Back pain of an episodic or constant nature often indicates that an inflammatory or degenerative-dystrophic disease is gradually forming in the body. Early diagnosis of this disease can increase the chance of a full recovery. Pain in the lumbosacral area of the spine can indicate osteochondrosis, hernia, bulges, infection, or problems with internal organs.
Why does the lower back hurt
When a person complains of painful phenomena in the lumbar spine, the doctor first expresses suspicion of problems with the patient's musculoskeletal system. And only after such diseases are excluded, a thorough examination is carried out to assess the condition of internal organs.
This is because there is general innervation of the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs with the trunks of nerve tissue. Because of this, the appearance of pain, for example, in the digestive organs, can only occur in the lumbar area. Let's get to know in detail some of the causes of low back pain.
Excessive loads
It is a relatively natural source of back pain. During hard physical work or active sports training, the muscle tissue is exposed to excessive loads. It accumulates lactic acid, which irritates skeletal muscle tissues. As a result, in addition to pain, a person notices the appearance of a sufficiently strong burning sensation. All symptoms disappear after a short break, as lactic acid is eliminated from the muscles.
For lower back pain every time during exercise, if its intensity remains unchanged for a couple of hours, you should consult a doctor. Excessive exercise, lifting heavy objects often provokes the appearance of microtraumas in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae, the formation of diseases of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.
Osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia
Stage I, II and III lumbar osteochondrosis is the main cause of back pain. At an early stage, the patient worries about minor discomfort that indicates a slight destruction of the intervertebral discs.
In the event that during this period the patient turned to a neurologist for help, complete cure of the disease, as well as partial restoration of the destroyed tissue, is possible. Sharp, severe pain that increases when the trunk is bent or twisted indicates serious damage to the spinal structure.
Against the background of the radiological degree of osteochondrosis II or III, the formation of hernias or protrusions is often observed. Because of this, there is stabbing pain, and serious complications can also appear - radicular syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Gynecological diseases
Women diagnosed with adnexitis often experience symptoms in the lumbar spine, an inflammation that affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes (uterine appendages) at the same time. In addition to the pain syndrome, patients notice the appearance of discharge from the genitals, the appearance of problems with conception and irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
Similar symptoms are observed with inflammation of the appendages of the uterus, the formation of a cyst in the ovaries and the formation of polyps in the uterus.
Kidney disease
Since the kidneys are located right next to the lumbar region, a person may experience lower back pain when their functionality deteriorates. The fact that these bean-shaped paired organs are affected is indicated by a violation of urinary function, the appearance of purulent or bloody impurities in the urine and a deterioration in general well-being.
Lumbar spine pain is often troubling in such conditions: cystitis (including hemorrhagic), glomerunonephritis, pyelonephritis, acute and chronic kidney failure.
Carry a baby
This is one of the natural factors that lead to unpleasant manifestations in the lumbar spine. When a woman gives birth to a future baby, the uterus and fetus increase in size, thereby injuring the nerve receptors underneath.
During the last trimester, the expectant mother's body begins to produce a special hormone - relaxin. This leads to relaxation of the ligaments, tendons, to facilitate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Because of this, the pain intensity can increase dramatically.
Endometriosis
This is a common gynecological disease, against the background of which the internal tissue of the uterus grows beyond its limits. The endometrioid tissue shows an increased sensitivity to hormones synthesized by the body, for this reason endometriosis manifests itself as monthly bleeding. Because of this, inflammation develops, the sign of which is pain syndrome that radiates to the lumbosacral region of the spine.
menses
Painful manifestations of a pulling nature of moderate severity occur in half of women before menstruation or during bleeding. This pain is all natural and will go away immediately after your period ends. Discomfort can also be felt in the lower back.
The pathological etiology of lower back pain during menstruation is indicated by the presence of dyspeptic disorders, diarrhea or constipation, frequent headaches and dizziness. In a similar situation, a woman can be diagnosed with algomenorrhea or menstrual disorder.
