Low back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple excessive physical exertion after an uncomfortable body position to serious disorders in the human body.
Types of painful sensations
The lower back is the lower part of the back that begins at the ribs and ends at the tailbone.Low back pain can manifest itself in different ways: it can be sharp or annoying, painful or burning, it can be concentrated in one place or extend to the entire back.
Depending on its duration, low back pain is classified as:
- periodic, associated with 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.
This last type usually accompanies inflammatory or degenerative processes in the bone or cartilage tissue, which are not completely curable, but can only be reduced or stopped for a short period.
Why does discomfort occur?
Pain in the lumbar region is a consequence of a person walking upright, in which a large load falls on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine is made up of bone tissue and around it there are nerve roots that send pain signals.
If a person sits in one position for a long time, when standing up a "lumbago" occurs that does not allow him to straighten up.The reason for this may be pinching of the nerve endings near the spine, swelling of the muscles, intervertebral discs or ligaments.
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
Low back pain is divided into 2 groups depending on its origin:
- primary, caused by the development of pathologies in the spine area, functional changes in muscles, joints, discs, ligaments and tendons;
- secondary, associated with spinal injuries, as well as various infections and diseases of the internal organs located in the pelvic area.
The most common causes of pain in the lower back include the following diseases:
- Lumbalgia.It manifests itself 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 manifest themselves in a violation of the elasticity and strength of the intervertebral discs, loosening of the surface of bone and cartilaginous tissue with damage to the nerves.Protrusion of the intervertebral disc refers to one of the stages of osteochondrosis, in which protrusion of 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 radiculitis.It can occur when bending over, sneezing or laughing, it is caused by inflammation of the nerve endings and can cause altered sensation and loss of the ability to move.
- Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side, which manifests itself in asymmetry in the height of the shoulders, poor posture and the formation of a hump.The cause of the disease is a 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.
People who spend a lot of time in an uncomfortable body position (sitting at a computer or bending over garden beds), which causes muscle tension and spasms, are predisposed to spinal diseases.
Diseases of internal organs can also cause lower back pain:
- most often pain occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis, kidney failure, stones, colic);
- diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, adhesions after surgery), which are often reflected in persistent pain in the lumbar region;
- if the lungs are affected (pneumonia), there may be a feeling of pain in the lower back, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- Growing tumors, benign or malignant, that increase in the direction of the nerve fibers of the back.
in men
Periodic lower back pain can occur in men during intense physical activity, when working in the cold or in a strong draft.
Also, pain is characteristic of some male diseases:
- in prostatitis, they appear occasionally and radiate to the back, which is accompanied by general weakness and fever;
- with epididymitis (inflammatory process in the epididymis) they are located in the groin with return to the lumbar area.
in women
Pain in the lumbar region in women can occur 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 gestation, it can hurt in the lower back and radiate to the spine under the pressure of the growing fetus (from the fifth month of pregnancy), if there is a threat of spontaneous abortion, they manifest themselves in the form of contractions;
- During menopause, the pain changes location, 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 distrust.Those associated with nervous stress are treated with psychological correction.
Pain relief methods.
For lower back pain, after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying disease, the neurologist prescribes pain relievers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections.Its use allows the patient to feel better to relieve negative feelings and lead a normal life.
Main groups of analgesics:
- pain relievers;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in tablet form;
- steroid hormonal medications;
- injections to relieve spasms and inflammation;
- muscle relaxants that help reduce skeletal muscle tone;
- chondroprotectors are used for spinal hernia;
- ointments, gels and suppositories;
- medicinal patches and stickers.
Medicines help not only relieve pain, but also normalize blood circulation and restore nervous tissue.
All medications have side effects and contraindications, so they are used only after consulting a doctor.
In especially serious cases, narcotics are used that reduce pain by acting on the nervous system.However, when taken over a long period of time, they can become addictive.
Treatment
After determining the cause of low back pain, complex therapy for the underlying disease is carried out.
With the permission of the treating doctor, it is possible to use alternative methods:
- therapeutic massage course;
- manual therapy, which should be carried out exclusively by highly qualified specialists to avoid complications;
- acupuncture (helps relieve muscle tension and pain);
- physiotherapy and yoga.
To get rid of lower back pain, folk recipes are also used:
- Tea made with birch leaves and lingonberries.The dry mixture is made with boiling water and drunk in small portions throughout the day.
- An ointment made from butter with the addition of chopped garlic cloves and ginger root.It should be applied to the sore spot.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, basic prevention rules should be followed:
- sleep on a semi-rigid mattress, adopting the correct physiological position;
- when sitting in one position for a long time, do not get up abruptly;you need to take breaks, warm up or exercise;
- avoid sudden movements and bending;
- Perform a daily series of special gymnastic exercises to train all parts of the spine (only with the permission of a doctor).