Causes and treatment of lower back pain

Lower back pain is a common and common occurrence.Both men, women and children suffer from this.The causes of this disease are varied.

Pain itself is a “bell” warning of any changes occurring in the human body.Pain should not be ignored; it can have serious consequences.You should contact a specialist, identify the source and begin to eliminate it.

Causes of lower back pain

The most harmless reason is fatigue.During the day there is a large load on the spine and it is not distributed evenly.This results in an unpleasant, aching sensation in the spinal region.Excessive physical activity, heavy lifting.

Of course, various injuries, bruises

The causes can be divided into two main categories - diseases of the spine and internal organs.

Mostly in women, pain occurs as a result of:

• Gynecological ailments (fibroids, vulvitis, adnexitis, tumor of the internal genital organs).
• Pregnancy.Especially in the last trimester, there is a large load on the spine, which results in lower back pain.Which is natural and goes away after childbirth.
• Menstrual cycle.A recoil symptom is quite possible.
• Abortion.After a stressful condition and inflammatory process.
• Climax.Changes in hormonal levels provoke disruptions in blood circulation in the pelvis.Osteoporosis develops.

For men:

• Features of professional activity.(lifting weights).
• Prostatitis.Rare, but possible.
• Oncology of the genital organs.After 50 years.
• Playing sports.Excessive loads.

In children:

• Incorrect posture.It is caused by inappropriate shoes, wearing a backpack incorrectly, or bending over textbooks.
• Spinal hernia.

In addition to diseases of the spine, pain is caused by such pathologies as:

• congenital defects of the spinal column (irregular shape, splitting);
• appendicitis;
• cholecystitis;
• kidney diseases;
• adhesions;
• neoplasms in the back area;
• bone tuberculosis;
• overweight;
• small intestinal disease;
• inflammatory processes in muscles.

What diseases cause lower back pain?

There are both primary and secondary signs of the disease.The primary ones include the spinal diseases themselves.Secondary ones have pain of a reflective nature, diseases of the internal organs.

Let's look at the most common of them:

1. Injuries.Fractures, bruises.Received as a result of a fall, impact, accident, sports, etc.
2. Scoliosis.Curvature of the spine.Skeletal deformation occurs and a hump appears.Has a congenital or acquired character.
3. Osteochondrosis.There is destruction of joints and bones, and nerve fibers are involved.Can provoke radiculitis, hernias, intervertebral discs.
4. Osteoporosis.Disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism.Bone density decreases and the percentage of injuries increases.
5. Rheumatoid arthritis.Chronic inflammatory process in the joints, involving adjacent ligaments and muscles.The development of an autoimmune process is to blame.
6. Phlebothrombosis (Thrombophlebitis).Complete or partial disruption of blood flow.
7. Ankylosing spondylitis.Connective tissue grows and mobility is lost.
8. Spondylosis.Natural aging of the joint.
9. Lumbago.Destructive changes in the spine are accompanied by acute pain.If left untreated it will lead to irreversible consequences.
10. Various kidney diseases lead to lower back pain: pyelonephritis, kidney prolapse, renal failure, gout, amyloidosis, diabetic nephropathy, renal colic, etc.
11. Types of tumors of the gastric tract and duodenum.
12. Pathologies of the pelvis.

Symptoms and nature of pain

Symptoms include varying degrees of discomfort in the lumbar region.Pain in the lumbar region is very diverse.

Divided into periodic and permanent.Periodic ones are associated with acute pathologies, physical activity and some other individual features of the skeletal structure.

Permanent ones are caused by irreversible damage to the apornomotor system.They cannot be completely cured and come back.

Pain syndrome can also be primary or secondary.The first is directly related to the musculoskeletal system itself, while the second has nothing to do with it and is provoked by the pathologies of other diseases.

Important!The nature of the pain is different: acute, aching, periodic, sharp, pulling, pulsating, painful, mild.Accompanied in some cases by numbness of the lower extremities, coldness, decreased sensitivity in the legs, pallor, convulsions, lameness, limited movement, paralysis.

Diagnostic methods

If the cause of pain is known (trauma, pregnancy, chronic diseases), you should immediately go to a specialist with a more specialized profile.Otherwise, first you need to see a therapist.

Next, the following procedures will be carried out:

• Blood and urine tests, biochemical analysis.
• Ultrasound of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and heart.
• X-ray of the lumbar region.
• MRI and CT.The most accurate examination that identifies the source of the disease.
• Study of blood vessels.

And based on these results, the cause will be identified and appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

What to do if your lower back hurts?

First aid

Dull, sharp or throbbing pain, no matter what it is, makes life very difficult and prevents you from doing your usual and favorite things.

If it was unexpected, the following measures must be taken:

1. Lie down on a semi-rigid, flat surface so that your spine takes on the correct shape.
2. Try to relax.Don't tense your muscles or panic.Self-hypnosis also plays a big role.
3. Call a doctor.It is not advisable to take a painkiller; the doctor will not be able to accurately determine the source of the disease.
4. Can be bandaged (fixed).
5. Measure the temperature.

