According to statistics, back pain is quite common.This is confirmed by the fact that approximately 80% of the population has experienced discomfort in the waist area at least once in their life.It is also known that one of the main symptoms of a wide range of disorders is lower back pain.Some experts believe that discomfort in this area of \u200b\u200bthe spine is a kind of punishment for a person who walks upright.
In most cases, as long as the pain in the lumbar region is not severe or constant, but appears periodically, people are not inclined to give it importance and go to the doctor.As a result, the discomfort usually increases and becomes chronic.Upon consultation with a specialist it turns out that the cause of the discomfort is a serious disease that requires surgical therapy.
As a rule, acute lower back pain turns into constant pain over time.According to neurologists, within the year following recovery, a relapse occurs in 40% of patients, while in the long term the discomfort returns in 85% of patients.
Types of lower back pain
For some people, lower back problems become so common that they stop noticing them.In general, unpleasant sensations in the lower back can be observed in a person once and then never arise again.
Or they may constantly return, causing incredible suffering.But before visiting a doctor, you can determine by the symptoms of pain syndrome and its localization what ailment it is caused by.
There are five types of low back pain:
- local;
- reflex;
- reflex spondylogenic (pathological);
- radicular;
- caused by muscle spasm.
Local and referred low back pain
Local localization of pain occurs due to irritation or compression of sensitive nerve endings.It is caused by fractures, breaks or tensions of sensitive fibers.Unpleasant sensations of a local nature that do not change in strength when changing the position of the body suggest the presence of a tumor or spinal infection.
The source of referred pain, which is felt in the lower back, may be a problem with the abdominal or pelvic organs.Very often, but not always, the pain is localized in addition to the lower back, also in the abdomen and pelvis.When the spine moves, the unpleasant sensations do not increase, but no particular relief is felt either.
Spondylogenic referred pain in case of damage to the upper lumbar spine is felt in the lower back, inguinal area or on the anterior surface of the thighs.When the condition affects the lower lumbar region, discomfort usually manifests itself in the buttocks, the back of the thighs and, in rare cases, in the calves or feet.
Sharp, cramping pain
Classic discomfort in the lower spine of radicular origin is usually characterized by severity and spread to the leg.
Often back pain when coughing is caused by coughing, sneezing or other tension in the abdominal muscle tissue.This occurs due to tension of the affected root or nerve during a certain position or movement of the body.
Therefore, pain in the lower back when sitting occurs due to tension of the sciatic nerve (the L5 and S1 roots react) which runs along the back of the thigh.The nature of the sensations themselves usually does not allow distinguishing radicular pain from non-radicular pain.What causes the discomfort of muscle spasms is usually unclear.Pain occurs with various spinal disorders.During a spasm, the spine bends, the deep back muscles tighten, and a dull ache occurs.
Often discomfort in the lower back appears due to spinal pathology.In some cases, it can be caused by damage to the kidneys, pancreas, and lower back muscle tissue.The cause of the pain is usually determined by a neurologist.If necessary, a therapist and an orthopedist are involved.
Common causes of low back pain
Doctors recommend paying attention to the unpleasant sensation in the lower back, especially since it can be one of the symptoms of a number of serious diseases.The nature of the manifestation of lumbar syndrome depends solely on the reasons that caused it.Only a specialist can determine the “source” of the pain and what disorder may have caused the discomfort in the lower back.
Causes of persistent back pain:
- cholelithiasis;
- pancreatitis;
- prostatitis;
- inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
- benign and malignant tumors of the pelvic organs;
- stomach and duodenal ulcers;
- aortic aneurysm;
- kidney stones or urinary tract infections.
Causes of pain associated with the spine and back muscles
In medicine there are numerous rather rare spinal pathologies that can cause lumbar syndrome.Among these diseases, ankylosing spondylitis stands out, when the joints of the spine become inflamed.Also, spinal pain in the lumbar region can be caused by a bacterial infection, osteomyelitis.
In 90% of cases, lumbar syndrome is caused by various problems with the spine and the muscle tissue of the back.In this regard, the most common causes of pain are:
- degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, spondylosis deformans, progressive arthrosis, intervertebral disc herniation);
- strong strain on the lumbar muscles;
- complex fractures of the spine - traumatic or compressive.
Separately in this list of reasons is psychosomatic: back pain, according to this direction in medicine, is caused by psychological problems.For example, the inability to find one's true purpose, a burden that is too heavy (taking care of a sick relative, a small child, family problems, etc.).In this case, working on yourself will help you.
