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 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 an uncomfortable movement.
Risk factors:
- portliness;
- childbirth / recent childbirth.
- sports training;
- sedentary work (drivers, cashiers, etc. )
- work involving significant physical exertion.
- work in a standing position.
After an excessive strain, the discomfort subsides on its own - just rest is enough. Its periodic appearance indicates the presence of pathology. Without quality treatment, the condition can worsen significantly: sometimes only surgery is indicated.
Diseases accompanied by 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, especially of the spine:
- osteochondrosis of this area (a third of all cases of pain).
- spondylosis / spondylolisthesis / spondyloarthritis.
- intervertebral disc protrusion or intervertebral hernia.
They say about secondary pains when they are caused by damage to 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.
- urinary system disorders: urolithiasis / pyelonephritis.
- gynecological diseases: ovarian cancer or cyst, endometriosis.
- complicated pregnancy.
Types of pain
Intense pain in the lower back
These are seen 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 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, the thigh and even the lower 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.
Sharp pain in the lower back
This can be caused by sitting in an uncomfortable position for a long time, carrying/lifting heavy things, falling, bumping, 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, lifting weights.
Displacement can also occur after surgery in this area. The diagnosis in this case is carried out by a neurologist. He also prescribes treatment.
Aching pain in lumbar spine
This happens with myositis - inflammation of the back muscles. The disease appears after sudden hypertension or hypothermia. It is accompanied by stiffness of movements. The pain becomes sharp with movement.
Chronic (permanent) lower back pain
Periodic attacks accompany spondylosis deformans. 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 pain: when to see a doctor?
Do not hesitate to visit a specialist in the following cases:
- the attack lasts 3 days or more.
- discomfort occurred after an injury.
- At the same time, the lower back, lower leg and foot hurt.
- the pain syndrome is combined with numbness of one limb.
What to do with severe spasms in the lumbar region
If the causes are unknown, the temperature should be taken. An increase in this index indicates infection and inflammation. Other symptoms are also identified (violation of stool, vomiting, pain only on 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 to remove harmful substances from the body, a single dose of a diuretic helps.
An orthopedic belt or even a regular towel will help stabilize the muscles and bones in a stable position.
What not to do with lower back discomfort
It is forbidden to do warm-up procedures without making a diagnosis.
They cause blood flow, which is not always safe. With prolonged discomfort of an unknown nature, do not use painkillers. In this case, the disease will continue to progress, but without discomfort.
It is possible to place the 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 occur as a result of dystrophic processes. The reduction can pinch the nerve and destroy the processes of the vertebra.
How to treat back pain at home: folk recipes
An alcoholic tincture of burdock or eucalyptus will help relieve the discomfort. It can also be used for compresses. For a similar purpose, fresh horseradish leaves are applied to the affected area. They change daily according to needs.
- Horse chestnut ointment. The melted fat is mixed with dried chestnut grass and camphor oil. The ingredients 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 in "Bishofite". It is necessary to add 35-40 particles of the plant to ½ liter of the latter. The mixture is left for 14 days. When the time passes, it is filtered and applied at night for compresses.
Diet 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 (e. g. salmon, sardines, mackerel) are very useful. These foods are rich in vitamin D, fatty acids and niacin.
Dairy products, meat, cereals, fresh fruits, especially garlic and lemons - all this should dominate 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 beverages, as well as sweet, spicy, fatty and fried foods.
Exercises for the spine
With minor discomfort, as well as to prevent 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 and then return to their original position. Turn in the other direction in the same way. You must complete 10 approaches.
- Kneeling, place 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 up until a feeling of fatigue appears. Repeat the same with the left leg. You must 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 doing sedentary work, every hour do a small warm-up for the spine, limbs.
- Lift / carry weights correctly - keep your back straight, don't lift suddenly, divide the load into parts.
- Perform exercises to strengthen the muscle corset (supporting the spine).
- The mattress should be moderately firm to properly support the lower back.
- Watch your posture, don't slouch.
- Get up on 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 do sports to strengthen the muscles that support the spine: walking, skiing, wushu / qigong, swimming, yoga.
You should not go for running, boxing, tennis, martial arts, skiing, horse riding.