Back pain of an episodic or constant nature often indicates that an inflammatory or degenerative-dystrophic disease is gradually forming in the body. Early diagnosis of this disease may increase the chance of a full recovery. Pain in the lumbosacral region of the spine may indicate osteochondrosis, hernia, protrusion, infection, or problems with internal organs.
Why it hurts back
If a person complains of painful manifestations in the lumbar spine, the doctor initially expresses doubts about the patient's problems with the musculoskeletal system. And only after such diseases are ruled out, a thorough examination is performed to assess the condition of the internal organs.
This is because there is a general innervation of the lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs with the nerve tissue trunks. For this reason, the appearance of pain, for example, in the digestive organs, can only be given to the lumbar region. Let us get acquainted in detail with some of the causes of low back pain.
Excess loads
It is a relatively natural source of back pain. With hard physical work or active sports training, muscle tissue is exposed to excessive stress. It accumulates lactic acid, which irritates skeletal muscle tissue. As a result, in addition to the pain, a person notices the appearance of a burning sensation strong enough. Any discomfort disappears after a short break, as lactic acid is secreted by the muscles.
In case of back pain every time during exercise, if their intensity remains unchanged for several hours, you should consult a doctor. Excessive training, lifting heavy objects often provoke the appearance of microtraumas in the discs and vertebrae, the formation of diseases of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.
Osteochondrosis and intervertebral hernia
Stage I, II and III lumbar osteochondrosis is the leading cause of back pain. At an early stage, the patient is anxious about minor disturbances, indicating a slight destruction in the intervertebral discs.
In case the patient in this period turned to a neurologist for help, a complete cure of the disease, as well as partial restoration of destroyed tissue, is possible. Sharp, strong pain that increases during flexion or torsion of the trunk indicates a serious damage to the structure of the spine.
Against the background of radiological grade II or III of osteochondrosis, the formation of hernias or extensions is often observed. Because of this, stabbing pain appears, and it is also possible to develop serious complications - radicular syndrome, discogenic myelopathy.
Gynecological diseases
Discomfort in the lumbar spine often worries women who have been diagnosed with adnexitis, an inflammation that simultaneously affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes (uterine appendages). In addition to pain syndrome, patients report the appearance of discharge from the genitals, the appearance of problems with conception and irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
A similar symptomatology is observed with inflammation of the uterine appendages, the formation of an ovarian cyst, and the formation of polyps in the uterus.
Kidney disease
Because the kidneys are located directly near the lumbar region, when their functionality is reduced, a person may feel pain in the lower back. The fact that these paired organs in the form of beans are affected is indicated by a violation of urinary function, the appearance of purulent or bloody impurities in the urine and the deterioration of well-being in general.
Lumbar back pain is often troubling in the presence of such diseases: cystitis (including hemorrhagic), glomerunonephritis, pyelonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure.
Caring for a child
This is one of the natural factors that leads to unpleasant manifestations in the lumbar spine. When a woman gives birth to a future child, the uterus and fetus increase in size, due to which the nerve receptors located below are damaged.
During the last trimester, the body of the expectant mother begins to produce a special hormone - relaxation. This leads to relaxation of the ligaments, tendons, in order to facilitate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Because of this, the intensity of the pain can increase dramatically.
Endometriosis
It is a common gynecological disease, against the background of which the inner tissue of the uterus grows beyond its borders. Endometrioid tissue has an increased sensitivity to hormones synthesized by the body, therefore, endometriosis appears as monthly bleeding. Because of this, inflammation develops, one of the signs of which is pain syndrome, which radiates to the lumbosacral region of the spine.
menses
Painful manifestations of an attractive nature of moderate severity appear in half of women before menstruation or during bleeding. This pain is quite natural and goes away as soon as you have completed your periods. Discomfort can also be felt in the lower back.
The pathological etiology of back pain during menstruation is indicated by the presence of dyspeptic disorders, diarrhea or constipation, frequent headaches and dizziness. In a similar situation, a woman may be diagnosed with algomenorrhea or menstrual dysfunction.
