80% of people in the world have experienced lumbar spine pain at least once. Their causes can vary from so-called psychosomatics, when pain in the lumbar region is caused by stress, to a much scarier and more difficult to cure cancer diagnosis.
How to understand when discomfort and back pain indicate a diseased spine, and when they signal an unhealthy condition in other organs? And how not to miss the right moment to see a doctor for back pain in the lumbar region?
Causes of back pain in the lumbar region
In the lumbar region, there are several organs and systems at once - these are the digestive, urinary, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems, and numerous glands that affect a person's well-being. Fortunately, most pathologies that feel pain in the lumbar and lower back can be treated and are not life-threatening. Only every 20th case of pain in the lumbar region requires surgical intervention or complex therapeutic measures.
Consider the causes of back pain in the lumbar region in more detail. This includes:
- overexertion of the back muscles, especially the lumbosacral region;
- muscle and internal spasms;
- the presence of inflammation or abscess;
- hormonal disorders;
- heart disease;
- diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, peptic ulcer, etc. );
- posture disorders;
- neuralgia, incl. psychogenic character;
- osteochondrosis, spinal canal stenosis, spinal hernia and other pathologies of the spine;
- diseases of the kidneys or internal genital organs;
- obesity;
- pregnancy;
- neoplasm metastases.
The nature of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis
A distinction must be made between primary pain in the lumbar spine (associated with degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory processes and spinal injuries) and secondary, "reflected" pain caused by functional disorders in muscles and internal organs. and are rarely accompanied by additional symptoms (usually in later stages, for example, with advanced intervertebral disc protrusions. ) Secondary pain is almost always accompanied by bloating, changes in urination and defecation (rare, frequent, painful or have other uncharacteristic features), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. The type of lumbar pain can also say a lot about the problem:
- paroxysmal ("catch inside") - diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
- increases every day - inflammatory process (for example, in the epithelial coccygeal passage), abscess, cyst;
- sharp sting (especially after injury) - rupture of an internal organ (liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, etc. ) or blood vessel, internal bleeding, ulcer of the stomach or intestines, blockage of a blood vessel by a detached thrombus (see a doctor immediately for such pain! );
- periodic cracking - characteristic of compression of the spinal roots (radicular syndrome), may be accompanied by cramps;
- dull continuous - indicates disease of the liver, kidneys, spleen, some endocrine glands;
- withdrawal, difficulty moving - injuries to the spine and adjacent tissues.
Localization of lumbar pain
- Pain in the lumbar region and above the sacrum can occur due to trauma, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, as well as injuries, oncology or simple overexertion. This zone often manifests itself after unsuccessful sports activities, especially with poorly performed strokes, unmade falls and disregard for exercise technique.
- Below the waist (above the buttocks) it often hurts due to overexertion when lifting loads, standing or walking for a long time, with bruises on the ice and other hard surfaces. Sometimes the cause of painful pain in the lumbar region can be infection or hypothermia. The most common pain is due to working or resting in an uncomfortable, non-physiological position - for example, spending time at the computer or driving in a half-bent position "bananas". Pain is less common due to disorders of the intestines and genitourinary systemdysmenorrhea). "Low" localization of pain may also indicate problems with the hip joint, especially in the elderly or athletes.
- If it hurts to the left of the spine, this does not rule out problems with it - for example, scoliosis and / or osteochondrosis, impaired blood circulation, and even spinal canal infection.
- Particularly characteristic of infections and osteochondrosis is permanent excruciating pain, which intensifies at the slightest physical exertion.
- If the pain syndrome occasionally decreases and the patient is still given rest, it may be a displacement of the intervertebral disc, pinched nerve root, or sciatica. Also, pain in the lumbar region can cause diabetes or hypothermia.
- If the patient often feels "retained" and feels pain after several hours of sedentary activity, the pain may indicate a wrong lifestyle that has not yet developed into pathology, but requires urgent changes - not just pain relief in lumbar osteochondrosis. , but complex therapy.
Keep in mind that pain can be given in the lower back in case of serious pathologies of the heart and digestive organs. If it hurts under the left shoulder blade and on the side at the same time, it is important to rule out a heart attack immediately. If, however, attacks of sharp pain torment - "as if they were cut alive" - an ulcer in the stomach or intestines.
Low back pain - diagnoses
Doctors identify more than 120 causes that can cause acute and chronic back pain. The most common of them are.
- Diseases resulting from degenerative-dystrophic and other lesions of the vertebral and hip joints. For example, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, vertebral hernia, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, protrusion, facet syndrome, sciatica, lumbago, neurogenic lameness, hormonal spondylopathy.
- Autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.
- Inflammatory diseases. Spondyloarthropathies, incl. psoriatic and reactive arthritis.
- Traumatic defeat. Spondylolisthesis, muscle and ligament damage, bruising, dislocation, subluxation, and vertebral fractures.
Rarely, neoplasms and metastases in the spine, osteomyelitis, angina pectoris, cholecystitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, duodenal ulcer and other diseases can become the cause of lumbar pain.
Pain in the lumbar spine in women
In women, acute and subacute (recurrent or lasting up to 12 weeks) back pain may indicate minor hormonal disorders or natural physiological processes - during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. But more often than not, he declares himself this way:
- lumbar osteochondrosis - women who stay on their heels for a long time, regularly carry loads larger than 5 kg, are forced to be in a bent position for a long time when performing professional or household chores;
- Arthritis is an inflammatory disease to which young women are susceptible. It can be caused by lower back injury, genitourinary infection, hypothermia due to insufficiently warm but modern clothing, as well as heredity (for example, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in relatives);
- osteoarthritis is a predominantly age-related disease that often occurs after the age of 40 in response to hormonal changes in the body;
- inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis);
- cervical or ovarian cancer;
- ovarian cyst torsion;
- endometriosis.
Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms of lower back pain:
- appeared after injury;
- occur in the anamnesis of a patient with oncological and precancerous (eg cervical dysplasia) conditions;
- followed by an increase in temperature;
- accompanied by unexplained weight loss;
- cause difficulty in urination and defecation;
- monitor observation;
- associated with a feeling of numbness or stiffness in the legs, a change in gait.
Pain in the lumbar spine in men
Men are less likely to suffer from lower back pain than women. Most often, as in women, their cause lies in osteochondrosis or kidney disease. Among the sexually specific diseases that cause pain in the spine in the lumbar region we can list:
- epididymitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicle);
- prostatitis;
- orchitis (swelling of the testicles);
- testicles and other oncological diseases of the genital organs;
- prostate cancer.
Lower back pain often occurs in the strong half due to a vertebral or inguinal hernia. Men over the age of 40 who are actively engaged in physical work or work in an awkward position are especially predisposed to these diseases. In women, this pathology is less common.
Treatment of back pain
Treatment of back pain (lumbar) requires a therapeutic effect on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, nerve fibers and muscles. In addition to relieving pain in the lumbar spine, it is necessary to slow down degenerative processes in the spine, if any, alleviate inflammation, restore blood microcirculation and conduction of nerve impulses. Treatment is prescribed exclusively by a doctor or immediately by a group of specialists - neurologist, traumatologist, gynecologist, orthopedist, rheumatologist and other doctors, depending on the main and accompanying diagnosis.
In more than 98% of cases associated with spinal diseases, treatment is carried out conservatively - surgery can be avoided even in the case of hernia.
Medical approach
With the help of medication, pain can be completely eliminated within a few months (eg, back pain in the lumbar region is treated for 3-4 months by root compression, hernias). Then, depending on the diagnosis, therapy is completed or carried out periodically, in courses - to maintain remission.
In the treatment of back pain (lumbar) help:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- Hormonal preparations (in the form of blockades and drops).
- Analgesics for pain relief.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Warming preparations, for example, fats based on bee and snake venom, mustard.
- Venotonics and angioprotectors.
- Anticonvulsants, anxiolytics and antidepressants.
Physiotherapy for back pain
It is used to treat lower back pain:
- massage (classical, cupping, hydromassage);
- phonophoresis;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- diadynamic therapy;
- electrical neuromyostimulation;
- manual therapy;
- acupuncture;
- balneological procedures and mud therapy;
- kinesitherapy.
Exercise therapy for lumbar pain
A set of exercises for pain in the lumbar region is performed daily and only after achieving remission! With the worsening of the disease, any burden can only make the situation worse. Before performing the exercises, it is necessary to consult with the therapy exercise instructor.
- Kneel on your knees and stretch your right leg forward (foot on the floor, knee bent at right angles). Maintaining balance, pull your left leg up to your buttocks with your left hand and feel the tension in your muscles. 10 times on each side.
- Stand on all fours, look straight ahead. Bend and bend your back - exercise "cat".
- Lie on your back and, keeping your legs below your knees, pull your knees up to your chest and lock yourself in this position for a few seconds. 10 times.
- The starting position is the same. Cross your legs (on the load) and stretch your muscles well, supporting your lower leg below the knee with both hands.
- Standing on all fours, raise your left arm and right leg perpendicular to the floor. Repeat for the other side. 10 times.
A set of exercises for pain in the lumbar region with a massage roller is also recommended. For example: place a roller under the sacrum and draw the knee to the chest while the other leg is on the floor. Repeat 10 times for each leg. If the tension is not enough, place your hand behind your head and / or move your bent knee slightly to the side.
How to take care of your back - doctor's recommendations
We recommend 10 simple tips to protect your lower back.
- To keep your back healthy, it is important to avoid serious physical (as well as mental and emotional) overload and hypothermia. If you are forced to work for a long time in the cold or in rooms with sudden changes in temperature, get high-quality thermal underwear.
- Carry out timely treatment of back pain in the lumbar region.
- If you have already been diagnosed with the initial stage of osteochondrosis, have congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system, use orthoses - special bandages and corsets that help relieve back pain. If you are carrying a heavy backpack, get one designed to protect your back from lower back pain symptoms.
- Also, do not forget to take chondroprotectors for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for at least 3-6 months a year.
- Balance your diet so that your body gets enough vitamins and minerals, as well as protein.
- Properly equip the sleeping area. The mattress should not be too soft or too hard, the length of the bed should be slightly larger than your height. Pillow height is also important for relieving pain in lumbar osteochondrosis - it is best to buy an orthopedic. If your pets put you in an uncomfortable sleeping position, don’t let them go to bed.
- During sitting, make sure that your elbows are on the table surface, at a comfortable height, and the seat of the chair allows you to keep your lower legs perpendicular to the floor.
- If you have already been diagnosed with spinal disease, take care of rational employment, which will reduce professional stress on the lower back.
- Try not to abuse alcohol, coffee and cigarettes.
- Maintain a normal level of physical activity (at least in the form of 15-minute exercises against lumbar pain 3-4 times a day).
Health in the back!