So, let's consider in order the causes of the pain syndrome that occurs in the lumbar region:
- Diseases of the spine. The rarest but severe pathologies that cause back pain include Bekhterev's disease. In this disease, the vertebrae grow together, calcium is deposited in the ligaments and the affected back loses mobility. Characteristic features of the pain in this pathology - the pain intensifies at rest, when lying down for a long time; movements in the lumbar region are limited. This disease begins more often at a young age and may have a hereditary predisposition.
- Spinal curvature. Kyphoscoliosis and asymmetric scoliosis (two types of curvature) provoke spasms of the deep muscles of the spine. Most often, the pain syndrome is felt in the middle and late stages of the disease, it manifests itself more acutely by the end of the day, along with fatigue. This pathology begins in childhood and may also have a hereditary predisposition.
- Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mineral density, which leads to bone fragility, frequent fractures.
- Osteochondrosis - thinning of the intervertebral discs, in the late stage leading to protrusions and herniations of the intervertebral discs - the most common cause of back pain. In addition, the pain increases when changing position: getting up from a sitting position, trying to lie on your stomach, turning over, bending over.
- Spinal injuries, sprains and bruises, fractures.
- Spondylolisthesis - this is a displacement of the lumbar vertebra relative to the vertebra below it. The pain is located in the middle of the back, is felt down the legs, and is accompanied by numbness and/or weakness that worsens when standing up or bending backwards.
- Fibromyalgia is a pathology that causes pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. There is pain and stiffness in various parts of the body, the pain increases with touch. Often the patient complains of poor sleep. Most often in women aged 20-50 years.
- Damage to soft tissues and kidneys. Severe acute pain from the diseased kidney is characteristic of urolithiasis. The pain can occur in any position of a person. Another disease that has a symptom of discomfort in the lower back is pyelonephritis.
- Infections or infections of the spine and spinal cord, e. g. osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal epidural abscess. The pain caused by this cause progresses regardless of the patient's position or activity. Sometimes there is a fever or night sweats.
- Local inflammatory processes, such as appendicitis or cholecystitis.
Pain in the lower back is divided into three types: local, radiating and reflected. Local pain is felt in the same place where its cause is located, this type of pain is most common in lower back syndromes. In this case, the most common cause is osteochondrosis of the spine, degeneration of the intervertebral disc, stretching or spasm of the deep muscles of the spine.
The radiating pain is dull and painful, most often radiating to the leg and sometimes reaching the leg itself. This may accompany osteochondrosis at the stage of disc herniation, osteoarthritis or degeneration of the deep muscles of the spine with hemodynamic disturbances along the course of the sciatic nerve.
The specified pain usually means that the cause of the syndrome is in the internal organs. For example, heart disease can cause pain in the arm, back and shoulder blade. The pain is reflected from the internal organs to the lower back and has a deep nocturnal character, does not depend on movements.
Lower back pain in men and women
In women, back pain can be the result of gynecological diseases. In this case, the discomfort is boring, pulling. Among these diseases in women - adnexitis, ovarian cyst torsion, salpingo-oophoritis, uterine fibroids and endometritis can be expressed as pain in the lower back. Pregnancy, due to the increased load on the spine and the increase in body weight, often provokes back pain, and they are also possible during menopause. With an ectopic pregnancy, back pain can also occur - in this case, they are unbearable.
The causes of pain in the lower back in men are often caused by excessive physical exertion, weight lifting, spinal injuries, but they can also indicate exclusively male diseases - prostatitis or epididymitis. Prostate pathology is characterized by pulling, aching pain, the patient often has impaired urination.
Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain
Depending on the causes of back pain, different specialists are involved in its treatment. If it is a pathology of the spine, then you should contact kinesitherapists, if it is a pathology of internal organs, then with a therapist, gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist. If the pathology is of rheumatic origin, then with a rheumatologist, in cases of neoplasm inthe lower floor of the body, then to the oncologist.
First of all, for diagnosis, the doctor interviews the patient, recognizing the nature of the pain: whether it is sharp or dull, whether it is pulling, whether it depends on movement, activity, body position, whether it is accompanied by other symptoms or not. After an oral examination, the doctor examines the patient, palpates the lumbar region, the muscles of the spine and the limbs. Additional examination, laboratory tests, X-ray, MRI, tissue biopsy, electromyography may be required.
For treatment, also depending on the disease, different means are used. In osteochondrosis, scoliosis, spondyloarthrosis and other factors that cause spasm and inflammation in the deep muscles of the spine, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are most often used, but they do not directly affect the cause of the pain syndrome, they only eliminate its manifestation and have manySide Effects. To eliminate the cause of back pain, the following is recommended:
- decompression exercises of the strength and stretching type to relieve spasm of the deep muscles of the spine and eliminate pain,
- therapeutic massage to relieve tension in the muscles of the pathology area,
- cryotherapy for local pain reduction,
- physiotherapy methods, such as shock-wave therapy, acupuncture, apparatus massage, balneotherapy (mud applications, contrast treatment, etc. ),
Prevention of back pain
The main prevention of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system is the prevention of the development of dystrophy, namely the weakening of the deep muscles of the spine, on the condition of which the nutrition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs depends. Strengthening the muscles of the spine should be regular, and the most modern way to do this is the author's method, that is, the use of simulators of strength and decompression types. But the exercises can be performed without simulators, there are many of them. It is important to take a break for gymnastics at work, especially if it is of a sedentary type, that is, every 3-4 hours, take at least 15 minutes for this, just go several times a week for 1. 5-2 hours, and do it in the morningcharging.
According to the method, it is recommended to regularly perform several simple exercises to prevent back pain:
- relaxing the back (the well-known exercise "Cat"): in a position on all fours, inhale - raise the head, bend the back down; exhale - lower the head, round the back;
- stretching step (in yoga, this exercise is called "Pigeon Pose"): in a position on all fours, you need to move one knee forward, the foot inward, and the other leg back, lie on your stomach on your thigh, palms under your shoulders. For more effectivestretch move your arms diagonally to the side and lower your head, pausing for 5-10 seconds Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
- lifting the pelvis in a supine position with legs bent at the knees;
- press: in a lying position, bend your knees and arms at the elbows, holding the back of your head, press your chin to your chest while exhaling, lifting the shoulder blades;
- knee press: in a lying position, pull your knees in turn to your chest, pressing your hands to your body as you exhale, or do it while hanging.
All these exercises are very simple, it is enough to do 10-15 repetitions of each exercise. With regular practice, they will bring you invaluable benefits!
From the additional tips, a comfortable mattress can be taken so that the back muscles can relax at night. If you spend a lot of time driving or working on a computer, pay attention to the correct body position. The car seat should be height adjustable and close to the steering wheel, and the backrest should be soft enough to absorb the bumps of a bumpy road.
While working or studying at the table, elbows should be bent at a right angle. The chair must have a backrest that supports the lower back, and the gaze (along with it and the neck) must be directed straight or slightly up, but not down. The light falls correctly on the work surface of the table.
Remember that prevention is more important than cure!