Lower back pain

According to medical statistics, approximately 80% of people experience periodic lower back pain.It has a different character: painful, sharp, radiates to the lower extremities.People between the ages of 30 and 55 complain of pain most often.

There are many causes of pain in the lower back, and not all of them are related to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.If the discomfort occurs regularly and reduces the quality of life, it is necessary to visit a doctor who will help in discovering the cause.After adequate therapy, it will disappear by itself.As a rule, you can get rid of the pain with conservative methods, but in advanced cases, surgery is necessary.Preventive measures will help you keep your back healthy and prevent pain.

Causes of lower back pain

The question of why the lower back hurts is quite relevant.The human spine is a complex structure consisting of vertebrae, discs between them, spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons).When problems arise with any of these components, back pain occurs.Although in some cases, discomfort in the lumbar region occurs due to disturbances in the work of other organs.

A sprain is one of the most common causes of lower back pain.Discomfort occurs when muscles, ligaments or muscle spasms are damaged.Sprains can be caused by the following human actions:

• Improper lifting of objects.
• Weight lifting.
• Sudden movements.

Injury to the structure of the spinal column is another common reason why the lower back hurts.Low back pain associated with structural problems is often caused by the following diseases:

• Intervertebral disc rupture.When the integrity of the disc is damaged, the compression of nerve bundles increases, which manifests itself as pain.
• Protrusion (bulging of the disc between the vertebrae without rupture of the annulus fibrosus) or intervertebral hernia.Then the pressure on the nerve bundles in the lower segment of the spine increases and severe pain occurs in the lower back.
• Sciatica (compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve) is often caused by a disc protrusion or herniation.Then the pain spreads from the lower back to the back of the thigh.
• Arthritis of the lumbar region.
• Scoliosis is a disease in which there is a lateral curvature of the spine.
• Compression fractures (injury of the vertebrae due to compression) of the lumbar region can also cause severe pain.
• Osteoporosis is a pathology in which bone density decreases and the vertebrae become porous.This disease increases the risk of compression fractures.

In addition, pain in the lumbar region can be caused by the following reasons:

• Cauda equina syndrome is damage to the bundle of nerves that originates from the terminal part of the spinal cord.Then there is a dull pain in the lower part of the back, the upper part of the buttocks, sensitivity in the pelvis is impaired, control over urination and defecation disappears.
• Spinal tumors can compress nerves, causing pain.
• Spinal infections (osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis) cause pain, fever and hyperthermia in the lower back.
• Pain is also caused by infectious diseases, for example, cystitis or kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis).
• Herpes zoster is a viral disease that can damage the nerve bundles in the lower back.

In addition, pain in the upper lumbar region can also occur in the atypical course of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Discomfort often occurs due to sleeping disorders or resting on a bad mattress that does not support the spine well.

Everyday activities also cause lower back pain:

• Sitting for long periods in an uncomfortable position.
• The person often pushes or pulls something.
• Lifts or carries objects.
• When you stand for a long time, your back also hurts.
• Prolonged bending or frequent turning.
• Excessive tension or overstrain of the muscles in the lower back.

Severe discomfort in the lower back occurs with prolonged tension in the neck, which is directed forward, for example, if a person sits at a computer or drives.

Reference.Lumbago is an acute pain that occurs when the back is cold or under dynamic load.Lumbodylia is a painful, painful sensation caused by prolonged static loading.Lumboischialgia is a pain syndrome that spreads from the lower back to the legs due to an intervertebral hernia.

Risk group

Spine pain is most often caused by the following factors:

• frequent stresses;
• pregnancy, which is associated with an increase in the uterus and the tension of its ligaments;
• prolonged sitting associated with work characteristics;
• age and related changes in the spine;
• mental disorders;
• overweight;
• smoking;
• hard physical work.

Reference.According to statistics, women suffer from lower back problems more often than men.

The likelihood of lower back pain increases after long-term steroid use, drug addiction, and in patients between 30 and 55 years of age.

Symptoms

If you have lower back pain, pay attention to the nature of the pain;it can be sharp, dull, painful, burning.Sometimes unpleasant sensations such as tingling and numbness occur.Pain in the lumbar region can spread to the buttocks, the back of the leg to the foot.The severity of the pain syndrome also varies: from mild to unbearable, which does not allow movement.

