spine (associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes, inflammation, and trauma to the spine) and secondary, "reflex" pain that occurs as a result of dysfunction in the muscles andinternal organs. Primary pain in the low back occurs as if on its own and is rarely accompanied by additional symptoms (usually already in a later stage, eg with bulging discs). Secondary attacks are almost always accompanied by bloating, changes in urination and defecation (rarely, frequently, pain or other nonspecific features), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. The type of low back pain can also say a lot about the problem:
- paroxysmal ("take the inside") - diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- increases every day - an inflammatory process (for example, in the epithelium of the coccyx), an abscess, a cyst;
- sharp stabbing (especially after injury) - rupture of internal organs (liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, etc. ) or blood vessels, internal bleeding, stomach or intestinal ulcers, blockage of blood vessels due to thromboembolismout (consult a doctor immediately because it hurts! );
- periodic scan - characteristic of spinal root compression (lens syndrome), which may be accompanied by spasm;
- constantly smoldering - indicates a disease of the liver, kidneys, spleen, some endocrine glands;
- traction, aggravated by movement - trauma to the spine and adjacent tissues.
Localization of low back pain
- Pain in the lower back and above the sacrum can be caused by trauma, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, as well as trauma, cancer, or simple overuse. This area often manifests after unsuccessful sports activities, especially with poor serves, careless falls, and non-compliance with training technique.
- Below the waist (above the tailbone) is often painful from exertion when lifting objects, standing or walking for long periods of time, and bruises on rocks and other hard surfaces. Sometimes the cause of low back pain can be an infection or hypothermia. The most common pain is caused by working or resting in an uncomfortable, non-physiological position - such as from spending time at the computer or driving in a semi-bent "banana" position. Pain is less common due to disorders of the bowel and genitourinary system (constipation, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, dysmenorrhea). A "low" location of pain can also indicate problems with the hip, especially in older adults or athletes.
- If it is painful on the left side of the spine, this does not rule out problems with it - for example, scoliosis and/or osteonecrosis, impaired blood circulation and even infection of the spinal canal.
- The distinctive feature of infection and osteonecrosis is persistent pain, which increases with even the slightest exertion.
- If the pain syndrome goes into cyclical remission but the patient is still resting, it could be a disc displacement, nerve root compression, or sciatica. In addition, pain in the lower back can cause diabetes or hypothermia.
- If a patient frequently finds themselves "awake" and experiences pain after several hours of sedentary activity, the pain may indicate that an incorrect lifestyle has not yet developed into a disease, but requires urgent change - not just relief. pain in lumbar degenerative disease. , but complex therapy.
Please note that back pain can be given in case of serious pathologies of the heart and digestive organs. If there is concomitant pain below the left shoulder blade and on the same side, it is urgent to rule out a heart attack. However, if the pain is severe - "as if they were being cut alive" - the stomach or intestines will become ulcerated.
Low back pain - diagnosis
Doctors identify more than 120 possible causes of acute and chronic back pain. The most popular of these are .
- Degenerative-dystrophic diseases and other injuries of the vertebral and hip joints. For example, osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, protrusion, facial syndrome, sciatica, low back pain, neural lamenessHormonal spondylolisthesis.
- Autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.
- Inflammatory diseases. Spine disease, incl. psoriasis and reactive arthritis.
- Painful failure. Spondylolisthesis, muscle and ligament damage, bruises, dislocations, dislocations and fractures of the vertebrae.
Less commonly, tumors and metastases in the spine, osteomyelitis, angina pectoris, cholecystitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, duodenal ulcer, and other diseases can become causes. back pain.
Low back pain in women
In women, acute and subacute back pain (recurring or lasting up to 12 weeks) can be a sign of mild hormonal disturbances or natural physiological processes - during menstruation, pregnancy, and pregnancy. pregnancy or menopause. But more often than not, he declares himself this way:
- lumbar osteochondrosis - women often wear heels for long periods of time, often carry loads of more than 5 kg, are forced to stay in a bowed position for long periods of time when performing professional or household tasks;
- Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that young women are susceptible to. It can be caused by lower back trauma, genital infections, hypothermia from wearing inadequately warm but fashionable clothing, as well as genetics (eg, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis). low in relatives);
- arthrosis is a disease mainly associated with age, usually appearing after the age of 40 as a response to hormonal changes in the body;
- adnexitis (inflammation of the appendix);
- cervical or ovarian cancer;
- torsion of an ovarian cyst;
- Endometrial optimism.
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of low back pain:
- appear after an injury;
- occurs in the patient's history with cancerous and precancerous conditions (eg, cervical dysplasia);
- accompanied by an increase in temperature;
- accompanied by unexplained weight loss;
- causing difficulty urinating, defecation;
- accompanied by spots;
- combined with numbness or stiffness in the legs, changes in gait.
