Humanity pays for the ability to walk on two legs with back pain.If your back regularly hurts in the lumbar region, it could be a sign of extreme fatigue or the result of a long uncomfortable position while working or sleeping.But the reasons may be more serious.
Causes of pain
The lower back is one of the most painful areas.There are reasons for this:
- osteochondrosis;
- scoliosis;
- herniated disc;
- tumors;
- Infectious tissue lesions.
The type and intensity of the pain depends on the disease.And it bothers you in different ways: after sleep, sports, overwork.For example, renal colic is constantly accompanied by pain in the lower back.The type of activity the patient performs does not play any role.
- Most often, pain occurs in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.The pain is of moderate intensity during sleep and increases with physical exertion.I feel tired all the time.The feeling of heaviness makes you want to lie down.But relief doesn't always come afterwards.
- If a disc herniation occurs, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, lifting heavy objects or falling.
- When the hernia is compressed, acute pain occurs, called lumbodynia.Movement in the lumbar area is noticeably restricted.Damage to the nerve root also leads to pain in the leg.
- Stenosis of the intervertebral canal often occurs in old age.A sign of this is limping and numbness in the legs, especially after a long walk.
- Stiffness of the spine that occurs in the morning indicates the beginning of the development of ankylosing spondylitis.First, sharp pain sensations appear in the sacral area, which then spread to the lumbar area.The feeling after sleep is not rest, but fatigue, which disappears with the start of physical activity.Young men are most susceptible to the disease.The disease is inherited.The lower back usually hurts when lying down.
- Acute pain in the lumbar region also occurs with pyelonephritis (inflammatory process in the kidneys).They are accompanied by increased body temperature and swelling in the morning after sleeping.
- Older men often develop a disease such as abdominal aortic aneurysm.Aching pain and pulsation in the abdomen are the result of pressure from the aorta on neighboring organs.
- Lower back pain, fever, and burning along the nerve are signs of herpes zoster.This viral disease affects the cells of the spinal cord.A pink rash appears on the body, later blisters form.
- Another common disease that many consider harmless is flat feet.A deformed foot increases the stress on the spine when walking.The pain subsides during sleep.
- If there are congenital changes in the vertebrae: irregular shape or changes in the cleft, then sooner or later they become noticeable.
- Autoimmune diseases, especially multiple sclerosis, are pain provocateurs of various localizations.Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons why severe pain in the lumbar region occurs.These can be osteoporosis, infections of the urogenital system, hemorrhoids, tumor diseases, complications after viral or bacterial infections.And even physiological changes that affect women and occur during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pain caused by diseases of the internal organs
When you wonder why your back hurts in the lumbar region, it is sometimes difficult to believe that the reasons could also lie in the organs.The fact is that in some cases pain is “transferred” from internal organs to the lumbar region.
- Right-sided pleurisy, pneumonia are the causes of pain in the right lumbar region.Accompanying symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back, which increase when bending over or lying down while sleeping.
- Gallstone disease also localizes stabbing pains to the right side, just above the lower back, and they are accompanied by belching and nausea.They have a pungent character.
- Pancreatitis causes pain in the lower back.Its companions are nausea and vomiting.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of a heart attack.
- In men, prostate pathology causes pain in the area below the lower back with transition to the sacrum.In women - cystitis.
- Diseases of the distal digestive tract cause pain below the lower back.
Provocateurs of pain
Factors such as:
- hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, weightlifting).
- Muscle strain.
- fracture.
- Menstrual cycle in women.
- Poor diet.
- Stress.
- Uncomfortable posture while sleeping.
Lumbar back pain in children
New technologies have not only brought benefits to our world, but they have also brought harm.Why?Because the early love of computers robs children of full motor activity and leads to poor posture.
Important: If you choose the right chair and table for your child to study, curvature of the spine can be avoided!
Scoliosis can occur from carrying a heavy backpack, having flat feet, or wearing uncomfortable shoes.Be sure to treat him!Excessive physical activity and heavy lifting are contraindicated for children.If you participate in a sports section, you need to pay special attention to your child's complaints of back pain after training.It could be a herniated disc.Timely treatment enables the child to live a fulfilling life.
Types of pain
The nature of pain is divided into the following types:
- Cramps in the long back muscles cause severe pain.This happens due to stretching.The problem is known among athletes and people whose specific jobs involve strain on the back muscles.The pain eases slightly when lying down.The main location is the lower back.
- A spinal injury, namely a fracture, is very dangerous.It can result from an unsuccessful fall or be a result of osteoporosis, Paget's disease or hyperparathyroidism.
- When the intervertebral discs are displaced, pain occurs due to compression of the nerve roots.For this reason, the patient's mobility is limited, sensitivity is impaired and the knee reflex is reduced.The danger of this disease is also that healthy vertebrae begin to hurt, which leads to dysfunction of internal organs and restless sleep.
- Facet joint syndrome causes back pain in 31% of cases.This degenerative process affects the capsule of the intervertebral joints and causes pain not only in the lower back but also in the legs.The lower back hurts when sitting, bending sideways and back, and standing for long periods of time.
- An inflammatory process of an infectious nature in the epidural space is a very serious and dangerous disease.It can be fatal if treatment is not started on time.
Treatment
Seeing a doctor immediately if you have back pain is the key to successful treatment.Even if the pain only bothers you at night or after sleeping, there is a reason to see a specialist.
After analyzing the reasons, the doctor gives recommendations for treatment and prevention of the disease.Treatment is comprehensive with ointments, tablets, injections, massages and physiotherapy.
In the treatment of pain in the lumbar region, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs come first:
- At the initial stage, literally in the first 3-5 days, treatment is carried out with injections to relieve pain and inflammation.They work quickly and effectively relieve acute pain by injecting the medication directly into the blood or muscle.
- Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving tablets, chondroprotectors and irritating medications are then used (each separately).
- An ointment treatment is also used.A correctly selected ointment will relieve inflammation in the affected area and also warm (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is relieved with the help of muscle relaxants.With their help, pain is treated and mobility is restored.Apply 3 to 7 days.
Group B vitamin preparations are a necessary addition to the main therapy.
In some cases, a medical blockade is necessary.The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally.Used for degenerative changes in the spine.
Physiotherapeutic treatment:
- UHF;
- electrophoresis;
- Magnetic field therapy.
Massage relieves acute pain by improving blood circulation.Kneading the muscles has a positive effect on the elasticity and flexibility of the ligaments.To increase the overall tone of the body, massage is combined with a bath or sauna only with the permission of the attending physician.You can't warm up during an infectious process!
Pain during pregnancy can be relieved by wearing a special bandage.
Wearing orthopedic insoles is mandatory for patients with flat feet.
Therapeutic exercise
Exercise is also a treatment.They strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and increase blood circulation.They are used not only as part of therapeutic therapy, but also to prevent pain in the lumbar region.As with drug therapy, therapeutic exercises are prescribed individually and the main causes of the disease are analyzed.However, you can highlight several general exercises, each performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning to avoid overload.
- While standing, tilt your body alternately to the right, forward, back and left.
- While standing, turn your body to the side with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- In a position on all fours, do a “cat”: arch your back in the lower back.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and arms along your body.Raise and lower the pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lying on your back, legs stretched out, arms along your body.Alternately bend your knees and then pull them toward your chest.
- Stand on all fours and alternately swing your legs.
Whatever the reasons, only a specialist can determine why the back hurts, identify the “culprit” of the disease and prescribe the correct and effective treatment.As with any other illness, you should not self-medicate!Any medication can not only heal, but also cause harm if chosen incorrectly.