Low or constant low back pain often indicates that the body is gradually developing an inflammatory or degenerative-dystrophic disease. Early diagnosis of this disease can increase the chances of full recovery. Pain in the lumbosacral region of the spine may indicate osteochondrosis, hernia, bulges, infection or problems with internal organs.
Why does the lower back hurt?
If a person complains of painful manifestations in the lumbar spine, the doctor initially expresses suspicion about the patient's problems with the musculoskeletal system. And only after such diseases are ruled out, an in-depth examination is performed to assess the condition of the internal organs.
This is because there is a common innervation of the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs with the trunks of nerve tissue. For this reason, the appearance of pain, for example in the digestive organs, can be attributed to the lumbar region. Let's take a closer look at some of the causes of low back pain.
Excessive loads
This is a relatively natural source of back pain. During heavy physical work or active sports training, the muscle tissue is exposed to excessive stress. It accumulates lactic acid, which irritates skeletal muscle tissue. As a result, in addition to pain, a person notices the appearance of a strong enough burning sensation. Any discomfort disappears after a short rest, as lactic acid is released from the muscles.
In case of low back pain every time during training, if their intensity remains unchanged for several hours, you should consult a doctor. Excessive training, lifting heavy objects often provoke the appearance of microtraumas in the discs and vertebrae, the formation of diseases of degenerative-dystrophic nature.
Osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia
Lumbar osteochondrosis stage I, II and III is the main cause of back pain. At an early stage, the patient is worried about mild discomfort, which indicates a slight destruction of the intervertebral discs.
In case the patient has turned to a neurologist for help during this period, a complete cure of the disease is possible, as well as a partial recovery of destroyed tissues. Acute, severe pain that increases during bending or twisting of the trunk indicates severe damage to the structure of the spine.
Against the background of II or III radiological degree of osteochondrosis, the formation of hernias or protrusions is often observed. As a result, stabbing pain occurs and it is also possible to develop serious complications - radicular syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Gynecological diseases
Discomfort in the lumbar spine often worries women who are diagnosed with adnexitis, an inflammation that affects both the ovaries and the fallopian tubes (appendages of the uterus). In addition to the pain syndrome, patients report the appearance of genital discharge, the appearance of problems with conception and irregular menstrual cycles.
Similar symptoms are observed in inflammation of the uterine appendages, the formation of cysts in the ovaries and the formation of polyps in the uterus.
Kidney disease
Because the kidneys are located next to the lumbar region, when their functionality decreases, a person may feel pain in the lower back. The fact that these double bean-shaped organs are affected is indicated by impaired urinary function, the appearance of purulent or bloody impurities in the urine and deterioration of general well-being.
Lumbar spine pain is often bothersome in the presence of such diseases as cystitis (including hemorrhagic), glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure.
Carrying a baby
This is one of the natural factors that leads to discomfort in the lumbar spine. When a woman gives birth to a future baby, the uterus and fetus increase in size, disrupting the underlying nerve receptors.
During the last trimester, the expectant mother's body begins to produce a special hormone - relaxin. This relaxes the ligaments, the tendons, to make it easier for the fetus to pass through the birth canal. Therefore, the intensity of pain can increase dramatically.
Endometriosis
This is a common gynecological disease, against the background of which the internal uterine tissue grows beyond its borders. Endometrioid tissue is hypersensitive to hormones synthesized by the body, which is why endometriosis manifests itself as monthly bleeding. As a result, inflammation develops, one of the signs of which is the pain syndrome radiating to the lumbosacral region of the spine.
Menzies
Pulling symptoms of moderate severity occur in half of women before menstruation or during bleeding. This pain is completely natural and disappears immediately after menstruation. Discomfort can also be felt in the lower back.
The pathological etiology of low back pain during menstruation is indicated by the presence of dyspeptic disorders, diarrhea or constipation, frequent headaches and dizziness. In such a situation, the woman may be diagnosed with algomenorrhea or menstrual dysfunction.
