Back problems are very common. According to statistics, over 30% of the population faces pain. About 80% of them suffer from pain of varying intensity throughout their adult lives.
Lumbar pain occurs more often than in other segments of the spine. This is due to the fact that the lower back has the greatest load, the risk of pathological processes in this area is higher. Lumbar pain can be associated not only with diseases of the spine, but also with pathologies of internal organs. Before treating low back pain, it is important to understand the nature of their origin.
Causes of pain syndrome
90% of lumbar pain is associated with vertebral pathologies, both congenital and acquired.
The most common reasons are:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias;
- spondylosis;
- spondyloarthritis.
Congenital anomalies causing pain:
- irregular shape of the spinal processes;
- spinal cleft;
- congenital curvature of the spine.
Neurological causes of lumbar pain:
- compression of nerve roots;
- lumbosciatica (occurs when the sciatic nerve is damaged);
- multiple sclerosis.
Low back pain can be reflective and symptomatic of non-spinal diseases:
- urinary tract and genital infections;
- kidney disease;
- nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis (kidney and bladder stones);
- tumors in the gastrointestinal tract;
- hemorrhoids;
- neoplasms of the uterus in women;
- radiculitis;
- as a complication after previous viral infections.
Sometimes severe back pain in the lumbar region occurs against the background of physiological changes:
- during menstruation;
- after birth;
- during pregnancy;
- as a result of rapid weight gain.
Provoking factors for low back pain can be:
- hypothermia;
- weakening of the immune system and the body against the background of infectious lesions;
- irregular physical activity;
- work related to a long stay in a sitting position (office workers, drivers of vehicles);
- excessive stress, which causes compression fractures of the spine, cracks, stretching of the back muscles;
- power sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, shot put);
- improper nutrition - deficiency of vitamins and elements necessary for bone tissue (phosphorus, calcium, fluoride), excessive consumption of high-calorie foods;
- curvature of the spine (stooping, kyphosis, scoliosis);
- stressful situations - prolonged nervous tension exacerbates a number of chronic diseases, weakens the body.
Determining the nature of pain
Back pain in the lumbar spine can be of different nature:
- acute pain (lasting up to a month and a half);
- subacute (from 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 - is a symptom of certain diseases (tumors, hernias, osteoporosis).
Acute lower back pain, usually sudden, occurs in the form of lumbar lumbago. The pain can radiate to the buttocks, lower limbs and other parts of the body, mimicking certain diseases.
Depending on what caused the pain in the lumbar spine, they can be of different nature (piercing, cutting, pressing, breaking, pain).
At the beginning of the development of the pathological process the pain is often not expressed. The patient may experience discomfort in the affected area, a feeling of "itching" on the skin. Gradually, the symptoms begin to increase and become more pronounced.
Pay attention!It is very important not to delay a visit to a specialist. If not treated in time, the pain will become more intense, in the future there may be signs of dysfunction of other organs and systems (sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, paresis, limitation of physical activity).
Effective treatments
Before starting treatment for low back pain, you should visit a vertebrologist or neurologist. He will try to find the cause of the pain, to prescribe the necessary tests. If necessary, he will send for consultation other specialists (gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist).
In addition to patient interviews and visual examinations, instrumental diagnosis is recommended:
- radiography;
- CT;
- NMR;
- electromyelography.
In addition, a general blood and urine test may be required, taking samples from histological material.
The following conditions require immediate medical attention:
- for the first time and sudden onset of intense pain in the lower back;
- irradiation of pain in the lower leg and foot, a combination of pain with tingling in the thigh, legs;
- history of trauma;
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- duration of pain for more than 3 days;
- presence of cancer;
- loss of appetite and dramatic weight loss;
- chills and fever;
- presence of bacterial infections;
- inability to self-care due to pain.
In most cases, the pain in the lumbar spine occurs due to damage to the spinal structures, it is necessary to eliminate the cause. The treatment approach must be comprehensive.
Medicines
For any back pain, first use a medication to relieve it. The doctor prescribes several groups of drugs in the form of injections, tablets, ointments.
Without determining the cause of the pain, prescribing certain medications (such as NSAIDs or analgesics) can only make the situation worse.
In spinal diseases it is recommended to use NSAIDs and analgesics to relieve pain, relieve inflammation.
Muscle spasms are relieved by short-term (up to 5 days) intramuscular or oral administration of muscle relaxants.
The use of back pain ointments is effective as an adjunct treatment for low back problems. They help reduce pain, relieve inflammation and have a warming effect. Ointments are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, combined, irritating, chondroprotective. External medications should be prescribed by a physician based on the therapeutic effect to be achieved.
Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to quickly relieve very severe pain. The drugs are injected directly into the lesion. The course of such treatment should not exceed 2-3 injections.
Drug-free therapy
It is recommended to use the following measures to restore the waist and strengthen the result of drug therapy:
- massage;
- manual therapy;
- training therapy;
- reflexology;
- yoga;
- physiotherapy and other methods of exposure.
These methods improve the blood supply to problem areas, strengthen muscle tissue and ligaments, make them more elastic and reduce pain. All medical procedures cannot be performed on their own without the supervision of a specialist. A certain load regime must be observed.
Helpful Hints
Tips:
- In case of back pain, physical activity should be significantly reduced and it is better to provide calm during the first 2 days of an attack. Prolonged bed rest is not recommended unless there are fractures, fever or other aggravating symptoms. Moderate activity is always beneficial for the spine.
- Taking painkillers is better in case of unbearable 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 relieve the load on the lower back, you can put a pillow between your legs.
- In case of problems with the lower back, it is recommended to walk as often as possible, to do warm-ups during work, which requires prolonged sitting.
Prevention of low back pain
Pain is a symptom of a malfunction in the body. To avoid low back problems, it is necessary to prevent the appearance of provoking factors as much as possible.
Preventive measures include:
- Regular moderate exercise. Physical education should be given at least half an hour a day. It is useful to do yoga, swimming, morning workout.
- Adherence to the drinking regime. You should drink up to 2 liters of fluid a day. Most of them should be in the first half of the day. After 8 pm, it is best not to drink any fluids at all.
- Eat right. Significantly reduce your intake of fatty, high-calorie foods. Better to use cooked and steamed dishes.
- A routine check-up should be done at least once a year.
- Conduct a course of therapeutic massage 2 times a year.
Pain in the lumbar spine is a signal that there is a problem in the body. The causes of pain can be many. You cannot stop it immediately with pain pills, you should seek professional help and be examined. Ultimately, the problem may lie not only in the spine, but also in the disruption of other organs and systems. The earlier the cause of the pain is identified and treated, the greater the chance of recovery.