The human race pays for the ability to walk on two legs with back pain.If your back periodically hurts in the lumbar region, this may be a sign of extreme fatigue or the result of a long time in an uncomfortable position during 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;
- Disc herniation;
- Tumors;
- Infectious tissue lesions.
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 pain in the lower back.And the patient's type of activity does not matter here.
- It most often hurts in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.The pain is moderate in intensity during sleep and increases with physical exertion.Feeling tired all the time.The feeling of heaviness makes you lie down.But relief doesn't always come afterwards.
- If there is a herniated disc, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, lifting heavy objects or falling.
- If the hernia is compressed, sharp pain occurs, characterized as lumbodynia.Movement in the lumbar region is significantly limited.Damage to the nerve root also causes leg pain.
- In old age, stenosis of the intervertebral canal occurs quite often.A sign of it is limping, numbness of the legs, especially after a long walk.
- The stiffness of the spine that appears in the morning indicates the beginning of the development of ankylosing spondylitis.At first, sharp sensations of pain appear in the sacral region, then spread to the lumbar region.The feeling after sleep is not of rest, but of fatigue, which goes away with the start of physical activity.Young men are most susceptible to the disease.The disease is inherited.Most often, the lower back hurts when lying down.
- Acute pain in the lumbar region also occurs with pyelonephritis (an inflammatory process in the kidneys).They are accompanied by increased body temperature and swelling in the morning after sleep.
- Often, elderly men develop a disease such as an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.Pain and pulsation in the abdomen are the result of the pressure of the aorta on nearby organs.
- Pain in the lower back, fever, burning along the course of the nerve are signs of herpes zoster.This viral disease affects the cells of the spinal cord.A pink rash appears on the body, and later blisters appear.
- Another widespread condition that many consider harmless is flat feet.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, then sooner or later they will be felt.
- Autoimmune pathologies, in particular multiple sclerosis, are provocateurs of pain with different localizations.Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons why there is severe pain in the lumbar region.This can be osteoporosis, infections of the genitourinary system, hemorrhoids, tumor diseases, complications after viral or bacterial infections.And even physiological changes affecting women and occurring during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pain caused by diseases of the internal organs
Wondering why the back hurts in the lumbar region, it is sometimes hard to believe that the causes can also be inside the organs.The fact is that in some cases the pain from the internal organs is "forwarded" to the lumbar region.
- Right-sided pleurisy, pneumonia are the causes of pain in the lumbar region on the right.Accompanying symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back, which worsens when bending over or lying down during sleep.
- Gallstone disease also localizes sharp pains on the right, just above the lower back, and these are accompanied by belching and nausea.They have a piercing character.
- Herpes zoster lower back pain occurs due to pancreatitis.Its companions are nausea and vomiting.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of a myocardial infarction.
- In men, the pathology of the prostate gland causes pain in the area below the lower back, with a transition to the sacrum.In women - cystitis.
- Diseases of the distal alimentary canal cause lower back pain.
Pain triggers
Factors such as:
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting).
- Muscle tension.
- Fracture.
- Menstrual cycle in women.
- Bad nutrition.
- stress.
- Awkward posture while sleeping.
Back pain in the lumbar region in children
New technologies have brought not only benefits to our world, but also harm.why Because the love for the computer from an early age deprives children of full motor activity and creates incorrect posture.
Important: if you choose the right chair and table for your child's education, the curvature of the spine can be avoided!
Scoliosis can develop from carrying a heavy backpack, flat feet, or uncomfortable shoes.Be 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 of back discomfort after training.It could be a herniated disc.Timely treatment will allow the child to live a full life.
Types of pain
The nature of the pain is divided into the following types:
- Spasms in the long back muscles cause severe pain.This happens due to stretching.The problem is familiar to athletes and people whose specific professions are related to loading the back muscles.In a lying position, the pain subsides a little.The main location is the lower back.
- Injury to the spine, namely a fracture, is very dangerous.It can arise from a failed fall or become a consequence of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hyperparathyroidism.
- Displacement of the intervertebral discs causes pain as a result of 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 is also that healthy vertebrae begin to hurt, which leads to disturbances 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, when bending sideways or backwards, or when 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 promptly.
Treatment
Immediate medical attention for back pain is the key to successful treatment.Even if the pain only bothers you at night or after sleep, there is a reason to see a specialist.
After analyzing the causes, the doctor will give recommendations on how to treat and not get sick.The treatment will be comprehensive, using ointments, tablets, injections, massages and physiotherapy.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are first in the treatment of low back pain:
- In the initial stage, literally during the first 3-5 days, treatment is carried out using injections to relieve pain and inflammation.They work quickly, effectively relieving acute pain by directly injecting the drug into the blood or muscle.
- After that, anti-inflammatory and analgesic tablets, chondroprotectors and irritant drugs are used (for each specific case separately).
- Additionally, ointment treatment is used.Correctly selected ointment helps to relieve inflammation in the affected area and also warms (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is relieved with the help of muscle relaxants.With their help, pain is treated and mobility is restored.It is applied from 3 to 7 days.
Group B vitamin preparations are a necessary addition to the main therapy.
In some cases, drug blockade is necessary.The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally.It is used for degenerative changes in the spine.
Physiotherapy treatment:
- UHF;
- 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, the massage is combined with a bath or sauna.You can not warm up 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.
Physical therapy
Exercise is also therapy.They strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation.They are used not only in the complex of therapeutic therapy, but also for the prevention of pain in the lumbar region.As with drug therapy, therapeutic exercises are prescribed in each case individually, analyzing the main causes of the disease.But you can emphasize a few general exercises, each of which is performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning, avoiding overwork.
- In a standing position, tilt the body alternately to the right, forward, backward, left.
- In a standing position, with your feet shoulder-width apart, turn your body to the side.
- In a position on all fours, make a "cat": arch your back in the lower back.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees, arms along the body.Raise and lower your pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lie on your back, legs straight, arms by your side.Alternatively, bend your knees and then pull them towards 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 disease, you should not self-medicate!Any medicine can not only heal, but also harm if it is chosen incorrectly.