So, let's consider in turn the causes of pain syndrome that occurs in the lumbar region:
- Diseases of the spine. The rarest but serious pathologies that cause back pain include Bechterew's disease. With this disease, the vertebrae grow together, calcium is deposited in the ligaments and the affected spine loses mobility. The characteristic features of pain in this pathology - the pain increases at rest, with a long lie; movements in the lumbar region are limited. This disease begins more often at a young age and may have a hereditary predisposition.
- Curvature of the spine. 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, leading to bone fragility, frequent fractures.
- Osteochondrosis - thinning of the intervertebral discs, at a late stage leading to protrusion and herniation of the intervertebral discs - the most common cause of back pain. In addition, the pain intensifies when changing the position: rising from a sitting position, trying to lie on the stomach, turning, bending over.
- Spinal cord injuries, sprains and bruises, fractures.
- Spondylolisthesis - that is, the displacement of the lumbar vertebra in relation 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, aggravated by standing up or bending the back.
- Fibromyalgia is a pathology that causes pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons. There is pain and stiffness in different parts of the body, the pain is worse when touched. Often the patient complains of poor sleep. Most common in women aged 20-50.
- Soft tissue and kidney damage. Sharp sharp pain from the diseased kidney is characteristic of urolithiasis. 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. sh. osteomyelitis, discitis, epidural abscess of the spine. The pain caused by this cause progresses, does not depend on the patient's position or activity. Sometimes there is 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 more common in 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.
Radiating pain is dull and aching, most often radiating down the leg and sometimes reaching the leg. This can accompany osteochondrosis in the stage of disc herniation, osteoarthritis or degeneration of the deep muscles of the spine with hemodynamic disturbances along the sciatic nerve.
Referred pain usually means that the cause of the syndrome is in the internal organs. For example, with heart disease, the arm, back and shoulder blade can be injured. The pain is reflected from the internal organs in the lower back and has a deep pain character, it does not depend on movements.
Lower back pain in men and women
In women, back pain can be a consequence of gynecological diseases. In this case, the concern is dull, dragging. Among such diseases in women - adnexitis, rotation of the ovarian cyst, salpingoophoritis, uterine fibroids and endometritis can be expressed as pain in the lower back. Pregnancy, due to the increased load on the spine and increased body weight, often provokes back pain, and they are also possible during menopause. With an ectopic pregnancy, back pain can also appear - in this case it is unbearable.
The causes of back pain in men are often caused by excessive training, heavy lifting, spinal injuries, but can also indicate exclusively male diseases - prostatitis or epididymitis. Prostate pathology is characterized by pulling, painful 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 this is a pathology of the spine, then you should contact kinesitherapists, if it is a pathology of internal organs, then to a therapist, gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist, if the pathology is of rheumatic origin, then to a rheumatologist, in cases ofa neoplasia in the lower floor of the body, then to an oncologist.
First of all, for diagnosis, the doctor interviews the patient, knowing the nature of the pain: if it is acute or dull, if it is pulling, if it depends on movement, activity, body position, if it is accompanied by other symptoms. or not. After a verbal question, the doctor examines the patient, palpates the lumbar region, the muscles of the spine and the limbs. Additional examination, laboratory analysis, x-ray, MRI, tissue biopsy, electromyography may be required.
For treatment, depending on the disease, different means are used. In cases of osteochondrosis, scoliosis, spondyloarthrosis and other factors that cause spasms and inflammation in the deep muscles of the spine, the most commonly used are sedatives and anti-inflammatories, but they do not directly affect the cause of the pain syndrome, they only eliminate its manifestation andhave many side effects. To treat the cause of back pain, the following are suggested:
- 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 to reduce pain locally,
- physiotherapeutic methods, such as shock wave therapy, acupuncture, massage with devices, balneotherapy (mud applications, contrast treatments, etc. ),
Back pain prevention
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 for this is the author's method, that is, the use of simulators of the power and decompression type. But the exercises can be performed even 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, devote at least 15 minutes to this, just walk several times a week for 1. 5-2. hours and do it in the morning by charging.
According to the method, it is recommended to regularly perform some simple exercises to prevent back pain:
- relaxation of the back (the well-known exercise "Cat"): in the position on all fours, inhale - raise the head, bend the back down; exhalation - lowering the head, rounding the back;
- stretching step (in yoga, this exercise is called "Pigeon Pose"): in the position on all fours, you need to move one knee forward, one leg in and the other leg back, lie on your stomach. on your thighs, palms under your shoulders. For a more effective stretch, move your arms diagonally to the side and lower your head, pausing for 5-10 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat for the other side.
- raising the pelvis in a lying position with legs bent at the knees;
- press: in the lying position, bend the knees and arms at the elbows, holding the back of the head, press the chin to the chest while exhaling, raising the shoulder blades;
- Knee press: in a lying position, pull your knees back to your chest, pressing your hands into 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!
Of the additional tips, a comfortable mattress can be placed so that the back muscles can rest at night. If you spend a lot of time driving or working on the computer, take care of the correct body position. The car seat should be adjustable in height and close to the steering wheel, and the back support should be soft enough to take the bumps from rough roads.
While working or studying at a desk, elbows should be bent at right angles. The chair must necessarily have a back to support the lower back, and the view (along with it and the neck) must be directed straight or slightly up, but not down. The light falls precisely on the work surface of the table.
Remember, prevention is more important than cure!