Complaints about low back pain are one of the most common reasons to see a doctor. Pain in this part of the body can be a manifestation of normal fatigue caused by excessive physical exertion, as well as the presence of serious health problems that require competent treatment.
Back pain is an unpleasant manifestation of many diseases or a strong overload of the back muscles for other reasons.
In most cases, this pathology occurs against the background of various changes in the structure of the joints of the spine, as well as in the adjacent muscles, nerve endings or skin on the spine. In addition, such a symptom is accompanied by some diseases or dysfunctions of internal organs.
Causes of back pain
Back pain can occur in the presence of the following pathology:
- spine;
- musculoskeletal system;
- internal organs.
Pain can also occur in a healthy person due to muscle pain due to significant physical force.
Pathology of the spine
In addition, the frequent pathologies of the spine in which the pain syndrome occurs are taken into account.
Osteochondrosis
The most common answer to the question of osteochondrosis is: "Why does my back hurt? "The following symptoms are characteristic of pain in osteochondrosis:
- during or after physical exertion, as well as prolonged stay in a static position;
- may have a feverish or painful character;
- movement pain increases even more.
If the sciatic nerve is compressed and sciatica develops, the pain spreads from the back along the surface of the thigh to the hips. Sensitivity disorders (numbness, tingling, burning) may occur. With lumbago, there is often a throbbing or throbbing pain that causes the patient to freeze in place. Patients complain of bruising or bending of the back.
Injuries
Injuries are more likely to occur during falls (in icy conditions, during sports) or in the event of a rear-end collision. The pain can lead to both bruises and more serious injuries - fractures and dislocations of the spine. Pain during an injury can have a variety of natures:
- painful,
- burning,
- shooting,
- stupid.
Depending on the nature and location of the injury, the sensations of pain may be constant, may occur with certain movements, or may be felt as a pulsation. It should be noted that serious injuries are not always caused by significant blows.
For example, in the elderly, a compression fracture of the spine can be caused by a light mechanical load, and the vertebrae do not hurt much on the first day after the injury. If immobilization and treatment are not taken in the future, the pain will increase and nerve and spinal cord damage may occur.
Any spinal injury, even a minor one, requires a medical examination at first sight.
Intervertebral hernia
An intervertebral hernia is when a piece of intervertebral disc protrudes into the spinal canal. Hernias are most often the result of degenerative changes in the spine or the result of an injury. Disk dislocation can occur in any part of the spine, but more often in the lumbar region, because it carries the main load.
In the early stages of hernia formation, low back pain is triggered by physical activity, occurs intermittently and is of low intensity. With the progression of the disease or a sharp loss of a piece of disc, the pain can be very intense, striking the feet in nature with radiation.
Patients often complain of numbness or burning in the problem area, as well as in the lower or upper extremities. This indicates a violation of the nerve endings. Severe pain provokes muscle spasm, which leads to postural disorders, the development of pathological kyphosis or lordosis.
Spinal curvature (kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis)
With spinal curvature, there is significant muscle tension in the back that often and sometimes causes constant dull aching pain to compensate for the pathological flexion.
Muscle pain
Eighty-five percent of chronic or recurrent pain in the back muscles is due to excessive stress in the lower back. Even for those who do not carry significant sports loads and heavy loads, the back muscles experience daily tension. This is especially true for long-term static loads while sitting at a computer.
Unheated muscles can be easily damaged when making sharp turns, lifting heavy objects, or moving poorly. Pain can be caused by inflammatory diseases of the muscles (myositis) or severe stress that causes reflex spasm of muscle fibers.
infectious diseases
Tuberculosis affects the spine the most. In vertebrae, the infection enters the hematogenous (through the blood) pathway and causes inflammation and then bone necrosis. Pain in the lower back and chest is a characteristic feature of spinal tuberculosis, and in half of the patients there are neurological symptoms - numbness and weakness in the limbs.
In addition, common manifestations are characteristic of spinal tuberculosis:
- weakness,
- sweating,
- increase in body temperature,
- rapid fatigue,
- poor appetite.
Oncological diseases
In most cases, malignant tumors do not develop in the spine itself. Cancer cells come here with blood or lymph flow from other sources. Spinal metastases often cause breast, lung and prostate cancer. At first the pain is similar to the manifestations of ordinary osteochondrosis, but then with increasing intensity, the back constantly aches.
