Back problems are very common. According to statistics, more than 30% of the population faces pain. Approximately 80% of them suffer pain of different intensity throughout their adult life.
Pain in the lumbar region occurs more frequently than in other segments of the spine. This is due to the fact that the lower back has the greatest load, the risk of developing pathological processes in this area is higher. Pain in the lumbar region can be associated not only with diseases of the spine, but also with pathologies of the internal organs. Before treating low back pain, it is important to know the nature of its origin.
Causes of pain syndrome
90% of low back pain is associated with vertebral pathologies, both congenital and acquired.
The most common causes are:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- intervertebral bulges and hernias;
- spondylosis;
- spondyloarthrosis.
Birth defects causing pain:
- irregular shape of the vertebral processes;
- division of vertebrae;
- congenital curvature of the spine.
Neurological causes of low back pain:
- compression of nerve roots;
- lumboischialgia (occurs when the sciatic nerve is damaged);
- multiple sclerosis.
Low back pain can be reflex and symptomatic of non-spinal diseases:
- urinary tract and genital infections;
- kidney disease;
- nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis (stones in the kidneys and bladder);
- tumor formations in the gastrointestinal tract;
- hemorrhoids;
- neoplasms in the uterus in women;
- radiculitis;
- as a complication after previous viral infections.
Sometimes severe back pain occurs in the lumbar region in the context of physiological changes:
- during menstruation;
- after delivery;
- during pregnancy;
- as a result of rapid weight gain.
The factors that cause low back pain can be:
- hypothermia;
- weakening of the immune system and the body in the context of infectious lesions;
- irregular physical activity;
- work related to a prolonged stay in a sitting position (office workers, vehicle drivers);
- excessive stress, causing compression fractures of the spine, cracks, stretching of the back muscles;
- power sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, shot put);
- inadequate nutrition: deficiency of vitamins and elements necessary for bone tissue (phosphorus, calcium, fluoride), excessive consumption of foods rich in calories;
- curvature of the spine (stooping, kyphosis, scoliosis);
- Stressful situations: prolonged nervous tension exacerbates a number of chronic diseases, weakens the body.
Determination of the nature of pain
Back pain in the lumbar spine can be of a different nature:
- sharp pains (lasts up to a month and a half);
- subacute (one and a half to three months);
- chronic (more than three months).
Types of pain:
- Non-specific: there is no clear localization of pain sensations and the reasons for their occurrence.
- Specific: it is a symptom of certain diseases (tumors, hernias, osteoporosis).
Acute low back pain, usually sudden, presents in the form of a lumbar "lumbago" (lumbago). The pain can radiate to the buttocks, lower extremities, and other parts of the body, mimicking certain diseases.
Depending on the cause of pain in the lumbar spine, they can be of different nature (stab, cut, press, break, hurt).
At the beginning of the development of the pathological process, the pain is often not pronounced. The patient may experience discomfort in the affected area, a feeling of "goose bumps" on the skin. Gradually the symptoms begin to increase and become more pronounced.
Pay attention!It is very important not to delay visiting a specialist. If not treated in a timely manner, the pain will become more intense, in the future there may be signs of disruption of the work of other organs and systems (sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, paresis, restriction of motor activity).
Effective treatments
Before starting treatment for low back pain, you should consult a vertebrologist or neurologist. He will try to find out the cause of the pain, prescribe the necessary investigation. If necessary, send for consultation to other specialists (gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist).
In addition to interviewing the patient and visual examination, it is recommended to diagnose using instrumental methods:
- radiography;
- CT;
- MRI;
- electromyelography.
In addition, a general blood and urine test and a material sample for histological examination may be required.
The following conditions require immediate medical attention:
- for the first time and sudden onset of severe low back pain;
- pain irradiation in the lower leg and foot, a combination of pain with numbness of the thigh, leg;
- history of trauma;
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- duration of pain for more than 3 days;
- presence of oncological disease;
- loss of appetite and dramatic weight loss;
- chills and fever;
- presence of bacterial infections;
- inability to self-service due to pain.
In most cases, pain in the lumbar spine occurs due to damage to the vertebral structures, it is necessary to eliminate its cause. The treatment approach must be comprehensive.
Medications
For any back pain, medications are used to relieve it first. The doctor prescribes several groups of drugs in the form of injections, tablets, ointments.
Without figuring out the cause of the pain, prescribing certain medications (for example, NSAIDs or pain relievers) can only make the situation worse.
For diseases of the spine, the use of NSAIDs and analgesics is recommended to relieve pain and relieve inflammation.
Muscle spasms are relieved by short-term intramuscular or oral administration of muscle relaxants (up to 5 days).
The use of ointments for back pain is effective as a complementary treatment for lower back problems. They help reduce pain, relieve inflammation, and have a warming effect. Ointments are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, combined, irritant, chondroprotective. External means should be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the therapeutic effect to be achieved.
Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to quickly relieve severe pain. Medications are injected directly into the injury. The course of such treatment should not exceed 2-3 injections.
Non-drug therapy
To restore the lower back and strengthen the result of drug therapy, it is recommended to use the following measures:
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- reflexology;
- yoga;
- physiotherapy and other influencing methods.
These methods improve blood supply to problem areas, strengthen muscle tissue and ligaments, make them more elastic, and reduce pain. Medical procedures cannot be performed independently, without the supervision of a specialist. A certain charging mode must be observed.
Helpful Hints
Suggestions:
- In case of back pain, physical activity should be significantly reduced and it is better to ensure peace during the first 2 days of an attack.
- Prolonged bed rest is not recommended unless there are fractures, high fever, or other aggravating symptoms. Moderate activity always benefits the spine.
- Taking pain relievers is best for excruciating pain. It is better to protect the gastrointestinal tract as much as possible from the effects of drugs.
- It is better to sleep in the fetal position, to ease the load on the lower back, you can place a pillow between the legs.
- In case of problems in the lower back, it is advisable to walk as often as possible, to warm up during work, which requires sitting for a long time.
Prevention of low back pain
Pain is a symptom of a malfunction of the body. To avoid problems with the lower back, it is necessary to prevent as much as possible the appearance of provoking factors.
Preventive measures include:
- Regular moderate exercise. Physical education must be taught at least half an hour daily. It is useful for yoga, swimming, morning training.
- Compliance with the drinking regime. You need to drink up to 2 liters of liquid per day. Most of it should be in the first half of the day. After 8 pm it is best not to drink any liquids.
- Eat well. Significantly reduce your intake of fatty and high-calorie foods. It is better to use boiled and steamed dishes.
- At least once a year, a routine checkup should be performed.
- 2 times a year to undergo a course of therapeutic massage.
Pain in the lumbar spine is a sign that there is a problem in the body. The causes of pain can be many. You can not immediately stop it with painkillers, you need to seek the help of a specialist and be examined. After all, the problem can be hidden not only in the spine, but also in the disruption of the work of other organs and systems. The sooner the cause of pain is identified and treated, the greater the chance for recovery.