Back pain

If a person has worked hard, played sports intensively, or walked long distances, on a reflex level, he puts his hand on his lower back when he stops and relaxes. This part of the body pulls and hurts after exertion, which is explained very simply. The spine is the mainstay of the skeleton of the human bone. It connects all the ankle joints and takes over most of the stress in any movement. Therefore, it is quite natural if your lower back hurts and hurts after work or sports.

But the causes of back pain in the lumbar region are not always excessive. Lower back pain is often a symptom of serious disorders in the human body and cannot be ignored, especially if the pain is severe, it often recurs. This is a sign that the unknown pathology is already progressing and is causing increasing damage to the body on a daily basis. It is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible: neglected spine problems are difficult to treat and the patient may end up in a wheelchair.

It is interesting:Researchers believe that back pain in the lower back is a consequence of human evolution, more precisely bipedal movements. In animals moving on four limbs, the loads are evenly distributed. A person must pay for royal posture and the ability to walk on two legs with a violation of load distribution, curvature of the spine, and back pain.

What can be back pain

Your back can hurt in different ways. Sometimes the pain is sharp, unbearable, the patient feels unbearable tingling and severe restriction of mobility. More often patients complain of lower back pain, withdrawal, unpleasant sensations that usually occur in the evening, may wake up in the middle of the night, intensify when the weather changes or after physical exertion.

Morning stiffness of the spine, back pain "on time" and after exercise are the first signal that the joints are not in order.

Back pain is always accompanied by additional symptoms, which you should definitely pay attention to and inform your doctor about your observations. According to the accompanying signs, it will be easier to determine the real cause of the pain in the lumbar spine. So, what symptoms and criteria will have diagnostic value:

• Duration (intensity) of pain. It is called the acute pain syndrome, which lasts for up to three months. If it occurs periodically for four months or more, it is of different intensity, then it is already called chronic.
• Localization. Lower back pain radiating to the buttocks is commonly referred to in medicine as lumbodinia. If the pain affects the leg, then it is lumboischialgia. Also, unpleasant sensations can appear only on the right, on the left or on both sides at once.
• The nature of pain. This criterion is essential. The pain can be acute and localized at one time, it can be projected on the limbs, buttocks, groin, hypochondria or lower abdomen. The pain is strong, dull or throbbing. The most difficult thing is to make a correct diagnosis of combined pain.
• Effects on joint mobility. The doctor will definitely clarify whether there is stiffness of the spine, limbs, hip joint, under what circumstances, for how long.
• Time indicator. It is also important when and after which the back starts to hurt. This happens all the time, in the morning, in the evening, at night, after exertion, when turning the head, walking, bending, etc. - The answers to all these questions are extremely important for an accurate diagnosis.

On the note:according to doctors' statistics, more than 80% of Europe's population has experienced back pain at least once in their lifetime. More than 25% of medical visits are caused by discomfort and pain in the lumbar region. Moreover, 8 out of 10 patients are young people of active working age from 35 to 45 years. Retirees are less likely to complain of lower back pain, and even less common are teenagers.

Reasons

All causes of low back pain can be divided into two broad categories:

• physiological, usually caused by external factors;
• pathological, associated with diseases of internal organs.

Physiological reasons include:

• excessive physical activity during sports;
• lifting and carrying weights at work or training;
• hard work at home or in the country;
• hypothermia, prolonged stay in a humid room.

Old age combined with physical work are sufficient reasons for lower back pain.

Pathological causes of back pain, in turn, can be related to diseases of the spine or age-related changes in its structures - this pain syndrome is called primary. If back pain is caused by dysfunctions of other organs, for example, the kidneys, they are called secondary - in this case it will be necessary to establish a background disease with the help of additional specific studies and treat two pathologies at the same time.

Diseases and conditions in which the lower back can hurt:

• osteochondrosis (spondylosis) - previously diagnosed mainly in the elderly, now detected at any age;
• intervertebral hernia - also occurs at any age, if in young people, then usually after excessive strength sports;
• neuralgia of various natures;
• arthritis and osteoarthritis, any inflammatory process of the joints;
• rheumatism and other diseases of autoimmune origin;
• radiculitis;
• endocrine dysfunction (diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism);
• inflammation of the renal pelvis - pyelonephritis;
• inflammation of the genitourinary organs.

Back or limb injuries are also painful. To determine the exact cause, you will have to go through examinations, the obligatory minimum is an external examination by a specialist, laboratory tests of urine and blood, X-ray, electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the kidneys and genitourinary organs. If necessary, additional diagnostic measures will be assigned.

Back pain in women can be caused by cystitis or inflammation of the appendages.

Spinal diseases as a cause of back pain

If the X-ray shows a deformity of the vertebrae, their compaction and expansion with the formation of bone growths in the form of thorns along the edges, the doctor diagnoses osteochondrosis or spondylosis. Until recently, this pathology was considered a disease of retirees, and its main cause was natural age-related changes in the body, slowing of metabolic processes and wear and tear of the spine.

