Lower back pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that may 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 injury.
Spasm in the lower back can be a symptom of sciatica, osteochondrosis, scoliosis and many other pathologies.
Pain in the lower back: possible causes
This can occur after sports training, a long stay in one position, after an awkward movement.
Risk factors:
- obesity;
- childbearing / recent childbirth;
- sports training;
- sedentary work (drivers, cashiers, etc. );
- work associated with significant physical exertion;
- work in a standing position.
After an overstrain, the discomfort goes away on its own - 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 accompanied by discomfort in the lower back
This symptom in medicine is classified into primary and secondary.
In the first case, discomfort is caused directly by diseases of the back, in particular the spine:
- osteochondrosis of this area (one third of all cases of pain);
- spondylosis / spondylolisthesis / spondyloarthrosis;
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc 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;
- spinal fracture;
- muscle strain;
- anatomical narrowness of the spinal canal;
- kyphosis / scoliosis / kyphoscoliosis / Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- arthritis (rheumatic, psoriatic, osteoarthritis);
- discitis, osteomyelitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- disorders of the urinary system: urolithiasis / pyelonephritis;
- gynecological diseases: ovarian cancer or cyst, endometriosis;
- complicated pregnancy.
Types of pain
Severe lower back pain
These are observed in osteochondrosis. Discomfort is present when moving, sitting, lifting heavy objects, and even when coughing/sneezing. Unpleasant sensations can be given to the lower extremities. The patient urgently needs to see a neurologist.
Severe discomfort accompanies sciatica. The pain is dull or sharp, aching, usually unilateral.
It can give to the buttock, thigh and even to the lower leg; aggravated by changing position, coughing, walking. Radiculitis is treated by a neurologist. Patients are advised to rest on a hard mattress that will support the lower back.
Acute lower back pain
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 a fracture of the spine, osteochondrosis, hard physical work, weight lifting.
Displacement can also occur after surgery in this area. Diagnosis in this case is carried out by a neurologist. He also prescribes treatment.
Aching pain in the lumbar spine
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 of the legs.
It should also be taken into account that chronic pain is characteristic of Bechterew's disease, oncological pathologies. They may 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 defeat of a completely different part of the body. This happens with diseases of the pelvic organs, pancreas, kidneys, colon.
Back aches: when to see a doctor?
Do not hesitate to visit a specialist in the following cases:
- the attack lasts 3 days or more;
- discomfort arose after an injury;
- at the same time, the lower back, lower leg and foot aches;
- pain syndrome is combined with numbness of one limb.
What to do with severe spasms in the lumbar region
If the causes are unknown, temperature should be measured. An increase in this indicator indicates infection and inflammation. Other symptoms are also determined (violation of the stool, vomiting, pain on only one side). Then you need to call a doctor or an emergency team.
If the causes are known, such as a muscle strain or a bruise, an anti-inflammatory drug should be taken first to reduce the discomfort.
Relieve swelling, increase fluid circulation in order to remove harmful substances from the body, a single dose of a diuretic helps.
An orthopedic belt or even a regular towel will help to fix the muscles and bones in a stable state.
What not to do with lower back discomfort
It is forbidden to do warm-up procedures without making a diagnosis.
They provoke blood flow, which is not always safe. With prolonged discomfort of an unknown nature, do not use painkillers. In this case, the disease will still progress, but without discomfort.
It is possible to set the vertebrae in any part of the back by a chiropractor only after examination, diagnosis and determination of the cause of the pathology. The vertebrae are not always displaced due to trauma; this can also occur as a result of dystrophic processes. Reduction can pinch the nerve and destroy the processes of the vertebra.
How to treat back pain at home: folk recipes
An alcohol tincture 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.
- Ointment with horse chestnut. 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 with horse chestnut tincture. 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 on "Bishofite". It is necessary to add 35-40 particles of the plant in 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 apparatus, you need to enrich the diet with healthy foods and reduce the amount of harmful ones in it.
Liver and fatty fish (eg salmon, sardine, mackerel) are very useful. These foods are high 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 discomfort, 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, bend your legs a little at the knees. Legs tilt 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 need to complete 10 approaches;
- Kneeling, put your hands on a chair in front of you. Then bend 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 kept elevated until a feeling of fatigue appears. Repeat the same with the left leg. You need to complete 5 sets with each leg.
Prevention of back pain
To reduce the risk of problems, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Less time spent sitting;
- When sedentary work, every hour do a little warm-up for the spine, limbs;
- Correctly lift / carry weights - keep your back straight, do not lift sharply, divide the load into parts;
- Perform exercises to strengthen the muscular corset (support for the spine);
- The mattress should be moderately hard in order to properly support the lower back;
- Watch your posture, do not slouch;
- Get up to the wall more often, touching it with your heels, buttocks, shoulder blades. You need to stand in this position for 3 minutes;
- It is recommended to go in for sports to strengthen the muscles that hold the spine: walking, skiing, wushu / qigong gymnastics, swimming, yoga;
You should not go in for running, boxing, tennis, martial arts, skiing, horseback riding.