It turns out that back pain in the lumbar region is very common.
According to biologists, such a symptom is a consequence of our upright posture, in which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed in the spine. Low back pain can signal very serious problems not only with the spine but also with the internal organs.
If the pain is sharp and accompanied by fever, then call an ambulance.
If such symptoms are not observed, then for an accurate diagnosis it is worth contacting a therapist. Let's see why these symptoms appear, how they can be managed and prevented.
The main causes of low back pain
First, let's understand the causes of these unpleasant symptoms. The pain can be primary with pathologies of the spine or secondary with diseases of the internal organs.
Along with the causes, it is important to identify the factors that increase the pain syndrome.
Here they are:
- Characteristics of the profession: heavy physical activity for builders and loaders and weightlifting for athletes.
- Prolonged sitting.
- Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
- Improper nutrition and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
- Bad habits: alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
Even reducing the impact of these factors will significantly alleviate your condition and the health of your spine.
Primary factors
The primary factors are related to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine.
They include:
- Osteochondrosis is a change in cartilage and intervertebral discs that leads to disc herniation or disc deformities.
- Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bony growths on the vertebrae. With this growth, a spasm of the muscles around the spine occurs, which limits its mobility. The appearance of injuries in the lower back.
- Spondyloarthritis is a degeneration of the articular surfaces in the vertebrae, as well as their participation in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles. In this case, deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs and the mobility of the spine is also limited.
- Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
- Disc herniations.
- Radiculopathy is nerve root damage.
Secondary factors
Secondary ones occur in concomitant pathologies:
- Metabolic problems.
- Curvature of the spine.
- When located near the spine of malignant tumors.
- Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Painful symptoms of a psychogenic nature.
- Diseases of the digestive system.
- Diseases of the pelvic organs.
- Menstrual pain.
Also, problems with the spine can be affected by flat feet, ie flattening of the arch of the foot.
Pregnancy can also cause pain. In the early stages, they occur when progesterone is exposed to ligaments and muscles, also at risk of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
After birth, the pain may occur as a result of stretching of the pelvic muscles or with increased stress on the spine, with frequent carrying of the baby in his arms.
What diseases does such pain signal?
The location of the pain is also important.
So, let's look at each case:
- pain on the right and above the lower back may indicate pathology of the lungs. These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and fever. Also for problems with the gallbladder or liver. In this case, the nature of the pain is stabbing;
- if discomfort is felt above the lower back on the left, this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left-sided pleurisy;
- symptoms of lumbar pain signal osteochondrosis in this area, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures;
- A symptom of low back pain that radiates to the lower abdomen is a sign of pelvic disease. Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathology, colon disease and infectious gynecological diseases. This may also indicate that the kidneys are malfunctioning.
Which doctor will help?
Most often, back pain occurs temporarily. Only in rare cases do such symptoms signal complex diseases.
In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation. Acute pain often occurs with increased physical activity.
In other cases, you can seek help from a surgeon, urologist or even a chiropractor who will make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe instead of treating such a problem.
In addition, for such pain you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.
Features of treatment
Depending on the causes of back pain, the doctor prescribes the following treatment options:
- drug treatment with analgesics and hormones;
- blockades, which are injections into the intervertebral joints;
- manual techniques;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- physiotherapy;
- acupuncture.
If conservative treatment does not help, then surgery is used.
In the treatment of disc herniation against the background of osteochondrosis, in addition to the basic treatment, physiotherapeutic methods are used.
Healing blockades are used when other methods do not give the desired effect. Most often, anesthetics are injected into the lumen of the affected joint.
Acupuncture is recommended for disc protrusions, osteochondrosis or hernias. If the pain radiates to the legs, then physical therapy is also used.
Wearing a special corset allows you to restrict movement in the lumbar region. This helps reduce pain in the area of joint inflammation.
In case of back pain, the doctor may give the following recommendations:
- Rest on a bed on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
- Wearing a special bandage.
- The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
- To get rid of muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are prescribed. Special drugs are also used to help relax the muscles.
- Vascular and diuretic drugs are used to improve blood circulation and reduce edema.
- All types of gels and ointments are used as topical therapy.
- Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to consolidate the positive result. This can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.
Physical therapy and special massage help to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and eliminate inflammation.
If lumbar pain is not associated with complex diseases, then yoga will help alleviate the condition.
You can do these exercises at home and they do not take much time.
Hypothermia pain
Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain. In this case, you do not even need to freeze, but just sweat and go under the air conditioner.
In this case, the hot surface of the body will come into contact with a stream of cold air. And the very next day it will be difficult to stand up or get up.
In such a situation, the pain becomes constant and painful.
First of all, you need to warm your back. A warming ointment is suitable for this. If there is no cure, then regular alcohol will also be helpful. After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.
A similar procedure is performed every day. In case of severe pain, it is worth seeking medical help. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.
If you are often hypothermic, take a dog or sheep wool belt.
What to do with lumbar lumbago?
Such pain occurs during intense physical activity. Acute pain passing to the legs occurs when carrying any weight.
A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis, which is called lumbago or lumbago. In such a situation you should lie on a hard surface.
Take a painkiller to relieve the pain.
Remember that with such signs you can not take a hot bath or take a steam bath. In this case, dry heat will help more.
For example, a special ointment. It is also worth limiting your intake of salt and fluids for a few days.
What will help with a hernia?
With a hernia, there is sharp and constant pain that increases with each movement. Relief comes only in the supine position.
A tingling sensation in the lower back may also be felt. To relieve the pain, bed rest and pain relief should be taken. Then you need to call a doctor.
In the acute period, serious and qualified treatment is needed.
What to do for prevention?
Do not wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking preventive measures.
Here they are:
- Identification and treatment of concomitant diseases that can provoke low back pain.
- Proper nutrition with enough phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
- Heavy exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided. In this case, the load must be evenly distributed. Do not make sudden movements.
- Lead an active lifestyle. Go for walking, swimming or yoga.
- Take therapeutic massage courses from time to time.
- When sitting, take a break every hour and do some exercise.
- The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.
For prevention you can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages.
Such devices are recommended during pregnancy and heavy exercise.
It is important to control your weight, as being overweight increases the strain on your spine. Get rid of bad habits, and also conduct a routine checkup every year.
Physiotherapy
Exercise at home to strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain. The exercise should be done regularly.
A well-designed set of exercises will help improve posture, increase muscle tone and will also activate blood circulation.
In such a complex you can use the following movements:
- the body tilts in different directions. First left and right, then back and forth;
- rotations of the body to the sides;
- in the knee - in the position of the elbow, you need to bend your back up and down;
- lying on his back with his legs bent at the knees, his pelvis rises;
- from a prone position, the upright legs should be bent at the knees and extended to the chest.
Do each exercise 8-10 times.
Do not ignore the symptoms of lumbar pain, go to the doctor and take preventive measures that will help you normalize your well-being and strengthen your health.