Back pain is a very unpleasant phenomenon that can indicate the presence of serious diseases. The lower back has a greater load compared to other parts of the spine, so it is more prone to injuries.
Spasm in the lower back can be a symptom of sciatica, osteochondrosis, scoliosis and many other pathologies.
Lower back pain: possible causes
This can happen after sports training, a long stay in one position, after a difficult movement.
Risk factors:
- obesity;
- birth/last birth of a child;
- sports training;
- sedentary work (drivers, cashiers, etc. );
- work that is accompanied by significant physical strain;
- work in a standing position.
After overexertion, discomfort goes away by itself - just rest is enough. Its periodic appearance indicates the presence of pathology. Without quality therapy, the condition can worsen significantly: sometimes only surgical intervention is indicated.
Diseases associated with discomfort in the lower back
This symptom in medicine is classified into primary and secondary.
In the first case, the discomfort is directly caused by diseases of the back, in particular of the spine:
- osteochondrosis of this area (a third of all cases of pain);
- spondylosis / spondylolisthesis / spondyloarthrosis;
- intervertebral disc protrusion or intervertebral hernia.
They say about secondary pains when they are caused by lesions of other organs:
- fracture due to osteoporosis;
- tumor in the spinal canal;
- spine fracture;
- muscle strain;
- anatomical narrowness of the spinal canal;
- kyphosis / scoliosis / kyphoscoliosis / Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- arthritis (rheumatic, psoriatic, osteoarthritis);
- discitis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis of the spine;
- disorders of the urinary system: urolithiasis / pyelonephritis;
- gynecological diseases: ovarian cancer or cyst, endometriosis;
- complicated pregnancy.
Types of pain
Severe pain in the lower back
These are observed in osteochondrosis. Discomfort is present when moving, sitting, lifting heavy objects, even when coughing/sneezing. Unpleasant sensations may occur in the lower extremities. The patient should urgently visit a neurologist.
Severe discomfort accompanies sciatic nerve pain. The pain is dull or sharp, aching, usually unilateral.
It can give to the buttocks, thighs and even the bottom of the leg; aggravated by changing position, coughing, walking. Radiculitis is treated by a neurologist. Patients are advised to rest on a firm mattress that will support the lower back.
Acute pain in the lower back
This can be caused by sitting in an uncomfortable position for a long time, carrying/lifting heavy things, falling, hitting, sudden movement, as well as drafts and hypothermia.
An acute attack accompanies the displacement of the intervertebral discs. The latter occurs with spine fractures, osteochondrosis, heavy physical work, weight lifting.
Displacement can also occur after surgery in this area. The diagnosis in this case is carried out by a neurologist. It also prescribes treatment.
Painful pain in the lower back
This happens with myositis - inflammation of the back muscles. The disease appears after a sharp overvoltage or hypothermia. It is accompanied by stiffness of movements. The pain becomes sharp with movement.
Chronic (permanent) lower back pain
Periodic attacks accompany deforming spondylosis. And the affected area may become numb. In addition, sometimes there is weakness in the legs.
It should also be borne in mind that chronic pain is characteristic of Bechterew's disease, oncological pathologies. They can also indicate a metabolic disorder.
Displaced pains
Sometimes it seems to a person that the lower back hurts, but in fact the reason lies in the loss of a completely different part of the body. This happens with diseases of the pelvic organs, pancreas, kidneys, colon.
Back pain: when to go to the doctor?
Do not hesitate to visit a specialist in the following cases:
- the attack lasts 3 days or more;
- discomfort appeared after an injury;
- at the same time, lower back, leg and foot pain;
- the pain syndrome is combined with numbness of a limb.
What to do with severe spasms in the lumbar region
If the causes are unknown, the temperature should be measured. An increase in this indicator indicates infection and inflammation. Other symptoms are also determined (violation of stool, vomiting, pain only on one side). Then you should call a doctor or an emergency team.
If the causes are known, such as muscle strain or bruising, an anti-inflammatory medication should be taken first to reduce discomfort.
Relieving swelling, increasing fluid circulation in order to remove harmful substances from the body, helps a single dose of a diuretic.
An orthopedic belt or even a regular towel will help to fix the muscles and bones in a stable condition.
What not to do with lower back discomfort
It is forbidden to carry out heating procedures without making a diagnosis.
They provoke blood flow, which is not always safe. With prolonged discomfort of an unknown nature, do not use pain relievers. In this case, the disease will continue to progress, but without discomfort.
It is possible to place vertebrae in any part of the back by a chiropractor only after examination, diagnosis and determination of the cause of the pathology. Vertebrae are not always displaced due to trauma; this can also happen as a result of dystrophic processes. The reduction can compress the nerve and destroy the processes of the vertebra.
How to treat back pain at home: folk recipes
An alcoholic solution of burdock or eucalyptus will help relieve discomfort. It can also be used for compresses. For a similar purpose, fresh horseradish leaves are applied to the affected area. They are changed daily as needed.
- Horse chestnut ointment. The melted fat is mixed with dried horse chestnut grass and camphor oil. The components are taken in equal proportions. The agent is applied to thin pieces of black bread and applied to the affected areas;
- You can treat it with horse chestnut solution. A cotton cloth or gauze is moistened in it, which is applied to the lower back;
- Effectively relieves discomfort in the joints and bones tincture of the golden mustache in "Bischofite". It is necessary to add 35-40 particles of the plant to ½ l of the latter. The mixture is left for 14 days. When time passes, it is filtered and applied at night for compresses.
Nutrition for back problems
To strengthen the bone system, you need to enrich the diet with healthy foods and reduce the amount of harmful ones in it.
Liver and fatty fish (eg salmon, sardines, mackerel) are very beneficial. These foods are rich in vitamin D, fatty acids and niacin.
Dairy products, meat, cereals, fresh fruits, especially garlic and lemons - all this should prevail in the diet.
A lot of potassium is found in cabbage and spinach, and vitamin C - in citrus fruits.
Vitamin A can be obtained from eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, red, orange and yellow fruits.
You should consume less caffeinated drinks, as well as sweets, spicy, fatty and fried foods.
Exercises for the spine
With minor discomforts, as well as for the prevention of such in the back area, it is recommended to perform a set of exercises:
- Lie on your back, put your hands along the body, slightly bend your legs at the knees. The legs lean to the right, and the body in the opposite direction. In this position, they freeze for 5 seconds, then return to their original position. Turn in the other direction in the same way. You must complete 10 approaches;
- On your knees, place your hands on a chair in front of you. Then bend over and arch your back as much as possible. Perform up to 10 approaches;
- Lie on your back with your arms/legs straight. First, the right leg is raised about 15 cm from the floor and held up until a feeling of fatigue appears. Repeat the same with the left leg. You should complete 5 sets with each leg.
Back pain prevention
To reduce the risk of problems, you should follow some simple rules:
- Less time spent sitting;
- When you work sitting, every hour do a small warm-up for the spine, limbs;
- Lift / hold weights correctly - keep your back straight, don't lift it sharply, divide the load into parts;
- Perform exercises to strengthen the muscular corset (support for the spine);
- The mattress should be moderately firm in order to properly support the lower back;
- Watch your attitude, don't stoop;
- Get up on the wall more often, touching it with your heels, buttocks, shoulder blades. You must stay in this position for 3 minutes;
- It is recommended to do sports to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine: walking, skiing, wushu / qigong gymnastics, swimming, yoga;
You should not go for running, boxing, tennis, martial arts, skiing, horse riding.