Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple physical overstrain after an uncomfortable posture to serious disorders in the human body.
Types of painful sensations
The lower back is the lower part of the back that starts at the ribs and ends at the tailbone.Pain in the lumbar spine can manifest itself in different ways: it can be stabbing or stabbing, aching or burning, it can be concentrated in one place or spread to the entire back.
Based on duration, lumbar pain is classified into the following categories:
- periodic, associated with physical activity, overexertion, body characteristics or internal diseases;
- permanent or chronic, caused by irreversible pathologies in diseases of the musculoskeletal system or in diseases of the blood vessels of the legs.
The latter are often accompanied by inflammatory or degenerative processes in the bone or cartilage tissue that cannot be completely cured but can only be reduced or stopped for a short time.
Why do complaints occur?
Pain in the lumbar region is a consequence of a person walking upright, during which a large load falls on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine is made of bone tissue and around it are nerve roots that send pain signals.
If a person sits in one position for a long time, a “lumbago” occurs when getting up, which does not allow him to straighten up.The reason for this can be pinched nerve endings near the spine, swelling of the muscles, intervertebral discs or ligaments.
To diagnose the problem, an external examination of the spine by a doctor and additional examinations are required:
- X-ray examination;
- Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Main reasons
Lower back pain is divided into two groups depending on its origin:
- primary, caused by the development of pathologies in the spine, functional changes in muscles, joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments and tendons;
- secondary, associated with spinal injuries, as well as various infections and diseases of internal organs in the pelvic area.
The most common causes of lumbar pain include the following diseases:
- Lumbago.It is manifested by sudden acute pain in the lumbar region due to pathological changes in the vertebrae.
- Osteochondrosis.Includes a number of diseases of an inflammatory or dystrophic nature, manifested by impaired elasticity and strength of the intervertebral discs, loosening of the surface of bone and cartilage tissue, and damage to the nerves.Disc bulge is one of the stages of osteochondrosis in which the cartilage protrudes.
- Sciatica.Occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed;The pain begins in the lower back and radiates to the back of one leg.
- Radiculitis of the lumbar spine.It can occur when bending over, sneezing or laughing, is caused by inflammation of the nerve endings and can lead to impaired sensitivity and loss of movement.
- Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side, manifested by asymmetry of shoulder height, poor posture and the formation of a hunchback.The cause of the disease is reduced function of the muscles and bones of the skeleton.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease associated with loss of joint mobility due to the growth of connective tissue in the lumbar region and other areas.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints, including the hips.
People who spend long periods of time in an uncomfortable posture (sitting at a computer or leaning over garden beds), which leads to muscle tension and muscle spasms, are susceptible to spinal disorders.
Diseases of the internal organs can also cause lower back pain:
- most often pain occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis, renal failure, stones, colic);
- Diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, adhesions after operations) – often manifest themselves in excruciating pain in the lumbar region;
- if the lungs are affected (pneumonia), pain in the lumbar region may occur, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- growing benign or malignant tumors that grow toward the nerve fibers in the back.
In men
Men may experience periodic lower back pain during vigorous physical activity, working in the cold, or in strong drafts.
In addition, pain is characteristic of some male diseases:
- in prostatitis they occasionally occur and radiate to the back, which is accompanied by general weakness and fever;
- with epididymitis (inflammatory process in the epididymis) are localized in the groin and return to the lower back.
In women
Pain in the lumbar region in women can occur against the background of gynecological diseases or accompany certain physiological processes in the body:
- with inflammation of the limbs (adnexitis), they begin in the lower abdomen and then radiate backwards;
- During pregnancy, under the pressure of the growing fetus (from the 5th month of pregnancy), pain in the lower back and radiating to the spine may occur; if there is a threat of miscarriage, they manifest themselves in the form of contractions;
- During menopause, pain changes location and moves from the head to the chest or lower back;They are caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels in the blood and poor blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Women suffer from back pain and increased distrust.Those associated with nervous stress are treated with psychological correction.
Pain relief methods
If you have pain in the lower back, the neurologist will prescribe painkillers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying disease.Their use allows the patient to feel better, relieve negative feelings and lead a normal life.
Main groups of painkillers:
- analgesics;
- anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs in tablet form;
- steroid hormone preparations;
- injections to relieve spasms and inflammation;
- muscle relaxants that help reduce skeletal muscle tone;
- Chondroprotectors are used for spinal hernias;
- ointments, gels and suppositories;
- Medical plasters and stickers.
Medicines help not only relieve pain, but also normalize blood circulation and restore nerve tissue.
All medications have side effects and contraindications and are therefore only used after consulting a doctor.
In particularly severe cases, anesthetics are used to relieve pain by affecting the nervous system.However, they can become addictive if taken for a long time.
Treatment
After determining the cause of the pain in the lower back, complex therapy for the underlying disease is carried out.
With the consent of the attending physician, the use of alternative methods is possible:
- therapeutic massage course;
- manual therapy, which should be carried out exclusively by highly qualified specialists to avoid complications;
- acupuncture (helps relieve muscle tension and pain);
- Physiotherapy and yoga.
To get rid of pain in the lumbar spine, folk recipes are also used:
- Tea made from birch leaves and cranberries.The dry mixture is brewed with boiling water and drunk in small portions throughout the day.
- An ointment made from butter with the addition of chopped garlic cloves and ginger root.It should be applied to the sore spot.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, you should adhere to the basic rules of prevention:
- sleep on a semi-rigid mattress, assuming the correct physiological position;
- When sitting in one position for a long time, do not stand up abruptly.You need to take breaks, warm up or exercise;
- Avoid sudden movements and bending.
- Perform special gymnastic exercises daily to train all parts of the spine (only with the permission of a doctor).