People between the ages of 20 and 50 usually go to the doctor with these complaints, but sometimes children also get sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people have experienced lumbago or back discomfort at least once.Pain occurs due to overstrain of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine and diseases of internal organs.
Mechanism of development of back pain
This is the most vulnerable part of the body due to the structure and functions of the spine.Unpleasant sensations occur in the cervical, thoracic region or between the shoulder blades, but more often the pain is localized in the lumbosacral region of the back.
The mechanism of its development is related to the following factors:
- Overexertion, muscle strain.Decrease or increase in tone causes microtraumas, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
- Diseases of internal organs.They cause radiating back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced strength, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs due to an increase in the external load on the spine (excess body weight, lifting heavy loads) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working position).In severe cases, the discs bulge and compress the nerve roots.
Classification of back pain
For the practicality of the description and the correct choice of treatment tactics for back pathologies, pain symptoms differ in duration.In addition, doctors emphasize the nature and location of the attack.
Depending on the type of pain, they differ:
- acute, lasting from several days to one and a half months;
- subacute, distressing from 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, which are present for more than three months or constantly (periods of exacerbation followed by rest).
Based on the nature of the sensation, back pain is classified as follows:
- Locally.They are caused by changes in nerve receptors, muscles and ligaments, tendons or skin.Pain can be acute, sharp, pulsating, but always felt in the area of soft tissue.
- Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected onto the back from the internal organs.It can be burning and intense, but never intensified by movement.
- Radiation.Discomfort appears suddenly, sometimes it is wandering - radiating to the arm or leg.It occurs when the nerve root is irritated or stretched.
Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:
- Lumbodynia– acute pain in the lumbar region.
- Sacralgia– discomfort of the sacral spine.
- Lyubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the feeling spreads down the leg.
- Cervicalgia- inflammation of the neck.
- Coccydynia– pain in the coccyx.
- Thoracalgia– a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes discomfort in the chest.
Pain in the lumbar region
Lyubmalgia is often painful in nature and is characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasms against the background of displaced discs or hernia.
Old and young people often have back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.
The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly reappears.Severe pain in the lower back occurs with vascular diseases, for example, aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not disappear during rest.
Back pain in the sacral region
Sacralgia occurs against the background of pinched spinal nerve endings due to deformation of the spine or inflammation of soft tissues.It occurs more often in men than in women.Lower back pain can be sharp, dull or pulling.
Unpleasant sensations intensify during physical activity, after prolonged sitting or a sudden change in body position.Sometimes the pain radiates to the buttock or leg.
Sacralgia is also caused by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders.
Upper back pain
This condition is associated with problems of the thoracic or cervical part of the spine, strong muscle tension.The pain is caused by a heavy load, incorrect posture or osteochondrosis.
The cause of the syndrome can be diseases of internal organs:
- Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting pain on the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies during inhalation.
- Pneumonia.The condition causes mild pain behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Pain in the shoulder, chest, arm, and mid-back is often experienced.The intensity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Pain in shoulder blades
Discomfort occurs when the nerve endings of the chest become inflamed - intercostal neuralgia.The pain syndrome is moderate, painful, disappears after rest or massage.It is often caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack) or psychological problems.
Symptoms associated with back pain
The intensity and nature of the clinical picture depends on the cause of the pain syndrome, while the main symptom is complemented by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, loss of strength;
- increase in local body temperature;
- stiffness of movement;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- dizziness;
- sudden weight loss;
- difficulty breathing, cough;
- reduced visual acuity and hearing;
- swelling, inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint;
- urinary incontinence, reduced sensitivity of limbs.
Why does my back hurt?
There are two types of discomfort: primary and secondary.The first group is caused by diseases of the spine, the second is caused by disorders in the work of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain is noticed in women.
The following factors contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant symptom:
- rowing, skiing or high jumping;
- long-term static loads;
- overweight;
- hypothermia;
- sudden movements;
- vibrations in the workplace;
- hard physical work (spine pain occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
- uncomfortable posture;
- curvature of the spine;
- previous injuries or broken bones.
Pathologies of the spinal column
The main causes of back pain are related to damage to the integrity or functionality of the spine, and there are groups of factors that include diseases:
- Osteomyelitis- necrotic process in bones and bone marrow.
- Protrusion– displacement (protrusion) of discs.
- Arthritis– joint inflammation.
- Scoliosis– curvature of the spine of varying severity.
- Intervertebral hernia– movement of the nucleus pulposus of the disc and rupture of the connecting end.
- Spondylosis- proliferation of bone tissue.
- Spinal canal stenosis– compression of nerve endings and part of the spinal space due to disc displacement.
- Radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
- Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of intervertebral joints.
- Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage disorders.
- Discitis– sepsis, purulent inflammation of intervertebral discs.
Non-spinal causes
Pains under the lower back and in other parts of the back are often caused by diseases of internal organs:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Tuberculosis.
