Many people on the planet have experienced lower back pain at least once.According to statistics, only 10% of the population does not know what pain in the lower back is.In recent years, lumbago in the lumbar region began to appear in patients at a young age, not only after intense physical activity, but also in various diseases.
Species
Some cases of lower back pain are usually nothing to worry about.Frequent hypothermia, hard work and heavy lifting can cause destructive changes in the spine.The occurrence of pain is a sign of the development of a pathological process, which must be treated in order to preserve full motor ability.
Knowing the nature and intensity will help you figure out why the unpleasant sensations appear.Accurately determining the pathology helps to prescribe an effective treatment to eliminate pain.
Depending on the duration of the effect, lower back pain may include:
- acute - appears suddenly, is accompanied by high intensity, the duration of the symptom does not exceed thirty days and is often painful;
- chronic - the patient is worried for more than six months, the pain is constant, not serious, indicating old processes in the body;
- periodic - appears in the acute phase, disappears completely with the onset of the remission period;
- Constant pain accompanies many conditions that require immediate treatment, such as spinal, nervous system, vascular damage, and oncological tumors.
A person may feel pain in one point or the entire back.Based on localization, local pain that does not spread beyond the boundaries of the lesion can be distinguished, or generalized pain that affects the entire waist.
Sometimes the pain spreads to the lower limb, causing a forced position during movement.This symptom occurs in case of severe disorders of the spine.The reflective nature of pain occurs in gastrointestinal diseases or gynecological problems.
Reasons
In a non-pathological etiology, severe lower back pain may occur after prolonged physical activity.Accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles causes a painful effect that goes away on its own after a few days.
Main reasons:
- Dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue of the lumbosacral vertebrae (osteochondrosis) are complicated by the proliferation of bone tissue and the loss of elasticity of the flattened cartilage.Lumbar pain increases with deformation of the intervertebral disc, the complication of which is intervertebral hernia.This condition causes increased pain that spreads to the hip and is sometimes reflected in the ankle area.
- Traumatic injuries caused by impact or fall.
- Shortening of one limb can be observed in second and third degree coxarthrosis, after injury or surgery, in case of individual characteristics at birth and high degree of scoliosis.
- Hypothermia leads to myositis.Inflammatory phenomena of muscle fibers cause extensive, constant pain.
- Radiculitis is a neurological pathology based on inflammation of the root of one of the spinal nerves.Suddenly, a sharp pain pierces the patient, forcing him to bend down.
- Scoliotic curvature of the spine.
- Thrombophlebitis is damage to the vessel wall with the formation of a blood clot;with this pathology, a pain effect can also be observed in the lower limb.
- Advanced forms of atherosclerosis with circulatory disorders.
- Inflammatory kidney diseases.
- Gynecological pathologies, the pain originates in the lower abdomen and spreads to the lower back.
- Hormonal disorders in the body in women during menopause.
- Prostatitis in men.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infectious diseases: tuberculosis, brucellosis and others.
- Pancreatitis and gallbladder inflammation cause pain in the lower back.
- Malignant tumors in the lumbosacral region or the abdominal cavity.
Diagnostic measures
Understanding why your lower back hurts is important for lasting pain relief.The diagnosis must be made by an experienced doctor.At the appointment, medical history is collected, complaints are heard and the patient's heredity is clarified.
Visualization and palpation are performed to identify the deformed areas of the spine and to locate the most painful place in the lower back.
To confirm the assumption, the following procedures should be performed:
- laboratory analysis of blood and urine to determine possible inflammation of the body;
- biochemical blood test for indicators of a possible rheumatological factor;
- X-ray examination of the spine determines the presence of a hernia or protrusion;
- ultrasound examination of blood vessels and pelvic organs;
- computed tomography of the spine;
- If necessary, an examination by an infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, phthisis or gynecologist is prescribed.
Treatment
Taking painkillers has a short-term effect, after which the back pain returns.Management measures should consist of a series of primary and secondary management procedures.
A sudden attack requires immediate help.Measures to alleviate the condition:
- take a pain reliever;
- tightly wrap the lumbar area to create compression in the painful area;
- consult a specialist for qualified help.
At the moment of acute pain, if there is no accurate diagnosis, it is forbidden to try to warm the lower part of the painful back so that the inflammation does not increase.It is not recommended to perform therapeutic massage and manual therapy during exacerbation.
Medicines
- NSAIDs relieve back pain and eliminate inflammation by regulating body temperature.Only a doctor can prescribe medicines.Uncontrolled use of non-hormonal painkillers leads to irritation of the gastric mucosa.Taking a drug that inhibits gastric acid secretion half an hour before NSAIDs prevents the pathological condition.
- In severe inflammatory reactions, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed.
- Diuretics relieve swelling by removing excess fluid, which reduces pain.
- Muscle relaxants relieve spasms and relax skeletal muscles.
- Chondroprotectors to prevent damage to the spine.
- Antibiotics for inflammation of internal organs.This pharmacological group disrupts the balance of intestinal microflora.Probiotics help prevent dysbiosis.
- To strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Local treatment
Medicines intended for local treatment help relieve pain.Ointments and creams intended for external use may contain active ingredients: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, viper, cobra, viper, scorpion venom.
Medical-based patches can be used comfortably throughout the day.The pepper patch is placed directly on the lower back and within a few hours it has a uniform therapeutic effect on the painful area.
Kinesio tape is a form of pain relief.Gluing gives an immediate effect;if done correctly, it can stay on the skin for up to 5 days, providing lasting pain relief.
Orthotics include wearing a rigid lumbosacral brace.The bandage is designed for static loading, supports the lumbar area and relieves pain from compression.In case of radiculitis, warming corsets with dog, camel or llama hair are prescribed.
Physiotherapy
Phonophoresis with lidocaine provides rapid relief of symptoms by rapidly penetrating the strong anesthetic into the deep subcutaneous layers.The safe method does not have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which is an additional advantage.
Massage is effective during the pain-free period.After the course, blood circulation improves, the muscular system becomes toned, and mobility in the lumbar area improves.
Acupuncture allows you to apply acupuncture on certain points for treatment and prevention.The Kuznetsov applicator is perfect for home use.Plastic needles increase blood flow and initiate natural pain-relieving processes.
Magnetic therapy is used to treat many diseases, including osteochondrosis, vascular pathologies and gynecological diseases.The pulse current penetrates 7 cm under the skin, reaching the damaged areas.The therapeutic effect is cumulative, it is achieved by the end of the first course and lasts until the next treatment.
Prevention
To keep your lower back healthy, you should follow the well-known rules:
- leads an active lifestyle;
- avoid heavy loads during professional activities, sports training and weight lifting;
- wear a lumbosacral brace for dynamic loads when the spine is tense;
- wear orthopedic shock absorption when walking;
- eat right and control your weight so that extra pounds do not contribute to the development of additional diseases;
- If suspicious symptoms occur, seek advice from a healthcare professional.