People aged 20–50 often go to the doctor with such problems, but sometimes children get sick too.According to statistics, about 85% of the population at least once experienced low back pain or back discomfort.Pain occurs due to overstretched muscles and ligaments, spinal problems, and internal organ diseases.
Mechanism of development of back pain
This is the most vulnerable part of the body due to the structure and function of the spine.The discomfort occurs in the neck, chest area or between the shoulder blades, but the pain is usually localized in the lumbosacral region of the back.
Its development mechanism is associated with the following factors:
- Overwork, muscle tension.Hypo or increased tone causes microtrauma, myositis (inflammation) and muscle pain (acute pain).
- Diseases of internal organs.They cause back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced strength, deformation of the disc or joint.This process occurs due to an increase in external load on the spine (excess body weight, lifting heavy objects) or uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In severe cases, the disc bulges and compresses the nerve root.
Classification of back pain
To facilitate the description and correct selection of treatment tactics for back pathology, pain symptoms are distinguished by time.In addition, doctors emphasize the nature and location of the attack.
Depending on the type of pain, there are:
- acute, lasting from a few days to a month and a half;
- subacute, worrying 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, lasting more than three months or intermittent (exacerbation phase followed by rest).
Based on the nature of the sensation, back pain is classified as follows:
- Local.They are caused by changes in nerve receptors, muscles and ligaments, tendons or skin.The pain can be acute, sharp, or throbbing but is always felt in the soft tissue area.
- Reflected.Pain syndrome is projected posteriorly from internal organs.It can be burning and intense, but never more intense than when moving.
- Irradiation.The feeling of discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes spreading to the arms or legs.It appears when nerve roots are irritated or stretched.
Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:
- migraine headache- acute pain in the lumbar region.
- Extreme pain- discomfort in the sacral spine.
- Lyubmoischialgia– lower back pain, feeling spread to the legs.
- Cervical pain- neck inflammation.
- Coccidiosis– pain in the coccyx.
- Chest pain– a peripheral neuropathy that causes chest discomfort.
Pain in the lumbar region
Lyubmalgia is often painful and characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasms on the base of a displaced or herniated disc.
Elderly and young people often suffer from lumbar back pain when sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position.
The feeling of discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly appears again.Severe lower back pain occurs with vascular diseases, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.After that, this symptom continuously appears and does not disappear when resting.
Back pain in the sacrum area
Sacral pain occurs against the background of spinal nerve endings being compressed due to spinal deformity or soft tissue inflammation.It occurs more often in men than in women.Pain in the lower back can be sharp, dull or persistent.
The feeling of discomfort increases during physical activity, after sitting for a long time or suddenly changing body position.Sometimes the pain spreads to the buttocks or legs.
Sacral pain is also provoked by gynecological diseases, trauma, tumors and mental disorders.
Pain in the upper back
This condition is associated with problems with the thoracic or cervical spine, severe muscle tension.Pain occurs due to heavy lifting, incorrect posture or osteoarthritis.
The cause of the syndrome can be diseases of internal organs:
- Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting pain in the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies when inhaling.
- Pneumonia.This condition causes mild pain behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Pain is often felt in the shoulders, chest, arms and mid-back.The intensity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Pain in the shoulder blade
Discomfort occurs when the nerve endings of the chest become inflamed - intercostal neuralgia.Moderate pain syndrome, aching, goes away after rest or massage.It is often caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack) or psychological problems.
Symptoms related to back pain
The intensity and nature of the clinical picture depends on the cause of the pain syndrome, while the main symptom is supplemented by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, loss of strength;
- increased local body temperature;
- stiffness of movement;
- thrombophlebitis, thrombophlebitis;
- dizzy;
- sudden weight loss;
- difficulty breathing, cough;
- decreased vision and hearing;
- swelling and inflammation of soft tissues around joints;
- Urinary incontinence, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
Why does my back hurt?
There are two types of discomfort: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second group arises due to disruption of the functioning of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain in women is noted.
The following factors contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant symptom:
- rowing, skiing or high jumping;
- long-term static load;
- overweight;
- hypothermia;
- sudden movements;
- vibrations in the workplace;
- heavy work (spinal pain occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
- uncomfortable posture;
- curvature of the spine;
- Past injuries or broken bones.
Pathology of the spine
The main cause of back pain is associated with a violation of the integrity or function of the spine and has groups of factors that include diseases:
- Osteomyelitis– necrotic process in bones and bone marrow.
- protruding- displacement (protrusion) of the disc.
- Arthritis– arthritis.
- scoliosis- curvature of the spine of varying severity.
- Intervertebral hernia– Displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc and rupture of the connector.
- Degeneration of the spine- Increased bone tissue proliferation.
- Spinal stenosis– compression of nerve endings and part of the spinal space due to displacement of the disc.
- Inflammation of the nerve root- Damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
- Osteoarthritis of the vertebrae- Intervertebral joint dystrophy.
- Osteoarthritis- Degenerative cartilage disorder.
- Discitis- Sepsis, purulent disc inflammation.
The cause is not related to the spine
Pain in the lower back and other areas of the back is often caused by internal diseases:
- Stomach ulcers.
