Therefore, let us consider in sequence the causes of pain syndromes that occur in the lumbar region:
- Diseases of the spine. The most rare but severe pathologies that cause back pain include Bechterew’s disease. With this disease, the vertebrae grow together, calcium is stored in the ligaments, and the affected back loses mobility. Characteristic features of pain in this pathology - increased pain during rest, with prolonged lying down; movement in the lumbar region is restricted. The disease begins more frequently at a young age and may have a hereditary predisposition.
- Curvature of the spine. Kyphoscoliosis and asymmetric scoliosis (two types of curvature) cause muscle spasms in the spine. Often, pain syndrome is felt in the middle and late stages of the disease, it manifests itself more acutely at the end of the day, along with fatigue. This pathology begins in childhood and can 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 disc, in the final stages leading to protrusion and hernia of the intervertebral disc - the most common cause of back pain. Moreover, the pain increases when changing positions: get up from a sitting position, try to lie on his stomach, twist, bend over.
- Spinal cord injuries, sprains and bruises, fractures.
- Spondylolisthesis - that is, displacement of the lumbar vertebra relative to the vertebra below it. Localized pain in the middle of the back, felt down the legs and accompanied by numbness and / or weakness, exacerbated by standing or bending backwards.
- Fibromyalgia is a pathology that causes pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons. There is pain and stiffness in various parts of the body, the pain worsens when touched. Often patients complain of poor sleep. Most common in women aged 20-50 years.
- Soft tissue and kidney injuries. Severe sharp pain from diseased kidneys is characteristic of urolithiasis. Pain can occur in any position of a person. Another disease that has symptoms of discomfort in the lower back is pyelonephritis.
- Infections or infections of the spine and spinal cord, eg osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal epidural abscess. The pain caused by this cause develops, regardless of the position or activity of the patient. Sometimes there is a fever or night sweats.
- Local inflammatory processes, such as appendicitis or cholecystitis.
Lower back pain is divided into three types: local, radiating and reflected. Local pain is felt in the same place where the cause is located, this type of pain is most common in lower back syndrome. In this case, the most common cause is spinal osteochondrosis, intervertebral disc degeneration, stretching or muscle spasm in the spine.
The radiating pain is dull and painful, it most often radiates to the feet, and it happens that it reaches the feet. This may accompany osteochondrosis at the stage of a herniated disc, osteoarthritis or muscle degeneration in the spine with hemodynamic disturbances along the sciatic nerve.
The pain referred usually means that the cause of the syndrome is in an internal organ. For example, with heart disease, the arms, back and shoulder blades may ache. Pain is reflected from the internal organs to the lower back and has the character of deep pain, not dependent on movement.
Low back pain in men and women
In women, back pain can be caused by gynecological diseases. In this case, the discomfort is dull, interesting. Among such diseases in women - adnexitis, torsion of ovarian cysts, salpingo -oophoritis, uterine fibroids and endometritis can be expressed as pain in the lower back. Pregnancy, due to increased load on the spine and weight gain, often causes back pain, and they are also possible during menopause. With an ectopic pregnancy, back pain can also occur - in this case, it is unbearable.
The cause of lower back pain in men is often due to excessive exercise, weight lifting, spinal injuries, but can also indicate exclusively a disease of men - prostatitis or epididymitis. Prostate pathology is characterized by pulling, aching pain, patients often have problems urinating.
Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain
Depending on the cause of back pain, different specialists are involved in its treatment. If this is a pathology of the spine, then you need to contact a kinesitherapist, if it is a pathology of internal organs, then to a therapist, gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist, If the pathology is rheumatic, then to a rheumatologist, in case of neoplasms inlower body, then to the oncologist.
First of all, for diagnosis, the doctor interviews the patient, recognizing the nature of the pain: whether acute or dull, whether exciting, whether it depends on movement, activity, body position, whether it is accompanied by other symptoms. or not. After oral questions, the doctor examines the patient, feeling the lumbar region, spinal muscles and limbs. Additional examinations, laboratory tests, X-rays, MRI, tissue biopsies, electromyography may be required.
For treatment, also depending on the disease, various methods are used. In the case of osteochondrosis, scoliosis, spondyloarthrosis and other factors that cause spasm and inflammation of the muscles in the spine, the most commonly used are painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, but they do not directly affect the cause of the pain syndrome, eliminating. only its manifestations and has many side effects. To address the causes of back pain, the following are suggested:
- power decompression exercises and stretching types to relieve muscle spasms in the spine and relieve pain,
- therapeutic massage to relieve tension in the muscles of the pathological area,
- cryotherapy to reduce pain locally,
- physiotherapeutic methods, such as shock wave therapy, acupuncture, massage apparatus, balneotherapy (mud application, 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, which is the weakening of the muscles in the spine, provided that the nutrition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs depends. Strengthening the muscles of the spine should be regular and the most modern way for this is the author's method, that is, the use of power and decompression type simulators. But exercises can also be done without a simulator, there are many of them. It is important to rest for gymnastics at work, especially if it is an inactive type, that is, every 3-4 hours, devote at least 15 minutes to this, only walking a few times a week for 1. 5-2. hours, and do it in the morning charging.
According to the method, it is recommended to regularly do some simple exercises to prevent back pain:
- back relaxation (the famous exercise "Cat"): in a crawling position, inhale - lift the head, bend the back down; breathing - lowering the head, rounding the back;
- stretching steps (in yoga, this exercise is called the "Pose of the Pigeon"): in the crawling position, you need to move one knee forward, leg in, and the other leg back, lying on your stomach on your thighs, palmsunder your shoulders. For a more effective stretch, move your arms diagonally to the side and lower your head, stopping for 5-10 seconds. Return to starting position and repeat for the other side.
- lifting the pelvis in a supine position with the legs bent at the knees;
- press: in a supine position, bend your knees and arms at the elbows, hold the back of your head, press your chin to your chest as you exhale, raise your shoulder blades;
- knee press: in a prone position, pull your knees alternately to your chest, press your hands to your body as you exhale, or do so while hanging.
All these exercises are very simple, enough to do 10-15 repetitions of each exercise. With regular practice, they will bring you invaluable benefits!
Instead of an extra tip, a comfortable mattress can take its place so that the back muscles can relax at night. If you spend a lot of time driving or working at a computer, maintain proper body position. The seat in the car should be height adjustable and close to the steering wheel, and the backrest should be soft enough to withstand the bumps from rough roads.
While working or studying at the desk, the elbows should be bent at right angles. The chair must have a back to support the lower back, and the look (along with it and the neck) should be directed straight or slightly upwards, but not downwards. The light falls properly on the work surface of the table.
Remember, prevention is more important than cure!