Mankind pays for the ability to walk on two legs with back pain. If your back periodically hurts in the lumbar region, this may be a sign of severe fatigue or the result of a long stay in an uncomfortable position during work or sleep. But the reasons can be more serious.
causes of pain
The lower back is one of the most painful areas. There are reasons for this:
- osteochondrosis;
- scoliosis;
- Disc prolapse;
- tumors;
- tissue infections.
The type and intensity of pain depends on the disease. And she worries in different ways: after sleep, exercise, overwork. For example, renal colic is constantly accompanied by pain in the lower back. The type of activity of the patient is irrelevant.
- Most often it hurts in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Moderate pain in its intensity in the state of sleep, aggravated by physical exertion. Constantly tormented by a feeling of fatigue. The feeling of heaviness causes a desire to lie down. But relief doesn't always follow.
- With a herniated disc, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, heavy lifting, falls.
- When the hernia is compressed, there is a sharp pain called lumbago. Movement in the lumbar region is noticeably restricted. Damage to the nerve root gives a pain signal in the leg.
- Stenosis of the intervertebral disc canal often occurs in old age. A sign of this is limping, numbness of the legs, especially after a long walk.
- The morning stiffness in the spinal region indicates the beginning of the development of ankylosing spondylitis. Initially, sharp pain sensations appear in the sacral area, and then spread to the lumbar region. The feeling after sleeping is not rest, but tiredness, which disappears with the onset of motor activity. Young men are most affected by the disease. The disease is inherited. Basically, the lower back hurts when lying on your back.
- Acute pain in the lumbar region also occurs with pyelonephritis (an inflammatory process in the kidneys). They are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which swells in the morning after sleep.
- A condition such as an abdominal aorta aneurysm often develops in older men. Aching pain and throbbing in the abdomen are the result of aortic pressure on nearby organs.
- Back pain, fever, burning along the nerve are signs of shingles. This viral disease affects the cells of the spinal cord. A pink rash appears on the body, and later blisters.
- Another widespread disease that many consider harmless is flat feet. A deformed foot increases the load on the spine when walking. Pain is relieved during sleep.
- If there are congenital changes in the vertebrae: an irregular shape or a change in the cleft, then sooner or later they make themselves felt.
- Autoimmune pathologies, in particular multiple sclerosis, are provocateurs of pain of different localization. Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons why it hurts a lot in the lumbar region. This can be osteoporosis, infections of the urogenital system, hemorrhoids, tumor diseases, complications after viral or bacterial infections. And even physiological changes that affect women and occur during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pain from diseases of internal organs
When wondering why the back hurts in the lumbar region, it is sometimes difficult to believe that the reasons can lie in the organs. The fact is that in some cases pain sensations are "radiated" from the internal organs to the lumbar region.
- Right-sided pleurisy, pneumonia - the causes of pain in the right lumbar region. Accompanying symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever. Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back that are aggravated by supine bending during sleep.
- Cholelithiasis also localizes sharp pains on the right side, just above the waist, and they are accompanied by belching and nausea. They have a penetrating character.
- Belt pain in the lower back occurs due to pancreatitis. Her companions are nausea and vomiting.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of a heart attack.
- In men, the pathology of the prostate causes pain in the area below the waist with a transition to the sacrum. Women have cystitis.
- Disorders of the distal alimentary canal - the causes of pain below the waist.
pain provocateurs
Pain can also be caused by factors such as:
- hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, strength training).
- contort.
- Fracture.
- The menstrual cycle in women.
- Wrong diet.
- Emphasize.
- Uncomfortable sleeping position.
Back pain in the lumbar region in children
New technologies have not only brought benefits to our world, but also harm. Why? Since love for a computer from an early age deprives children of full physical activity, incorrect posture is formed.
Important: If you choose the right chair and table for your child, you can avoid a curvature of the spine!