Provocative factors
In the case of a significant number of spinal disorders and damage to the nerve roots, discomfort in the lower back may be observed.
However, these diseases can occur for quite a long time without manifestations.Only under the influence of certain factors do they make themselves felt.Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate not only unpleasant sensations, but also the underlying ailment.
Factors Contributing to Low Back Pain:
- ignorance of the rules of weightlifting;
- lack of physical activity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- use of uncomfortable furniture (chair, armchair, etc.);
- incorrect posture.
Hypothermia, changes in air pressure, and magnetic storms can also cause lower back pain.In any case, the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal cord are irritated.It can also be observed due to pathological deposits of calcium salts.Spinal hernias and bulges (bulging of the intervertebral discs) can also cause tailbone and lower back pain.
Back pain: symptoms
Any disorder has its symptoms, but with lumbar syndrome the symptoms appear depending on the reasons that caused the discomfort in the lower back.For example, severe discomfort can be a consequence of renal colic.In this case, a person will not be able to find a body position that allows him to tolerate discomfort.
Pain in the lower back and groin is sometimes a reflection of the movement of a stone from the renal pelvis to the ureter.When the fifth vertebra is displaced, pain with severe weakness may be felt not only in the lower back, but also in the hips and legs.
It is difficult for a person to move, as the syndrome only intensifies and becomes unbearable.The disease itself is called spondylolisthesis.
Middle-aged women often experience back pain after sleep and morning weakness.In addition, there is inactivity of the spine and discomfort along it.Such symptoms are characteristic of fibrositis.When the disease is in an advanced stage, pain in the lower back during movement becomes quite intense, since the fibrous connective tissue, when inflamed, reacts very sensitively to movements of the human body.
Lumbar syndrome deserves special consideration, taking into account the sides of the body:
- pain in the right region of the lumbar region is a sign of problems in the sexual sphere, as well as a signal of pathology of the right kidney, abdominal wall, intestine or cecum appendix;
- discomfort in the left side of the lumbar region is a sign of diseases of the reproductive system, problems with the ureter, left kidney, hernia, intestine, abdominal wall.
Treatment of lower back pain
It happens that lower back pain during a cold, as well as for other reasons, is so severe that it is impossible to do without therapy.Regardless of the cause of the attack, it is recommended to stay in bed in the first few days.If the discomfort in the lower part of the spine is caused by a sprain, a heating pad or a warm bath will help improve your well-being.If the injury is serious, seek medical attention immediately.
Conservative therapy
Irritating ointments, as well as mustard plasters or pepper plasters will help to carry out local warming of the lower back in the area of greatest pain.
Wrapping yourself in a warm woolen scarf, applying an electric heating pad, a bag of heated sand and leeches will provide relief.Warm compresses help with myositis.
Depending on the parallel symptoms observed, back pain can be relieved through electrical procedures: diadynamic currents, transcutaneous electroanalgesia, sinusoidally modulated currents, electrophoresis with novocaine and others.Reflexology (acupuncture, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, laser therapy), including novocaine blocks, will also help relieve discomfort.
For radiculitis caused by displacement of the intervertebral discs, traction therapy is prescribed, stretching the torso on the bed or under water.Similar procedures are performed in a hospital setting.Balneotherapy is also recognized as effective.These are radon, sulfide, chloride, sodium, turpentine, iodine-bromine baths, low-temperature mud applications, naphthalane.
Rubbing with anti-inflammatories and painkillers is quite effective for lumbar syndrome.You can relieve the pain and irrigate the affected area with ethyl chloride.
Prevention
Of no small importance in eliminating lumbar syndrome and preventing its attacks is the use of external support systems: orthoses.
At the discretion of the doctor, it can be a corset, a semi-corset, a posture corrector or a recliner (a special corset that eliminates the tilt) or a bandage.Sometimes belts are recommended: corset, antiradiculitis, elastic and others.
Only a universal remedy will help relieve back pain after sitting and prevent the development of lumbar syndrome: physical therapy (or yoga - a set of exercises that improve health).It is also important to monitor your posture when sitting and, when the lumbar area of the back becomes stiff, perform light exercises.Massage will help a lot.It will relieve muscle spasms and bring your muscles back to the correct tone.
In general, back pain can have different causes.It is important not to neglect the symptoms and go to the clinic on time.Prophylaxis will prolong the effect of the treatment.Therefore, afterwards you should not carry heavy objects and fully adhere to the doctor's recommendations.So, perhaps, pain in the lumbar region will never appear again.