80% of people in the world have experienced low back pain at least once. Its causes can range from the so-called psychosomatic, when aching pain in the lower back is brought on by stress, to a much more terrible and difficult to treat cancer diagnosis.
How to understand when discomfort and back pain speak of a diseased spine and when they signal an unhealthy condition in other organs? And how not to miss the right moment to consult a doctor for spine pain in the lumbar region?
Causes of back pain in the lower back
In the lower back there are several organs and systems at once - these are the digestive, urinary, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems, and various glands that affect a person's well-being. Fortunately, most conditions that cause lower back and lower back pain are treatable and not life-threatening. Only every 20 cases of low back pain require surgical intervention or complex therapeutic measures.
Consider the causes of back pain in the lower back in more detail. These include:
- overload of the back muscles, in particular the lumbosacral region;
- spasms of muscles and internal organs;
- the presence of inflammation or abscess;
- hormonal disorders;
- heart diseases;
- diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, peptic ulcer and others);
- postural disorders;
- neuralgia, including psychogenic character;
- osteochondrosis, spinal canal stenosis, spinal hernia and other pathologies of the spine;
- diseases of the kidneys or internal genital organs;
- obesity;
- pregnancy;
- neoplastic metastases.
The nature of pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar
It is necessary to distinguish between primary pain in the lumbar vertebra (associated with degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory processes and spinal injuries) and secondary, "reflected" pain, which occurs due to functional disorders in muscles and internal organs. Primary pains in the lower back appear as if they were alone and are rarely accompanied by additional symptoms (usually already in the later stages, for example, with advanced bulges of the intervertebral discs). Secondary pain is almost always accompanied by abdominal distention, changes in urination and defecation (they are rare, frequent, painful, or have other unusual features), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. The type of lower back pain can also tell a lot about the problem:
- paroxysmal ("grabs the inside") - diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- increasing every day - an inflammatory process (for example, in the epithelial coccygeal passage), abscess, cyst;
- acute stabbing (especially after an injury) - rupture of an internal organ (liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, etc. ) to so much pain! );
- periodic shooting - characteristic of squeezing the spinal roots (radicular syndrome), may be accompanied by spasms;
- continuous dull - indicates a disease of the liver, kidneys, spleen, some endocrine glands;
- pulling, aggravated by movement - injuries to the spine and adjacent tissues.
Location 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, in addition to injuries, oncology or simple overexertion. This zone often manifests itself after unsuccessful sporting activities, especially with poorly executed punches, an unworked fall, and non-observance of exercise technique.
- Below the waist (above the tailbone) often hurts from overexertion when lifting loads, standing or walking for a long time, with bruises on ice and other hard surfaces. Sometimes the cause of lower back pain can be an infection or hypothermia. The most common pain is due to working or resting in an uncomfortable, non-physiological posture - for example, due to spending time at the computer or driving in a semi-bent "banana" position. Pain is less common due to disturbances in the functioning of the intestines and genitourinary system (constipation, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, dysmenorrhea). The "low" location of pain can also indicate hip joint problems, especially in the elderly or athletes.
- If it hurts on the left of the spine, this does not exclude problems with it - for example, scoliosis and / or osteochondrosis, impaired blood circulation and even infection of the spinal canal.
- Especially characteristic of infections and osteochondrosis is persistent pain, which intensifies with the slightest physical exertion.
- If the pain syndrome periodically subsides and still gives the patient a break, it could be an intervertebral disc displacement, a pinched nerve root, or sciatica. Also, pain in the lower back can cause diabetes or hypothermia.
- If the patient often feels "stayed awake" and feels pain after several hours of sedentary activities, the pain may indicate an incorrect lifestyle that has not yet turned into a pathology but requires urgent changes - not just pain relief in the lumbar osteochondrosis , but complex therapy.
Note that pain can occur in the lower back in case of serious pathologies of the heart and digestive organs. If it hurts simultaneously under the left shoulder blade and on the side, it is important to urgently rule out a heart attack. If, however, attacks of acute pain are tormented - "as if they were being cut alive" - an ulcer in the stomach or intestines.
Low back pain - diagnoses
Doctors identify more than 120 causes that can cause both acute and chronic back pain. The most common are.
- Diseases resulting from degenerative-dystrophic and other injuries of the vertebral and hip joints. For example, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, vertebral hernia, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, protrusion, facet syndrome, sciatica, lumbago, neurogenic claudication, hormonal spondylopathy.
- Autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.
- Inflammatory diseases. Spondyloarthropathies, incl. psoriatic and reactive arthritis.
- Traumatic defeat. Spondylolisthesis, damage to muscles and ligaments, contusions, dislocations, subluxations and fractures of the vertebrae.