Today, it has been proven that osteochondrosis can be triggered by a number of other factors in young people and even adolescents. The impetus for degenerative changes of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs are:

• insufficient physical activity with overweight or due to chronic diseases that limit mobility;
• sedentary work;
• metabolic disorders during dieting, for example, as a result of which the vertebral structures do not receive enough nutrients and are consumed prematurely;
• irregular sport - without warming up muscles and ligaments, without gradually increasing the load and controlling the lifting of loads.

With osteochondrosis, as it progresses, the intervertebral discs become deformed - they become flat, thick and rough. The affected disc can easily compress the root of the nerve that branches off the spine causing inflammation. In addition, nerve roots are injured by bony prickly processes. The patient feels this as a sharp, sharp pain, along with which there is a restriction of mobility in the lower back. This condition is called sciatica.

In spondylosis, bone growths along the edges of the vertebrae injure the nerve roots and thus cause the acute pain syndrome.

Inflammatory processes in the spine can begin to develop as early as adolescence and adolescence. It manifests as recurrent back pain, sometimes disturbing at night. Then they are joined by morning stiffness, fatigue and decreased physical activity. In the advanced stages, the spine is seriously deformed, the person's posture and gait change and a hump is formed. Rheumatoid arthritis can develop over years, in some cases ten years. Because the course of the disease is slowed down, the symptoms are often blurred, the patient does not go to the doctor, trying to cope with the improvised means with discomfort. For this reason, inflammation of the spinal joints more often than other pathologies leads to disability.

If the patient mentions discomfort in other joints (shoulder, foot, knee, fist) during the survey, he complains of pain in the buttocks, decreased visual acuity, stool disorders, spondyloarthritis. The rheumatologist deals with the treatment of such pathology, his consultation is needed immediately, because the pathology progresses quickly and leads to irreversible changes in the bone and joint structures.

Diseases not related to the back as a cause of pain

Sometimes lower back pain causes diseases of organs that at first glance have nothing to do with the spine. Myofascial pain syndrome is a common cause of back pain, which is not accompanied by other symptoms of joint pathologies. Young women usually come to the doctor with complaints of back pain after a work day, intense workout at the gym, or a long stay in one position.

Pain in myofascial syndrome is not associated with damage to the joints of the spine and is easily removed with analgesics, massage and NSAIDs.

During the examination, the doctor easily detects points near the spine, when pressure is applied to which pain occurs. The pain is caused by excessive strain on the muscle tissues, the nerve roots and joint elements do not suffer. This condition does not pose a major threat to the patient's health, but it can significantly reduce the quality of life. For treatment, the doctor prescribes muscle relaxants - drugs that promote muscle relaxation, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a short course in minimal doses. It is recommended to adjust the regime of rest and sleep and monitor physical activity.

Other extra-articular pathologies that can also be accompanied by back pain:

• Cholecystitis and pancreatitis. The pain is localized in the right hypochondrium and can be projected onto the right lower back.
• Appendicitis. In some cases, sharp, stabbing pains radiate to the lower back, also to the right side. Additional symptoms of appendicitis: bloating, stool disorders, nausea, vomiting, severe pallor, fever.
• Renal dysfunction, urolithiasis. Depending on which kidney is inflamed, pain will occur in the right or left lower back. If the stone comes out with urolithiasis, the lower back also hurts a lot, in severe cases the body temperature can rise.
• Obesity. With excess body weight, heavy loads are placed on the lumbar spine, which leads to back pain and discomfort.
• Osteomyelitis. Bone infections are accompanied by severe pain and fever.

If no visible lesions of the spine or other joints are found during the examination, no diseases of the internal organs are detected, it makes sense to donate blood for tumor markers and do an MRI of the spine. Malignant tumors, when they grow, put pressure on the nerve roots and also become causes of pain. Pain syndrome is characteristic of cancer in 3-4. Phases.

Pain in the lumbar region may be a symptom of appendicitis.

Why back pain in women

If women have severe back pain in the lumbar region, first of all, you should revise your individual calendar. Withdrawal pain can bother before menstruation, while withdrawing the lower abdomen, swelling of the mammary glands, the patient is nauseous, some suffer from migraines, food intolerance or, conversely, gluttony.

Roughly the same symptoms are a sign of pregnancy. Therefore, if menstruation has not started for a few days and the pain and discomfort persist, it makes sense to do a pregnancy test and make an appointment with a gynecologist.

Gynecological diseases can also be the cause. Adnexitis is usually manifested by withdrawal pain in the lower abdomen. But sometimes they radiate to the lower back. Similar sensations occur when ovarian cysts are inverted. With the onset of menopause, many women complain of burning in the lower back, stiffness. In any case, a therapist or rheumatologist will advise you to consult a gynecologist.

Causes of pain in men

In men, the back hurts mainly due to professional activities - hours of driving, working at a computer, lifting and carrying weights, professional sports.

But also pain on the right or left side of the back can be one of the symptoms of prostatitis or pathology such as epididymitis. To rule out or confirm pathologies, you must be examined by an andrologist.