Breast sizes
The spine in women with large breasts is heavily stressed. If the mammary glands are not properly distributed, the risk of the formation of degenerative-destructive processes increases. Women with large breasts often curve, which contributes to the deterioration of the spine.
Incomfortable shoes
Painful sensations in the lumbar spine that occur at the end of a work day are a common condition in women who walk in tight high-heeled shoes. This leads to a violation of blood vessels, circulatory disorders in the lower extremities and pelvic organs. As a result, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar area deteriorates, as a result of which they are destroyed. The situation is made worse by the increased stress on the spine.
menopause
During menopause in a woman's body, the production of estrogens, which are involved in regulating the recovery processes in the musculoskeletal system, decreases. The bone structure loses the ability to fully absorb the trace elements necessary for its recovery. It becomes brittle, which can lead to frequent fractures. Painful manifestations in the lumbar spine during menopause may indicate bone resorption, the formation of osteoporosis.
Obesity
Obesity is one of the causes of lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Obesity increases the stress on the intervertebral discs, which leads to an increased risk of microtrauma with further destruction of the vertebral tissue.
A person who is overweight does not usually eat well. His diet is rich in high-calorie foods, fresh vegetables and fruits with essential trace elements and vitamins are not consumed in sufficient quantities. With increased loads in combination with a lack of useful substances, there is a tendency to the formation of osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
oncology
Changes in the genetic structure of cells lead to a violation of the regulation of their growth and reproduction. As a result, there is pathological tissue proliferation, the formation of a benign or malignant tumor.
Pain in the lumbar spine can manifest itself against the background of tumor damage to sensitive nerve receptors, the spine, soft tissues and the circulatory system. Calcium is absorbed in large quantities by the neoplasm, as a result of which a deficiency of this substance develops in bone tissue, which leads to thinning of the bones.
Hypothermia
The musculature of the skeleton in the lumbosacral area is often inflamed by the influence of low temperatures. This becomes the reason for the formation of myositis - a disease that manifests itself as a local pain syndrome in the damaged muscles. Its intensity increases significantly with movement and palpation. Against the background of the inflammatory process, there is an increase in muscle tone, as a result of which the lower back becomes less mobile.
Varieties of pain
An initial diagnosis can be made on the basis of a detailed description of the disturbing symptoms. In any disease, pain manifests itself with varying degrees of severity, frequency and condition before it appeared.
Strong pain
This pain syndrome is typical of stages II and III of lumbar osteochondrosis. At this stage, significant destruction of the intervertebral discs occurred and their depreciation properties were lost. They cannot cushion the load while moving, which makes the vertebral structure unstable.
This leads to compression of the soft tissues. Severe pain begins to interfere even in the motionless state and grow against the background of curves and turns, loud laughter, coughing and sneezing. There is also a feeling of "goose bumps" and muscle weakness.
Sharp pain
The reason for the occurrence of the acute pain syndrome is the compression of receptors in the spinal canal by osteophytes or intervertebral discs. This is typical of a lumbago attack, which often manifests itself in rheumatic diseases, lumbosacral osteochondrosis and radiculopathies.
Painful sensations are so pronounced, piercing and burning that the patient cannot move. Often times, a person cannot straighten their back because they fear that there will be pain.
It's a dull pain
Pain in the lumbar spine with a dull, sore and oppressive character is characteristic of diseases of the internal system, including the genitourinary and reproductive organs. Such ailments can indicate the development of osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, spondyloarthritis.
The pain is not localized but can radiate to the hips, buttocks, and ankles. Aching pain is often indicative of a destructive process in the spine or inflammation of the internal system.
Chronic pain
A constant pain in the lower back indicates the transformation of the disease into a chronic one. It's sharp, strong during relapse, and radiates to nearby areas of the body. During remission, mild discomfort occurs with hypothermia, physical exertion, exacerbation of other diseases, acute respiratory viral infections.
Pain syndrome increases on the background of bending, turning the upper body, climbing stairs and long walking.
