80% of people in the world have experienced low back pain at least once. Their causes can vary from so-called psychosomatic, when pain in the lumbar region is provoked by stress, to a much more frightening and difficult-to-treat cancer diagnosis.
How do you understand when discomfort and back pain speak to a diseased spine and when they signal an unhealthy condition in other organs? And how not to miss the right moment to see a doctor for back pain in the lumbar region?
Causes of back pain in the lumbar region
In the lumbar region there are several organs and systems at the same time - these are the digestive, urinary, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems, as well as a number of glands that affect a person's well-being. Fortunately, most pathologies that are felt with excruciating pain in the lower back and lower back are treatable and not life threatening. Only every 20th case of pain in the lumbar region requires surgical intervention or complex therapeutic measures.
Examine in more detail the causes of back pain in the lumbar region. This includes:
- excessive strain of the back muscles, in particular, the lumbosacral region;
- spasms of muscles and internal organs;
- the presence of inflammation or abscess;
- hormonal disorders;
- heart dissases;
- diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, peptic ulcer and others);
- posture disorders;
- neuralgia, incl. psychogenic character;
- osteochondrosis, spinal canal stenosis, spinal hernia and other spinal pathologies;
- diseases of the kidneys or internal genital organs;
- obesity;
- pregnancy;
- metastasis neoplasia.
The nature of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis
It is necessary to distinguish between primary pain in the lumbar spine (associated with degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory and spinal cord injuries) and secondary, "reflected" pain that occurs due to functional disorders in the muscles and internal organs. Primary pain pains in the lumbar region appear on their own and are rarely accompanied by additional symptoms (usually already in the later stages, for example, with advanced extensions of the intervertebral discs). Secondary pain is almost always accompanied by bloating, changes in urination and defecation (are rare, frequent, painful or have other non-characteristic features), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. The type of back pain can also tell a lot about the problem:
- paroxysmal ("catch from within") - diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- growing every day - an inflammatory process (for example, in the passage of the coccygeal epithelium), abscess, cyst;
- sharp stinging (especially after an injury) - rupture of an internal organ (liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, etc. ) or vessel, internal bleeding, stomach or intestinal ulcer, blockage of a vessel by a detached thrombus (consultimmediately with a doctor for such pain! );
- periodic shooting - characteristic of spinal cord compression (radicular syndrome), may be accompanied by spasms;
- persistent dull - indicates a disease of the liver, kidneys, spleen, some endocrine glands;
- traction, aggravated by movement - injuries of the spine and adjacent tissues.
Localization of low back pain
- Pain in the lumbar region and above the sacrum can occur due to trauma, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, as well as due to injury, oncology or simple hypertension. Often this area manifests itself after unsuccessful sports activities, especially with weak kicks, a rough fall and disrespect of the exercise technique.
- Below the waist (above the coccyx) it often hurts due to overload when lifting loads, standing or walking for a long time, with bruising on the ice and other hard surfaces. Sometimes the cause of back pain in the lumbar region can be an infection or hypothermia. The most common pain is due to work or rest in an uncomfortable, non-physiological position - for example, due to spending time at the computer or driving in a half-bent "banana" position. Pain is less common due to disorders in the functioning of the intestines and genitourinary system (constipation, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, dysmenorrhea). "Low" localization of pain can also indicate problems with the hip joint, especially in older people or athletes.
- If it hurts on the left side of the spine, this does not rule out problems with it - for example, scoliosis and / or osteochondrosis, impaired blood circulation and even spinal canal infection.
- Particularly characteristic of infections and osteochondrosis is persistent back pain, which intensifies with the slightest physical exertion.
- If the pain syndrome subsides periodically and still gives the patient a break, it could be an intervertebral disc displacement, a crushed nerve root, or sciatica. Also, pain in the lumbar region can cause diabetes or hypothermia.
- If the patient often feels "standing" and feels pain after several hours of sedentary activity, the pain may indicate a wrong lifestyle that has not yet developed into a pathology, but requires urgent changes - not just pain relief in osteochondrosislumbare. , but complex therapy.
Please note that pain can be given in the lower back in case of serious pathologies of the heart and digestive organs. If it hurts at the same time under the blade of the left shoulder and on the side, it is important to urgently rule out a heart attack. However, if acute pain attacks are attempted - "as if they were being cut alive" - a stomach or intestinal ulcer.
Low back pain - diagnosis
Doctors identify more than 120 causes that can cause acute and chronic back pain. The most common of these are.
- Diseases resulting from degenerative-dystrophic lesions and other lesions of the spine and groin. For example, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, vertebral hernia, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, elongation, facial syndrome, sciatica, lumbago, neurogenic lameness, hormonal spondylopathy.
- Autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.
- Inflammatory diseases. Spondyloarthropathies, incl. psoriatic and reactive arthritis.
- Traumatic loss. Spondylolisthesis, muscle and ligament damage, bruising, dislocations, subluxations, and vertebral fractures.
Rarely, neoplasms and metastases to the spine, osteomyelitis, angina pectoris, cholecystitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, duodenal ulcers, and other diseases can become the cause of low back pain.
