Back pain: symptoms, therapy, prevention

Most people have experienced back pain at least once. The pain usually occurs in the lower back. The causes can be the consequences of the most common colds and serious injuries.

Characteristics of occurrence

back and lower back pain

Back pain can be constant or intermittent and acute or chronic. It depends on various circumstances. Common reasons for its appearance:

  • disc rupture;
  • menstrual cramps;
  • osteoporosis;
  • kidney stones;
  • broken posture;
  • spinal cord injury;
  • osteoarthritis;
  • appendicitis;
  • tumor;
  • weight-lifting.

back pain symptoms

Pain varies depending on the disease. For example, when a disc impinges, there is sudden or gradually increasing pain. It starts in the back and spreads to the buttocks and legs. A person needs rest, as movement, sneezing, coughing only increase the pain. A disease like appendicitis causes severe back pain. If it doesn't go away, see a doctor immediately! Symptoms of endometriosis include pain and cramping in the lower back. Usually, the pain increases before or during the menstrual cycle. Acute pain occurs when the lower back is stretched, and muscle spasm occurs with lateral movements. Resting makes you feel better.

Symptoms indicating a problem:

back pain sitting
  • dizziness;
  • noise in the ears;
  • weakness;
  • back pain pulling, aching, constant;
  • numbness in the limbs;
  • pain when tilting the head and turning the body.

The most dangerous symptoms:

  • violation of urination;
  • shortness of breath;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • increase in pain.

Pain diagnosis

To diagnose the disease, it is enough for an experienced doctor to examine the spine and listen to the patient's complaints. But there are situations when these activities alone are not enough. In these cases, special diagnostic methods are used - X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

doctor examining a patient with back pain

Treatment

After the diagnosis is established, the following therapeutic measures are implemented:

  • manual therapy;
  • injections;
  • physiotherapy;
  • acupuncture;
  • surgical treatment;
  • drug therapy;
  • physical therapy;
  • massage.

Help relieve back pain and folk remedies:

  1. Grate the horseradish and mix with sour cream. Place the resulting mass on the lower back, cover it with a napkin and tie a woolen scarf or scarf on top.
  2. Use St. John's Wort, Thyme, Black Elder and Chamomile. A hot poultice made from these herbs will warm your back well if you have been cold. The procedure is best done at night.
  3. Burdock leaves have a healing effect. First, dry them, then pour boiling water over them and apply to the sore spot for an hour.
  4. Horse chestnut is widely used. Grind the dried flowers thoroughly into powder, take melted lard and camphor oil, mix the ingredients in equal proportions. Spread the mixture on a piece of black bread and apply it to the painful area.
  5. Use a compress based on garlic infusion. Mix with lemon juice. Soak a cotton napkin in this mixture and put it on a sore spot for twenty minutes.

Prevention

The best way to prevent back pain is to do a variety of physical exercises. Correct posture must also be observed while walking and sitting. Weight lifting is contraindicated not only for women, but also for men.

If you suffer from constant back pain, contact your family doctor immediately, who will refer you to a neurologist, orthopedist, surgeon or nephrologist if necessary.