Scoliosis can result from carrying a heavy backpack, flat feet, and uncomfortable shoes. Be sure to treat him! Children are contraindicated in excessive physical activity and weight lifting. When exercising in the field of sports, you should be particularly sensitive to the child's complaints about back pain after training. We can talk about a hernia. Timely treatment will allow the child to lead a full life.
types of pain
The nature of the pain is divided into the following types:
- Spasms in the long back muscles cause acute pain. This is done through stretching. The problem is well known to athletes and people whose specific job involves straining the back muscles. In the supine position, the pain subsides somewhat. The place of the main localization is the lower back.
- A spinal injury, namely a fracture, is very dangerous. It can result from an unsuccessful fall or as a result of osteoporosis, Paget's disease or hyperparathyroidism.
- The displacement of the intervertebral discs causes pain by compressing the nerve roots. This restricts the patient's mobility, impairs sensitivity and reduces knee jerk. The danger of this disease is also that healthy vertebrae begin to hurt, which leads to disruption in the functioning of internal organs and is the cause of restless sleep.
- Facet joint syndrome causes back pain in 31% of cases. This degenerative process captures the capsule of the intervertebral joints, causing pain not only in the lower back but also in the legs. The lower back hurts when sitting, with a sideways tilt or tilt of the back, with long standing.
- The inflammatory process of an infectious nature in the epidural space is a very serious and dangerous disease. It can be fatal if not treated in time.
treatment
Seeing a doctor immediately for back pain is key to successful treatment. Even if the pain only bothers you at night or after sleeping, there is a reason to see a specialist.
After analyzing the causes, the doctor gives recommendations for treatment and prevention of disease. Treatment will be complex, with the use of ointments, tablets, injections, massage and physiotherapy exercises.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first in the treatment of low back pain:
- At the initial stage, literally the first 3-5 days, treatment is carried out with the help of injections to relieve pain and inflammation. They act quickly and effectively relieve acute pain by injecting the drug directly into the blood or muscle.
- Then anti-inflammatory and analgesic tablets, chondroprotectors, stimulants (each separately) are used.
- In addition, an ointment treatment is applied. Properly selected ointment will help relieve inflammation in the affected area and warm (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is relieved with the help of muscle relaxants. With their help, pain syndrome is treated and mobility is restored. Apply from 3 to 7 days.
Group B vitamin preparations are a necessary complement to the main therapy.
In some cases, a drug blockade is necessary. The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally. It is used for degenerative changes in the spine.
Physiotherapeutic treatment:
- UHF;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy.
Massage relieves acute pain by improving blood circulation. The kneading of the muscles has a positive effect on the elasticity and flexibility of the ligaments. To improve the overall tone of the body and only with the permission of the attending physician, the massage is combined with a bath or sauna. You can not warm up during the infection process!
Pain during pregnancy can be relieved by wearing a special bandage.
Wearing orthopedic insoles is mandatory for patients with flat feet.
physical therapy
Physical exercise is also a remedy. They strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and increase blood circulation. They are used not only in the complex of therapeutic therapy, but also for the prevention of pain in the lumbar region. As with drug therapy, therapeutic exercises are prescribed in each case individually, analyzing the main causes of the disease. But there are several general exercises, each performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning to avoid overwork.
- While standing, tilt your body alternately to the right, forward, backward, and left.
- Standing, feet shoulder-width apart, twist your body to the side.
- In a position on all fours, do a "kitty": arch the back in the lower back.
- Lie on your back, bend your legs at the knees, arms along your body. Raise and lower the pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lying on your back, legs straight, arms along your body. Alternately bend your legs at the knees, then pull them up to your chest.
- Standing on all fours, swing your legs alternately.
Whatever the reasons, only a specialist can determine why the back hurts, identify the "culprit" of the disease and prescribe the correct and effective treatment. As with any other disease, self-medication is not worth it! Any drug can not only cure, but also harm if chosen incorrectly.