- Tuberculosis.
- Appendicitis.
- Shingles.
- Stones in the ureter.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Malignant tumors.
- Nephritis.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Angina.
- Intercostal neuralgia.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Prostate dysplasia.
- Pancreatitis.
- Cholecystitis.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Cystitis.
- Acute coronary syndrome.
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of lower back pain in women
Uncomfortable, persistent or throbbing pain indicates that a woman has problems with her genitals and reproductive organs.
Discomfort is caused by muscle tension due to pregnancy, the fetus is located in a posterior or occipital position.
Causes of pain in women:
- body or cervical cancer;
- external endometriosis;
- period;
- premenopause;
- wear high heels;
- ovarian inflammation;
- Uterine fibroids or uterine fibroids;
- ovarian cyst.
Diagnose
If your back hurts, you need to see a therapist.After collecting a history and performing an external examination, the doctor will refer you for consultation with specialized specialists: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
For an accurate diagnosis, several studies are prescribed:
- X-raydetect bone fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of the intervertebral disc and the ability to grow bone tissue.
- Myelogram– a method of examining the spinal cord, assessing the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of hernias, tumors or spinal lesions.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)There are signs of disc protrusion, calcification, and spinal stenosis.
- General blood and biochemical tests.Studies show inflammation, elevated calcium levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- ElectromechanicsShows the extent of damage to nerve endings and muscle fibers.
- Urine analysis.It is used for suspected diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Additional researchperformed to rule out autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal and rectal diseases, and underlying infections.
Back pain treatment
The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors causing discomfort.When pain is caused by diseases of internal organs, treatment begins with eliminating the cause.To alleviate unpleasant symptoms, pain relievers are prescribed.
In addition to pills and ointments, the doctor also prescribes physiotherapy and acupressure.
At the recovery stage, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If pain occurs due to spinal damage (herniation, bulging disc, injury), surgery is required.
First aid for acute pain
When the discomfort is unbearable, before the ambulance arrives, help the victim yourself:
- Place the person on their back on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This pose will bring peace to the muscles and reduce spasms.
- Apply a cold compress or apply anesthetic ointment to your back.
- If discomfort does not improve, take an NSAID.
- If you need to move, wear a back brace or supportive corset.
Treatment with medication
To relieve pain, reduce swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, drugs are prescribed:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have pain-relieving, fever-reducing and inflammation-reducing effects.
- Ointment.Muscle warming preparations help relieve pain and are used for massage.
- Chondroprotectors.These are products that protect and restore cartilage tissue.
- Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and removal of edema.
- Muscle relaxants.They reduce muscle spasms and pain.
- Vitamin preparations.Improves nervous system function, increases immunity.
If pain medication does not provide effective treatment, paravertebral blockade will be performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Pain relief occurs immediately and lasts up to 6–12 hours.
Physical therapy
Manual and mechanical methods are used in the recovery phase or treatment of chronic pain.They improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
The following procedures are most commonly used:
- Diathermy.Heating tissues with high-intensity electric current dilates blood vessels, causing reabsorption of infiltrates and increased blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- Apply medication through the skin to the painful area.This procedure relieves pain and improves the nutritional status of tissues.
- Acupuncturereduces spasm of muscle fibers, eliminates the inflammatory process.
- Laser therapy– affects the source of pain with quantum particles of light flow.The procedure is performed using a special device.Laser radiation penetrates deep tissue layers, stimulates metabolism, relieves pain and eliminates swelling.
Surgical intervention
Indications for surgery include trauma, intervertebral herniation, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, operations restore function of the spine and joints.
Doctors perform the following surgical interventions:
- Laparoscopic resection.It is prescribed to treat intervertebral hernia and is performed using an endoscope and microsurgical equipment.
- Open spine surgery.The doctor will remove the affected disc, part of the vertebra, or ligament.The intervention is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
- Nuclear shaping- Remove the core of the disc.This activity reduces pressure on nerve endings.
- Shaping vertebrae– Method of stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor will fill the cavities of the spine with bone cement.
Folk remedies for back pain
Decoctions and compresses help enhance the effect of the drug.With your doctor's permission, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.
Tips to help relieve pain:
- Mix 100 g of green clay, 1 tbsp.I.aloe vera juice and honey.Add 750ml warm water.Apply the composition to the affected back area, cover with cling film and wool cloth.Leave the compress for 1 hour.Use the preparation for treating osteoarthritis 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
- Dissolve 5 g of mummy in 1 teaspoon.water, add 1 g of medical sulfur.Rub the mixture on your lower back and cover with a warm blanket.Use the product daily at night.The course of treatment is 3-4 days.
- Beat 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of wine, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites with a blender.Leave in the refrigerator for 5–6 hours.Apply ointment to the painful area 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a wool scarf around your back.
prevent
Following your doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and resumption of physical activity, and to prevent future discomfort, follow the rules:
- watch your posture;
- Do not lift heavy objects;
- When working in front of a computer, use a chair with back support or a comfortable chair;
- track your weight;
- Don't be too fond of wearing high heels;
- buy orthopedic mattress;
- When working sedentary, do light exercise every 30 minutes;
- move more, play sports;
- See your doctor promptly.