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Lower back pain

pain in the lower back

According to medical statistics, about 80% of people experience lower back pain.It has a different character: painful, sharp, radiating to the bottom of the leg.Most often, people aged between 30 and 55 years complain of pain.

There are many causes of pain in the lower back, and not all of them are associated with the pathology of the musculoskeletal system.If discomfort appears regularly and reduces the quality of life, then you should visit a doctor who will help identify the cause.After sufficient 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 required.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.Human bones are complex structures consisting of vertebrae, discs between them, spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons).When a problem arises with any of these components, back pain appears.Although in some cases, discomfort in the lumbar region occurs due to disorders of other organs.

Sprains are 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:

  • Picking up the wrong object.
  • Lifting weights.
  • Sudden movement.

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 discs.When the integrity of the disc is violated, compression on the nerve bundle increases, which manifests itself as pain.
  • Protrusion (protruding the disc between the vertebrae without breaking 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 bottom to the back of the thigh.
  • Arthritis in the lumbar region.
  • Scoliosis is a disease in which there is a lateral curvature of the spine.
  • Compression fractures (injuries to the vertebrae due to compression) of the lumbar region can also cause severe pain.
  • Osteoporosis is a pathology in which the 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 nerve bundles arising from the terminal part of the spinal cord.Then a dull pain appears in the lower back, upper back, sensitivity in the pelvis is impaired, control of urination and defecation is lost.
  • Spinal tumors can compress nerves, causing pain.
  • Spinal infections (osteomyelitis, dyspitis, spinal tuberculosis) cause pain, fever, and hyperthermia in the lower extremities.
  • Infectious diseases, for example, cystitis or kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis) also cause pain.
  • Herpes Zoster is a viral disease that can damage nerve bundles in the lower back.

In addition, pain in the upper lumbar region can occur with the course of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).Discomfort often occurs as a result of sleeping 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 things.
  • Lifting or carrying objects.
  • When you stand for a long time, your back also hurts.
  • Prolonged or frequently changing bends.
  • 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 sits at a computer or drives.

Reference.Lumbago is an acute pain that occurs when the back is too much or under dynamic load.Lumbodylia is a painful and painful sensation caused by prolonged static loads.Lumboischialgia is a pain syndrome that spreads from the lower part to the legs due to intervertebral hernia.

Risk group

Often, pain in the spine is provoked by the following factors:

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

Reference.According to statistics, women experience back discomfort more often than men.

The likelihood of lower back pain increases after long-term steroid use, 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, painful, burning.Sometimes unpleasant sensations such as tingling and numbness appear.Pain in the lumbar region can spread to the back, back of the leg to the leg.The severity of the pain syndrome also varies: from mild to unbearable, which does not allow movement.

Often patients may experience pain in the lower part due to kidney pathology.To determine if these sensations are caused by kidney problems, pay attention to your symptoms.With kidney disease, pain is not associated with physical activity, fever occurs (from 37.5 °), urination is affected, and urine becomes cloudy.When you tap the kidney area, severe pain appears.

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

pain in the lumbar region in a man

With osteochondrosis, pain appears, which radiates to the legs, it increases when walking, and sometimes "lumbago" occurs.Over time, the sensitivity of the lower body (back, groin, legs) is affected.Lower extremities quickly freeze, and sweat production is impaired.There is no fever with osteochondrosis.

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

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

  • weight loss;
  • increased temperature (from 37.5 °);
  • swelling in the lumbar region;
  • The pain does not subside even when the patient lies down;
  • Pain radiating down the leg;
  • You recently injured your lumbar spine;
  • Control over urination and defecation is impaired;
  • Affected groin, back or leg sensitivity.

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

Diagnostic steps

If your lower back hurts, you should see a therapist or orthopedist.If you suspect a neurological disorder, 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 an instrumental study:

  • X-rays will help identify lumbar injuries, vertebral inflammation, and imbalances of spinal elements.
  • Magnetic resonance or computed tomography will show intervertebral hernia, spinal structural disorders, problems with surrounding tissues (nerves, muscles, blood vessels).
  • Bone scintigraphy is used to detect bone tumors and compression fractures.During the study, radioactive drugs are used, which are injected into the veins and then accumulate in areas with increased metabolism.
  • Electroneuromyography is effective for identifying nerve bundle compression 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 a laboratory blood test.

If the doctor suspects that the 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 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 bottom with a woolen scarf or belt;
  • lying on a hard surface;
  • Take NSAIDS;
  • Treat your back with an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Be careful.Do not take NSAIDs if you have problems with your digestive organs, because they damage the mucous membranes.

Doctor offers pills for lower back pain

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 immediately 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 action is carried out by the doctor.

Be careful.Using warm compresses or hot baths 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 doctor arrives, 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.Kneeling or fetal knee positions will help reduce discomfort.

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

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

If home treatment for low back pain is ineffective, the doctor prescribes a prescription NSAID to the patient.Narcotic painkillers, such as codeine or hydrocodone, relieve severe pain.However, these drugs are only used in extreme cases, and the doctor must monitor the patient's condition.To relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant, such as amitriptyline.

Treatment can be supplemented with physiotherapy procedures.Electrophoresis, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, magnetic therapy, etc. have excellent therapeutic effects.This procedure helps speed up metabolic processes, blood circulation, increases tissue trophism, accelerates the healing of damaged areas, and relieves 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 the doctor, taking into account age, symptoms, cause of pain and general condition.Training should be carried out at the level of remission, when the pain syndrome decreases.With regular exercise, patients will be able to prevent repeated attacks.

Cortisone (synthetic corticosteroid) injections 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 doctor's hands.
  • Chiropractic is a manual technique for correcting spinal deformities.
  • Acupressure - Impact on energy points with expert fingers and elbows to eliminate discomfort and relax muscles.
  • Reflexology is the introduction of special needles into biologically active points on the body.After the procedure, endorphin production is stimulated and pain is reduced.
  • Yoga.When performing certain poses and movements, the muscle corset is strengthened and posture improves.However, the exercise must be done under the guidance of a specialist, otherwise the pain syndrome can be intensified.

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

Surgical intervention

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

Surgery for lower back pain

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 combine two or more adjacent vertebrae, where implants are inserted.The unstable elements of the spine are fixed with special fasteners (metal plates, screws).
  • Intervertebral disc replacement.During the procedure, the destroyed disc is removed and an artificial one is installed in its place.
  • A discectomy is the removal of part of a disc that is compressing a nerve or spinal cord.
  • A laminectomy is the removal of the vertebral arch that compresses the nerve root exiting the spinal cord.

There are many other surgical techniques that will help stabilize displaced vertebrae, release nerve bundles and other tissues from compression, and restore spinal function.

Prevention of lower back pain

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

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

This rule will help maintain the health of the lower back for a long time.

The most important thing

As you can see, lower back pain can occur for a variety of reasons: sprains, structural disorders, cancer, infectious diseases of the spine, daily activities, poor posture, etc.Risk groups include patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, do 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 should immediately seek medical help.Treatment tactics depend on the cause of the discomfort.Conservative methods are most often used.Surgery is prescribed if the pain does not disappear for a long time or if neurological disorders are present.Remember that lower back pain is easier to prevent than to treat.