Low back pain - causes, treatment and prevention

If your lower back hurts, it could be the result of a large list of causes. One of the most harmless options is physical fatigue. In more serious situations, hernias, bulges or damage to the bone apparatus can occur.To find out what causes lower back pain, you need a medical examination. After diagnosis, appropriate treatment is prescribed to relieve symptoms and eliminate the root cause of the pain.

Why the lower back hurts: classification of painful sensations

If there is severe pain in the lower back in any part of the spine, this may indicate certain pathological changes. The doctor assesses not only the nature and severity of the pain, but also other accompanying signs of lumbar problems. A complete collection of stories is required.

The pain syndrome is classified as follows:

1. Non-specific benign pain. In most situations, benign chronic or acute pain does not require a difficult diagnosis. These unpleasant symptoms are in most cases reversible. Such unpleasant sensations are used to diagnose dorsopathy. Previously, the diagnosis sounded different - osteochondrosis. This is not a dangerous disease that occurs in every person with age, which is characterized by sagging of the intervertebral discs due to the action of gravity and muscle weakness.
2. Radiculopathy (radicular syndrome). The condition is associated with squeezing or irritation of the nerve root in the interdiscal space. Such pain may indicate an inflammatory process, compression of the vertebrae of the intervertebral disc, the appearance of protrusion and hernia. They significantly impair the quality of life of the patient, especially during the acute period during any physical activity.
3. Specific or anxious back pain. Symptoms of only such discomfort are difficult to diagnose, so additional examination is often prescribed, which may include exclusion of cancer, tuberculosis, kidney disease or fractures, injuries. Examples of this are high-grade pyelonephritis in pregnant women, low back pain, lower abdominal pain with diseases of the female reproductive system. In men, urological symptoms should be ruled out.

The general classification of pain is divided into:

• strong;
• лют;
• pain;
• chronic;
• moved.

Lower back pain - causes

The lower back hurts badlywith manifestations of osteochondrosis. Unpleasant sensations torment the patient almost all the time - while walking, sitting and even lying down. The lower back hurts more intensely during the day due to movement. It is aggravated by coughing, sneezing, carrying weights. Less commonly, in the lower back, the pain radiates to the legs, which is manifested by paresthesias - a feeling of numbness and running ominous legs.

If the patient has sciatica, then the pain radiates to the lower body - buttocks, pelvis, thighs or lower leg. The discomfort increases with active body movements, as in the case of dorsopathy. When such symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a neurologist as soon as possible.

Pain in the lower back and lower abdomenindicates a bacterial lesion that is often accompanied by painful urination. In women, low back pain is often seen during pregnancy or during menstruation. Below the lower back, the pain is the result of a painful spasm or fetal pressure on the internal organs. Lower back pain on the right or left indicates kidney disease. It is necessary to clarify the diagnosis with a doctor. The most reliable diagnostic methods are X-ray and MRI.

Often the causes of low back pain in women are related to their periods. Lower back pain in women due to uterine cramps. To combat painful menstruation, you should take NSAIDs or use hormone therapy. The condition of the ovulatory syndrome is observed less often. In addition to the discomfort in the lower back, the woman observes alternating pain in the middle of the cycle on the right or left side. Why this condition occurs is not yet fully known.

During pregnancy, the lower back hurts due to the displacement of the center of gravity and muscle weakness. The condition normalizes after birth. Unpleasant sensations are observed at any time. It is important to be able to distinguish when the back hurts from the load and when with pathology. If at any stage of pregnancy, in addition to pain in the back and lower abdomen, there is a discharge such as menstruation, you should urgently consult a doctor.

In men, the painful sensations in the lower back and below the waist, which radiate to the perineum, indicate the development of inflammation of the prostate. If in addition to these symptoms, the man has a fever and deteriorating well-being, you should contact a therapist or urologist. Treat the inflammation with antibiotics.

Acute lower back pain occurs in situations like this:

• sprain or inflammation of the back muscles;
• long stay in an analgesic position;
• if you suddenly lift a lot of weight;
• sharp turns of the side or body, injuries;
• current or hypothermia.

What to do if your lower back hurts: When the condition shows physical damage, you should see a traumatologist. The specialist will prescribe drug therapy in the acute period to relieve the unpleasant symptoms. Initially, NSAIDs with systemic action are used, and then they switch to external forms of release. It is useful to take vitamin preparations, to inject neurotropic drugs. During the recovery period are shown physiotherapy, massage, gymnastics.

Why unpleasant symptoms occur - low back pain occurs due to inflammation of muscle fibers or myositis. The condition is not pleasant because the patient feels stiffness below the waist and normal body movements are difficult. To temporarily relieve the condition, you should take a warm shower and then wrap yourself in warm clothes. Often the back hurts in the lumbar region after injuries, falls. The use of warming ointments is also recommended. If after a few days the condition does not improve, then it is better to see a doctor.

Pulls and hurts in the lower back during spondylosis. The patient constantly has pulling pain in the lower back and over time has problems with his legs. Loss of sensitivity and weakness are observed. Spondylolisthesis is dangerous if the symptoms are ignored, as the disease develops over a long period of time. Other causes of back pain are ankylosing spondylitis, other diseases that radiate to the spine, or cancer. You can not pull with such symptoms, you should immediately seek professional help.

Sometimes the patient is tormented by "displaced pain" whose nature he does not know. The patient has unpleasant sensations in the back, but this condition is not associated with the developing pathology of the spine. Radiation pain is associated with problems in the pelvis, stomach or duodenum, kidneys.

