The human race pays for the ability to walk on two legs with back pain.If you periodically have back pain in the lower back, it may be a sign of extreme fatigue or the result of being in an uncomfortable position during a long period of work or sleep.But the reasons may be more serious.
Causes of pain
The lower back is one of the most painful areas.There are reasons for this:
- Osteochondrosis;
- Scoliosis;
- Herniated disc;
- Tumors;
- Infectious tissue damage.
The nature and intensity of the pain depends on the disease.And it bothers you in different ways: after sleep, exercise, overwork.For example, renal colic is constantly accompanied by lower back pain.And the type of activity of the patient does not matter here.
- Most often it hurts in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.The pain is of moderate intensity during sleep and intensifies with physical stress.Feeling tired all the time.The feeling of heaviness makes you want to lie down.But relief doesn't always come afterwards.
- In case of a herniated disc, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, lifting heavy objects or falling.
- If the hernia is compressed, sharp pain appears, characterized by lumbodynia.Movements in the lumbar region are noticeably limited.Damage to the nerve root also causes leg pain.
- In old age, stenosis of the intervertebral canal occurs quite often.A sign of this is lameness, numbness of the legs, especially after a long walk.
- Spinal stiffness that occurs in the morning indicates the beginning of the development of ankylosing spondylitis.Initially, sharp painful sensations appear in the sacral region, then spread to the lumbar region.The feeling after sleep is not rest, but fatigue, which disappears with the onset of physical activity.Young men are most susceptible to the disease.The disease is hereditary.Most of the time, the lower back hurts when lying down.
- Acute pain in the lumbar region also occurs in pyelonephritis (inflammatory process of the kidneys).They are accompanied by an increase in body temperature and swelling in the morning after sleep.
- Often, older men develop a disease such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm.Aching pains and throbbing in the abdomen are the result of pressure from the aorta on nearby organs.
- Lower back pain, fever, burning along the nerve are signs of shingles.This viral disease affects cells in the spinal cord.A pink rash appears on the body, later followed by blisters.
- Flat feet are another common condition that many consider harmless.A deformed foot increases the load on the spine when walking.During sleep, the pain subsides.
- If there are congenital changes in the vertebrae: irregular shape or changes in the cleft, they will sooner or later be felt.
- Autoimmune pathologies, notably multiple sclerosis, cause pain in various locations.Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons why severe pain in the lumbar region appears.This can be osteoporosis, infections of the genitourinary system, hemorrhoids, tumor diseases, complications of viral or bacterial infections.And even the physiological changes affecting women and occurring during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pain caused by diseases of internal organs
When you wonder why you have back pain at the lumbar level, it is sometimes difficult to believe that the reasons can also lie inside the organs.The fact is that in some cases, pain coming from internal organs is “referred” to the lumbar region.
- Right-sided pleurisy and pneumonia cause pain in the right lumbar region.Associated symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back, which intensify when bending or lying down during sleep.
- Gallstone disease also localizes sharp pain on the right, just above the lower back, accompanied by belching and nausea.They have a stabbing character.
- Shingles and lower back pain are caused by pancreatitis.His companions have nausea and vomiting.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of a myocardial infarction.
- In men, prostate pathology causes pain in the area below the lower back, with transition to the sacrum.In women - cystitis.
- Diseases of the distal digestive tract cause pain below the lower back.
Pain provocateurs
Factors such as:
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting).
- Muscle tension.
- Fracture.
- Menstrual cycle in women.
- Poor diet.
- Stress.
- Uncomfortable posture during sleep.
Back pain in the lumbar region in children
New technologies have not only brought benefits to our world, but they have also brought harm.For what?Because love for a computer from an early age deprives children of full motor activity and creates poor posture.
Important: If you choose the right chair and table for your child to study, spinal curvature can be avoided!
