The lower back is called the lower back - from the region where the ribs end to the tailbone (the lowest protruding vertebra).Often when a person has "back pain", we are talking about the lower back.If 20 years ago, pain in the lower back was mainly a concern of the elderly, now even quite young patients turn to specialists for help with their backs.
Why does the lower back often suffer?The fact is that the center of gravity of the human body is located exactly at the level of the lumbar spine, and it carries almost the entire load when walking.This is one of the disadvantages of upright walking - vertebrates that move on 4 legs do not have such diseases.
Causes of back pain - what you need to know
Statistical studies say the following about the frequency of factors that cause back pain:
- 91% of calls are problems with the spine and the muscular framework of the back.
- 5% of complaints are related to diseases of the urinary system.
- 4% - pathologies of other organs (reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract).
Types of back pain
Often, back problems arise unexpectedly - like a bolt from the blue.Such sharp pain in the lower back is called "lumbago" and the term "lumbago" was heard earlier.The name itself speaks of the sharp, shooting nature of feelings.Any movement during an attack of lumbago only intensifies the suffering, and the patient involuntarily finds himself in a limited position, frozen in one position.Lumbago lasts for a few minutes and then subsides.
If the pain is long-lasting and painful in nature, then we are talking about lumbodynia.These are low-intensity, but constant painful sensations in the lower back, which intensify during physical activity or during hypothermia.
And there is a situation where there is no back pain itself, but a person feels stiffness and discomfort.In this case, additional diagnostics are required from specialists.Depending on how back pain manifests itself, approaches to its treatment vary.
Back pain as a symptom of disease?
Back pain itself can signal many different pathological conditions, and often it is not so easy to understand the real cause.
For example, there is such a thing as displacement pain.It refers to a condition in which the back hurts in the right, left or lower back - and the person thinks that the cause of the suffering is in the spine.But after investigations, it turns out that one of the internal organs (kidneys, intestines or organs of the reproductive system) is the culprit.The human body is very complex and messy.Let's take a look at some possible root causes of lower back discomfort.
Musculoskeletal system diseases that cause back pain
The relationship between spine diseases and back pain is not direct and unambiguous.It was mentioned earlier that spinal pathologies are the most common cause of back pain and account for more than 90% of all complaints.
Herniated and herniated intervertebral discs rightfully rank first in terms of prevalence.With such destructive pathologies, the intervertebral disc first moves slightly outwards, prolapses (disc protrusion), and as the disease progresses, the integrity of the disc is disrupted in such a way that the inner part (nucleus pulposus) protrudes from the surrounding fibrous ring.
Most often, protrusions occur as a result of traumatic disc damage or osteochondrosis.
Another painful consequence of osteochondrosis is compression and compression of the sciatic nerve.The pain is sharp and shooting - lumbago.
As a result of this compression, the nerve can become inflamed.The general name of such a disease is radiculitis, and if the inflammation refers to the sciatic nerve, then it is designated by the more specific term "sciatica".With sciatica, pain is concentrated in the lumbar region and spreads along the sciatic nerve to the hip and thigh.
Now about the disease that causes the development of all of the above - osteochondrosis.Pain in the lumbar region with osteochondrosis is a sharp shooting or dull painful character.With the development of the disease (2nd and 3rd degree), neurological symptoms appear - numbness, a feeling of pins and needles in the lower extremities.In the morning, a person is disturbed by a feeling of stiffness.The activity of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and reproductive system is disturbed.
The main goal in the treatment of osteochondrosis is to relieve pain and stop the destruction of vertebrae and intervertebral discs.It should be understood that the earlier the treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Kidney, urinary tract and back pain
You must have heard.that back pain is due to diseased kidneys.In some cases, this is indeed true.If the following symptoms bother you, we advise you to consult a urologist:
- Frequent painful urination, change in color of urine.
- Deterioration of health, indifference to life.
- Hyperthermia is a high temperature.
- Loss of appetite, nausea.
- Arterial hypertension.
Pain varies.For example, with the exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis, the pain covers the lower back, and renal colic becomes acute and short-term.
In kidney pathology, it is characteristic that the pain is concentrated on one side - because one kidney is involved in the inflammatory process.A kidney stone (stone) in the kidney or ureter looks like this.
Another important diagnostic criterion is that the intensity of pain in nephropathies does not change with a change in body position.But as you understand, it is better to leave the right to make an accurate diagnosis to a specialist.