Men with back pain should definitely consult an andrologist to rule out prostatitis.

When and what treatment is needed

Even with very intense, persistent back pain, most patients do not believe that they need serious treatment and expect only one thing from their doctor - a good pain reliever that will help you immediately and for a long time. Unfortunately, such a cure does not exist. The pain syndrome can be extinguished with injections and tablets, but the effect will not be long-term, because the cause of the discomfort will not be removed. Treatment methods will be determined depending on what caused the back pain.

Bruises and muscle sprains

The first thing to do is to rest your back completely. That means you can’t play sports, lift weights, stand a lot, walk, run, jump and catch a cold. It is recommended to get rid of extra pounds, inactive work and inactive lifestyle, on the contrary, you should consider sparing sports - for example, yoga, Pilates, swimming. In the future, you will have to reconsider your habits and adjust the load on your spine.

What to do before visiting the doctor:

• take an analgesic or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in a minimal dose;
• fix the lower back with an improvised corset - a towel or scarf;
• to reduce swelling, drink herbal tea with a diuretic effect.

What your doctor will advise:

• short-course nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• muscle relaxants to relieve muscle cramps and tension;
• massage and warming of the back (in the absence of inflammatory processes);
• B vitamins.

If you follow all the recommendations, the pain will completely disappear in 7-14 days.

Remember!If a fever is detected, there is pain in the leg or other parts of the body, limited mobility or other atypical symptoms occur, in no case should you resort to the help of a chiropractor, do a warm-up or massage yourself. It is also not recommended to take painkillers as this will complicate the diagnosis.

Spinal pathology

Early joint diseases are treated with the same techniques as bruises or other injuries. In addition, doctors may prescribe chondroprotectors - drugs that protect joint structures from destruction and stimulate their recovery.

Surgical intervention is indicated for compression fractures of the spine, extensive hernias of intervertebral discs, severe forms of osteochondrosis or spondyloarthritis. Depending on the violation detected, the operation can be simple and is performed under local anesthesia or performed in several stages over six months. After surgery of any complexity, a course of antibiotics, bandages, and physical therapy will be required for complete rehabilitation.

Modern technologies enable the performance of minimally invasive interventions on the spine with a minimal risk of complications.

Today, spine surgeries are no longer exceptional, a rich and varied experience has been accumulated, there is special equipment that allows you to solve almost any problem. Therefore, if the situation is difficult and the doctor has recommended surgery, there is no point in postponing it. The sooner it is done, the greater the chances of complete pain relief and restoration of spine function.

Useful tips

Timely and effective treatment of low back pain is often difficult for the most common reasons - the patient does not know which doctor to seek advice from. If the pain was preceded by an injury, then everything is simple - you need to go to a traumatologist. He will most likely prescribe analgesics and a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and then recommend various physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, massage and exercise therapy. This is the standard treatment for back injuries.

The difficulty is that nerve endings can be affected when hitting or falling. And then you need to involve a neurologist who will recommend your own methods of treatment. A rheumatologist or orthopedist will have their opinion. And if the examination reveals pathology of any of the internal organs, for example, the genitourinary system, the patient will be completely confused about what to treat and whom to listen to. Otherwise, it is for this reason that many abandon the methods of official medicine and turn to non-traditional, ie folk remedies, which ultimately leads to worsening of the condition and the development of complications.

It happens that doctors make a wrong diagnosis and prescribe incorrect treatment, which leads to disease progression and complications.

What to do in such a situation? Don’t panic or rush, but go through the prescribed course of treatment to the end, focusing on your own feelings and well-being. If after two to four weeks your back hurts equally and if there is not the slightest improvement, it makes sense to contact another doctor and undergo another examination to review the correctness of the diagnosis. Changing one analgesic to another, and instead of electrophoresis, it makes no sense to do UHF.

As for treating the back with homeopathic remedies at home, one should not get carried away here and recklessly believe in the promises of traditional healers. The appropriate adult must understand: traditional methods of treatment are good in the remission phase, when the condition is stable, or to prevent recurrence and complications. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, as an autoimmune disease, herbal tinctures cannot cure in any way.

Medicinal herbs will be helpful in improving overall body tone, but are unlikely to help with hernias, disc dislocations, or compression fractures.

The right decision would be if your lower back hurts constantly, and appointing a doctor at the district clinic is ineffective - go to a reputable private clinic and get examined there. It’s not free, but you’ll find out the real reason and you’ll be able to start the right treatment instead of experimenting with folk remedies and standard painkillers that don’t give any therapeutic effect.

Summary:Almost all adults have back pain at least once in their lives. In fact, there can be many reasons: from banal overwork to serious pathology of the spine, kidneys, infection or metabolic disorders in the body. It is important to determine the cause accurately and correctly and start appropriate treatment as early as possible. The spine is the main joint in the human skeleton, its dysfunction and destruction in the absence of proper medical care will inevitably lead to loss of mobility and disability.