Lumbar back pain in women
In women, acute and subacute back pain (periodic or lasting up to 12 weeks) may indicate minor hormonal disturbances or natural physiological processes - during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. But more often than not, he declares himself this way:
- lumbar osteochondrosis - women who stay on the heel for a long time, regularly carry loads of more than 5 kg, are forced to be in a bent position for a long time when performing professional or household work;
- arthritis is an inflammatory disease to which young women are vulnerable. It can be provoked by a back injury, a genitourinary infection, hypothermia due to insufficiently warm but fashionable clothing, as well as by heredity (for example, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in relatives);
- osteoarthritis is an age-related disease that often appears after 40 years in response to hormonal changes in the body;
- inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis);
- cervical or ovarian cancer;
- torsion of an ovarian cyst;
- endometriosis.
Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of low back pain:
- appeared after an injury;
- occur in the medical history of the patient with oncological and precancerous conditions (e. g. cervical dysplasia);
- accompanied by an increase in temperature;
- accompanied by unexplained weight loss;
- cause difficulty urinating and defecating;
- accompany spotting;
- accompanied by a feeling of numbness or stiffness in the legs, a change in gait.
Lumbar back pain in men
Men suffer from back pain less often than women. Most often, as in women, their cause lies in osteochondrosis or kidney disease. Among the gender-specific diseases that provoke pain in the spine in the lumbar region, we can mention:
- epididymitis (inflammation of the seminal appendix);
- prostatitis;
- orchitis (swelling of the testicles);
- testicular and other oncological diseases of the genital organs;
- prostate cancer.
Often, back pain in the hard half occurs due to a vertebral or inguinal hernia. These diseases are especially predisposed to men over 40, who are actively engaged in physical work or work in an uncomfortable position. In women, this pathology is less common.
Treatment of back pain
Treatment of back (lumbar) pain requires a therapeutic effect on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, nerve fibers, and muscles. Along with relieving back pain, it is necessary to slow down the degenerative processes in the spine, if any, to relieve inflammation, restore blood microcirculation and conduction of nerve impulses. Treatment is prescribed exclusively by a doctor or immediately by a group of specialists - neurologist, traumatologist, gynecologist, orthopedist, rheumatologist and other doctors, depending on the main and accompanying diagnoses.
In more than 98% of cases associated with spinal diseases, treatment is performed conservatively - surgery can be distributed even in the case of a hernia.
Medical approach
With the help of medication, the pain can be completely eliminated within a few months (for example, pain in the spine in the lumbar region is treated for 3-4 months with root compression, hernia). Then, depending on the diagnosis, therapy is completed or performed periodically, in courses - to maintain remission.
In the treatment of back pain (lumbar) help:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- Hormonal preparations (in the form of blockages and drops).
- Analgesic for pain relief.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Heating preparations, for example, ointments based on bee and snake venom, mustard plaster.
- Venotonics and angioprotectors.
- Anticonvulsants, anxiolytics and antidepressants.
Physiotherapy for back pain
Used to treat low back pain:
- massage (classic, cup, hydromassage);
- phonophoresis;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- diadynamic therapy;
- electrical neuromyostimulation;
- manual therapy;
- acupuncture;
- balneological procedures and clay therapy;
- kinesitherapy.
Exercise therapy for low back pain
A set of exercises for pain in the lumbar region is performed daily and only with the attainment of forgiveness! With an exacerbation of the disease, any load can only worsen the situation. Before doing the exercises, you should consult an exercise therapy instructor.
- Get on your knees and place your right foot forward (foot on the floor, knee bent at a right angle). Maintaining balance, pull your left leg into the buttocks with your left hand and feel the tension in the muscles. 10 times on each side.
- Stand on all fours, looking straight ahead. Bend and arch your back - practice the "cat".
- Lie on your back and, keeping your legs below your knees, pull your knees up to your chest and lock in this position for a few seconds. 10 times.
- The starting position is the same. Cross your legs (overweight) and stretch your muscles well, supporting your lower leg below the knee with both hands.
- Standing on all fours, raise your left arm and right leg perpendicular to the floor. Repeat for the other side. 10 times.
A set of exercises for pain in the lumbar region with a massage roller is also recommended. For example: place the roller under the sacrum and pull the knee to the chest while the other leg is on the floor. Repeat 10 times for each leg. If the tension is not enough, place your hand behind your head and / or move your knee slightly to the side.
How to take care of your back - doctors' recommendations
We recommend 10 simple tips to protect your lower back.
- To keep your back healthy, it is important to avoid serious physical (as well as mental and emotional) work and hypothermia. If you are forced to work for a long time in the cold or in rooms with sudden temperature changes, get high quality thermal underwear.
- Perform timely treatment of back pain in the lumbar region.
- If you have already been diagnosed with the initial stage of osteochondrosis, have congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system, use orthoses - special bandages and corsets that help relieve the back. If you carry a heavy backpack, get one designed to protect your back from the symptoms of back pain.
- Also, do not forget to take chondroprotectants for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for at least 3-6 months a year.
- Balance your diet so that your body gets enough vitamins and minerals as well as protein.
- Properly equip a place to sleep. The mattress should not be too soft or too firm, the length of the bed should be slightly larger than your height. The height of the pillow is also important for relieving pain in lumbar osteochondrosis - it is best to buy an orthopedist. If pets force you into an uncomfortable sleeping position, do not leave them in bed.
- When sitting, make sure your elbows are at the top of the table, at a comfortable height, and the seat of the chair allows you to keep your feet perpendicular to the floor.
- If you have already been diagnosed with a spinal disease, take care of rational employment, which will reduce occupational stress in the lower back.
- Try not to abuse alcohol, coffee and cigarettes.
- Maintain a normal level of physical activity (at least in the form of 15-minute exercises for low back pain 3-4 times a day).
Back health!