Lower back pain

According to medical statistics, approximately 80% of people suffer from lower back pain periodically.It has a different character: painful, acute, radiating to the lower limbs.Most often, people aged 30 to 55 complain of pain.

There are many causes of lower back pain, and not all of them are associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.If discomfort appears regularly and reduces the quality of life, then you should consult a doctor who will help you identify the cause.After proper treatment, it will disappear on its own.As a rule, you can get rid of pain using conservative methods, but in advanced cases, surgical intervention is necessary.Preventative measures will help maintain the health of your back and prevent pain.

Causes of lower back pain

The question of why the lower back hurts is quite relevant.The human spine is a complex structure composed of vertebrae, the discs that separate them, the spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons).When problems arise with any of these components, back pain occurs.Although in some cases discomfort in the lumbar region is due to disruption of other organs.

Sprain is one of the most common causes of pain in the lower spine.Discomfort occurs when muscles, ligaments or muscle spasms are damaged.The causes of sprains can be the following human actions:

• Improper lifting of an object.
• Lift weights.
• Sudden movements.

Violation of the structure of the spine is another common reason why the lower back hurts.Low back pain associated with structural problems is often caused by the following diseases:

• Rupture of the intervertebral disc.When the integrity of the disc is violated, compression on the nerve bundles increases, which is manifested by pain.
• Protrusion (bulging of a disc between the vertebrae without rupture of the annulus fibrosus) or intervertebral herniation.Then the pressure on the nerve bundles of the lower segment of the spine increases and severe pain in the lower back appears.
• Sciatica (compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve) often occurs due to a disc protrusion or herniation.Then the pain spreads from the lower back to the back of the thigh.
• Arthritis of the lumbar region.
• Scoliosis is a condition characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine.
• Compression fractures (injury to the vertebrae due to compression) of the lumbar region can also cause severe pain.
• Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone density decreases and the vertebrae become porous.This disease increases the risk of compression fractures.

In addition, pain in the lumbar region can be caused by the following reasons:

• Cauda equina syndrome is damage to the bundle of nerves originating from the end of the spinal cord.Then a dull pain appears in the lower back, in the upper part of the buttocks, the sensitivity of the pelvis is impaired, the control of urination and defecation disappears.
• Spinal tumors can compress nerves, causing pain.
• Spinal infections (osteomyelitis, discitis, tuberculosis of the spine) cause pain, fever and hyperthermia in the lower back.
• Infectious diseases, for example cystitis or inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis), also cause pain.
• Shingles is a viral disease that can damage the nerve bundles in the lower back.

In addition, pain in the upper lumbar region may occur in case of an atypical course of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Discomfort is often due to sleep disorders or resting on a bad mattress that does not support the spine well.

Daily activities also cause lower back pain:

• Sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position.
• The person often pushes or pulls something.
• Lifts or carries objects.
• When you stand for a long time, your back also hurts.
• Prolonged bending or frequent turns.
• Excessive tension or overstretching of the lower back muscles.

Severe discomfort in the lower back appears with prolonged tension in the neck, which is directed forward, for example, if a person sits at a computer or drives.

Reference.Lumbago is an acute pain that occurs when the back is overcooled or subjected to dynamic loads.Lumbodylia is a painful sensation caused by prolonged static loads.Lumboischialgia is a pain syndrome that spreads from the lower back to the leg due to an intervertebral herniation.

Risk group

Most often, pain in the spine is caused by the following factors:

• frequent stress;
• pregnancy, which is associated with enlargement of the uterus and tension in its ligaments;
• prolonged sitting associated with work characteristics;
• old age and associated spinal changes;
• mental disorders;
• excessive body weight;
• smoking;
• hard physical work.

Reference.According to statistics, women suffer from lower back pain more often than men.

The risk of lower back pain increases after prolonged steroid use, drug abuse, and in patients aged 30 to 55 years.

Symptoms

If you suffer from lower back pain, pay attention to the nature of the pain;it can be sharp, dull, painful, burning.Sometimes unpleasant sensations such as tingling and numbness appear.Pain in the lumbar region can spread to the buttocks, from the back of the leg to the foot.The severity of the pain syndrome also differs: from mild to unbearable, which does not allow movement.

