According to statistics, low back pain is quite common.This is confirmed by the fact that about 80% of people experience discomfort in the belt area at least once in their lives.It is also known that one of the main symptoms of many diseases is low back pain.Some experts believe that discomfort in this part of the spine is retribution for a person walking upright.
Most of the time, as long as lower back pain is not severe or constant, but occurs periodically, people don't take it seriously and see a doctor.As a result, the discomfort often intensifies and becomes chronic.During an appointment with a specialist, it was discovered that the cause of the discomfort was a serious condition that required surgical treatment.
Generally, acute low back pain turns into persistent pain over time.According to neurologists, within a year of recovery, 40% of patients will experience a relapse, and in the long term, 85% of patients will experience relapse.
Types of low back pain
For some people, lower back problems become so common that they no longer notice them.Generally, a person may observe an unpleasant sensation in the lower back once and then not return.
Or they will keep coming back, causing incredible pain.But before you go to the doctor, you can determine what condition is causing your pain syndrome by looking at its symptoms and its location.
There are five types of low back pain:
- local;
- reflect;
- Reflects spinal origin (pathological);
- root-like;
- Caused by muscle spasms.
localized and referred low back pain
Localized pain occurs due to irritation or compression of sensitive nerve endings.It is caused by breakage, rupture or tension in sensitive fibers.The intensity of the localized unpleasant sensation does not change when changing body position, indicating the presence of a spinal tumor or infection.
The source of referred pain felt in the lower back may be a problem with the abdominal or pelvic organs.Often, but not always, pain occurs in the abdomen and pelvis in addition to the lower back.There is no increase in unpleasant sensations as the spine moves, but there is no special relief either.
When the upper lumbar spine is injured, vertebral pain may occur in the lower back, groin area, or front surface of the thigh.When the disease affects the lower lumbar area, discomfort usually occurs in the buttocks, back of the thighs, and rarely in the calves or feet.
severe spasmodic pain
The typical discomfort of radicular lower spine is often severe and spreads to the legs.
Low back pain is often caused by coughing, sneezing, or other tension in the abdominal musculature.This occurs due to tension on the affected roots or nerves during certain positions in the body or during movement.
Therefore, lower back pain while sitting occurs due to tightness of the sciatic nerve (where the L5 and S1 roots react) that runs along the back of the thigh.The nature of the sensation itself often does not distinguish between radicular and nonradicular pain.The cause of muscle spasm discomfort is often unknown.Various diseases of the spine can cause pain.During a spasm, the spine curves, the deep muscles in the back tense up, and a dull pain occurs.
Lower back discomfort often occurs due to spinal pathology.In some cases, it can be caused by damage to the kidneys, pancreas, and lower back musculature.The cause of pain is usually determined by a neurologist.Therapists and orthopedic surgeons are involved if necessary.
Common causes of low back pain
Doctors recommend paying attention to uncomfortable feelings in the lower back, mainly because it can be one of the symptoms of many serious illnesses.The nature of the manifestations of lumbar syndrome depends entirely on what caused it.Only a specialist can determine the "source" of pain and the disease that may be causing lower back discomfort.
Causes of persistent low back pain:
- cholelithiasis;
- pancreatitis;
- prostatitis;
- Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
- benign and malignant tumors of pelvic organs;
- gastric and duodenal ulcers;
- aortic aneurysm;
- Kidney stones or urinary tract infection.
Causes of pain related to spine and back muscles
Medically, there are a number of very rare spinal conditions that can cause lumbar syndrome.Ankylosing spondylitis is particularly prominent in this type of disease, when the joints in the spine become inflamed.In addition, lumbar spine pain may be caused by bacterial infection and osteomyelitis.
In 90% of cases, lumbar syndrome is caused by various problems with the spine and back musculature.In this regard, the most common causes of pain are:
- Degenerative dystrophic diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, spondylosis deformans, progressive osteoarthritis, disc herniation);
- Severe strain on waist muscles;
- Complex spinal fractures - traumatic or compression fractures.
Alone in this list of causes is psychosomatic - according to this direction of medicine, low back pain is caused by psychological problems.For example, being unable to find your true purpose, being overburdened (taking care of sick relatives, children, family problems, etc.).In this case, working on yourself can help.
triggering factors
Lower back discomfort may occur if there is extensive spinal disease and nerve root damage.
