The human race pays to be able to walk on two legs with excruciating back pain.If you have regular back pain in the lumbar region, it may be a sign of extreme fatigue or the result of long periods of uncomfortable posture while working or sleeping.But the reasons can be more serious.
Causes of pain
The lower back is one of the most painful areas.There are reasons for this:
- Osteochondrosis;
- Scoliosis;
- disc herniation;
- Tumors;
- Infectious tissue lesions.
The nature and intensity of the pain depends on the disease.And it bothers me in different ways: after sleep, training, overwork.For example, renal colic is constantly accompanied by lower back pain.And here the type of activity of the patient does not matter.
- Most often, it hurts in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.The pain is of moderate intensity during sleep and intensifies under physical stress.You feel tired all the time.The feeling of heaviness requires him to lie down.But relief doesn't always come afterwards.
- If you have a herniated disc, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, lifting heavy objects or falling.
- If the hernia is compressed, acute pain occurs, which is described as lumbodynia.The movement of the lumbar region is noticeably limited.Damage to the nerve root also causes pain in the leg.
- In old age, narrowing of the intervertebral canal occurs quite often.A sign of this is limping, numbness of the legs, especially after a long walk.
- The stiffness of the spine that occurs in the morning indicates the beginning of the development of ankylosing spondylitis.Initially, sharp pain sensations appear in the sacral region, then spread to the lumbar region.The feeling after sleep is not a feeling of rest, but a feeling of tiredness, which disappears with the start of physical activity.Young men are most susceptible to the disease.The disease is inherited.Mostly the lower back 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 sleep.
- Older men often develop diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysm.The aching pain and throbbing in the abdomen is the result of pressure exerted by the aorta on nearby organs.
- Lumbar pain, fever, and a burning sensation 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 appear.
- Another widespread condition that many people think is harmless is flat feet.A deformed leg increases the load on the spine while walking.The pain eases during sleep.
- If there are congenital changes in the vertebrae: an irregular shape or a change in the cleft, then sooner or later they will make themselves felt.
- Autoimmune pathologies, especially multiple sclerosis, are provocateurs of pain of different localization.Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons for severe pain in the lumbar region.This can be complications after osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, hemorrhoids, neoplastic diseases, viral or bacterial infections.And even the physiological changes affecting women that 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 hard to believe that the causes may also lie within the organs.The fact is that in some cases the pain of the internal organs is "referred" to the lumbar region.
- Right-sided pleurisy and pneumonia are the causes of pain in the right lumbar region.Associated symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever.Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back that worsen when bending over or lying down while sleeping.
- Gallstone disease also localizes sharp pains on the right side, directly in the lower back, and is accompanied by belching and nausea.They are prickly.
- Lumbar pain shingles occurs due to inflammation of the pancreas.It is accompanied by 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 lower back, with a transition to the sacrum.In women - cystitis.
- Diseases of the distal alimentary canal cause pain in the lower back.
Provocateurs of pain
Factors such as:
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting).
- Muscle tension.
- Fracture.
- Menstrual cycle in women.
- Bad nutrition.
- Tension.
- Uncomfortable posture during sleep.
Back pain in the lumbar region in children
New technologies have not only brought benefits to our world, but also harm.Why?Because the love of computers deprives children of full motor activity from an early age and creates incorrect posture.
Important: if you choose the right chair and table for your child to study, you can avoid curvature of the spine!
Scoliosis can develop from wearing a heavy backpack, flat feet or uncomfortable shoes.Treat him by all means!Excessive physical activity and heavy lifting are contraindicated for children.When participating in a sports session, you should be especially sensitive to your child's complaints of back discomfort after exercise.Could be a herniated disc.Timely treatment allows the child to live a full life.
Types of pain
The nature of the pain is divided into the following types:
- Spasms of the long back muscles cause severe pain.This is due to stretching.The problem is known to athletes and people whose specific occupations involve stress on the back muscles.When lying down, the pain subsides a little.The main place is the lower back.
- A spinal injury, namely a fracture, is very dangerous.It can occur from an unsuccessful fall, or it can be the result of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hyperthyroidism.
- The displacement of the intervertebral discs causes pain due to the compression of the nerve roots.Because of this, the patient's movement is limited, his sensitivity deteriorates, and his knee reflex decreases.The danger of this disease is that healthy vertebrae start to hurt, which leads to disturbances in the functioning of the 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.Pain in the lower back when sitting, bending sideways or backwards, or standing for a long time.
- An infectious inflammatory process in the epidural space is a very serious and dangerous disease.It can be fatal if treatment is not started immediately.
Treatment
The key to successful treatment is to consult a doctor immediately in case of back pain.Even if the pain only bothers you at night or after sleep, it is still worth consulting a specialist.
After analyzing the causes, the doctor gives recommendations for treatment and prevention of the disease.The treatment will be comprehensive, using ointments, tablets, injections, massages and physical therapy.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first line of treatment for low back pain:
- In the initial stage, literally the first 3-5 days, the treatment is carried out with injections to relieve pain and inflammation.They act quickly and effectively relieve acute pain by injecting the medicine directly into the blood or muscle.
- Then anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving tablets, chondroprotectors and irritant drugs are used (separately for each specific case).
- In addition, ointment treatment is used.A properly selected ointment will help relieve inflammation in the affected area and also provide warmth (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is resolved with the help of muscle relaxants.With their help, they treat pain and restore mobility.Apply for 3-7 days.
Group B vitamin preparations are necessary supplements to the main therapy.
In some cases, drug blockade is necessary.The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally.It is used for degenerative changes of the spine.
Physiotherapy treatment:
- UHF;
- electrophoresis;
- Magnetotherapy.
Massage relieves acute pain by improving blood circulation.Kneading the muscles has a beneficial effect on the elasticity and flexibility of the ligaments.In order to increase the general tone of the body, and only with the permission of the attending physician, the massage is combined with a bath or sauna.It is not possible to warm up during an infectious process!
Pain during pregnancy can be alleviated by wearing a special bandage.
Patients with flat feet must wear orthopedic insoles.
Therapeutic practice
Exercise is also a treatment.They strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and increase blood circulation.They are used not only in the complex of therapeutic therapy, but also to prevent pain in the lumbar region.As in the case of drug therapy, therapeutic exercises are prescribed in each case separately, analyzing the main causes of the disease.But you can highlight some general exercises, each of which is performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning, avoiding overload.
- In a standing position, tilt the body alternately to the right, forward, backward, left.
- In a standing position, with your feet shoulder-width apart, turn your body to the side.
- Do a "cat" on all fours: arch your back in the lower back.
- Lying on your back, bend your knees, arms along your body.Raise and lower the pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lying on your back, legs straight, arms along the body.Alternate bending your knees and pulling them toward your chest.
- Standing on all fours, swing your legs alternately.
Whatever the reason, 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 medicine can not only heal, but also harm if chosen incorrectly.