Often the patient may experience pain in the lower back due to kidney pathologies.To determine if this feeling is caused by a kidney problem, pay close attention to your symptoms.In case of kidney disease, pain is not associated with physical activity, fever appears (from 37.5°), urination is impaired and urine becomes cloudy.When you tap on the kidney area, severe pain appears.

As mentioned, atypical forms of pancreatitis can also be accompanied by severe pain in the lower back.

With osteochondrosis, aching pains appear, which radiate to the legs, intensify when walking and sometimes "lumbago" appears.Over time, the sensitivity of the lower body (buttocks, groin, legs) is altered.The lower limbs quickly freeze and sweat production is impaired.There is no fever with osteochondrosis.

With neuralgia, pain spreads along the affected nerve.The pain is sharp, burning, comes on quickly and disappears suddenly.The color of the skin in the affected area changes, sweating increases during an attack, and the muscles tremble.

You should see a doctor if you suffer from back pain and at least one of the following symptoms:

• weight loss;
• increase in temperature (from 37.5°);
• swelling in the lumbar region;
• the pain does not subside even when the patient is lying down;
• the pain radiates towards the legs;
• you recently injured your lumbar spine;
• control of urination and defecation is impaired;
• Sensitivity in the groin area, buttocks or legs is impaired.

To understand exactly what is wrong and what causes the discomfort, have a medical examination.

Diagnostic measures

If you have lower back pain, you need to see a therapist or orthopedist.If you suspect neurological disorders, consult a neurologist.Physiological examination and medical history often help establish the diagnosis.

If injuries, diseases of the spine or other organs or neuralgia are suspected, the doctor prescribes instrumental studies:

• X-ray will help identify lumbar injuries, inflammation of the vertebrae and imbalance of the spinal elements.
• Magnetic resonance or CT scan will show intervertebral hernias, structural disorders of the spine, problems with surrounding tissues (nerves, muscles, blood vessels).
• Bone scans are used to detect bone tumors and compression fractures.During the study, a radioactive drug is used, which is injected into a vein and then accumulates in areas with increased metabolism.
• Electroneuromyography is effective in identifying compression of nerve bundles that occurs against the background of intervertebral herniation or spinal stenosis.This diagnostic method helps identify any damage to the neuromuscular system.

If an infectious disease is suspected, the patient will be prescribed laboratory blood tests.

If the doctor suspects that the pain in the lower back is caused by problems in the kidneys, pelvic organs or pancreas, then a set of appropriate tests is prescribed.

Conservative treatment

If you don't know how to get rid of lower back pain, consult a doctor first.With timely diagnosis, treatment is carried out at home.Over-the-counter pain relievers are used to relieve pain.

Patients need to know how to relieve pain if it surprises them.If the discomfort is caused by osteochondrosis, then you should act according to the following plan:

• warm your lower back with a woolen scarf or belt;
• lie down on a hard surface;
• take NSAIDs;
• treat your back with an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Thoroughly.Do not take NSAIDs if you have problems with your digestive organs, as they damage the mucous membranes.

NSAIDs and antispasmodics will help relieve pain caused by neuralgia.Additionally, complete rest should be observed.If the pain is very severe, the patient must be hospitalized.

If you are suffering from lower back pain caused by kidney disease, you should urgently call an ambulance.The patient should lie down and take antipyretics (antipyretics) and antispasmodics to normalize the temperature.It is necessary to control blood pressure and body temperature as much as possible.Other actions are performed by the doctor.

Thoroughly.Using hot compresses or taking a hot bath if you have kidney inflammation is strictly prohibited!

Lower back pain due to inflammation of the pancreas (atypical form) is very severe.During an attack, you should call a doctor.Before the doctors arrive, you are not allowed to eat;you need to take a comfortable position and drink water in small sips.It is advisable to have someone close to the patient.The knee-elbow or fetal position will help reduce discomfort.

Regardless of the cause of the pain, the patient should rest for 1-2 days.Longer rest threatens to weaken the muscles, so episodes may repeat more often.