Overtraining and back pain
Our spine is adapted to physical activity.Therefore, the appearance of pain in your back after going to the gym should alert you.Normally, pain in the back muscles due to the accumulation of lactic acid disappears within 1-2 hours, and if this does not happen, pathology should be suspected.
Pain in the spine after playing sports can be caused by old injuries or hidden problems with the intervertebral discs - for example, a herniated disc.In this case, the elimination of physical exercises will not lead to recovery, but will hide the progress of the destructive spinal disease.
In addition, back pain after exercise is characteristic of myofascial syndrome.It is not a threat to life, but it significantly reduces its quality.
At the same time, physical activity can also help relieve back pain - for example, an overweight patient is more likely to get rid of back pain as a result of losing weight.
Remember that constant and periodic pain in the lower back after physical activity should be a reason to consult a doctor.
Hypothermia and back pain
Prolonged exposure to cold weather and wind can cause hypothermia.If the lower back is not protected from harmful environmental factors, an uncomfortable condition such as myositis may develop.This is the name of inflammation of the skeletal muscles.The pain is painful in nature, and during palpation (palpation) compression of the back muscles is observed.
Characteristics of back pain in women and the mechanism of their occurrence
It's no secret that women's well-being is closely related to their hormonal levels, which undergo dramatic changes not only throughout their lives, but also every month.Therefore, at a certain stage of the menstrual cycle every month, women may feel nagging pain in the lower back.Unfortunately, this is a variant of the physiological norm.
And during pregnancy, discomfort in the lower back is considered normal - if it passes after rest.After all, during this period, significant hormonal changes occur in a woman's body, the uterus expands - this changes the curvature in the lumbar region and changes the center of gravity.In addition, a pregnant woman's weight naturally increases, which puts increased stress on the spine.
If we talk about other causes of back pain in women, back pain can indicate that menopause is approaching.This is due to a decrease in the level of estrogen and changes in a number of other sex hormones.
Therefore, the diagnosis of the causes of back pain in women should be done especially carefully in order not to miss the important symptoms of serious diseases and not to prescribe the pathological causes of back pain in women.Indeed, such huge diseases can include ovarian cysts, apoplexy or inflammation, and even cervical tumors.Ignoring such conditions and failing to make a timely diagnosis can lead to infertility and critical complications.
What diseases can cause back pain?
Symptoms, nature of pain |
Presumptive diagnosis by MRI |
| Back pain when coughing, sneezing, bending. | Intervertebral disc protrusion (bulging) of L1/L2 (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) vertebrae |
| Numbness, tingling not only in the back, but also in the hips and lower limbs. | Symmetrical dorsal protrusion of the discs of the L1/L2 (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) vertebrae |
| Weakness in the leg muscles, motor reflexes deteriorate. | Dorsal (posterior) midline of vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| Sharp, burning pains;the patient cannot even stand up during the attack. | L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Staying in one position for a long time causes excruciating pain. | Diffuse protrusions of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Symptoms may be absent for a long time and are discovered accidentally. | Median disc protrusion of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Sharp, stabbing pain in the back - also called "lumbago". | Herniated discs of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Pain in the leg extending below the knee, "pins and needles" feeling in the leg. | Posterior disc herniation of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Often asymptomatic, patients report only mild discomfort. | Schmorl hernia of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 vertebrae |
| The activity of the intestines, bladder and reproductive system is disturbed. | Paramedian disc herniation of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| In the early stages, the course is asymptomatic.Pain occurs when the tumor spreads beyond the disc. | L1 vertebral body hemangiolipoma and hemangioma (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| Pain depends on the degree of displacement of the vertebra.If changes occur in the joints, movement disorders are noted. | Retrolisthesis and antilisthesis of the L1 vertebra (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| The pain is first periodic, then constant.It increases with physical activity. | Ventral wedge-shaped deformity of the L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| Aching pain along the back, left or right.Numbness, "pins and needles" feeling.Muscle tension. | MRI image, signs of degenerative-dystrophic changes (osteochondrosis) of the spine |
| Rsharp pain due to strain or careless movement.Changes in gait, dysfunction of the genitourinary system. | 1st degree osteochondrosis of the spine (2nd degree, 3rd degree) |
| Pain in the chest and legs, discomfort when sitting in a chair for a long time and walking for a long time. | Spondyloarthrosis of the spine, 1st degree (2nd degree, 3rd degree) |
What to do if you have lower back pain?
