Why back pain occurs and its treatment

People aged 20-50 more often go to the doctor with such problems, but sometimes children also get sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people have experienced lumbago or back discomfort at least once.Pain occurs due to overuse of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine and diseases of internal organs.

Mechanism of back pain development

This is the most vulnerable part of the body due to the structure and functions of the spine.Unpleasant sensations occur in the cervical, thoracic or between the shoulder blades, but more often the pain is localized in the lumbosacral region of the back.

The mechanism of its development is associated with the following factors:

• Over strain, muscle strain.Decrease or increase in tone causes microtrauma, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
• Diseases of internal organs.They cause radiating back pain in 10% of cases.
• Reduced strength, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs due to an increase in the external load on the spine (excess body weight, lifting weights) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In severe cases, the discs bulge and press on the nerve roots.

Classification of back pain

For ease of description and correct choice of treatment tactics for back pathologies, pain symptoms are distinguished by duration.In addition, doctors emphasize the nature and location of the attack.

Depending on the type of pain, there are:

• acute, lasting from a few days to a month and a half;
• subacute, bothersome from 6 to 12 weeks;
• chronic, which are present for more than three months or continuously (periods of irritation followed by rest).

Based on the nature of the sensations, back pain is classified as follows:

• Local.They are caused by changes in nerve receptors, muscles and ligaments, tendons or skin.The pain can be acute, sharp, throbbing, but it is always felt in the soft tissue area.
• Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected on the back from the internal organs.It can be burning and intense, but never intensified by movement.
• Radiation.Discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it is wandering - it radiates to the arm or leg.It occurs when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.

Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:

• Lumbodynia– acute pain in the lumbar region.
• Sacralgia– disturbance of the sacral spine.
• Lyubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the sensation radiates down the leg.
• Cervicalgia- inflammation of the neck.
• Coccidinia– coccyx pain.
• Thoracalgia– a peripheral nerve disease that causes chest discomfort.

Pain in the lumbar region

Lyubmalgia is often painful in nature and is characterized by gradual development.The pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasms against the background of displaced or herniated discs.

The elderly and the young often experience back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.

The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly appears again.Severe pain in the lower back occurs with vascular diseases, for example, an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not go away during rest.

Back pain in the sacral region

Sacralgia occurs against the background of compressed spinal nerve endings due to deformation of the spine or inflammation of soft tissues.It occurs more often in men than in women.Pain in the lower back can be sharp, dull or pulling.

Unpleasant sensations intensify during physical activity, after prolonged sitting or a sudden change in body position.Sometimes the pain radiates to the back or legs.

Gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders also provoke sacralgia.

Upper back pain

This condition is associated with problems of the thoracic or cervical spine, severe muscle tension.Pain is caused by heavy loads, wrong posture or osteochondrosis.

The cause of the syndrome can be diseases of internal organs:

• Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting pain on the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies with inhalation.
• Pneumonia.The condition causes mild pain behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
• Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Often there is pain in the shoulder, chest, arm and center of the back.The intensity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.

Pain in the shoulder blades

The discomfort occurs when the nerve endings in the chest become inflamed - intercostal neuralgia.The pain syndrome is moderate, hurts, goes away after rest or massage.It is often caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack) or psychological problems.

Symptoms related to back pain

The intensity and nature of the clinical picture depends on the cause of the pain syndrome, while the main symptom is complemented by:

• nausea, vomiting;
• weakness, loss of strength;
• increase in local body temperature;
• stiffness of movements;
• thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
• dizziness;
• sudden weight loss;
• difficulty breathing, cough;
• decreased visual acuity and hearing;
• swelling, inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint;
• urinary incontinence, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.

Why does my back hurt?

There are two types of discomfort sensations: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second arises due to interruptions in the functioning of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain is observed in women.

The following factors contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant symptom:

• rowing, skiing or high jumping;
• long-term static loads;
• overweight;
• hypothermia;
• sudden movements;
• vibrations in the workplace;
• hard physical work (back pain occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
• uncomfortable posture;
• curvature of the spine;
• past injuries or broken bones.

Pathologies of the spine

The main causes of back pain are associated with a violation of the integrity or functionality of the spine, and there are groups of factors that include diseases:

• Osteomyelitis- necrotic process in bones and bone marrow.
• Extension– displacement (exit) of discs.
• Arthritis– joint inflammation.
• Scoliosis– curvature of the spine with different severity.
• Intervertebral hernia– displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the disc and rupture of the connecting edge.
• spondilosis- proliferation of bone tissue.
• Spinal canal stenosis– compression of the nerve endings and part of the spinal space due to displacement of the disc.
• Radiculitis– damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
• Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of the intervertebral joints.
• Osteochondrosis– Degenerative cartilage disorders.
• Diskit– sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral discs.

