If low back pain hurts, then it could be the result of a long list of causes. One of the most harmless options is physical fatigue. In more serious situations, a hernia, rash, or damage to the bone marrow may occur.
To find out what causes low back pain, you need to undergo a medical examination. After diagnosis, appropriate treatment is prescribed to alleviate the symptoms and eliminate the root cause of the pain.
Why does the essence of the waist hurt: Classification of painful sensations
If there is severe back pain in any part of the spine, this may indicate some abnormal changes. The doctor assesses not only the nature and severity of the pain, but also other accompanying signs of lumbar problems. A complete collection of history is required.
Pain syndrome is classified as follows:
- Nonspecific pain of benign nature. In most situations, benign chronic or acute pain does not make a difficult diagnosis. These unpleasant symptoms are reversible in most cases. Such unpleasant sensations are used to diagnose dorsopathy. Earlier diagnosis sounded different - osteochondrosis. It is not a dangerous disease that is found in all people of all ages, characterized by lowering of the intervertebral discs due to the action of gravity and muscle weakness.
- Radiculopathy (Radicular Syndrome). The condition is associated with nerve root stretching or irritation in the interdisciplinary space. Such pains may indicate an inflammatory process, compression of the intervertebral disc, protrusion, and hernia. They significantly worsen the patient's quality of life, especially during any acute period with any physical exertion.
- Specific or alarming pain in the spine. Only symptoms of such discomfort are difficult to diagnose, so additional examinations are often prescribed, which may include injuries due to cancer, tuberculosis, kidney disease, or fractures. For example, pyelonephritis with fever, in pregnant women, low back pain, lower abdominal pain with diseases of the female reproductive system. Urological symptoms should be ruled out in men.
The general classification of pain is divided into:
- strong;
- spicy;
- painful;
- chronic;
- moved.
Lumbar pain hurts - Causes
Lumbar pain a lotwith manifestations of osteochondrosisUnpleasant sensations almost always afflict the patient - even when walking, sitting and lying down. The lower back hurts more intensely due to movements during the day. Exacerbates cough, wheezing, weight gain. Less often, pain in the lower back radiates to the leg, which is manifested by paresthesia - a feeling of numbness and running of the crawling legs.
If the patient has sciatica, then the pain radiates to the lower part of the body - the buttocks, pelvis, thighs or lower leg. Discomfort increases with active movements of the body, as in the case of dorsopathy. When such symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a neurologist as soon as possible.
Pain in the lower back and lower abdomenindicates a bacterial lesion often accompanied by painful urination. In women, low back pain often manifests itself during pregnancy or menstruation. Lower back pain is the result of painful spasm of the internal organs or pressure on the fetus. Pain in the lower back, right or left indicates kidney disease. It is necessary to clarify the diagnosis with a doctor. The most reliable diagnostic methods are X-ray and MRI.
Often the causes of low back pain in women are related to their periods. Low back pain due to uterine cramps in women. NSAIDs or hormone therapy are needed to fight painful periods. The condition of ovulatory syndrome is less common. In addition to discomfort in the lower back, the woman observes intermittent pain on the right or left side of the middle cycle. Why this condition occurs is not yet known.
Low back pain during pregnancy hurts due to displacement of the center of gravity and muscle weakness. After childbirth the condition normalizes. Unpleasant sensations are observed at any time. It is important to be able to distinguish when your back hurts from a load and when you have a pathology. If at any stage of pregnancy, in addition to pain in the lower back and abdomen, there is a menstrual-like discharge, you need to see a doctor immediately.
In men, painful sensations radiating to the lower back and lower back in the perineum indicate the development of inflammation of the prostate. If, in addition to these symptoms, a man has an increase in body temperature and a deterioration in well-being, you need to contact a therapist or urologist. Treatment of inflammation with antibiotics.
Acute low back pain occurs in the following situations:
- Stretching or inflammation of the spinal muscles;
- long stay in antalgic posture;
- If you suddenly lift a lot of weight;
- sharp twisting of the arm or body, injuries;
- draft or hypothermia.
What to do if your back hurts: When a condition indicates a physical injury, you need to see a traumatologist. The specialist will prescribe medication during the acute period to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms. Initially, systemic NSAIDs are used and then they are switched to external forms of release. It is useful to take vitamin supplements, injection of neurotropic drugs. Physiotherapy, massage, gymnastics are shown during the recovery period.
Why Unpleasant Symptoms - Lumbar pain increases due to inflammation of muscle fibers or myositis. The condition is not pleasant since the patient feels lumbar tightness and normal body movements are difficult. To temporarily relieve the condition you need to take a warm shower and then wrap yourself in warm clothes. Often the back hurts after injuries to the lumbar region, falling. It is also recommended to use warming ointments. If after a few days the condition does not improve, then it is better to see a doctor.
Spondylosis causes pain in the lower back. The patient has constant low back pain in the lumbar region and over time has problems with the legs. Loss of sensitivity and weakness is noted. Spondylosis deformans are dangerous due to the neglect of symptoms because the development of the disease takes a long time. Other causes of back pain are ankylosing spondylitis, other diseases, pain from which radiation to the spine or cancer. You can not withdraw such symptoms, you should immediately consult a specialist.
Sometimes a patient is tortured by "displaced pains" whose nature he does not know. The patient has unpleasant sensations in the back, but this condition is not associated with developmental pathology of the spine. Pain irradiation is associated with problems with the pelvis, stomach or duodenum, kidneys.
In what situations do you need to contact a specialist immediately:
- Pain syndrome is intense and after 2-3 days the discomfort does not disappear, or even intensifies.
