Everyone has experienced back pain. For some it is periodic pain, for others it is constant. To get rid of anxiety, many people drink pain relievers and do not pay attention to the real causes of anxiety. This can lead to serious complications and pathology.
Back pain can be caused by diseases of the internal organs or spine as well as injuries. Sometimes discomfort is the result of poor behavior, physical exertion, or sudden movement.
First, you need to find out why your back hurts, and only then start treatment.
Types of back pain
The diagnosis can be assumed given the nature of the back pain.
For example, if the pain hurts and is exacerbated by heavy lifting, physical stress, hypothermia, or prolonged immobility, then the cause may be myositis, lumbago, or intervertebral hernia.
Acute radiating pain in the legs or arms may signal radiculitis, intervertebral hernia, or osteochondrosis. Unpleasant sensations are exacerbated by walking, bending, or coughing, and weakness is felt in the limbs.
The same intervertebral hernia, lumbago and osteochondrosis, as well as spondylosis, can also cause throbbing pain. This is confirmed when the pain does not subside even after analgesics.
If the pain erupts or presses on the chest area, this is a sign of pulmonary embolism or myocardial infarction. Discomfort in the spine speaks of spondyloarthritis, and in the lumbar region - for intestinal blockage. Atherosclerosis can be the cause of severe neck pain.
Back pain after sleep
In the morning, your back can hurt, not just because of the wrong mattress or the wrong behavior while sleeping. Hypothermia, stress, or heavy lifting the day before can cause stiffness and pain below the shoulder blades, in the lower back, on the right or left side.
The reasons can be different: curvature of the spine, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia or obesity. Also, your back can hurt in the morning during pregnancy.
Pathologies of the spine and joints
Back discomfort can be associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system:
- Ankylosing spondylitis. Due to the muscle spasm, the patient leans forward to relieve the discomfort. The inflamed vertebrae then harden and grow together, making the spine less flexible.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. The disease begins in the knees, hip joints or shoulders, then shifting to the cervical spine. In the morning, patients have shooting sensations and stiffness: the affected vertebrae put unnecessary pressure on the nerves.
- Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. The patient feels discomfort in the lower back: the vertebrae are displaced and squeeze the nerve endings.
- Osteomyelitis. Acute muscle pain occurs due to an infection in the bone tissue of the spine.
- Osteochondrosis. With this disease, the cushioning of the spine becomes worse. The discs between the vertebrae are damaged, and the fibrosis of the ring breaks down: the nucleus of the disc comes out through the cracks and tightens.
- Intervertebral hernia. The elongation between the vertebrae is compressed during movement, as a result of which it is damaged.
Diseases associated with musculature
The source of concern may be spasms and spasms in the muscular corset that supports the spine:
- Fibromyalgia With this disease, the back hurts from the neck to the lower back, and the discomfort is exacerbated by pressing on certain places.
- Dermatomyositis. The skin around the striated and smooth muscles becomes inflamed.
- Polymyositis. The disease occurs due to overload or hypothermia: it hurts to turn, and weakness is felt in the muscles.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica. It is easily difficult for the patient to stand up without someone’s help, and the asymmetry is clearly visible in the back.
- Charcot's disease. Peripheral nerves along the back become inflamed. Sensitivity becomes worse, muscles become weaker and the patient gait changes.
Spinal cord diseases
Unpleasant sensations can occur due to the fact that every part of the spinal cord is caught or inflamed.
Sources of pain in this case:
- compression of spinal membranes as a result of a fracture, hematoma or abscess;
- inflammation of nearby muscles;
- circulatory disorders;
- hemorrhage;
- lack of vitamins;
- complication of HIV or syphilis;
- spinal tumor of various etiologies;
- multiple sclerosis.
Psychosomatic
The back can also be damaged due to psychological factors: depression, nervous tension, chronic stress or sexual dissatisfaction.
Localization of back pain
Unpleasant sensations in different parts of the back are caused by different factors.
For example, pain on the right side occurs due to lordosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, or displacement of the intervertebral disc. The left side hurts due to splenitis, spinal stiffness or duodenitis and the source of low back pain can be sciatica, osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia.
If it hurts only on the lower back on the right - it may be myositis, on the left - osteochondrosis.
Discomfort throughout the spine signals prolongation, which can develop into osteochondrosis.
When should you see a doctor as soon as possible?
If the cause of the back pain is tension or stress, it will disappear after a few days. However, in case the pain only increases, urgent medical attention is needed.
Immediate consultation with a physician is needed in the following situations:
- can not find a position in which the pain becomes weaker;
- have recently had a back injury or contusion;
- the condition worsens at night;
- the patient's gait has changed;
- the patient is in fever;
- limbs become weak, numb, tingling sensation is felt;
- pain relievers do not help.
Diagnosis of back pain
To determine the cause of spinal discomfort, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. If necessary, blood tests should be done to check for infection or inflammation. Exams may also be required, which will be prescribed by a specialist.
Duplex and triplex ultrasound scans of the neck and brain vessels are needed to diagnose the causes of headache, dizziness, or high blood pressure.
MRI allows you to see tumors in the vertebrae, compression of the spinal nerves and spinal cord, intervertebral disc herniation, narrowing of the spinal canal. CT is needed to detect vertebral fractures.
X-rays help assess the condition of bone structures in order to diagnose fractures, spondylolisthesis, arthritis, and the degree of poor posture.
Electromyography reveals nerve compression due to spinal stenosis or disc herniation.
How to relieve back pain?
First of all, you need to relax. To do this, lie on your stomach on a flat, firm surface, preferably on the floor. After a few minutes, roll over on your back and raise your legs so that they are at a 90 degree angle. This will reduce the load on the spine.
Ointments and anti-inflammatory creams are also helpful. When the pain subsides, you should gently stand up and bandage the injured area with a scarf or towel.
If pain relievers are not available, a cold compress - an ice pack or food from the fridge - will help relieve severe pain. It will not be possible to get rid of the anxiety, but it can alleviate the condition. The diametrically opposite option will also help - a heating pad or a heat compress.
A light warm-up or a light walk will help get rid of the unpleasant sensations.
Treatment of back pain
After examination and diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. To alleviate anxiety, a specialist prescribes pain relievers, B vitamins, and muscle relaxants. Sometimes it is recommended to rest in bed and wear a special corset.
An important stage of treatment is physiotherapy. These are drug electrophoresis, laser therapy, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy. Electroneurostimulation and acupuncture also help.
For back pain, massage, manual therapy, osteopathy and exercise therapy are effective. They also help rehabilitate trauma.
Prevention of back pain
To avoid back discomfort, you need to move more. Morning exercises and yoga, contrast shower courses and massages are effective.
It is important to maintain the health of the collagen-producing liver and boost immunity. It is worth monitoring the weight, as every ten extra pounds increases the load on the back.
But, first, you need to avoid stress and create an even psychological atmosphere around.