Often the patient can feel pain in the lower back due to kidney pathology.To determine if this feeling is caused by a kidney problem, pay attention to your symptoms.In kidney disease, the pain is not related to physical activity, there is a temperature (of 37.5°), urination is difficult, and the urine becomes cloudy.When you tap on the kidney area, there is severe pain.

As mentioned, atypical forms of pancreatitis can be accompanied by severe pain in the lower back.

With osteochondrosis, aching pain appears that spreads to the legs, intensifies when walking, and sometimes "lumbago" occurs.Over time, the sensitivity of the lower part of the body (buttocks, groin, legs) decreases.The lower extremities freeze quickly, and sweat production is disrupted.There is no fever in osteochondrosis.

In neuralgia, the pain spreads along the affected nerve.The pain is sharp, burning, appears quickly and suddenly subsides.The color of the skin in the affected area changes, sweating increases during the attack, and the muscles tremble.

You should seek medical attention if you have back pain and at least one of the following symptoms:

• weight loss;
• increase in temperature (from 37.5°);
• swelling in the lumbar region;
• the pain does not subside even when the patient is lying down;
• the pain spreads to the legs;
• you have recently injured your lumbar spine;
• the control of urination and defecation is disturbed;
• the sensitivity of the groin, buttocks or legs is impaired.

In order to understand what exactly is wrong and what are the causes of discomfort, undergo a medical examination.

Diagnostic measures

If your lower back hurts, you should see a therapist or orthopedist.If you suspect neurological disorders, see a neurologist.Physiological examination and history are often helpful in making the diagnosis.

If injuries, diseases of the spine or other organs or neuralgia are suspected, the doctor prescribes instrumental studies:

• X-rays will help identify lumbar injuries, inflammation of the vertebrae, and imbalances of spinal elements.
• Magnetic resonance or computed tomography will show intervertebral hernias, structural disorders of the spine, problems with surrounding tissues (nerves, muscles, blood vessels).
• Bone scintigraphy is used to detect bone tumors and compression fractures.During the study, a radioactive drug is used, which is injected into a vein and then accumulates in areas with increased metabolism.
• Electroneuromyography is effective for identifying compression of nerve bundles that occurs against the background of intervertebral hernia or spinal stenosis.This diagnostic method allows you to identify any damage to the neuromuscular system.

If an infectious disease is suspected, the patient will be prescribed laboratory blood tests.

If the doctor suspects that the pain in the lower back is caused by problems with the kidneys, pelvic organs or pancreas, then a set of appropriate tests is prescribed.

Conservative treatment

If you do not know how to get rid of lower back pain, first consult a doctor.With timely diagnosis, treatment is carried out at home.Over-the-counter analgesics are used to relieve pain.

Patients should know how to relieve pain if it surprises them.If the discomfort is caused by osteochondrosis, you must act according to the following plan:

• warm the lower back with a wool scarf or belt;
• lie on a hard surface;
• take NSAIDs;
• treat your back with anti-inflammatory ointment.

Carefully.Do not take NSAIDs if you have problems with the digestive organs, because they damage the mucous membrane.

NSAIDs and antispasmodics will help relieve neuralgia pain.In addition, it is necessary to adhere to complete rest.If the pain is very strong, then it is necessary to hospitalize the patient.

If you have lower back pain caused by kidney disease, you should call an ambulance immediately.The patient should lie down and take antipyretics (antipyretics) and antispasmodics to normalize the temperature.It is necessary to control blood pressure and body temperature whenever possible.Further actions are carried out by the doctor.

Carefully.It is strictly forbidden to use warm compresses or take a warm bath if you have kidney inflammation!

Pain in the lower back due to inflammation of the pancreas (atypical form) is very strong.During an attack, it is necessary to call a doctor.Before the arrival of the doctor, you must not eat;you must take a comfortable position and drink water in small sips.It is recommended to have someone near the patient.The knee and elbow or fetal position will help reduce discomfort.

Regardless of the cause of the pain, the patient should rest for 1 to 2 days.A longer rest threatens to weaken the muscles, then the episodes can be repeated more often.