- Unpleasant sensations arose after an injury or as a result of an accident. There was a fall or blow to the back.
- Simultaneous onset of lower back, lower leg, thigh, pelvic pain.
- Due to unpleasant sensations in the limbs, pelvis, buttocks, thighs, legs, feet and groin.
Only a doctor will know the exact cause of back pain.
Treatment and ways to reduce low back pain
After diagnosis, therapy is selected according to the individual characteristics of the patient. Treatment aims to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and prevent recurrence. Usually, conservative therapies are combined with the principles of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. In advanced situations, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Drug therapy
Medication is the most widely used field of spinal therapy. Spinal medications may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics, antispasmodics, neurotropic vitamins, and muscle relaxants. We discuss each group of medications separately. These funds are intended for symptomatic treatment - to relieve pain during exacerbations. They have no effect on the root cause of the disease.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) perform several tasks simultaneously during the symptomatic treatment of back pain. The joints effectively relieve and destroy the inflammatory process due to reversible inhibition of inflammatory mediator synthesis. Systemic forms of release, in the form of tablets and injections, are used during the acute period for a short time to relieve severe pain syndrome.
Diclofenac and Movalis are the gold standard for the treatment of back pain. Less frequently indomethacin or ketorolac is prescribed. After a few days of therapy, the patient switches to using external forms of release, the use of which is much longer. Diclofenac gel, naproxen, ketorolac, trometamol, piroxicam are perfectly anesthetized.
Antispasmodics can be used to treat a patient if the patient does not tolerate muscle relaxants. Classic antispasmodics are drotaverine hydrochloride or papaverine hydrochloride. They are prescribed to relieve smooth muscle spasm, which can cause radiating pain in the spine. Such funds are easier to obtain than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but also have a weak effect.
Muscle relaxants include tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride, or baclofen. The most commonly prescribed treatment for muscle spasticity is tolperisone hydrochloride, although tizanidine is stronger and has fewer side effects. Balofen is a prescription drug that is prescribed for really advanced cases. This is not a first-line medication as it has many side effects. The average duration of therapy with muscle relaxants is 1-1. 5 months. If the spasticity has not disappeared during this period, the medication is discontinued.
Physiotherapy methods of rehabilitation
The following methods of healing are accepted in this field of medicine:
- Electrophoresis. Medications are impregnated into the skin by the action of galvanic current. Usually used injectable B vitamins, nicotinic acid, chondroprotectors. This is a long-term method of treating back pain, but it is effective and helps well during the rehabilitation period. The galvanic current has good conductivity, delivering medications locally where it disrupts blood flow. The medication is active for 15 hours.
- Laser therapy aims to reduce pain. With the help of point infrared radiation, this method aims to relieve pain, eliminate spasms, stimulate regenerative processes, improve microcirculation in tissues, relax and enhance immunity. Laser therapy is especially effective in treating osteochondrosis, hernias, protrusions.
- Acupuncture is the oldest therapeutic method officially approved by the WHO. Contraindications to the procedure are pregnancy, age up to 1 year and after 75 years. With the help of acupuncture, different degrees of pain syndrome are eliminated. The essence of the method is the action of the needle on the nerve ending of the affected area. The average course of therapy is 10 to 12 sessions. Effectively and quickly relieves pain in any part of the spine - on the side of the spinal column, left or right.
- Physiotherapy is one of the most popular rehabilitation methods for back pain. If the procedure has no contraindications, then special exercises are selected by the rehabilitation therapist, aimed at restoring spinal mobility, eliminating muscle pain, strengthening hypotonic muscle structures. The pain disappears as a result of the strengthening of the muscle corset.
The methods of traditional medicine are also used, but research has not confirmed their beneficial effects on health. Any method of self-care should be discussed with a neurologist.
Lumbar pain prevention
Maintaining spine health is important from an early age. In the early stages of body maturation, the body is intensively formed - the limbs grow, the position of the organs changes, the skeleton continues. If you teach your child proper posture and regular exercise at an early age, you will be able to avoid back problems in the future.
The child is taught to do exercise therapy at home several times a week to get a lasting effect. To avoid making mistakes, you need to consult a good rehabilitator. A specialist will tell you how to do back exercises properly at home, select an individual exercise system. At a young age it is important not to overdo it and replace the principles of moderate exercise with alternating and thorough warm-ups.
Good habits to prevent lumbar disease in children and adults:
- Long and incorrect sitting in the workplace is full of scoliosis with shifting left or right. It is necessary to get up and do stretching every 15-20 minutes - tilting the neck and lower back, tensing the tired muscles sideways, improving blood flow.
- It is important to avoid prolonged exposure to antalgic posture. Static overload of the ridge is accompanied by pain.
- Do not make sharp turns of the neck or spine. If you do this several times, there is a high probability of injury. Most often, spinal cord injuries are caused by sharp and unusual stress on the body.
- Sit upright while working from home. Improper loading of the muscles occurs when bending to the right or left. The result is uneven muscle tension in any part of the spine with alternating hypertension or hypotension.
- It is necessary to exclude carrying the bag on the left or right shoulder. The alternative is a backpack that loads evenly over the shoulders to the right and left without distortion.
- It is recommended to perform a tense muscle complex at home. After a long day at work, the muscles lose elasticity. Warm-up stretching is also beneficial for yoga and joints. Bending the neck to the side and front, light static loads are beneficial.
One way to avoid lower back discomfort is to walk in the pool. It is enough to swim 1-2 times a week to feel relief in your back. If you have existing problems, experts recommend that you visit the pool at least 3 times a week.