Diagnostic measures
The diagnosis of the disease is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, his visual examination, anamnestic data, the results of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics. The most revealing method for identifying problems with the musculoskeletal system is an X-ray examination. In the resulting picture you can see the changed vertebrae, formed osteophytes (bone formations).
If the doctor suspects the development of a hernia, protrusions, diseases of the internal systems, ultrasound, MRI and CT are prescribed. Thanks to these diagnostic methods, it is possible to find out where the disease is localized, to assess the degree of the progression of inflammation.
A clinical examination of blood and urine is mandatory. If a systemic disease (gout, rheumatoid arthritis) is suspected, a biochemical, serological test is carried out.
Which doctor should you contact?
Often, back pain occurs after an injury - subluxation of the vertebrae, severe bruising, lesions of the spinal canal. In such a situation, you need the help of a traumatologist.
You can also see a therapist. Such a doctor can diagnose diseases of the spine and internal systems. After examining the results of the diagnostics, he will determine which close specialist visit (rheumatologist, neuropathologist or orthopedist) is required for further treatment.
First aid
In severe acute pain, the victim should be placed on a hard surface in a position in which the discomfort is less pronounced. You can lie down with your knees slightly bent and place a rolled-up blanket underneath. For quick pain relief, you can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Therapeutic measures
Analgesics can relieve back pain. Their effects won't last long if you don't treat the underlying disease properly. Some internal system pathologies are well treated, including oncology. However, complete restoration of destroyed intervertebral discs and deformed vertebrae against the background of osteochondrosis is impossible. The aim of the therapy is a stable remission, in which pain in the lumbar spine does not interfere.
Drug therapy
In the case of back pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in tablet or capsule form are first prescribed.
In oncological diseases, they resort to narcotic analgesics. If pain occurs as a result of spasms in the skeletal muscles, muscle relaxants are indicated.
In the treatment of diseases of the internal system, analgesics are also prescribed.
Treatment with ointments and gels
Ointments and gels are used to relieve mild to moderate discomfort in the lumbar area. Medicines for external use are also included in therapeutic schemes to reduce the dosage of injections and tablets, in order to reduce the pharmacological load on the body.
For back pain, the use of external means can be prescribed from the following groups:
- NSAIDs - have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effects.
- Warming gels and ointments - have an analgesic, locally irritating and distracting effect.
- Chondroprotectors against the background of osteochondrosis - have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, stimulate the recovery of the intervertebral discs.
Injections
When choosing pain relievers, the doctor depends on the type of disease, its course and the severity of the pain syndrome. To get rid of acute pain, they often resort to drug blocks with glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics. The use of hormonal agents is quite harmful to the body, so such interventions can be carried out a maximum of 1 time in 1-3 months.
To get rid of severe pain, NSAIDs are prescribed in the form of injections into the muscle.
physical therapy
If a disease has already been diagnosed or to prevent its development, experts advise patients to do therapeutic gymnastics exercises on a daily basis. That will help:
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar area;
- strengthen the muscular frame of the back;
- reduce the intensity of pain.
The gymnastic complex is developed by the attending physician based on the nature of the disease, the complications present and the patient's physical condition.
Massage treatment
In order to improve the supply of blood and nutrients to the tissues, normalize the tone of the skeletal and smooth muscles, strengthen the muscles, massage is recommended:
- classic;
- Point;
- segmental;
- Cans.
Massage is prescribed both for therapeutic purposes and to prevent the development of an exacerbation in the chronic course of the pathology.
Heat and cold treatment
The effect on the lumbar spine with heat helps to get rid of pain, but only after the acute inflammatory process has stopped. For these purposes, a heating pad, a warming ointment or gel, a bath is suitable.
Under the influence of cryotherapy (cold treatment), the adaptation systems are activated. At the center of this physiotherapeutic procedure is the body's reaction not to overcool the outer layers of the skin.
Preventive measures
It is possible to prevent the appearance of pain in the lumbar spine by excluding factors that can provoke the occurrence of the problem. It is necessary to stop walking in high heeled shoes to minimize the consumption of very high calorie foods. Regular exercise, swimming, and yoga are good prophylaxis.