- Appendicitis.
- Shingles.
- Stone in the ureter.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Malignant tumors.
- Kidney inflammation.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Angina pectoris.
- Intercostal neuralgia.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Dysplasia of the prostate.
- Pancreatitis.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Cystitis.
- Acute coronary syndrome.
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of lower back pain in women
Unpleasant, nagging or sharp pain indicates problems with genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.
Discomfort is caused by muscle tension due to pregnancy, posterior or occipital presentation of the fetus.
Causes of pain in women:
- carcinoma of the body or cervix;
- external endometriosis;
- menstruation;
- premenopause;
- wearing high-heeled shoes;
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- myoma or fibroid of the uterus;
- ovarian cyst.
Diagnostics
If your back hurts, you should see a therapist.After collecting the medical history and external examination, the doctor will refer you to a consultation with specialized specialists: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, a number of studies are prescribed:
- Radiographyit detects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of intervertebral discs and possible growths of bone tissue.
- myelography- a method of examining the spinal cord that assesses the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid canal, the presence of a hernia, tumor or damage to the spinal column.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)shows disc protrusion, presence of calcifications, spinal canal stenosis.
- General and biochemical blood test.Research reveals inflammatory processes, elevated calcium levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- Electromyographyreveals the degree of damage to nerve endings and muscle fibers.
- Urinalysis.It is taken when kidney and urinary tract diseases are suspected.
- Additional researchit is carried out to rule out autoimmune disorders, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and hidden infections.
Treatment of back pain
The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors that cause discomfort.When the pain is caused by diseases of the internal organs, the treatment begins with the elimination of the cause.Painkillers are prescribed to alleviate unpleasant symptoms.
In addition to tablets and ointments, doctors prescribe physiotherapy and reflexology.
In the recovery phase, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If the pain occurs due to damage to the spine (hernia, bulging disc, injury), surgery is performed.
First aid for acute pain
When the discomfort is unbearable, before the ambulance arrives, help the victim yourself:
- Place the person face up on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will give peace to the muscles and relieve the spasm.
- Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
- If the discomfort does not improve, give an NSAID.
- If you need to move, wear a back brace or support corset.
Drug therapy
Medicines are prescribed to reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect, and relieve inflammation.
- Fats.Preparations that warm the muscles reduce pain and are used for massage.
- Chondroprotectors.These are products for the protection and restoration of cartilage tissue.
- Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, as well as for the removal of edema.
- Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Vitamin preparations.It improves the functioning of the nervous system, increases immunity.
If taking analgesics does not have a therapeutic effect, a paravertebral block is performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.The relief appears instantly and lasts up to 6-12 hours.
Physiotherapy
Manual and mechanical methods are used in the recovery phase or in chronic pain.They improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
The following procedures are most often used:
- Diathermy.Heating the tissue with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes resorption of infiltrates and increases blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- administration of drugs to the site of pain through the skin.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
- Acupuncturerelieves the spasm of muscle fibers, eliminates the inflammatory process.
- Laser therapy- impact on the source of pain by quantum particles of light flux.The procedure is performed using a special device.Laser radiation penetrates deep tissue layers, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and removes swelling.
Surgical intervention
Indications for surgery are injuries, intervertebral hernias and compression of the spinal cord.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, the operations restore the functions of the spine and joints.
Doctors perform the following surgical interventions:
- Endoscopic discectomy.It is prescribed for the treatment of intervertebral hernia and is performed with an endoscope and microsurgical equipment.
- Open spine surgery.The doctor removes the affected disc, part of the vertebra or ligament.The intervention is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
- Nucleoplasty- removal of the core of the intervertebral disc.The operation reduces the pressure on the nerve endings.
- Puncture vertebroplasty– the method of stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the spinal cavities with bone cement.
Folk remedies for back pain
Decoctions and poultices made from medicinal herbs help to enhance the effect of medicines.With the doctor's permission, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.
Recipes that help with pain:
- Mix 100 g of blue clay, 1 tbsp.l.aloe juice and honey.Add 750 ml of warm water.Apply the composition to the affected area of the back, cover with transparent film and a woolen cloth.Leave the compress on for 1 hour.Use the composition for osteochondrosis 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
- Dissolve 5 g of mummy in 1 teaspoon.of water, add 1 g of medical sulfur.Rub the mixture into your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product every day in the evening.The course of treatment is 3-4 days.
- Beat 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites with a mixer.Leave in the fridge for 5-6 hours.Apply the ointment to painful places 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a woolen scarf around your back.
Prevention
Following the doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and continue physical activity, and in order to prevent problems in the future, follow the rules:
- watch your posture;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- When working at the computer, use a chair with a back or a comfortable chair;
- watch your weight;
- don't get carried away with high heels;
- buy an orthopedic mattress;
- when you are sitting, do light exercises every 30 minutes;
- move more, do sports;
- See your doctor right away.