Low back pain in men
Men experience low back pain less often than women. Usually, like in women, their cause is bone necrosis or kidney disease. Among the sex-specific diseases that cause spinal pain in the low back, we can name:
- epididymitis (inflammation of the appendix of the testicle);
- prostatitis;
- orchitis (swelling of the testicles);
- testicles and other cancers of the genital organs;
- prostate cancer.
Usually, lower back pain in the strong half occurs from a vertebral or inguinal hernia. These diseases are especially common in men over the age of 40, who often do manual labor or work with uncomfortable positions. In women, this pathology is less common.
Back pain treatment
Treatment of low back (lumbar) pain requires therapeutic impact on the vertebrae and discs, nerve fibers and muscles. Along with reducing pain in the lumbar spine, it is necessary to slow down the degenerative process in the spine, if any, to reduce inflammation, restore blood microcirculation and nerve impulse conduction. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor exclusively or immediately by a group of specialists - neurologists, traumatologists, gynecologists, orthopedists, rheumatologists and others, depending on the primary and concurrent diagnoses.
In more than 98% of cases involving diseases of the spine, treatment is carried out with caution - surgery can be carried out even in the case of a hernia.
Medical approach
With the support of drugs, the pain can be completely cured within a few months (for example, low back pain is treated for 3-4 months by root compression, hernia). Then, depending on the diagnosis, therapy is completed or carried out periodically, in courses - to maintain remission.
In the treatment of back (lumbar) pain helps:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- Hormonal preparations (in the form of blockades and drops).
- Painkillers to relieve pain.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Warming preparations, for example, ointments based on bee and snake venoms, mustard ointments.
- Venotonics and angioprotectors.
- Anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, and antidepressants.
Physiotherapy for back pain
Used to treat low back pain:
- massage (classic, cupping, hydromassage);
- phonophoresis;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture therapy;
- laser therapy;
- diadynamic therapy;
- electrical nerve stimulation;
- manual therapy;
- Acupuncture;
- balance procedures and mud therapy;
- kinesitherapy.
Exercise therapy to relieve pain in the low back
A set of exercises for pain in the lower back that is performed every day and only when the disease is in remission! With an exacerbation of the disease, any load can only aggravate the situation. Before performing the exercises, you should consult a physiotherapist instructor.
- Bend your knee and bring your right leg forward (foot on the floor, knee bent at right angles). For balance, use your left hand to pull your left leg toward your butt and feel the tension in the muscles. 10 times each side.
- Walk on all fours, looking straight ahead. Bend and arch your back - the "cat" exercise.
- Lie on your back, keep your legs below your knees, pull your knees up to your chest, and hold this position for a few seconds. 10 times.
- The starting position is the same. Cross your legs (on weights) and stretch your muscles well, using your hands to support your shins below the knees.
- Stand on all fours, raise your left arm and right leg perpendicular to the floor. Repeat for the other side. 10 times.
Low back pain exercises with massage rollers are also recommended. For example, place the roller under the sacrum and pull the knee toward the chest while the other foot is on the floor. Repeat 10 times for each leg. If the stretch isn't enough, bring your hands behind your head and/or move your bent knee slightly to the side.
How to take care of your back - doctor's recommendations
We present you 10 simple tips to protect your lower back.
- To keep your back healthy, it's important to avoid strenuous physical (as well as mental and emotional) work and hypothermia. If you must work for long periods of time in the cold or in a room with sudden changes in temperature, buy high-quality thermal underwear.
- Timely treatment of low back pain.
- If you have been diagnosed with early stage osteonecrosis, have congenital or acquired malformations of the musculoskeletal system, use an orthopedic brace - a special bandage and bra to help relieve back pain. If you carry a heavy backpack, buy one designed to protect your back from low back symptoms.
- Also, do not forget to take chondroprotectors for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes at least 3-6 months a year.
- Balance your diet so that your body is provided with enough vitamins and minerals as well as protein.
- Equip the right place to sleep. The mattress should not be too soft or too hard, the length of the bed should be slightly greater than your height. The height of the pillow is also important for pain relief in lumbar spondylosis - it's best to buy an orthopedic pillow. If your pet forces you into an uncomfortable sleeping position, don't leave them in bed.
- During sitting, make sure that your elbows are on the table, at a comfortable height, and that the side of the chair allows you to keep your shins perpendicular to the floor.
- If you've been diagnosed with a spinal condition, take an interest in getting it right, which will reduce occupational stress on the lower back area.
- Try not to abuse alcohol, coffee and tobacco.
- Maintain a normal level of physical activity (at least in the form of 15-minute exercises for low back pain 3-4 times a day).
Your back health!