Breast dimensions
The spine in women with large breasts is heavily loaded. If the mammary glands are not properly distributed, the risk of developing degenerative-destructive processes increases. Women with large breasts often stoop, which contributes to the deterioration of the spine.
Uncomfortable shoes
Painful sensations in the lumbar spine, which appear at the end of the working day, are a common condition for women who walk in tight high-heeled shoes. This leads to disruption of blood vessels, circulatory disorders in the lower extremities and pelvic organs. As a result, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region deteriorates, which is why they are destroyed. The situation is exacerbated by increased stress on the spine.
Menopause
During menopause in a woman's body there is a decrease in the production of estrogen, involved in the regulation of recovery processes in the musculoskeletal system. The bone structure loses the ability to fully assimilate the micronutrients needed for its recovery. It becomes brittle, which can lead to frequent fractures. Painful manifestations in the lumbar spine during menopause may indicate bone resorption, the formation of osteoporosis.
Overweight
Being overweight is one of the causes of lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Being overweight increases the load on the intervertebral discs, which leads to an increased risk of microtrauma with further destruction of the spinal tissues.
An overweight person usually does not eat well. His diet is rich in high-calorie foods, and fresh vegetables and fruits containing essential trace elements and vitamins are not consumed in sufficient quantities. At increased loads in combination with a lack of nutrients there is a tendency to form osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
Oncology
Changes in the genetic structure of cells lead to disruption of the regulation of their growth and reproduction. As a result, there is pathological tissue proliferation, tumor formation of benign or malignant nature.
Pain in the lumbar spine can occur against the background of a tumor disorder of sensitive nerve receptors, the spine, soft tissues and the circulatory system. Calcium is absorbed in large quantities by the neoplasm, due to which a deficiency of this substance develops in the bone tissue, which leads to thinning of the bones.
Hypothermia
Skeletal muscles in the lumbosacral region are often inflamed due to the effects of low temperatures. This causes the formation of myositis - a disease that manifests itself as a local pain syndrome in damaged muscles. Its intensity increases significantly during movement and palpation. Against the background of the inflammatory process, there is an increase in muscle tone, which makes the lower back less mobile.
Varieties of pain
The initial diagnosis can be made on the basis of a detailed description of the anxiety symptoms. In each disease the pain manifests itself with different severity, frequency, condition preceding its occurrence.
Strong pain
This pain syndrome is typical of stages II and III of lumbar osteochondrosis. At this stage, significant damage occurred in the intervertebral discs and their cushioning characteristics were lost. They are not able to soften the load during movement, which makes the vertebral structure unstable.
This leads to soft tissue compression. Severe pain begins to bother even in a motionless state, increases against the background of bends, loud laughter, coughing and sneezing. In addition, there is a feeling of "goosebumps" and muscle weakness.
Sharp pain
The cause of acute pain syndrome is the squeezing of receptors in the spinal canal by osteophytes or discs. This is typical for an attack of lumbago, often occurs in rheumatic diseases, lumbosacral osteochondrosis, radiculopathy.
The painful sensations are so pronounced, piercing, burning that the patient cannot move. Often a person cannot straighten his back for fear that pain will occur.
It's a dull pain
Pain in the lumbar spine with a dull, painful and oppressive nature is characteristic of diseases of the internal systems, including the genitourinary and reproductive organs. Such discomfort may indicate the development of osteochondrosis, spondyloarthritis, spondyloarthritis.
The pain is not localized, but can radiate to the thighs, buttocks and ankles. Often, aching pain is evidence of a destructive process in the spine or inflammation in the internal system.
Chronic pain
Constant pain in the lower back indicates the transformation of the disease into chronic. It is sharp, strong during a relapse, radiating to nearby areas of the body. During the period of remission there is a slight discomfort during hypothermia, exercise, exacerbation of other diseases, acute respiratory viral infections.
The pain syndrome increases against the background of bending, torso rotation, walking up stairs and prolonged walking.