It is not always possible to relieve pain with ordinary painkillers, only the use of drugs brings relief. Pain with numerous metastases travels in nature, covering different parts of the spine. In addition to low back pain, the patient feels weakness, unreasonable weight loss, fever to subfebrile numbers. The prognosis is unfavorable.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
The most common low back pain occurs with pancreatitis. It surrounds nature and is very dense. Pain in acute pancreatitis may be accompanied by a drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Acute pancreatitis is an indication for emergency hospitalization of the patient in a surgical hospital.
In addition to pancreatitis, pain can spread to the back with an attack of gastric ulcer or biliary colic.
Diseases of the genitourinary system
Kidney disease, especially urolithiasis, often causes pain in the lower back during exacerbation. If lower back pain is accompanied by urinary incontinence or is transmitted to the inguinal region, a surgeon should be consulted and women should be examined by a gynecologist to rule out inflammation or the presence of appendages. ectopic pregnancy.
Low back pain in pregnant women
Pregnant women often complain of fractures or sharp pains in the lower back and lumbar region, especially in the later stages. This is due to a change in the center of gravity and an increase in the load on the lumbar muscles due to a significant increase in the uterus in the second half of pregnancy. The pains are generally dull aches, intensified by changing the position of the body, especially when getting up from a chair or armchair.
What to do if your back hurts
If you have back pain for more than three days, you should see a doctor. If your back pain is accompanied by the following, consult a doctor immediately:
- poor general health;
- decrease or sharp increase in blood pressure;
- increase in body temperature;
- dysfunction of any internal organs.
In addition, if you have an injury or high intensity of pain before the pain, you should consult a doctor.
Diagnostics
In most cases, the doctor will be able to make an initial diagnosis during the initial examination. However, additional research is needed to determine exactly what causes back pain. In most cases, these are X-rays in two projections, computed tomography (CT) of the spine, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
If necessary, the doctor may order a general blood and urine test, an electrocardiogram, an ultrasound of the abdomen or small pelvis, and an image of the lungs. The examination must be completed, because even the most serious diseases have a favorable prognosis in the early stages of detection with proper treatment.
Treatment
How to get rid of back pain can only be recommended by a doctor based on the examination data and the results of the examination. The main principles of therapy: elimination of severe pain and inflammation, the impact of the cause of pain, rehabilitation measures aimed at accelerating the process of tissue regeneration and restoration of normal life (physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, proper nutrition).
How to relieve pain
First of all, it is necessary to limit physical activity to relieve pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most commonly prescribed pharmacological drugs. These medications can be taken as tablets or injections, and they also include topical ointments. Treatment of back pain caused by muscle spasms is carried out with warming ointments, alcohol compresses and a hot bath. Muscle relaxants are prescribed for severe spasms.
It is important to remember that in the case of inflammatory diseases of the internal organs and on the first day after injury, any thermal procedure is contraindicated. They lead to deterioration of health and the development of pathology. After the elimination of acute manifestations of the disease, physiotherapeutic procedures, massage and therapeutic exercises are prescribed. If a pregnant woman has back pain, the use of drugs is undesirable.
Wearing a special bandage and limiting physical activity will help relieve back pain in pregnant women.
Physiotherapy
Exercise therapy (therapeutic gymnastics) is the basis for successful treatment of low back pain in any localization. A number of exercises can be recommended by a physiotherapy exercise specialist or rehabilitation physician. Classes begin with simple exercises, gradually increasing the load on the back and lower back muscles and ligaments.
This strengthens the muscle corset that supports the spine, improves posture, activates blood circulation and metabolism in the tissues, and improves overall well-being and mood. It is illiterate to treat your back with medication without regular exercise therapy and proper nutrition. This will only have a temporary effect.
Physiotherapy
Medication procedures such as phonophoresis, magnetotherapy, and laser therapy will help speed recovery. In remission, mud therapy and paraffin therapy are effective.
Prevention
It is very important to lead a healthy lifestyle to prevent back pain, including:
- a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals;
- maintain a normal body weight;
- regular physical education classes aimed at strengthening the back and abdominal muscles;
- If any disease appears and is treated in time, consult a doctor.
Back pain requires mandatory diagnosis to determine the cause of their occurrence and long-term treatment, based primarily on changes in the patient's lifestyle. In the acute phase of the disease, the patient is helped by pharmacological drugs. In most cases, the prognosis is favorable if you follow all the recommendations of your doctor.