Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems.The causes of pain are different: from simple physical overexertion after an uncomfortable position of the body to severe 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.Lumbar pain can manifest itself in different ways: it can be sharp or nagging, painful or burning, it can be concentrated in one place or spread to the whole back.
Based on duration, low back pain is classified into:
- periodic, associated with physical activity, overexertion, body characteristics or internal diseases;
- permanent or chronic, which are caused by irreversible pathology in diseases of the musculoskeletal system or in diseases of the blood vessels of the legs.
The latter type is often accompanied by inflammatory or degenerative processes in the bone or cartilage tissue, which are not completely curable, they can only be reduced or stopped for a short time.
Why does the discomfort occur?
Pain in the lumbar region is a consequence of upright walking, where a large load falls on the lumbar spine.The base of the spine is bone tissue, and around it are nerve roots that send pain signals.
If a person sits in one position for a long time, then when standing up, "lumbago" occurs, which does not allow him to stand up.The reason for this can be pinching of nerve endings near the spine, swelling of muscles, intervertebral discs or ligaments.
To diagnose the problem, it is necessary to undergo an external examination of the spine by a doctor and additional examinations:
- x-ray examination;
- computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The main reasons
Pain in the lower back is divided into 2 groups according to origin:
- primary, caused by the development of pathologies in the area of the spinal column, functional changes in muscles, joints, discs, ligaments and tendons;
- secondary, associated with spinal injuries, as well as various infections and diseases of internal organs located in the pelvis area.
The most common causes of pain in the lumbar region include the following diseases:
- Lumbago.It manifests itself as a sudden acute pain in the lumbar region due to pathological changes in the vertebra.
- Osteochondrosis.It includes a number of diseases of an inflammatory or dystrophic nature, which are manifested by impaired elasticity and firmness of the intervertebral discs, loosening of the surface of bone and cartilage tissue, along with nerve damage.Protrusion of the intervertebral disc refers to one of the stages of osteochondrosis, in which the cartilage protrudes.
- Sciatica.It occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed;the pain starts in the lower back and spreads to the back of one leg.
- Lumbar radiculitis.It can occur when bending, sneezing or laughing, it is caused by inflammation of nerve endings, and it can lead to damage of sensitivity and loss of ability to move.
- Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine to one side, which is manifested by asymmetry of shoulder height, poor posture and the formation of a hump.The cause of the disease is a decrease in the functions of the muscles and bones of the skeleton.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease accompanied by 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 hip.
People who spend a long time in an uncomfortable body position (sitting at the computer or bending over garden beds), which causes muscle tension and muscle spasms, are predisposed to spine diseases.
Diseases of internal organs can also cause lower back pain:
- most often, pain occurs in the kidneys (pyelonephritis, kidney failure, stones, colic);
- diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, adhesions after surgery) - often reflected by excruciating pain in the lumbar region;
- if the lungs are affected (pneumonia), there may be pain in the lumbar region, especially when coughing;
- bone tuberculosis and other infections;
- growing tumors, benign or malignant, that increase in the direction of the nerve fibers in the back.
In men
Periodic pain in the lower back can occur in men during heavy physical activity, when working in the cold or in strong drafts.
In addition, pain is characteristic of some male diseases:
- in prostatitis, they occasionally appear 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 with a return to the lower back.
In women
Pain in the lumbar region in women can appear against the background of gynecological diseases or follow certain physiological processes in the body:
- with inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis), they start in the lower abdomen and then radiate to the back;
- during childbirth, it can hurt in the lower back and radiate to the spine under the pressure of the growing fetus (starting from the 5th month of pregnancy), if there is a threat of miscarriage, they manifest in the form of contractions;
- During menopause, the pain changes localization, moving from the head to the chest or lower back;they are caused by fluctuations in the level of estrogen in the blood and poor circulation in the pelvic organs.
Women have back pain and increased suspicion.Those related to nervous stress are treated with psychological correction.
Methods of pain relief
For pain in the lower back, after clarifying the cause and diagnosing the underlying disease, the neurologist prescribes painkillers in the form of ointments, tablets or injections.Their use allows the patient to feel better in order to get rid of negative feelings and lead a normal life.
Main groups of painkillers:
- analgesics;
- anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs in the form of tablets;
- steroid hormone drugs;
- injections to relieve spasms and inflammation;
- muscle relaxants that help reduce skeletal muscle tone;
- chondroprotectors are used for spinal hernia;
- ointments, gels and suppositories;
- medical patches and stickers.
Medicines help not only in relieving pain, but also in normalizing blood circulation and restoring nerve tissue.
All drugs have side effects and contraindications, so they are used only after consultation with a doctor.
In particularly severe cases, narcotics are used that reduce pain by acting on the nervous system.However, when taken over a long period of time, they can become addictive.
Treatment
After determining the cause of pain in the lower back, complex therapy of the underlying disease is carried out.
With the doctor's permission, it is possible to use alternative methods:
- therapeutic massage course;
- manual therapy, which should be performed exclusively by highly qualified specialists in order to avoid complications;
- acupuncture (helps relieve muscle tension and pain);
- physical therapy and yoga.
To get rid of lumbar pain, folk recipes are also used:
- Birch leaf and blueberry tea.The dry mixture is boiled with boiling water and drunk in small portions during the day.
- Grease made from butter with the addition of chopped garlic cloves and ginger root.It should be applied to the painful area.
Prevention
To avoid unpleasant pain in the lower back, you should follow the basic rules of prevention:
- sleep on a semi-rigid mattress, taking the correct physiological position;
- when sitting in one position for a long time, do not get up suddenly;you need to take breaks, warm up or exercise;
- avoid sudden movements and bending;
- perform a daily set of special gymnastic exercises for training all parts of the spine (only with the permission of the doctor).