Diagnostic measures
The disease is diagnosed on the basis of the patient's complaints, his visual examination, anamnestic data, the results of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics. The most informative in identifying problems with the musculoskeletal system is X-ray examination. In the resulting image you can see the altered vertebrae, formed osteophytes (bone formations).
If the doctor suspects the development of hernia, bulge, diseases of the internal systems, ultrasound, MRI and CT are prescribed. Thanks to these diagnostic methods it is possible to determine where the disease is located, to assess the degree of progression of inflammation.
Clinical examination of blood and urine is mandatory. If there is a suspicion of systemic disease (gout, rheumatoid arthritis), biochemical, serological testing is performed.
Which doctor to go to
Often back pain occurs after injury - subluxation of the vertebrae, severe bruising, lesions of the spinal canal. In such a situation you will need the help of a traumatologist.
You can also visit a therapist. Such a doctor can diagnose diseases of the spine, internal systems. After examining the results of the diagnosis, he will determine which narrow specialist consultant is needed (rheumatologist, neurologist or orthopedist) to prescribe further treatment.
First aid
If there is severe sharp pain, the victim should be placed on a hard surface in a position where the discomfort becomes less pronounced. You can lie down with your knees slightly bent and put a rolled-up blanket under them. You can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to quickly relieve the pain.
Therapeutic actions
Analgesics can help get rid of back pain. Their effect will not last long if you do not treat the underlying disease properly. Some pathologies of the internal systems are well treated, including oncology. But complete recovery of destroyed intervertebral discs and deformed vertebrae against the background of osteochondrosis is impossible. The goal of therapy is to achieve a stable remission, during which the pain in the lumbar spine does not bother.
Drug therapy
First, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the form of tablets or capsules are prescribed for back pain.
In the case of cancer, they resort to the help of narcotic analgesics. If the pain is due to skeletal muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are indicated.
Analgesics are also prescribed in the treatment of diseases of the internal systems.
Treatment with ointments and gels
Ointments and gels are used to relieve mild to moderate lumbar discomfort. Medicines for external use are also included in the therapeutic regimens for reducing the dose of injections and tablet drugs to reduce the pharmacological load on the body.
In case of back pain, the use of external means from the following groups can be prescribed:
- NSAIDs - have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant action.
- Warming gels and ointments - have analgesic, local irritant and distracting effect.
- Chondroprotectors against the background of osteochondrosis - have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate disc recovery.
Injections
Choosing painkillers, the doctor is based on the type of disease, its course, the severity of the pain syndrome. To eliminate acute pain, they often resort to the help of drug blockades with the use of glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics. The use of hormonal agents is quite harmful to the body, so such procedures can be performed a maximum of 1 time in 1-3 months.
To eliminate severe pain, NSAIDs are prescribed in the form of injections into a muscle.
Physiotherapy
If the disease has already been diagnosed or to prevent its development, experts advise patients to perform therapeutic gymnastic exercises every day. This will help:
- improving blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscular frame of the back;
- reducing the intensity of pain.
The gymnastic complex is developed by the attending physician based on the type of disease, the available complications and the physical condition of the patient.
Massage treatment
To improve the supply of blood and nutrients to the tissues, to normalize the tone of skeletal and smooth muscles, to strengthen muscles, it is recommended to perform a massage:
- classic;
- point;
- segmental;
- canned.
Massage is prescribed both for therapeutic purposes and to prevent the development of exacerbations in the chronic course of the pathology.
Heat and cold treatment
The effect on the lumbar spine with heat helps to eliminate the pain, but only after stopping the acute inflammatory process. For these purposes is suitable heating pad, warming ointment or gel, bath.
Under the influence of cryotherapy (cold treatment) the adaptation systems are activated. At the heart of this physiotherapy procedure is the body's response not to hypothermia of the outer layers of the skin.
Preventive actions
It is possible to prevent the appearance of pain in the lumbar spine, excluding factors that may provoke the problem. You need to stop wearing high-heeled shoes to minimize the consumption of very high-calorie foods. Regular sports, swimming and yoga are good prevention.