Lower back pain

According to medical statistics, approximately 80% of people experience periodic lower back pain.It has a different character: aching, sharp, radiating to the lower extremities.Most often, people between 30 and 55 years old complain of pain.

There are many causes of pain in the lower back, and not all of them are associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.If discomfort appears regularly and reduces the quality of life, then you should visit a doctor who will help identify its cause.After adequate therapy, it will disappear on its own.As a rule, you can get rid of pain using conservative methods, but in advanced cases surgery is necessary.Preventative measures will help maintain your back health and prevent pain.

Causes of lower back pain

The question of why the lower back hurts is quite relevant.The human spine is a complex structure that consists of vertebrae, the discs between them, the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons).When problems arise with any of these components, back pain appears.Although in some cases, discomfort in the lumbar region occurs due to disruption of other organs.

Sprain is one of the most common causes of pain in the lower spine.Discomfort occurs when muscles, ligaments, or muscle spasms are damaged.The causes of sprains can be the following human actions:

• Incorrect lifting of an object.
• Lifting weights.
• Sudden movements.

Violation of the structure of the spinal column is another common reason why the lower back hurts.Low back pain associated with structural problems is often caused by the following diseases:

• Intervertebral disc rupture.When the integrity of the disc is violated, compression on the nerve bundles increases, which manifests itself as pain.
• Protrusion (bulging of a disc between the vertebrae without rupture of the fibrous ring) or intervertebral hernia.Then the pressure on the nerve bundles in the lower segment of the spine increases and severe pain in the lower back appears.
• Sciatica (compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve) often occurs due to disc protrusion or herniation.Then the pain spreads from the lower back to the back of the thigh.
• Arthritis of the lumbar region.
• Scoliosis is a disease in which there is a lateral curvature of the spine.
• Compression fractures (injury to the vertebrae due to compression) of the lumbar region can also cause severe pain.
• Osteoporosis is a pathology in which bone density decreases and the vertebrae become porous.This disease increases the risk of compression fractures.

In addition, pain in the lumbar region can be caused by the following reasons:

• Cauda equina syndrome is damage to the bundle of nerves that arise from the terminal portion of the spinal cord.Then a dull pain appears in the lower back, upper part of the buttocks, sensitivity in the pelvis is impaired, control over urination and defecation disappears.
• Spinal tumors can compress nerves, causing pain.
• Spinal infections (osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis) provoke pain, fever, and hyperthermia in the lower back.
• Infectious diseases, for example, cystitis or inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis) also cause pain.
• Herpes zoster is a viral disease that can damage the nerve bundles in the lower back.

In addition, pain in the upper lumbar region can occur with an atypical course of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Often discomfort occurs due to sleep disorders or resting on a poor mattress that does not support the spine well.

Everyday activities also cause pain in the lower back:

• Sitting for a long time in an uncomfortable position.
• The person often pushes or pulls something.
• Lifts or carries objects.
• When you stand for a long time, your back also hurts.
• Prolonged bending or frequent turning.
• Excessive tension or overstretching of the muscles in the lower back.

Severe discomfort in the lower back appears with prolonged tension in the neck, which is directed forward, for example, if a person is sitting at a computer or driving.

Reference.Lumbago is an acute pain that occurs when the back is overcooled or under dynamic loads.Lumbodylia is a painful, aching sensation caused by prolonged static loads.Lumboischialgia is a pain syndrome that spreads from the lower back to the leg due to an intervertebral hernia.

Risk group

Most often, pain in the spine is provoked by the following factors:

• frequent stress;
• pregnancy, which is associated with an enlarged uterus and tension of its ligaments;
• prolonged sitting associated with work characteristics;
• old age and associated changes in the spine;
• mental disorders;
• excessive body weight;
• smoking;
• hard physical work.

Reference.According to statistics, women suffer from lower back discomfort more often than men.

The likelihood of lower back pain increases after long-term use of steroids, drug addiction, and in patients between 30 and 55 years of age.

Symptoms

If you have lower back pain, then pay attention to the nature of the pain; it can be sharp, dull, aching, burning.Sometimes unpleasant sensations such as tingling and numbness appear.Pain in the lumbar region can spread to the buttocks, the back of the leg down to the foot.The severity of the pain syndrome also differs: from mild to unbearable, which does not allow movement.