However, these diseases may occur for considerable periods of time without any manifestations.They are only felt under the influence of certain factors.Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate not only unpleasant feelings, but also underlying diseases.
Factors causing low back pain:
- Ignorance of weightlifting rules;
- lack of physical activity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- using uncomfortable furniture (chairs, armchairs, etc.);
- Incorrect posture.
Hypothermia, changes in air pressure, and magnetic storms can also cause lower back pain.Regardless, the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal cord are irritated.It can also be observed due to pathological deposition of calcium salts.Spinal hernias and herniations (herniated discs) can also cause tailbone and lower back pain.
Low back pain: symptoms
Any disease has its own symptoms, but in the case of lumbar syndrome, symptoms depend on the cause of the lower back discomfort.For example, severe discomfort may be the result of renal colic.In this case, a person will not be able to find a body position that allows him to tolerate the discomfort.
Pain in the lower back and groin is sometimes a reflection of stones moving from the renal pelvis into the ureter.When the fifth vertebrae is displaced, not only will you feel severe and debilitating pain in your waist, but you will also feel pain in your hips and legs.
It is difficult for a person to move as the syndrome only intensifies and becomes unbearable.The disease itself is called spondylolisthesis.
Middle-aged women often experience low back pain after going to bed and weakness in the morning.Additionally, the spine becomes immobile and discomfort is felt along the spine.These symptoms are characteristic of fibrosis.As the disease progresses, pain when moving in the lower back can become quite severe because the fibrous connective tissue, when inflamed, is very responsive to the body's movements.
Lumbar syndrome deserves special consideration, taking into account both sides of the body:
- Pain on the right side of the waist is a sign of sexual problems and a sign of lesions in the right kidney, abdominal wall, intestine or cecum appendix;
- Discomfort in the left side of the waist is a sign of reproductive system diseases, ureteral, left kidney, hernia, intestinal, abdominal wall problems.
Low back pain treatment
Sometimes, low back pain during a cold and from other causes is severe and cannot be relieved without treatment.Whatever the cause of the attack, bed rest is recommended for the first few days.If discomfort in the lower spine is caused by a sprain, a heating pad or a warm bath will help improve your health.If the injury is serious, seek medical attention immediately.
Conservative treatment
Stimulating ointments, as well as mustard or pepper poultice, can help apply local heat to the areas of the lower back where pain is most severe.
Wrapping yourself in a warm woolen scarf, using a heating pad, a bag of heated sand and leeches can help relieve pain.Warm compresses can help treat myositis.
Depending on the observed parallel symptoms, low back pain can be relieved by electrotherapy: dynamic current, transcutaneous electrical analgesia, sinusoidal modulated current, novocaine electrophoresis, etc.Reflexology (acupuncture, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, laser therapy), including Novocaine blockers, can also help relieve discomfort.
For radiculitis caused by a displaced disc, traction therapy is required - stretching the trunk in bed or underwater.Similar procedures are performed in hospital settings.Balneotherapy is also considered effective.These are radon, sulfide, chloride, sodium, turpentine, iodine-bromine bath, cryogenic mud application, naphthalene.
Applying anti-inflammatory analgesics is quite effective for lumbar syndrome.You can relieve pain and flush the affected area with ethyl chloride.
prevention
Wearing an external support system – orthotics is important in eliminating lumbar syndrome and preventing its onset.
At the doctor's discretion, this can be a corset, a semi-corset, a posture corrector, a recliner (a special corset that eliminates tilt), or a bandage.Belts are sometimes recommended: corsets, anti-radiculitis belts, elastic bands, etc.
There is only one universal treatment that can help relieve low back pain after sitting and prevent the development of lumbar syndrome - physical therapy (or yoga - a set of exercises that improve health).It's also important to monitor your posture while sitting and perform light exercises when the lumbar area of your back becomes stiff.Massage can help a lot.It will relieve muscle spasms and restore proper tone to the muscles.
Generally speaking, low back pain can have multiple causes.It is important not to ignore symptoms and to visit the clinic on time.Prevention will prolong the effects of treatment.Therefore, do not carry heavy items in future and follow your doctor’s advice completely.Then, maybe the pain in the waist will not appear again.