We have probably all experienced back pain at least once in our lives.And if it seems possible to determine the cause of painful sensations, for example, in the throat, then everything is much more complicated here.
Back pain: cause and effect
When pain occurs in the back or lower back, many people immediately begin to rub it with various ointments.But there is no desired effect.And all because the problem can be hidden in a completely different place than where it hurts.For example, pain may appear in the lumbar region if it was preceded by an injury to the coccyx-sacral spine.He had long forgotten about it, but she took it and reminded him in such an unpleasant way.Therefore, in this case, influencing the pain zone is completely useless.Therefore, the real cause of the pain must be sought.
The human body is a very complex mechanism in which all organs and systems - from muscles and spine to nerves and ligaments - are interconnected.Therefore, many factors can affect the health of the back, including the correct distribution of the load on the spine and past injuries.The body has a self-healing and adaptive capacity, and the function of the spine is to compensate for the consequences of damage.If necessary, it can be slightly twisted and bent, and all this in order to bring the body into the most vertical position possible.Only this can cause negative changes in the spine itself.One is a bulging intervertebral disc.In this way, the spine tries to adapt to certain mechanical injuries of the body - it creates additional support for itself.Most often, such abnormalities occur in the sacrum and coccyx.In this regard, in the case of a herniated disc, the healing effects on the spine or tense muscles only help relieve back pain for a while.After all, the main cause could not be eliminated!
Another common cause of back pain is overstretching of muscles and ligaments.In most cases, this is the result of overload associated with the need to maintain an upright posture during scoliosis or after an injury.In addition, back pain can occur due to stress, excessive physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.
In some cases, back pain is not associated with muscle spasms or spine problems, but with diseases of internal organs.This type of pain is called referred pain.For example, with cholelithiasis, the pain radiates to the area between the shoulder blades.Pain in the thoracic spine can occur as a result of a heart attack.The sign of referred pain is the absence of a feeling of muscle stiffness during physical activity and the constant nature of the pain, regardless of body position.
The best way to stop the pain is to see a doctor.But if for some reason this is not possible, you can try to help yourself (if the pain is not reflected).We will tell you how to do this further.
Treatment and prevention of back pain
When back or lower back pain appears, the first thing to do is rest for at least three days.You should not strain your back and go through the pain.In some cases, such precautions are enough, and after a few days the back pain disappears.
Given that sharp pain in most cases occurs due to muscle tension, to get rid of it, you need to try to relax the spasmodic muscles.In this case, warming procedures can help.It is not necessary to heat only the back, although this also provides a good effect.It is better to fully warm up the body, then the pain will go away faster.A bath or sauna is a good option, but it is better to avoid it in case of acute pain with high temperature and sharp temperature changes.Dousing with cold water should be postponed for at least a few months.
Another good option is a warm bath with sea salt.10-15 minutes of this procedure every night is only beneficial.
A very important condition for getting rid of pain is not to miss the heat after the heating procedures.Therefore, after completing these, you should put on warm pajamas and cover yourself with a blanket.You can also drink hot tea, this helps to warm the body not only from the outside, but also from the inside.It is advisable to repeat the procedure for three days.If the cause of the pain is not pinched nerve endings, the discomfort will soon disappear.
At the end of the exacerbation period, it is recommended to make it a rule to do exercises to relax the spinal muscles every day.This takes no more than 15 minutes, while the improved blood circulation as a result of such warm-ups helps relieve pain.
A good way to prevent back pain is to take a daily walk.This facilitates the gentle involvement of all muscles, joints and ligaments in the work, as a result of which the process of self-massage starts in the human body.
Medical help: what kind of pain should you call an ambulance for?
An ambulance should be called if:
- back pain occurred as a result of a fall or a strong blow;
- the pain is very strong, accompanied by a high fever or loss of consciousness.
In addition, you should not self-medicate, much less prescribe medications during pregnancy.You should call an ambulance if the child's back hurts.
In other cases, if you have managed to stop the attack of severe pain and there is no need for emergency medical care, it is still advisable to consult a doctor.You should not hope that the problem will resolve itself.So maybe it's better not to wait for another attack?
If the pain is not too strong, it is worth consulting a therapist.If necessary, this doctor refers the patient to a specialist for examination and prescribing appropriate treatment.
In case of severe pain, the therapist refers the patient to a specialist in the treatment of spinal diseases, such as a neurologist.In some cases, the help of a neurosurgeon may be necessary.