Scoliosis can develop from carrying a heavy backpack, flat feet or uncomfortable shoes.Make sure to treat him!Excessive physical activity and heavy lifting are contraindicated for children.When participating in a sports section, you should be especially sensitive to your child's complaints about back discomfort after training.It could be a herniated disc.Prompt treatment will allow the child to live a full life.
Types of pain
The nature of pain is divided into the following types:
- Spasms in the long back muscles cause severe pain.This happens because of stretching.The problem is familiar to athletes and people whose specific professions involve strain on the back muscles.When lying down, the pain eases a little.The main location is the lower back.
- An injury to the spine, namely a fracture, is very dangerous.This can result from an unsuccessful fall or become a consequence of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hyperparathyroidism.
- Displacement of the intervertebral discs causes pain due to compression of the nerve roots.For this reason, the patient's mobility is limited, sensitivity is impaired and the knee reflex is reduced.The danger of this disease also lies in the fact that healthy vertebrae begin to hurt, which leads to disruptions in the functioning of internal organs and causes restless sleep.
- Facet joint syndrome causes back pain in 31% of cases.This degenerative process affects the capsule of the intervertebral joints and causes pain not only in the lower back, but also in the legs.The lower back hurts when sitting, leaning to the side or back, or standing for a long time.
- An inflammatory process of an infectious nature in the epidural space is a very serious and dangerous disease.It can be fatal if treatment is not started quickly.
Treatment
Seeing a doctor immediately when you have back pain is key to successful treatment.Even if the pain only bothers you at night or after sleep, there is a reason to consult a specialist.
After analyzing the reasons, the doctor will give recommendations on how to treat and not get sick.The treatment will be comprehensive, using ointments, tablets, injections, massage and physiotherapy.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs occupy first place in the treatment of lower back pain:
- At the initial stage, literally in the first 3-5 days, treatment is carried out by injections to relieve pain and inflammation.They act quickly and effectively relieve acute pain by injecting the medication directly into the bloodstream or muscle.
- Then anti-inflammatory and analgesic tablets, chondroprotectors and irritant drugs are used (in each specific case separately).
- Additionally, ointment treatment is used.A properly chosen ointment helps relieve inflammation in the affected area and also warms (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is relieved using muscle relaxants.With their help, pain is treated and mobility is restored.Apply for 3 to 7 days.
Vitamin preparations of group B are a necessary addition to the main therapy.
In some cases, a drug blockade is necessary.The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally.Used for degenerative changes of the spine.
Physiotherapy treatment:
- Ultra-high frequency;
- Electrophoresis;
- Magnetotherapy.
Massage relieves acute pain by improving blood circulation.Kneading the muscles has a beneficial effect on the elasticity and flexibility of the ligaments.To increase the general tone of the body, and only with the permission of the attending physician, massage is combined with a bath or sauna.You cannot overheat during an infectious process!
Pain during pregnancy can be relieved by wearing a special bandage.
For patients with flat feet, wearing orthopedic insoles is mandatory.
Therapeutic exercise
Exercise is also a treatment.They strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and increase blood circulation.They are used not only as part of complex therapeutic therapy, but also for the prevention of pain in the lumbar region.As in the case of drug treatment, therapeutic exercises are prescribed in each case individually, analyzing the main causes of the disease.But you can highlight several general exercises, each of which is performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning, avoiding overwork.
- While standing, tilt the body alternately to the right, forward, backward, left.
- Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, turn your body to the sides.
- In a position on all fours, do a “cat”: arch your back at the level of your lower back.
- Lying on your back, bend your knees, arms alongside your body.Raise and lower the pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lie on your back, legs straight, arms alongside your body.Alternately bend your knees, then pull them toward your chest.
- Standing on all fours, swing your legs alternately.
Whatever the reasons, only a specialist can determine why the back hurts, identify the “culprit” of the disease and prescribe the correct and effective treatment.As with any other illness, you should not treat yourself!Any medicine can not only treat, but also harm if chosen incorrectly.