Lower back pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can indicate the presence of serious diseases. The lower back receives a greater load compared to the rest of the spine, and is therefore more prone to injury.
Spasm in the lower back can be a symptom of sciatica, osteochondrosis, scoliosis and many other pathologies.
Pain in the lower back: possible causes
This can happen after sports training, staying in one position for a long time, or after awkward movements.
Risk factors:
- obesity;
- childbearing / recent childbirth;
- sports training;
- sedentary work (managers, cashiers, etc. );
- work with significant physical effort;
- work in a standing position.
After overexertion, the discomfort goes away by itself - rest is enough. Its periodic appearance indicates the presence of pathology. Without quality therapy, the condition can deteriorate significantly: in some cases only surgical intervention is justified.
Diseases associated with discomfort in the lower back
In medicine, this symptom is divided into primary and secondary.
In the first case, the discomfort is directly caused by diseases of the back, especially the spine:
- osteochondrosis in this area (a third of the pain);
- spondylosis / spondylolisthesis / spondyloarthrosis;
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc or intervertebral hernia.
Secondary pain is said to be caused by changes in other organs:
- fracture due to osteoporosis;
- tumor in the spinal canal;
- spine fracture;
- muscle strain;
- anatomical narrowing of the spinal canal;
- kyphosis / scoliosis / kyphoscoliosis / Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- arthritis (rheumatic, psoriatic, osteoarthritis);
- discitis, osteomyelitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- urinary tract disorders: urolithiasis / pyelonephritis;
- gynecological diseases: ovarian cancer or cyst, endometriosis;
- complicated pregnancy.
Types of pain
Severe lower back pain
They are observed in osteochondrosis. Discomfort also occurs when moving, sitting, lifting heavy objects and coughing/sneezing. The lower limbs may cause discomfort. The patient should consult a neurologist urgently.
Severe discomfort accompanies sciatica. The pain is dull or sharp, aching, usually unilateral.
It can give to the buttocks, thighs and even legs; aggravated by changing position, coughing, walking. Radiculitis is treated by a neurologist. Patients are advised to rest on a firm mattress that supports the lower back.
Acute back pain
This can be caused by prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, carrying/lifting heavy objects, falling, hitting, sudden movement, as well as drafts and hypothermia.
An acute attack accompanies the displacement of the intervertebral discs. The latter occurs with spine fracture, osteochondrosis, heavy physical work, weight lifting.
Displacement may also occur in this area after surgery. In this case, the diagnosis is made by a neurologist. He also prescribes the treatment.
Aching pain in the lumbar spine
This happens with myositis - inflammation of the back muscles. The disease appears after a sharp overvoltage or hypothermia. It is accompanied by stiffness of movements. The pain becomes sharp with movement.
Chronic (permanent) back pain
Deforming spondylosis is accompanied by periodic attacks. And the affected area may become numb. In addition, sometimes there are weaknesses in the legs.
It should also be taken into account that chronic pain is characteristic of Bechterew's disease, oncological pathologies. They can 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 occurs with diseases of the pelvic organs, pancreas, kidney, colon.
Back pain: when should you see a doctor?
Do not hesitate to consult a specialist in the following cases:
- the attack lasts for 3 days or more;
- discomfort after injury;
- at the same time, the lower back, lower leg and foot hurt;
- pain syndrome is combined with numbness of one limb.
What to do in case of severe spasms in the lumbar region
If the causes are unknown, temperature should be measured. An increase in this indicator indicates infection and inflammation. Other symptoms are also determined (violation of stool, vomiting, pain only on one side). You should then call a doctor or an emergency team.
If the causes are known, such as a muscle strain or contusion, an anti-inflammatory medication should be taken first to reduce the discomfort.
Reduces swelling, increases fluid circulation in order to remove harmful substances from the body, a single dose of diuretic helps.
An orthopedic belt or even a traditional towel helps to fix the muscles and bones in a stable state.
What not to do with discomfort in the lower back
It is forbidden to perform warm-up procedures without establishing a diagnosis.
They cause blood flow, which is not always safe. Do not use painkillers for prolonged discomfort of an unknown nature. In this case, the disease continues to progress, but without discomfort.
Only after an examination, diagnosis and determination of the cause of the pathology is it possible to adjust the vertebrae in any part of the back by a chiropractor. Vertebrae do not always move due to trauma, this can also occur as a result of dystrophic processes. Reduction can pinch the nerve and destroy the vertebral processes.
How to treat back pain at home: folk recipes
An alcoholic tincture of burdock or eucalyptus helps relieve discomfort. It can also be used for poultices. For a similar purpose, fresh horseradish leaves are applied to the affected area. It is changed daily as needed.
- Ointment with horse chestnut. Mix the melted fat with dried horse chestnut grass and camphor oil. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The remedy is applied to thin pieces of black bread and applied to the affected areas;
- You can treat it with horse chestnut tincture. Cotton cloth or gauze is moistened in it, which is applied to the lower back;
- The "Bishofite" golden mustache tincture effectively relieves discomfort in the joints and bones. 35-40 plant particles should be added to ½ liter of the latter. Let the mixture stand for 14 days. If the time passes, filter it and use it as a poultice at night.
Nutrition for back problems
To strengthen the bone system, you need to enrich your diet with healthy foods and reduce the amount of harmful substances.
Liver and fatty fish (e. g. salmon, sardines, mackerel) are very useful. These foods are high in vitamin D, fatty acids, and niacin.
Dairy products, meat, cereals, fresh fruits, especially garlic and lemon - all these should prevail in the diet.
There is a lot of potassium 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.
It is worth consuming less caffeine-containing drinks, as well as sweets, spicy, fatty and fried foods.
Exercises for the spine
In case of minor discomfort and in the back area, it is recommended to perform exercises for prevention:
- 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 the other way in the same way. You need to do 10 approaches;
- Kneel and place your hands on a chair in front of you. Then bend and arch your back as much as possible. Make up to 10 approaches;
- Lie on your back with straight arms/legs. First, raise your right leg about 15 cm from the floor and keep it raised until you feel tired. 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;
- During sitting work, perform a small warm-up on the spine and limbs every hour;
- Lift / carry weights correctly - keep your back straight, do not lift sharply, divide the load into parts;
- Do exercises to strengthen the muscular ligament (supporting the spine);
- The mattress should be moderately firm to properly support the lower back;
- Pay attention to your posture, don't slouch;
- Stand up to the wall more often, touch it with your heel, butt, shoulder blade. You should stand in this position for 3 minutes;
- In order to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, it is recommended to do sports: walking, skiing, wushu / qigong gymnastics, swimming, yoga;
Running, boxing, tennis, martial arts, skiing, and horse riding are not allowed.