Acute pain in the lower back occurs suddenly and lasts no more than 12 weeks.Constant pain during the chronic process develops slowly and lasts for 3 months or more.Many patients have both acute and chronic pain, making diagnosis difficult.

If home treatment for low back pain is ineffective, doctors prescribe NSAIDs to patients by prescription.Narcotic pain relievers, such as codeine or hydrocodone, relieve severe pain.However, these drugs are used only in extreme cases, and the doctor must monitor the patient's condition.To relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, such as amitriptyline.

The treatment can be supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures.Electrophoresis, ultrasound, electrostimulation, magnetic therapy, etc. have an excellent therapeutic effect.These procedures speed up metabolic processes, blood circulation, improve tissue trophism, accelerate the healing of damaged areas and relax muscle spasms.

Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen muscles and ligaments, make them more elastic and correct posture.The complex for each patient is compiled by the doctor, taking into account age, symptoms, cause of pain and general condition.Training should be carried out in the phase of remission, when the pain syndrome subsides.By exercising regularly, the patient will be able to prevent recurrent attacks.

Cortisone injections (a synthetic corticosteroid) will help relieve pain if the above methods are ineffective.After the procedure, the inflammation decreases and the discomfort disappears.The therapeutic effect lasts for 6 weeks.

The following methods can help relieve pain and improve your overall condition:

• Osteopathy helps restore the structure of the musculoskeletal system using only the hands of a doctor.
• Chiropractic is a manual technique for correcting spinal defects.
• Acupressure - impact on energy points with the fingers and elbows of a specialist in order to eliminate discomfort and relax muscles.
• Reflexology is the introduction of special needles into biologically active points on the body.After the procedure, endorphin production is stimulated and pain is reduced.
• Yoga.When performing certain poses and movements, the muscular corset is strengthened and posture is improved.However, the exercises must be performed under the guidance of a specialist, otherwise the pain syndrome may intensify.

The decision on how to treat lumbar pain is made by the doctor after a detailed diagnosis and determination of the cause of the problem.

Surgical intervention

The question of what to do if your lower back hurts for a long time (more than 6 months) is quite relevant.In that case, doctors can prescribe surgery.As a rule, surgical intervention is indicated for intervertebral hernia, especially if the disease is accompanied by neurological disorders (numbness in the groin, legs, involuntary urination, defecation).

The following surgical techniques will help to cure serious diseases of the lumbar segment of the spine, which are accompanied by pain:

• Spinal fusion is an operation to join two or more adjacent vertebrae, between which an implant is placed.Unstable elements of the spine are fixed with special fastening materials (metal plates, screws).
• Intervertebral disc replacement.During the procedure, the destroyed disc is cut out and an artificial one is implanted in its place.
• Discectomy is the removal of part of the disc that compresses the nerve bundle or spinal cord.
• A laminectomy is the removal of the vertebral arch that compresses the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord.

There are many more surgical techniques that will help stabilize displaced vertebrae, release nerve bundles and other tissues from compression, and restore spinal functionality.

Prevention of lower back pain

To prevent pain in the lumbar region, you must follow these rules:

• Perform exercises to strengthen muscles and develop flexibility.
• Quit smoking, because people with this bad habit have more back pain than their non-smoking peers.
• Control your weight and eat right.
• Watch your posture when standing or sitting.
• If you sit for a long time at work, get up every 2 hours and do back exercises.
• Set up your workplace correctly, buy a chair with an orthopedic back.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
• When lifting heavy objects, shift the weight from your back to your buttocks and legs.
• Wear orthopedic shoes.

These rules will help you keep your lower back healthy for a long time.

The most important thing

As you can see, lower back pain can occur for various reasons: sprains, structural disorders, cancer, infectious diseases of the spine, daily activities, poor posture, etc.The risk group consists of patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, perform heavy physical work, are overweight, often under stress or have bad habits.If the pain syndrome is accompanied by fever, swelling in the back or neurological disorders, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.Treatment tactics depend on the cause of the discomfort.Most often, conservative methods are used.Surgery is prescribed if the pain persists for a long time or if neurological disorders are present.Remember that lower back pain is easier to prevent than to treat.