Back pain is familiar to every person and is one of the most common reasons to visit a doctor. Moreover, about 80% of patients complain precisely that their lower back hurts.
Sometimes the reason for the appearance of discomfort in the lower part of the spine can be simply a prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position. If the pain becomes regular, then there is a reason to consult a specialist.
Back pain can be a sign of a variety of diseases: from osteochondrosis to malignant tumors.
The complex of therapeutic measures should be based on the cause of this pain. Alternative medicine and medicine can be used.
Why does the lower back hurt: reason
There are various factors that can cause back pain. Only an experienced specialist, based on the patient examination and additional examinations, can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe an effective course of treatment. Distinguish between primary and secondary pain syndromes.
In the first case, the lower back hurts as a result of the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine with diseases such as:
- Osteochondrosis - is a lesion of bone and cartilage tissue, is dystrophic in nature;
- Spondyloarthritis is one of the forms of osteoarthritis, characterized by lesions of the intervertebral joints responsible for spinal mobility.
In the second case, the scope of reasons why the lower back is wider:
- Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine;
- Inflammation, non-infectious nature (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter syndrome);
- Various infectious diseases (tuberculosis, brucellosis, epidural abscess), in which the vertebrae and intervertebral discs are damaged, are a common reason why back pain;
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (acute appendicitis, intestinal obstruction);
- Often, back pain is of a reflected nature. This situation occurs in the presence of diseases of organs located in the pelvic region (renal colic, venereal disease, gynecological pathology).
- A tumor located in the vertebrae or spinal cord contributes to the appearance of pain;
- Strokes and pre-stroke conditions, in which there is a violation of the blood supply to the spinal cord, can cause a feeling that the lower back hurts;
- During pregnancy, the load on the spine increases a lot, in connection with this there is traction pain in the lumbar spine;
- Spinal fractures are the most serious cause of pain.
Also, the lower back often aches as a result of muscle stretching, dislocation of the intervertebral discs, osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Suffering from acute pain, the patient assumes a forced body position, which severely restricts his mobility when walking. Typically, this problem is faced by athletes or people whose work is related to physical activity.
It happens that the lower back hurts during prolonged work in an uncomfortable position, as a result of lifting or holding weights, falling, hitting, sharp running, hypothermia or being in a pull. All of these causes can lead to deep back muscle inflammation or spasm.
Sometimes the lower back hurts due to stress. The fact is that this part of the spine is one of the most psychosomatic parts of the body, so it reacts harshly to various worries and experiences. Anger, fear, nervousness contribute to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, which, in turn, leads to an increase in spinal muscle tone. If adequate discharge does not occur, then the tense muscles begin to strengthen and pain appears. Therefore, people with an unstable psyche often experience back pain.
Treatment of low back pain
Anxiety and even painful sensations in the lower back can be of varying intensity - from mild minor pain to excruciating pain that makes it difficult to make even a small movement. It can also be sharp, dull, tingling or burning pain, which is often accompanied by tingling, goose bumps, numbness. It is often combined with pain in the groin, legs or knee.
If the lower back hurts for more than 3 days, then it is imperative to consult a therapist. Depending on the results of the examination, you may need to consult a specialist. So, to assess the condition of the spine, back muscles or nervous system, a neurologist should be examined, if there is a suspicion of diseases of the urinary system - a consultation with a urologist, in the presence of diseases of the female reproductive system - by a gynecologist.
Also, a general urine and blood test is usually prescribed to rule out or confirm the inflammatory nature of the disease, ultrasound of the thigh joints, X-ray of the spine (MSCT or MRI), and other studies. Except in severe and advanced cases, treatment of low back pain does not require surgery and can be dispensed with medication.
Conservative treatment has three main purposes:
- Relief of the patient from pain;
- Development of a program of therapeutic and preventive measures to reduce the negative processes in the spine;
- Returning the patient to a satisfying life.
The fastest effect if the pain in the lower back is given by drug therapy. Commonly used in treatment:
- Muscle relaxant drugs. They should be used as soon as acute pain appears. This allows you to relieve muscle spasm, remove the compression (squeezing) that results from the spinal roots;
- Anti-inflammatory pain relievers can quickly relieve pain and inflammation. They can be used in the form of an oil and gel for external use, as well as in tablets and injections.
- Chondroprotectors (medicines including chondrocytes and glucosamines). These substances are found in the cartilage tissues of joints and intervertebral discs;
- Vitamin therapy.
However, it is not always possible to use drug therapy if the lower back hurts. In the presence of allergies, pregnancy and certain diseases, medications are contraindicated.
How can you help to cope with back pain in this case? Recommendations:
- Massage is one of the safest treatments. The only contraindication is the presence of cancer. Massage procedures allow you to relieve muscle spasm, reduce pain, improve blood flow to all tissues;
- Physiotherapy - exposure to magnetic fields, electric currents can be considered the most effective methods in the presence of spinal diseases. Pain sensations are reduced, tissue nutrition is improved, muscles are strengthened;
- Manual therapy and acupuncture. These methods are similar to massage, but they work at a more subtle level of reflex interconnection.
To reduce the risk of back pain, you should sleep on a firm bed with a firm mattress, maintain proper posture, take a break when working at the computer, or drive a car, during which you can do some exercise. simple, avoid lifting weights, try not to gain excess weight, and exercise regularly. . .