During pregnancy:

• exclude physical activity;
• wear a prenatal bandage;
• perform simple physical exercises while sitting;
• eat more potassium and phosphorus.

Drug treatment

Pills:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Fights inflammation, swelling, improves mobility.
• Chondroprotectors.Prevents the destruction of cartilage tissue and promotes its restoration.
• Muscle relaxants.Relaxes stiff muscles and relieves pain.They are used when NSAIDs have not given the desired results.
• Corticosteroids.Prevents inflammatory processes and blocks severe pain.
• Narcotic analgesics.Purchase in pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription, as they are addictive.
• Analgesics.Depending on the strength and nature of the pain.
• B vitamins. They are used in combination with NSAIDs.Vitamin complexes and vitamins of groups B1, B12, B6.

Ointments, creams:

• Preparations with local irritant and analgesic effects.Reduce discomfort, relax muscles, relieve inflammation, nourish and warm.
• Warming with hot pepper, snake and bee venom.
• Chondroprotective.

Good to know!Medicinal patches and injections are also used to treat lower back pain.The latter is done if all of the above did not have the desired effect.Injections are placed directly in the lumbar region.

Folk remedies

Again we turn to traditional medicine.There are many treatment methods among the people, but before using them on yourself, you need to consult a specialist, as there may be contraindications to treatment with these methods.

Let's look at a few examples:

1. Fresh or steamed burdock leaves are used as a compress.
2. Mustard plasters are combined with honey.
3. Mix crushed garlic with vegetable oil.Garlic is also mixed with Vaseline and a spoonful of lemon juice.Apply to the area that is bothering you.
4. Mix lavender, orange, rosemary, eucalyptus, fir and camphor oils with petroleum jelly.The result is a warming ointment.
5. Make a warm compress with mustard powder.Another 200 gr.dry mustard is poured into the bath.After taking, wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
6. Stir a tablespoonful of honey and vinegar and place on a cabbage leaf.Apply to the sore spot and tie with a warm scarf.
7. Alcohol tincture of eucalyptus will relieve pain.Rub the area that is bothering you well.
8. Mix sage leaves, birch, pine buds, chamomile, plantain, anise, burdock roots with melted butter or lard.
9. Grate the beets and squeeze.Mix the cake with a spoon of kerosene and place on a napkin or thin cloth.Apply to the place where it bothers you the most.Place polyethylene on top and bandage with something warm.
10. Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, fruits and roots for oral administration work wonders.They fight inflammation, vitaminize the body and speed up the metabolic process.Useful plants: chamomile, knotweed, St. John's wort, burdock roots, calendula, violet, dandelion, white willow bark, knotweed, immortelle.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures have the ability to enhance the effects of medications on the body.

Together they give a wonderful result:

• Paraffin and ozokerite applications.It warms up the affected area perfectly, apply heated wax to it, layer by layer, up to 1 cm in height.Then cover with film and wrap in woolen cloth for an hour.The course lasts from 10 to 30 days.
• Electrophoresis.The procedure is carried out using a special device that supplies a weak current signal.There is a tingling sensation.
• Electrical muscle stimulation.
• Pearl and turpentine baths.
• Mud therapy.Pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and pain reduction.
• Ampipulse therapy.

Gymnastics

Gymnastics or physical therapy will help strengthen muscles and heal faster.

Special exercises are selected by an orthopedist or vertebrologist, depending on the injury and other indications.

Therapeutic exercises should be performed after the inflammatory process has passed and the pain has subsided.

Constant exercise will strengthen the back muscles and reduce the load on the bones, speed up blood circulation, which will lead to better metabolism in tissues.

The first classes are carried out under the guidance of a doctor, then independently at home.Exercises for arching your back up and down will be useful.And on all fours, bending in one direction or the other.

Walking and visiting the pool will be useful.

Massage

The benefits of massage are enormous, but in the case of lower back pain, it must be performed by an experienced massage therapist.Otherwise, incorrect movements will cause harm and accelerate the progression of pathologies.

Massage movements, if correct, warm up and relieve spasms, and activate blood microcirculation.It has a beneficial effect on the body as a whole and on the patient’s mood.

During the massage, techniques such as rubbing with fingertips, stroking, and kneading muscles are used.

Prevention measures

• Physical exercise is an invaluable aid in prevention.
• You should not make sudden movements.
• Strengthen your immune system and lead a healthy lifestyle.
• It is worth watching your posture.
• Be examined by a doctor annually.
• Proper nutrition and maintaining water balance in the body.
• Avoid stress and nervous shock.

Note:It is worth monitoring your health and consulting a doctor for timely treatment.Listen to the alarm signals that the body gives in the form of pain.Do not self-medicate.Since all this can lead to irreversible consequences.