Chest sizes
The spine in women with large breasts is very loaded. If the mammary glands are not properly distributed, the risk of degenerative-destructive processes increases. Women with large breasts often bend over, which contributes to the deterioration of the spine.
Uncomfortable shoes
Painful sensations in the lumbar spine that appear at the end of a working day is a common condition for women who walk in tight high-heeled shoes. This leads to a violation of blood vessels, disturbances in blood circulation in the lower extremities and pelvic organs. As a result, the nutrition of the intervertebral discs in the lumbar region deteriorates, due to which they are destroyed. The situation is getting worse due to increased stress on the back.
Menopause
During the menopausal period in a woman's body, there is a decrease in the production of estrogen involved in regulating the recovery processes in the musculoskeletal system. The bone structure loses the ability to fully assimilate the trace elements required for its restoration. It becomes brittle, which can lead to frequent fractures. Painful appearances in the lumbar spine during menopause may indicate bone resorption, the formation of osteoporosis.
Overweight
Overweight is one of the causes of lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Excess weight increases the load on the intervertebral discs, which leads to an increased risk of microtrauma with further destruction of the vertebral tissue.
A person who is overweight usually does not eat well. His diet is rich in high-calorie foods, and fresh vegetables and fruits that contain essential trace elements and vitamins are not consumed in sufficient quantities. With increased loads in combination with the lack of useful substances, there is a tendency to form osteochondrosis of the lumbar region.
Oncology
Changes in the genetic structure of cells lead to a violation of the regulation of their growth and reproduction. As a result, there is a pathological proliferation of tissues, the formation of a tumor of a benign or malignant nature.
Pain in the lumbar spine may appear against the background of tumor damage to sensitive nerve receptors, the spine, soft tissues and the circulatory system. Calcium is absorbed in large quantities by the neoplasm, due to which a deficiency of this substance develops in the bone tissue, which leads to thinning of the bones.
Hypothermia
Skeletal muscles in the lumbosacral region are often inflamed due to the impact of low temperatures. This becomes the reason for the formation of myositis - a disease that manifests itself as a local pain syndrome in damaged muscles. Its intensity increases significantly during movement and palpation. Against the background of the inflammatory process, there is an increase in muscle tone, which makes the lower back less mobile.
Varieties of pain
An initial diagnosis can be made based on a detailed description of the disturbing symptomatology. With each disease, the pain manifests itself with different severity, frequency and conditions that precede its onset.
Severe pain
This pain syndrome is typical of stage II and III lumbar osteochondrosis. At this stage, significant destruction occurred in the intervertebral discs, and their damping characteristics were lost. They are unable to soften the load during movement, which makes the vertebral structure unstable.
This leads to soft tissue compression. Strong pain begins to bother even in a motionless state, rising against the background of twists and turns, loud laughter, coughing and sneezing. In addition, there is a feeling of "goose bumps" and muscle weakness.
Severe pain
The reason for the appearance of acute pain syndrome is the squeezing of receptors in the spinal canal by osteophytes or discs. This is typical of a lumbago attack, often manifested in rheumatic diseases, lumbosacral osteochondrosis, radiculopathies.
The painful sensations are so pronounced, piercing, burning that the patient is unable to move. Often, a person cannot straighten their back for fear of pain appearing.
It is a dull pain
Lumbar back pain of a dull, aching, and urgent character is characteristic of diseases of the internal systems, including the genitourinary and reproductive organs. Such a concern may indicate the development of osteochondrosis, spondyloarthritis, spondyloarthritis.
The pain is not localized, but may radiate to the groin, buttocks, and ankles. Often, aching pain is evidence of a destructive process in the spine or inflammation in the internal system.
Chronic pain
Pain of a constant nature in the lower back indicates the transformation of the disease into a chronic one. Sharp sharp, strong on recovery, radiates to nearby areas of the body. During the remission period, mild discomfort appears during hypothermia, physical exercise, worsening of other diseases, acute respiratory viral infections.
The pain syndrome grows against the background of bending, torso turning, walking up stairs and walking for a long time.
