Why back pain occurs and its treatment

People between the ages of 20 and 50 often go to the doctor with these problems, but sometimes children get sick too.According to statistics, around 85% of people have experienced back pain or back discomfort at least once.Pain occurs due to excessive tension of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine and diseases of internal organs.

The mechanism of development of back pain

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:

• Excessive effort, muscle tension.A decrease or increase in tone causes microtraumas, 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 compress the nerve roots.

Back pain classification

For convenience of description and correct choice of treatment tactics for back pathologies, pain symptoms are differentiated by duration.Additionally, doctors highlight the nature and location of the attack.

Depending on the type of pain, there are:

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

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

• Location.They are caused by changes in nerve receptors, muscles and ligaments, tendons or skin.The pain can be sharp, sharp, throbbing, but it is always felt in the soft tissue area.
• Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected into the back from the internal organs.It can be fiery and intense, but it never intensifies with movement.
• Radiating.The discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it is wandering - it radiates to the arm or leg.It appears when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.

Based on location, the following conditions are distinguished:

• Lumbodínia– sharp pain in the lower back.
• Sacralgia– discomfort of the sacral spine.
• Lyubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the sensation radiates down the leg.
• Neck pain- inflammation of the neck.
• Coccydynia– pain in the coccyx.
• Thoracalgia– a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes discomfort in the chest.

Pain in the lower back

Lyubmalgia is often painful in nature and characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasm against the background of disc displacement or hernia.

Elderly and young people often experience back pain in the lower back when they spend a lot of time in an uncomfortable position.

The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly reappears.Severe lower back pain occurs with vascular diseases, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not disappear 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 frequently in men than in women.Pain in the lower back can be sharp, dull or pulling.

Unpleasant sensations intensify during physical activity, after sitting for a long time or after a sudden change in body position.Sometimes the pain radiates to the buttocks or leg.

Sacralgia is also caused by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders.

Upper back pain

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

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

• Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting pain in the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies with inspiration.
• 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.Pain in the shoulder, chest, arm and middle of the back is often observed.The intensity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.

Pain in the shoulder blades

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

Symptoms associated with back pain

The intensity and nature of the clinical picture depend 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, coughing;
• decreased visual and hearing acuity;
• 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 caused by diseases of the spine, the second arises due to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain in women is noted.

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;
• heavy physical work (back pain occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
• uncomfortable posture;
• curvature of the spine;
• previous injuries or broken bones.

Spinal pathologies

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 the bones and bone marrow.
• Boss– displacement (protrusion) of the discs.
• Arthritis– inflammation of the joints.
• Scoliosis– curvature of the spine of varying severity.
• Intervertebral hernia– displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the disc and rupture of the connecting end.
• Spondylosis– proliferation of bone tissue.
• Spinal canal stenosis– compression of nerve endings and a portion of the spinal space due to disc displacement.
• Radiculitis– damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
• Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of the intervertebral joints.
• Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage disorders.
• Discitis– sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral discs.

Non-spine related causes

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

• Stomach ulcer.
• Tuberculosis.
• Appendicitis.
• Copper.
• Stone in the ureter.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Pneumonia.
• Malignant tumors.
• Kidney inflammation.
• Aortic aneurysm.
• Angina pectoris.
• Intercostal neuralgia.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Prostate dysplasia.
• Pancreatitis.
• Inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Cystitis.
• Acute coronary syndrome.
• Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.

Causes of low back pain in women

Unpleasant, dull 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;
• pre-menopause;
• wear high-heeled shoes;
• inflammation of the ovaries;
• myoma or myoma of the uterus;
• ovarian cyst.

Diagnosis

If your back hurts, you need to visit a therapist.After collecting anamnesis and external examination, the doctor will send you for consultation with specialized specialists: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.

To make a correct diagnosis, several studies are prescribed:

• Radiographydetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of intervertebral discs and possible growths of bone tissue.
• Myelography– a method of examining the spinal cord, which assesses the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of hernia, tumors or damage to the spinal column.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)shows 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.
• Urinalysis.It is taken for suspected kidney and urinary tract diseases.
• Additional Researchcarried out to exclude autoimmune diseases, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and hidden infections.

Back pain treatment

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

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

In the recovery phase, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If 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 down on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will provide peace to the muscles and relieve spasm.
2. Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
3. If discomfort does not improve, administer NSAIDs.
4. If you need to move around, wear a back brace or a supportive corset.

Drug therapy

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

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have analgesic and antipyretic effects and relieve inflammation.
• Ointments.Preparations that warm the muscles reduce pain and are used for massage.
• Chondroprotectors.These are products to protect and restore cartilaginous tissue.
• Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and to eliminate edema.
• Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
• Vitamin preparations.Improve the functioning of the nervous system, increase immunity.

If the use of analgesics does not produce a therapeutic effect, a paravertebral block is performed.

An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief occurs instantly and lasts 6 to 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 frequently used:

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

Surgical intervention

Indications for surgery include injuries, intervertebral hernias, and spinal cord compression.The main objective 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 ligament.The intervention is carried out under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
• Nucleoplasty– removal of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves pressure on nerve endings.
• Puncture vertebroplasty– method of stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the cavities in the spine with bone cement.

Folk remedies for back pain

Decoctions and compresses from medicinal herbs help to enhance the effect of medicines.With your 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.I.aloe vera 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 tsp.water, add 1 g of medicinal 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 to 4 days.
• Blend 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites in a blender.Leave in the fridge for 5–6 hours.Apply the ointment to painful areas 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a woolen scarf behind your back.

Prevention

Following your doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and resumption of physical activity, and to avoid discomfort in the future, follow the rules:

• watch your posture;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• When working on the computer, use a chair with a back or a comfortable chair;
• watch your weight;
• don't get carried away with high heels;
• buy an orthopedic mattress;
• when working sedentary, do light exercise every 30 minutes;
• move more, play sports;
• Visit your doctor immediately.