Often the patient may experience pain in the lower back due to kidney pathologies.To determine if this sensation is caused by a kidney problem, pay close attention to your symptoms.With kidney disease, the pain is not associated with physical activity, fever occurs (from 37.5°), urination is impaired, and the urine becomes cloudy.When you tap on the kidney area, severe pain appears.

As mentioned, atypical forms of pancreatitis can also be accompanied by severe pain in the lower back.

With osteochondrosis, aching pain appears, which radiates to the legs, it intensifies when walking, and sometimes “lumbago” occurs.Over time, the sensitivity of the lower body (buttocks, groin, legs) is impaired.The lower extremities quickly freeze, and sweat production is impaired.There is no fever with osteochondrosis.

With neuralgia, pain spreads along the affected nerve.The pain is sharp, burning, appears quickly and suddenly subsides.The color of the skin in the affected area changes, sweating increases during an attack, and muscles tremble.

You should seek medical help if you have back pain and at least one of the following symptoms:

• weight loss;
• increase in temperature (from 37.5°);
• swelling in the lumbar area;
• the pain does not subside even when the patient is lying down;
• the pain radiates to the legs;
• you recently injured your lumbar spine;
• control over urination and defecation is impaired;
• the sensitivity of the groin area, buttocks or legs is impaired.

To understand what exactly is wrong and what the causes of discomfort are, undergo a medical examination.

Diagnostic measures

If your lower back hurts, you need to see a therapist or orthopedist.If you suspect neurological disorders, visit a neurologist.Physiological examination and medical history often help establish the diagnosis.

If injuries, diseases of the spine or other organs, or neuralgia are suspected, the doctor prescribes instrumental studies:

• X-ray will help identify lumbar injuries, inflammation of the vertebrae, and imbalance of the elements of the spine.
• Magnetic resonance or computed tomography will show intervertebral hernias, structural disorders of the spine, problems with surrounding tissues (nerves, muscles, blood vessels).
• Bone scintigraphy is used to detect bone tumors and compression fractures.During the study, a radioactive drug is used, which is injected into a vein and then accumulates in areas with increased metabolism.
• Electroneuromyography is effective for identifying compression of nerve bundles that occurs against the background of intervertebral hernia or spinal stenosis.This diagnostic method allows you to identify any damage to the neuromuscular system.

If an infectious disease is suspected, the patient will be prescribed laboratory blood tests.

If the doctor suspects that pain in the lower back is caused by problems with the kidneys, pelvic organs or pancreas, then a set of appropriate tests is prescribed.

Conservative treatment

If you do not know how to get rid of lower back pain, then first consult a doctor.With timely diagnosis, treatment is carried out at home.Over-the-counter analgesics are used to relieve pain.

Patients should know how to relieve pain if it strikes them by surprise.If the discomfort is caused by osteochondrosis, then you need to act according to the following plan:

• warm your lower back with a woolen scarf or belt;
• lie on a hard surface;
• take NSAIDs;
• treat your back with anti-inflammatory ointment.

Carefully.Do not take NSAIDs if you have problems with your digestive organs, as they damage the mucous membranes.

NSAIDs and antispasmodics will help relieve pain from neuralgia.In addition, complete rest must be observed.If the pain is very severe, then the patient needs to be hospitalized.

If you have lower back pain caused by kidney disease, you should urgently call an ambulance.The patient should lie down and take antipyretics (antipyretics) and antispasmodics to normalize the temperature.It is necessary to control blood pressure and body temperature whenever possible.Further actions are carried out by the doctor.

Carefully.Using warm compresses or taking a hot bath if you have kidney inflammation is strictly prohibited!

Pain in the lower back due to inflammation of the pancreas (atypical form) is very strong.During an attack, you need to call a doctor.Before the doctors arrive, you are not allowed to eat; you need to take a comfortable position and drink water in small sips.It is advisable to have someone close to the patient.The knee-elbow or fetal position will help reduce discomfort.

Regardless of the cause of the pain, the patient should rest for 1 to 2 days.Longer rest threatens to weaken the muscles, then the episodes may be repeated more often.

