Back problems are very common. According to statistics, more than 30% of the population faces pain. About 80% of them suffer from pain of varying intensity during their adult life.
Pain in the lumbar region occurs more often than in other segments of the spine. This is due to the fact that the lower back has the greatest load, and 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 internal organs. Before treating low back pain, it is important to discover 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 causes are:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- protrusions and intervertebral hernias; spondylosis;
- spondyloarthritis.
Congenital anomalies that cause pain:
- irregular shape of spinal processes;
- cleavage of vertebrae;
- congenital curvature of the spine.
Neurological causes of lumbar pain:
- nerve root compression;
- lumboischialgia (occurs when the sciatic nerve is damaged)
- multiple sclerosis.
Low back pain can be a reflection and symptom of non-spinal disease:
- urinary tract and genital infections;
- kidney disease;
- nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis (kidney and bladder stones);
- tumor formations 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 childbirth;
- during pregnancy;
- as a result of rapid weight gain.
Factors provoking low back pain can be:
- hypothermia;
- weakening of the immune system and body in the background of infectious lesions;
- irregular physical activity;
- work related to a longer stay in a sitting position (office employees, vehicle drivers);
- excessive stress, which causes compression fractures of the spine, cracks, stretching of the back muscles;
- strength sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, throwing the ball);
- inadequate diet - lack of vitamins and elements necessary for bone tissue (phosphorus, calcium, fluoride), excessive consumption of high-calorie foods;
- curvature of the spine (sagging, kyphosis, scoliosis);
- Stressful situations - prolonged nervous tension worsens through 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 (one and a half to three months);
- chronic (more than three months).
Types of pain:
- Nonspecific - there is no clear localization of pain sensations and reasons for their occurrence.
- Specifically - it is a symptom of certain diseases (tumors, hernias, osteoporosis).
Acute lower back pain, usually sudden, occurs in the form of lumbar "lumbago". Pain can radiate to the buttocks, lower extremities and other parts of the body, mimicking certain diseases.
Depending on what caused the pain in the lumbar spine, they can be of different natures (stabbing, cutting, pressing, breaking, pain).
At the beginning of the development of the pathological process, the pain is often not pronounced. The patient may feel 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 a visit to a specialist. If not treated in time, the pain will become more intense, in the future there may be signs of disorders in 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 must visit a vertebrologist or neurologist. They will try to discover the cause of the pain, prescribe the necessary research. If necessary, refer to consultations with other specialists (gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist).
In addition to talking to 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 may be needed, taking samples for histological examination.
The following conditions require immediate medical attention:
- for the first time and a sudden onset of intense lower back pain;
- irradiation of pain in the lower leg and foot, a combination of pain and numbness of the thigh, leg;
- history of trauma;
- urinary and fecal incontinence;
- duration of pain longer than 3 days;
- presence of oncological disease;
- loss of appetite and dramatic weight loss;
- cold and fever;
- presence of bacterial infections;
- inability to self-serve due to pain.
In most cases, pain in the lumbar spine occurs due to damage to the spinal structures, it is necessary to remove their cause. The approach to treatment must be comprehensive.
Medications
For any back pain, medications are first used to relieve it. The doctor prescribes several groups of drugs in the form of injections, tablets, ointments.
Without revealing the cause of the pain, prescribing certain medications (for example, NSAIDs or analgesics) can only make the situation worse.
For spinal diseases, the use of NSAIDs and analgesics is recommended to relieve pain and inflammation.
Muscle cramps are relieved by short-term (up to 5 days) intramuscular or oral administration of muscle relaxants.
The use of fat for back pain is effective as an adjunct treatment for lower back problems. They help reduce pain, relieve inflammation and a warming effect. Fats 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
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 methods of influence.
These methods improve blood flow to problem areas, strengthen muscle tissue and ligaments, make them more elastic and reduce pain. Any medical procedure cannot be performed on its own, without the supervision of a specialist. A certain way of loading must be respected.
Helpful Hints
Tips:
- In case of back pain, physical activity should be significantly reduced, and it is better to ensure peace during the first 2 days of the attack.
- Prolonged bed rest is not recommended if there are no fractures, high fever or other aggravating symptoms. Moderate activity always benefits the spine.
- Taking pain medication 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 lower back, you can put a pillow between your legs.
- In case of problems with the lower back, it is advisable to walk as often as possible, 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 problems with the lower back, 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 for at least half an hour a day. It is useful to practice yoga, swimming, morning training.
- Compliance with the drinking regime. You need to drink up to 2 liters of fluid a day. Most of it should be in the first half of the day. After 20 hours, it is best not to drink any liquids at all.
- Eat right. Significantly reduce your intake of fatty, high-calorie foods. Better to use boiled and steamed dishes.
- A routine check-up should be performed at least once a year.
- Go for a 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 can’t stop it right away with painkillers, you need to seek professional help and get examined. Finally, the problem can be hidden not only in the spine, but also in the dysfunction of other organs and systems. The sooner the cause of the pain is discovered and treated, the greater the chance of recovery.