Less commonly, spinal neoplasms and metastases, osteomyelitis, angina pectoris, cholecystitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, duodenal ulcer, and other diseases can become the cause of low back pain.
Low 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 most of the time, he declares himself like this:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbar - women who stand on their heels for a long time, regularly carry loads of more than 5 kg, are forced to stay in a stooped position for a long time when performing professional or domestic work;
- Arthritis is an inflammatory disease to which young women are vulnerable. It can be provoked by a lumbar injury, genitourinary infection, hypothermia due to insufficiently warm, but fashionable clothes, as well as heredity (for example, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in relatives);
- arthrosis is a predominantly age-related disease that often occurs after age 40 as a reaction 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 oncologic and precancerous conditions (eg, cervical dysplasia);
- accompanied by an increase in temperature;
- accompanied by unexplained weight loss;
- cause difficulty urinating and defecating;
- accompany spots;
- associated with a feeling of numbness or stiffness in the legs, a change in gait.
Low back pain in men
Men suffer from lower back pain less often than women. Most often, as in women, its cause is osteochondrosis or kidney disease. Among the gender-specific diseases that cause back pain in the lower back, we can mention:
- epididymitis (inflammation of the seminal appendix);
- prostatitis;
- orchitis (swelling of the testicles);
- testicular and other oncological diseases of Organs genital organs;
- prostate cancer.
Often times, severe lower back pain 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 working in an uncomfortable position. In women, this pathology is less common.
Back pain treatment
The treatment of back (lumbar) pain requires a therapeutic effect on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, nerve fibers and muscles. In addition to relieving pain in the lumbar spine, it is necessary to slow down degenerative processes in the spine, if any, 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 concomitant diagnoses.
In more than 98% of cases associated with spinal diseases, treatment is performed conservatively - surgery can be dispensed with even in the case of a hernia.
medical approach
With the help of medication, the pain can be completely eliminated in a few months (for example, spinal pain in the lower back is treated for 3-4 months with compression of the roots, hernias). Then, depending on the diagnosis, therapy is completed or carried out periodically, in courses - to maintain remission.
In the treatment of back pain (lumbar) it helps:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of pills, ointments, injections.
- Hormonal preparations (in the form of blocks and droppers).
- Analgesics for pain relief.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Heating preparations, for example, ointments based on bee and snake venom, mustard plasters.
- Venotonics and angioprotectors.
- Anticonvulsants, anxiolytics and antidepressants.
Physiotherapy for back pain
Used to treat low back pain:
- massage (classical, suction cup, whirlpool);
- phonophoresis;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- diadynamic therapy;
- electrical neurostimulation;
- manual therapy;
- acupuncture;
- balneological procedures and mud therapy;
- kinesiotherapy.
Exercise therapy for low back pain
A set of exercises for lower back pain is performed daily and only when achieving remission! With an exacerbation of the disease, any burden can only worsen the situation. Before doing the exercises, you should consult an exercise therapy instructor.
- Get on your knees and bring your right leg forward (foot on the floor, knee bent at a right angle). Keeping your balance, pull your left foot towards your buttock with your left hand and feel the tension in your muscles. 10 times on each side.
- Get on all fours, look straight ahead. Bend and arch your back - exercise the "cat".
- Lie on your back and, keeping your legs under your knees, pull your knees up to your chest and lock in that position for a few seconds. 10 times.
- The starting position is the same. Cross your legs (over the weight) and stretch your muscles, supporting your lower leg under your knee with both hands.
- On all fours, lift your left arm and right leg perpendicular to the floor. Repeat to the other side. 10 times.
A set of exercises for lower back pain with a massage roller is also recommended. For example, place the roller under the sacrum and pull the knee towards 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 bent knee slightly to the side.
How to take care of your back - doctor recommendations
We recommend 10 simple tips to protect your lower back.
- To keep your back healthy, it is important to avoid physical (as well as mental and emotional) overwork and hypothermia. If you are forced to work for a long time in the cold or in rooms with sudden changes in temperature, get high-quality thermal underwear.
- Carry out timely treatment of spine pain in the lower back.
- If you have already been diagnosed with the early stage of osteochondrosis, have congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system, then use orthotics - special bandages and corsets that help relieve your back. If you carry a heavy backpack, buy one designed to protect your back from low back pain symptoms.
- Also, be sure to take chondroprotectors 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 hard, the length of the bed should be a little longer than its height. Pillow height is also important for relieving pain in lumbar osteochondrosis - it is better to buy an orthopedic. If pets force you to sleep in an uncomfortable position, don't leave them in bed.
- During seated work, make sure your elbows are on the table top, at a comfortable height, and the chair seat allows you to keep your shins perpendicular to the floor.
- If you have already been diagnosed with a disease of the spine, take care of a rational job, which will reduce work stress on your 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 lower back pain 3-4 times a day).
Health to your back!