Low back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple physical overexertion after an uncomfortable position of the body to severe disorders in the human body.
Types of painful sensations
The lower back is the lower back that starts at the ribs and ends at the tailbone.Pain in the lumbar region can manifest itself in different ways: it can be sharp or nagging, painful or burning, it can be concentrated in one place or spread over the entire back.
Based on the duration, low back pain is classified into:
- periodic, related to physical activity, overexertion, body characteristics or internal diseases;
- permanent or chronic, which are caused by irreversible pathology in diseases of the musculoskeletal system or in diseases of the blood vessels of the legs.
The latter type often accompanies inflammatory or degenerative processes in the bone or cartilage tissue, which are not completely curable, can only be reduced or stopped for a short period of time.
Why does discomfort occur?
Pain in the lumbar region is a consequence of walking a person in an upright position, in which a large load falls on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine consists of bone tissue, and around it are nerve roots that send pain signals.
If a person sits for a long time in one position, then when standing up, "lumbago" occurs, which does not allow him to stand up.This can be caused by pinched nerve endings near the spine, swelling of the muscles, intervertebral discs or ligaments.
In order to diagnose the problem, it is necessary to undergo an external examination of the spine by a doctor and additional examinations:
- x-ray examination;
- computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main reasons
Back pain is divided into 2 groups according to origin:
- primary, caused by the development of pathologies in the spine, functional changes in muscles, joints, discs, ligaments and tendons;
- secondary, related to injuries of the spine, as well as various infections and diseases of internal organs located in the pelvic area.
The most common causes of pain in the lumbar region include the following diseases:
- Lumbago.It appears as a sudden sharp pain in the lumbar region due to pathological changes in the vertebrae.
- Osteochondrosis.It includes a number of diseases of an inflammatory or dystrophic nature, which are manifested in impaired elasticity and strength of the intervertebral discs, loosening of the surface of bone and cartilage tissue with nerve damage.The protrusion of the intervertebral disc refers to one of the stages of osteochondrosis, in which a protrusion of the cartilage occurs.
- sciatica.It occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed;the pain starts in the lower back and radiates to the back of one leg.
- Lumbar sciatica.Occurs when bending, sneezing or laughing, is caused by inflammation of the nerve endings and can lead to impaired sensitivity and loss of the ability to move.
- Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine on one side, resulting in asymmetry of shoulder height, poor posture and the formation of a hump.The cause of the disease is the decrease in the functions of the muscles and bones of the skeleton.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease accompanied by loss of joint mobility due to the growth of connective tissue in the lumbar region and other areas.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints, including the hip joint.
People who spend a long time in an uncomfortable position of the body (sitting at a computer or bending over garden beds) are prone to spine diseases, which leads to muscle tightness and muscle spasms.
Diseases of internal organs can also cause pain in the lower back:
- pain in the kidneys occurs most often (pyelonephritis, kidney failure, stones, colic);
- diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, adhesions after surgery) - are often reflected by nagging pain in the lumbar region;
- if the lungs are affected (pneumonia), there may be a feeling of pain in the lumbar region, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- growing tumors, benign or malignant, that increase in the direction of nerve fibers in the back.
In men
Periodic pain in the lower back can occur in men during heavy physical exertion, when working in the cold or with a strong draft.
In addition, pain is characteristic of some male diseases:
- with prostatitis, they sometimes appear and radiate to the back, which is accompanied by general weakness and fever;
- with epididymitis (inflammatory process in the epididymis) are localized in the groin with a return to the lower back.
In women
Pain in the lumbar region in women can appear against the background of gynecological diseases or accompany certain physiological processes in the body:
- with inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis), they begin in the lower abdomen and then radiate to the back;
- during the period of childbirth, the lower back may hurt and radiate to the spine under the pressure of the growing fetus (from the 5th month of pregnancy), if there is a threat of miscarriage, they manifest themselves in the form of contractions;
- During menopause, the pain changes localization, moving from the head to the chest or lower back;they are caused by fluctuations in the level of estrogen in the blood and poor circulation in the pelvic organs.
Women experience back pain and increased suspicion.Those related to nervous stress are treated with psychological correction.
Methods of pain relief
For back pain, after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying disease, the neurologist prescribes painkillers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections.Using them allows the patient to feel better, to get rid of negative feelings and lead a normal life.
Main groups of pain relievers:
- analgesics;
- anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs in the form of tablets;
- steroid hormone drugs;
- injections to relieve spasms and inflammation;
- muscle relaxants that help reduce skeletal muscle tone;
- chondroprotectors are used for spinal hernia;
- ointments, gels and suppositories;
- medical patches and stickers.
Medicines help not only to relieve pain, but also to normalize blood circulation and restore nerve tissue.
All drugs have side effects and contraindications, so they are used only after consulting a doctor.
In particularly severe cases, narcotic drugs are used that reduce pain by acting on the nervous system.However, when taken for a long time, they can become addictive.
Treatment
After establishing the cause of pain in the lower back, complex therapy of the underlying disease is carried out.
With the permission of the attending physician, it is possible to use alternative methods:
- a course of therapeutic massage;
- manual therapy, which must be performed exclusively by highly qualified specialists to avoid complications;
- acupuncture (helps relieve muscle tension and pain);
- physical therapy and yoga.
To get rid of lumbar pain, folk recipes are also used:
- Birch leaf and blueberry tea.The dry mixture is infused with boiling water and drunk in small portions throughout the day.
- Ointment made from butter with the addition of chopped garlic cloves and ginger root.It should be applied to the affected area.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, you should adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- you sleep on a semi-hard mattress, taking the correct physiological position;
- when sitting for a long time in one position, do not stand up suddenly;you need to take breaks, warm-up or exercise;
- avoid sudden movements and bending;
- perform a daily set of special gymnastic exercises for training all parts of the spine (only with the permission of a doctor).