In what situations do you need to contact a specialist urgently:

1. The pain syndrome is intense and the discomfort does not disappear after 2-3 days or even intensifies.
2. Unpleasant sensations occurred after an injury or as a result of an accident. There were falls on the back or blows.
3. In case of simultaneous pain in the lower back, lower leg, thighs, pelvis.
4. The sensation in the limbs, pelvis, buttocks, thighs, legs, feet and groin is lost due to unpleasant sensations.

Only a doctor will find the exact cause of back pain.

Treatment and ways to relieve low back pain

After diagnosis, therapy is selected according to the individual characteristics of the patient. Treatment is aimed at relieving unpleasant symptoms and preventing recurrence. Conservative therapies are usually combined with the principles of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. In advanced situations, surgery may be necessary.

Drug therapy

Drug use is the most extensive branch of back therapy. NSAIDs or analgesics, antispasmodics, neurotropic vitamins and muscle relaxants may be prescribed for spinal drugs. Each group of drugs will be discussed separately. These drugs are intended for symptomatic treatment - pain relief during exacerbations. They have no effect on the underlying cause of the disease.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) cope with several tasks at once during the symptomatic treatment of back pain. The drugs effectively alleviate and eliminate the inflammatory process due to the reversible inhibition of the synthesis of inflammatory mediators. Systemic forms of release, in the form of tablets and injections, are used in the acute period for a short time to relieve severe pain syndrome.

Diclofenac and Movalis are the gold standard in the treatment of back pain. Indomethacin or ketorolac are less commonly prescribed. After a few days of therapy, the patient is transferred to the use of external forms of release, which can be used much longer. Diclofenac gel, Naproxen, Ketorolac trometamol, Piroxicam perfectly anesthetize.

Antispasmodics can be used to treat a patient if the patient does not tolerate muscle relaxants. Classic antispasmodics are drotaverine hydrochloride or papaverine hydrochloride. They are prescribed to relieve spasm of smooth muscles, which can result in radiating pain in the spine. Such drugs are more easily tolerated by NSAIDs, but also have a weaker effect.

Central muscle relaxant agents include tizanidine, tolperisone hydrochloride or baclofen. The most commonly prescribed treatment for muscle spasticity is tolperisone hydrochloride, although tizanidine is more potent and has fewer side effects. Balofen is a prescription drug prescribed for really advanced cases. This is not a first-line drug, as it has many side effects. The average duration of therapy with muscle relaxants is 1-1. 5 months. If during this period the spasticity has not disappeared, then the drugs are removed.

Physiotherapeutic methods for rehabilitation

In this branch of medicine it is common to use the following methods of recovery:

1. Electrophoresis. The drugs are injected through the skin under the action of galvanic current. Injectable B vitamins, nicotinic acid, chondroprotectors are usually used. This is a long-term method of treating back pain, but it is effective and helps well in the rehabilitation period. Galvanic current has good conductivity, delivering drugs locally where blood flow is disrupted. The drugs are active for 15 hours.
2. Laser therapy aimed at reducing pain. With the help of point-adjusted infrared radiation, the method is aimed at relieving pain, eliminating spasms, stimulating regenerative processes, improving microcirculation in tissues, relaxation and increasing immunity. Laser therapy is especially effective in the treatment of osteochondrosis, hernia, bulge.
3. Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic method officially approved by the WHO. Contraindications to the procedure are the period of pregnancy, age up to 1 year and after 75 years. With the help of acupuncture, the pain syndrome is eliminated to varying degrees. The essence of the method is the effect of the needle on the nerve end of the affected area. The average course of therapy is from 10 to 12 sessions. Effectively and quickly eliminates pain in any part of the back - on the side, left or right of the spine.
4. Physiotherapy is one of the most popular methods of rehabilitation for back pain. If there are no contraindications to the procedure, then special exercises are selected by a rehabilitation therapist, aimed at restoring the mobility of the spine, eliminating muscle pain, strengthening hypotonic muscle structures. By strengthening the muscular corset, the pain disappears.

Methods of traditional medicine are also used, but research has not proven their beneficial effect on health. All methods of self-medication should be discussed with a neurologist.

Prevention of low back pain

Maintaining a healthy spine is important from an early age. In the early period of maturation of the body, the body is formed intensively - the limbs grow, the position of the organs changes, the skeleton lengthens. If you teach your child at an early age the correct posture and regular exercise, you will be able to avoid many back problems in the future.

The child learns to exercise at home several times a week to get a lasting effect. To avoid mistakes in the implementation, you should consult a good rehabilitator. The specialist will tell you how to properly do back exercises at home, choose an individual system of exercises. At a young age it is important not to overdo it and to alternate the principles of moderate exercise with stretching and deep warm-up.

Good habits for the prevention of low back diseases in children and adults:

1. Prolonged and improper sitting at work is fraught with scoliosis with a shift to the left or right. You should get up every 15-20 minutes and do stretching - tilting the neck and waist forward, to the side will tone tired muscles, will improve blood flow.
2. It is important to avoid prolonged exposure to the analgesic posture. Static ridge overload is fraught with pain.
3. Do not make sharp turns on the neck or back. If you do this several times, there is a high probability of injury. Most often, back injuries are caused by sharp and unusual stress on the body.
4. Sit up straight when working from home. Bending the right or left side in a sitting position results in improper muscle loading. The result is uneven muscle tension with alternating hypertension or hypotension in each part of the back.
5. It is necessary to exclude carrying the bag on the left or right of one shoulder. An alternative is the backpack, which evenly loads the shoulders without distortions to the right or left.
6. At home, it is recommended to perform a stretching complex for tired muscles. After a long working day, the muscles lose their elasticity. Warming stretching is also useful for ligaments and joints. Increased bending of the neck sideways and forward, light static loads.

One of the best ways to prevent lower back discomfort is by going to the pool. It is enough to swim 1-2 times a week to feel relief in the back. If you have existing problems, experts recommend visiting the pool at least 3 times a week.