Acute pain in the lower back appears suddenly and lasts a maximum of 12 weeks.Constant pain during chronic process develops slowly and persists for 3 months or more.Many patients present with both acute and chronic pain, making diagnosis very difficult.

If home treatment for low back pain is ineffective, doctors prescribe prescription NSAIDs to patients.Narcotic painkillers, such as Codeine or Hydrocodone, relieve severe pain.However, these drugs are used only in extreme cases, and the doctor must monitor the patient’s condition.To relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, such as Amitriptyline.

Treatment can be supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures.Electrophoresis, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, magnetic therapy, etc. have an excellent therapeutic effect. These procedures help speed up metabolic processes, blood circulation, improve tissue trophism, accelerate the healing of damaged areas, and relax spasmodic muscles.

Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen muscles and ligaments, make them more elastic, and correct posture.The complex for each patient is compiled by a doctor, taking into account age, symptoms, cause of pain and general condition.Training should be carried out at the stage of remission, when the pain syndrome subsides.With regular exercise, the patient will be able to prevent recurrent attacks.

Cortisone injections (a synthetic corticosteroid) will help relieve pain if the above methods are ineffective.After the procedure, inflammation decreases and discomfort disappears.The therapeutic effect lasts for 6 weeks.

The following methods can help relieve pain and improve your overall condition:

• Osteopathy helps restore the structure of the musculoskeletal system using only the hands of a doctor.
• Chiropractic is a manual technique for correcting spinal defects.
• Acupressure – impact on energy points with the fingers and elbows of a specialist in order to eliminate discomfort and relax muscles.
• Reflexology is the introduction of special needles into biologically active points on the body.After the procedure, the production of endorphins is stimulated and pain is reduced.
• Yoga.When performing certain poses and movements, the muscle corset is strengthened and posture improves.However, the exercises must be performed under the guidance of a specialist, otherwise the pain syndrome may intensify.

The decision on how to treat lumbar pain is made by the doctor after a thorough diagnosis and identification of the causes of discomfort.

Surgical intervention

The question of what to do if your lower back hurts constantly for a long time (more than 6 months) is quite relevant.In this case, doctors may prescribe surgery.As a rule, surgical intervention is indicated for intervertebral hernia, especially if the disease is accompanied by neurological disorders (numbness of the groin, legs, involuntary urination, defecation).

The following surgical techniques will help cure serious diseases of the lumbar segment of the spine, which are accompanied by pain:

• Spinal fusion is an operation to fuse two or more adjacent vertebrae, between which an implant is inserted.Unstable elements of the spine are fixed with special fastening materials (metal plates, screws).
• Intervertebral disc replacement.During the procedure, the destroyed disc is excised and an artificial one is installed in its place.
• A discectomy is the removal of part of a disc that is compressing a nerve bundle or spinal cord.
• Laminectomy is the removal of a vertebral arch that is compressing the roots of the nerves exiting the spinal cord.

There are many more surgical techniques that will help stabilize displaced vertebrae, release nerve bundles and other tissues from compression, and restore the functionality of the spine.

Prevention of lower back pain

To prevent pain in the lumbar region, you need to follow these rules:

• Perform exercises to strengthen your muscles and develop flexibility.
• Stop smoking, as people with this bad habit are more likely to have back pain than their non-smoking peers.
• Control your weight and eat right.
• Watch your posture when you are standing or sitting.
• If you sit a lot of time at work, then get up every 2 hours and do exercises for your back.
• Set up your workplace correctly, buy a chair with an orthopedic back.
• Sleep on an orthopedic mattress.
• When lifting heavy objects, shift your weight from your back to your buttocks and legs.
• Wear orthopedic shoes.

These rules will help maintain lower back health for a long time.

The most important thing

As you can see, lower back pain can occur for various reasons: sprains, structural disorders, cancer, infectious diseases of the spine, everyday activities, poor posture, etc. The risk group includes patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, perform heavy physical work, are overweight, often experience stress or have bad habits.If the pain syndrome is accompanied by fever, swelling in the back, or neurological disorders, then you need to urgently seek medical help.Treatment tactics depend on the cause of discomfort.Conservative methods are most often used.Surgery is prescribed if the pain does not go away for a long time or if neurological disorders are present.Remember that lower back pain is easier to prevent than to treat.