Diagnostic measures
The disease is diagnosed based on the patient's complaints, his visual examination, anamnestic data, the results of instrumental and laboratory diagnosis. The most informative in identifying problems with the musculoskeletal system is the X-ray examination. In the resulting image, you can see altered vertebrae, osteophytes formed (bone formations).
If the doctor suspects the development of a hernia, extensions, diseases of the internal systems, ultrasound, MRI and CT are prescribed. Thanks to these diagnostic methods, it is possible to discover where the disease is located, to assess the degree of progression of inflammation.
A clinical blood and urine study is mandatory. If there is a suspicion of the presence of a systemic disease (gout, rheumatoid arthritis), a biochemical, serological study is performed.
Which doctor to contact
Often, back pain appears after an injury - subluxation of the vertebrae, severe bruising, spinal canal lesions. In such a situation, you will need the help of a traumatologist.
You can also see a therapist. Such a doctor can diagnose diseases of the spine, internal systems. After examining the diagnostic results, he or she will determine which close specialist consultation (rheumatologist, neuropathologist, or orthopedist) is needed to prescribe further treatment.
First aid
If there is severe acute pain, the victim should be placed on a firm surface in a position in which the discomfort becomes less pronounced. You can lie down with your knees slightly bent and place a blanket wrapped under them. To quickly relieve the pain, you can take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Therapeutic actions
Analgesics can help relieve back pain. Their effect will not last long if you do not treat the underlying disease properly. Some internal system pathologies are well treated, including oncology. But complete restoration of destroyed intervertebral discs and deformed vertebrae against the background of osteochondrosis is impossible. The goal of therapy is to achieve lasting remission, during which pain in the lumbar spine does not bother.
Drug therapy
First of all, for back pain, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the form of tablets or capsules.
In case of oncological diseases, they use the help of narcotic analgesics. If the pain occurs due to skeletal muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are indicated.
In the treatment of diseases of the internal systems, analgesics are also prescribed.
Treatment with oils and ointments
Ointments and gels are used to relieve mild to moderate discomfort in the lumbar region. Drugs for external use are also included in therapeutic regimens to reduce the dose of injections and tablet medications, to reduce the pharmacological load on the body.
For back pain, the use of external agents from the following groups may be prescribed:
- NSAIDs - have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effects.
- Warming gels and oils - have a local analgesic, irritating and distracting effect.
- Chondroprotectors against the background of osteochondrosis - have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate disc recovery.
Injections
The choice of pain relievers, the doctor is based on the type of disease, its course, the severity of the pain syndrome. To eliminate acute pain, they often resort to the aid of drug blockers with the use of glucocorticosteroids and anesthetics. The use of hormonal agents is quite harmful to the body, so such procedures can be performed a maximum of 1 time in 1-3 months.
To eliminate severe pain, NSAIDs are prescribed in the form of intramuscular injections.
Physiotherapy
If a disease has already been diagnosed, or to prevent its development, experts advise patients to perform therapeutic gymnastic exercises every day. This will help:
- improve blood circulation in the lumbar region;
- strengthen the muscular frame of the back;
- reduce the intensity of the pain.
The gymnastic complex is developed by the attending physician based on the type of disease, the complications present, and the physical condition of the patient.
Massage treatment
To improve the blood supply and nutrients to the tissues, to normalize skeletal and smooth muscle tone, to strengthen the muscles, it is recommended to do a massage:
- classic;
- points;
- segment;
- canned
Massage is prescribed both for therapeutic purposes and to prevent the development of deterioration in the chronic course of pathology.
Heat and cold treatment
The effect on the lumbar spine with heat helps eliminate pain, but only after the acute inflammatory process has stopped. For these purposes, a heating pad, warm oil or gel, bath is suitable.
Under the influence of cryotherapy (cold treatment), adaptation systems are activated. At the heart of this physiotherapeutic procedure, the body's response is not hypothermia of the outer layers of the skin.
Preventive actions
It is possible to prevent the onset of low back pain by excluding factors that may provoke the onset of the problem. It is necessary to stop walking in high-heeled shoes, to minimize the consumption of high-calorie foods. Regular sports, swimming and yoga are good prophylaxis.