Acute lower back pain appears suddenly and lasts for a maximum of 12 weeks.Constant pain during the chronic process develops slowly and persists for 3 months or more.Many patients suffer from both acute and chronic pain, making diagnosis very difficult.

If home treatment of lower back pain is ineffective, doctors prescribe prescription NSAIDs to patients.Narcotic pain relievers, such as codeine or hydrocodone, relieve severe pain.However, these drugs are only used in extreme cases and the doctor must monitor the patient's condition.To relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, such as Amitriptyline.

Treatment can be supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures.Electrophoresis, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, magnetotherapy, etc.have an excellent therapeutic effect.These procedures help to accelerate metabolic processes, blood circulation, improve tissue trophism, accelerate the healing of damaged areas and relax spasmodic muscles.

Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen muscles and ligaments, make them more elastic and correct posture.The complex for each patient is established by a doctor taking into account age, symptoms, cause of pain and general condition.Training should be carried out at the stage of remission, when the pain syndrome disappears.With regular exercise, the patient will be able to prevent recurrent attacks.

Cortisone injections (a synthetic corticosteroid) will help relieve pain if the above methods are ineffective.After the procedure, the inflammation decreases and the discomfort disappears.The therapeutic effect lasts 6 weeks.

The following methods can help relieve pain and improve your overall condition:

• Osteopathy helps restore the structure of the musculoskeletal system using only the hands of a doctor.
• Chiropractic is a manual technique for correcting spinal defects.
• Acupressure – impact on energy points with fingers and elbows of a specialist in order to eliminate discomfort and relax muscles.
• Reflexology involves introducing special needles into biologically active points of the body.After the procedure, the production of endorphins is stimulated and pain is reduced.
• Yoga.When performing certain poses and movements, the muscle corset is strengthened and posture improves.However, the exercises should be performed under the guidance of a specialist, otherwise the pain syndrome may intensify.

The decision on how to treat lower back pain is made by the doctor after a thorough diagnosis and identification of the causes of discomfort.

Surgery

The question of what to do if you have constant lower back pain for a long time (more than 6 months) is quite relevant.In this case, doctors may prescribe surgery.As a rule, surgical intervention is indicated in cases of intervertebral hernia, especially if the disease is accompanied by neurological disorders (numbness in the groin, legs, involuntary urination, defecation).

The following surgical techniques will help cure serious diseases of the lumbar segment of the spine, accompanied by pain:

• Spinal fusion is an operation aimed at fusing two or more adjacent vertebrae, between which an implant is inserted.Unstable elements of the spine are fixed with special fixing materials (metal plates, screws).
• Intervertebral disc replacement.During the procedure, the destroyed disc is excised and an artificial disc is installed in its place.
• A discectomy is the removal of part of a disc that is compressing a nerve bundle or spinal cord.
• Laminectomy is the removal of a spinal arch that compresses the roots of the nerves exiting the spinal cord.

There are many other surgical techniques that will help stabilize displaced vertebrae, release nerve bundles and other tissues from compression, and restore functionality to the spine.

Lower back pain prevention

To prevent pain in the lumbar region, you must follow these rules:

• Perform exercises to strengthen your muscles and develop flexibility.
• Quit smoking, as people with this bad habit are more likely to suffer from back pain than their non-smoking peers.
• Control your weight and eat well.
• Watch your posture when standing or sitting.
• If you sit a lot of time at work, get up every 2 hours and do back exercises.
• Arrange your workplace correctly, buy a chair with an orthopedic back.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
• When lifting heavy objects, shift your weight from your back to your butt and legs.
• Wear orthopedic shoes.

These rules will help maintain lower back health for a long time.

The most important thing

As you can see, lower back pain can occur for a variety of reasons: sprains, structural disorders, cancer, infectious diseases of the spine, daily activities, poor posture, etc.The risk group includes patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, perform heavy physical labor, are overweight, are often stressed or have bad habits.If the pain syndrome is accompanied by fever, swelling of the back or neurological disorders, then you should urgently consult a doctor.Treatment tactics depend on the cause of the discomfort.Conservative methods are most often used.Surgery is prescribed if the pain does not disappear for a long time or if neurological disorders are present.Remember that lower back pain is easier to prevent than to treat.