If the symptoms of back pain in the lumbar region do not go away or decrease within 3 days, you should consult a doctor.What to do before going to the doctor?
What you can do yourself for lower back pain
If the cause of the pain is unknown:
- take your temperature to detect inflammation in the body.
- identify accompanying symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea or other)
- call a doctor at home or go to the emergency room.
If the cause of the pain is known (bruise, sprain or back injury):
- take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) - diclofenac, ibuprofen or other.
- Cold application locally will help reduce swelling and dull pain.
- tightly compress the lumbar region with a towel or orthopedic belt to fix the damaged area in one position.
- Consult a doctor for a complete diagnosis and prescribe additional treatment tactics.
What not to do for back pain
- In no case do not heat the painful area of your back!Heat will increase blood flow, and if there is inflammation, it will worsen the situation: it will increase pain and cause the spread of the infectious process.For the same reason, you should avoid visiting baths and saunas.
- If you have persistent and unexplained back problems, you may not be able to get rid of the pain for a long time.Ignoring the root cause can only aggravate the course of the disease and cause serious complications.
- You can not try to straighten the vertebrae on your own or massage your back roughly.Without diagnosis, such movements can cause displacement of the vertebrae and cause unnecessary additional injuries.
Which doctor should I see for back pain?
It happens that a person is happy to consult a specialist, but does not know which doctor to consult with a complaint of back pain.Let's clarify this issue a little more.
First of all, you should make an appointment with a general practitioner.He will make a differential diagnosis and determine which doctor you should continue treatment with.It can be:
- Neurologist - for neurological symptoms and nerve involvement in the process.
- Urologist - if diseases of the urinary system (kidneys) are suspected.
- Gynecologist - for the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system.
According to the indications, complete blood count (CBC) and general urinalysis (UCA), X-ray examination of the spine (especially MRI), ultrasound of the pelvic organs, kidneys and other studies can be prescribed.
It should be remembered that self-treatment and other home remedies for lower back pain are a waste of money and time.Moreover, by postponing a visit to a specialist, you risk getting an advanced form of the disease, thereby condemning yourself to long-term, expensive and often less successful (compared to the initial stages) treatment.
How to treat back pain: basic treatment methods
Naturally, you may have a question: how to treat back pain if self-treatment is not effective?A skilled specialist has many techniques in his arsenal, including both conservative and surgical treatment.
Conservative treatment consists of the following points:
- Taking oral and local anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) and painkillers.
- Physiotherapy (shock wave therapy, acupuncture).
- Kinesiotherapy.
- Therapeutic massage.
- Therapeutic exercise and gymnastics.
Physiotherapy procedures and massages should be carried out in the acute stage of the disease, after the pain syndrome has been eliminated.
Surgical treatment is indicated in advanced cases of spinal diseases, when conservative methods have not achieved any significant results.However, with timely diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment, the need for surgical interventions can be delayed or completely avoided.
Prevention of back pain
As a rule, painful sensations in the back and lower back are caused by a careless attitude to health.After all, a sedentary lifestyle burdened with sedentary work and forced long periods of standing in one position is typical for many of us.Lifting weights with excessive physical activity and improper back position without preparation (stretching) is no less harmful.It is not surprising that the majority of the world's population experiences back pain.
Doctors' recommendations to prevent back pain:
- Pay attention to your posture, keep your back straight.
- Avoid awkward postures at work.You can put a small pillow under your back to support your back.Try it!
- When sitting for a long time at the desk, it is recommended to get up periodically (every hour), ideally to do a joint warm-up, or you can just walk.
- It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress;it is quite stiff and flexible at the same time.
- Start the day with exercises to strengthen your back and core muscles.
How to lift weights correctly?
If you need to pick up and carry something heavy, you should do it by bending your knees, not your back.That is, first of all, you need to sit down, take the load, and then straighten your knees, keeping the back line straight.
Lower back pain: what to do?
Now that you've read about the most common causes of back pain, you know what to know and what to do, the question is - where to turn?Undoubtedly, when choosing a clinic, preference should be given to a medical center where you can be examined consistently by various specialists.That is, there will be no need to go to the other end of the city for additional diagnostics, and a full-fledged comprehensive treatment plan for back pain in the lower back will be drawn up in one place.
The qualifications of doctors and the availability of appropriate equipment play an equally important role.After all, lower back pain due to osteochondrosis and myositis requires different approaches to therapy.