Causes and treatment of lower back pain

Lower back pain is a frequent and common phenomenon.Men, women and children suffer.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;this can have serious consequences.You need to contact a specialist, identify the source and start eliminating it.

Causes of lower back pain

The most harmless reason is fatigue.During the day, the spine is subjected to a significant load and this is not distributed evenly.This results in an unpleasant and painful sensation in the spinal region.Excessive physical activity, lifting heavy objects.

Of course, various injuries, bruises

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

Especially in women, pain occurs as a result of:

• Gynecological conditions (fibroids, vulvitis, adnexitis, tumor of the internal genital organs).
• Pregnancy.Especially in the last trimester, the spine is subjected to a significant load, which leads to lower back pain.Which is natural and disappears after childbirth.
• Menstrual cycle.A backsliding symptom is entirely possible.
• Abortion.After a state of stress and an inflammatory process.
• Climax.Changes in hormonal levels cause disruptions in blood circulation in the pelvis.Osteoporosis develops.

For men:

• Characteristics of professional activity.(lift weights).
• Prostatitis.Rare, but possible.
• Oncology of the genital organs.After 50 years.
• Play sports.Excessive loads.

In children:

• Bad posture.This is caused by inappropriate shoes, carrying a backpack incorrectly, or poring over textbooks.
• Spinal hernia.

In addition to spinal diseases, pain is caused by pathologies such as:

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

What diseases cause lower back pain?

There are primary and secondary signs of the disease.The main diseases include spinal diseases themselves.Secondary ones have pains of a reflex nature, diseases of internal organs.

Let's look at the most common of them:

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

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.Periods are associated with acute pathologies, physical activity and some other individual characteristics of the skeletal structure.

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

Pain syndrome can also be primary and 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, pulsing, aching, light.Accompanied in some cases by numbness of the lower extremities, coldness, decreased sensitivity of the legs, pallor, convulsions, lameness, limitation of movements, paralysis.

Diagnostic methods

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

Then the following procedures will be performed:

• Blood and urine tests, biochemical analyses.
• 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 you have lower back pain?

FIRST AID

Dull, sharp, or shooting pain of any kind makes life very difficult and prevents you from doing your usual and favorite things.

If this was unexpected, the following measures should be taken:

1. Lie down on a flat, semi-rigid surface so that your spine takes the correct shape.
2. Try to relax.Don't tense your muscles and don't panic.Self-hypnosis also plays an important role.
3. Call a doctor.It is not advisable to take painkillers;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 dressing;
• perform simple physical exercises while sitting;
• eat more potassium and phosphorus.

Drug treatment

Tablets:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Fights inflammation, swelling, improves mobility.
• Chondroprotectors.Prevents the destruction of cartilaginous tissue and promotes its restoration.
• Muscle relaxers.Relaxes stiff muscles and relieves pain.They are used when NSAIDs have not given the expected results.
• Corticosteroids.Prevents inflammatory processes and blocks intense pain.
• Narcotic analgesics.Buy in pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription, as they are addictive.
• Painkillers.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.
• Reheat with chili pepper, snake and bee venom.
• Chondroprotector.

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

Folk remedies

Once again we turn to traditional medicine.There are many methods of treatment among the population, but before using them on yourself, you should consult a specialist, as there may be contraindications to treatment with these methods.

Let’s look at some 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 petroleum jelly and a spoonful of lemon juice.Apply to the area that bothers you.
4. Mix lavender, orange, rosemary, eucalyptus, fir and camphor oils with petroleum jelly.The result is a warming ointment.
5. Make a hot compress with mustard powder.Another 200 gr.dry mustard is poured into the bath.After taking, wrap yourself in a warm blanket.
6. Mix a tablespoon of honey and vinegar and place it 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 bothers you well.
8. Mix leaves of sage, birch, pine buds, chamomile, plantain, anise, burdock roots with melted butter or lard.
9. Grate the beets and juice them.Mix the cake with a spoon of kerosene and place it on a napkin or thin cloth.Apply it 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 accelerate 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 improve the effects of medications on the body.

Together they give a wonderful result:

• Paraffin and ozokerite applications.It perfectly warms the affected area, apply heated wax there, layer by layer, up to 1 cm in height.Then cover with film and wrap in a woolen cloth for an hour.The course lasts from 10 to 30 days.
• Electrophoresis.The procedure is carried out using a special device that provides 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 physiotherapy will help strengthen the muscles and heal faster.

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

Therapeutic exercises should be carried out 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, accelerate blood circulation, which will lead to better metabolism in the tissues.

The first courses are carried out under the direction of a doctor, then independently at home.Exercises to arch the back up and down will be helpful.And on all fours, leaning in one direction or the other.

Walking and visiting the pool will be helpful.

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 damage and accelerate the progression of pathologies.

Massage movements, if correct, warm 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 the fingertips, stroking and kneading the muscles are used.

Prevention measures

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

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