Non-spinal causes

Pain under the lower back and in other areas of the back is often caused by diseases of internal organs:

• Stomach ulcer.
• Tuberculosis.
• Appendicitis.
• Herpes.
• Stone in the ureter.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Pneumonia.
• Malignant tumors.
• Kidney inflammation.
• Aortic aneurysm.
• Angina pectoris.
• Intercostal neuralgia.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Dysplasia of the prostate.
• Pancreatitis.
• Gallbladder inflammation.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Cystitis.
• Acute coronary syndrome.
• Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.

Causes of back pain in women

Unpleasant, nagging or sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.

Discomfort is caused by muscle tension due to pregnancy, posterior or occipital presentation of the fetus.

Causes of pain in women:

• cancer of the body or cervix;
• external endometriosis;
• menstruation;
• premenopause;
• wearing high-heeled shoes;
• inflammation of the ovaries;
• myoma or fibroid of the uterus;
• ovarian cyst.

Diagnosing

If your back hurts, you should see a therapist.After collecting an anamnesis and an external examination, the doctor will refer you for a consultation with specialized specialists: a traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.

To make an accurate diagnosis, a number of studies are described:

• X-raysdetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of the intervertebral discs and possible growth of bone tissue.
• Myelography– a method of examining the spinal cord, which evaluates the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of a hernia, tumors or damage to the spinal column.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)indicates disc protrusion, presence of calcifications, spinal canal stenosis.
• General and biochemical blood test.Studies reveal inflammatory processes, high calcium levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
• Electromyographyreveals the degree of damage to nerve endings and muscle fibers.
• Urine analysis.It is taken for suspected kidney and urinary tract diseases.
• Additional researchperformed to rule out autoimmune disorders, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and hidden infections.

Treatment for back pain

The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors causing concern.When the pain is caused by diseases of the internal organs, the treatment begins with the elimination of the cause.To relieve unpleasant symptoms, pain relievers are prescribed.

In addition to tablets and ointments, doctors prescribe physiotherapy and reflexology.

In the recovery phase, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If the pain occurs due to damage to the spine (hernia, bulging disc, injury), surgery is performed.

First aid for acute pain

When the discomfort is unbearable, before the ambulance arrives, help the victim yourself:

1. Place the person face up on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will provide relaxation to the muscles and relieve spasms.
2. Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to the back.
3. If discomfort does not improve, give NSAID.
4. If you need to move, wear a back brace or support corset.

Drug therapy

To reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, medications are prescribed:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect and relieve inflammation.
• Ointments.Preparations that warm the muscles reduce pain and are used for massage.
• Chondroprotectors.These are products for the protection and restoration of cartilage tissue.
• Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and elimination of edema.
• Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
• Vitamin preparations.Improves the functioning of the nervous system, increases immunity.

If taking analgesics does not produce a therapeutic effect, paravertebral blockade is performed.

An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief occurs immediately and lasts up to 6-12 hours.

Physiotherapy

Manual and mechanical methods are used during the recovery phase or for chronic pain.They improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.

The following procedures are most often used:

• Diathermy.Heating the tissues with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes resorption of infiltrates and increases blood flow.
• Electrophoresis- administering medications to the site of pain through the skin.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
• Acupunctureremoves the spasm of muscle fibers, eliminates the inflammatory process.
• Laser therapy– impact on the source of pain with quantum particles of light flux.The procedure is performed using a special device.Laser radiation penetrates deep tissue layers, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and removes swelling.

Surgical intervention

Indications for surgery include trauma, intervertebral hernia, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, operations restore the functions of the spine and joints.

Doctors perform the following surgical interventions:

• Endoscopic discectomy.It is prescribed for the treatment of intervertebral hernia and is performed using an endoscope and microsurgical equipment.
• Open spine surgery.The doctor removes the affected disc, part of the vertebra or the ligament.The intervention is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
• Nucleoplasty– removal of the core of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves the pressure on the nerve endings.
• Vertebroplasty with puncture– method of stabilization of vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the cavities of the spine with bone cement.

Folk remedies for back pain

Decoctions and compresses of medicinal plants help to increase the effect of drugs.With the doctor's permission, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.

Recipes to help with pain:

• Mix 100 g of blue clay, 1 tbsp.l.aloe juice and honey.Add 750 ml of warm water.Apply the composition to the affected area of the back, cover with cling film and a woolen cloth.Leave the compress for 1 hour.Use the composition for osteochondrosis 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
• Dissolve 5 g of mummy in 1 tablespoon.water, add 1 g medical sulfur.Rub the mixture into your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product daily at night.The course of treatment is 3-4 days.
• Beat with a blender 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites.Leave it in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours.Apply the ointment to the affected areas 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a woolen scarf around your back.

Preventing

Implementing the doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and resuming physical activity, and to prevent future discomfort, follow the rules:

• watch your posture;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• When working at the computer, use a chair with a backrest or a comfortable chair;
• watch your weight;
• don't mess with high heels;
• buy an orthopedic mattress;
• when you work sitting, do light exercises every 30 minutes;
• move more, play sports;
• See your doctor immediately.