Lower back pain is a rather unpleasant phenomenon that can indicate the presence of serious diseases. The lower back carries more stress compared to other parts of the spine and is therefore more prone to injury.
Lower back spasms can be a symptom of sciatica, osteochondrosis, scoliosis and many other pathologies.
Low back pain: possible causes
This can occur after sports training, staying in one position for a long time, after an awkward movement.
Risk Factors:
- Obesity;
- birth / recent birth;
- sports training;
- sedentary work (driver, cashier, etc. );
- work that involves significant physical exertion;
- work standing.
After an overexertion, the discomfort disappears on its own - rest is enough. Its periodic occurrence indicates the presence of a pathology. Without quality therapy, the condition can deteriorate significantly: sometimes only surgical intervention is indicated.
Diseases that are accompanied by discomfort in the lower back
This symptom in medicine is divided into primary and secondary.
In the first case, the ailments are directly caused by diseases of the back, especially the spine:
- Osteochondrosis of this area (a third of all cases of pain);
- spondylosis / spondylolisthesis / spondyloarthrosis;
- Herniated disc or herniated disc.
They say about secondary pain when caused by lesions of other organs:
- fracture due to osteoporosis;
- tumor in the spinal canal;
- spinal fracture;
- muscle strain;
- anatomical narrowing of the spinal canal;
- Kyphosis/scoliosis/kyphoscoliosis/Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- arthritis (rheumatism, psoriasis, osteoarthritis);
- discitis, osteomyelitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- Disorders of the urinary system: urolithiasis / pyelonephritis;
- gynecological diseases: ovarian cancer or cyst, endometriosis;
- complicated pregnancy.
types of pain
Severe lower back pain
These are observed in osteochondrosis. Discomfort occurs when moving, sitting, lifting heavy objects and even coughing/sneezing. Unpleasant sensations may appear on the lower extremities. The patient urgently needs to see a neurologist.
Severe discomfort accompanies sciatica. The pain is dull or sharp, aching, usually unilateral.
It can give way to the buttocks, thighs and even lower legs; aggravated by change of position, coughing, walking. Radiculitis is treated by a neurologist. Patients are advised to rest on a hard mattress that supports the lower back.
Acute back pain
This can be caused by prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, carrying/lifting heavy objects, falls, hits, sudden movements, as well as drafts and hypothermia.
An acute attack accompanies the displacement of the intervertebral discs. The latter occurs with a fracture of the spine, osteochondrosis, heavy physical work, weight lifting.
Displacement can also occur after surgery in this area. The diagnosis in this case is carried out by a neurologist. He also prescribes a treatment.
Drawing pains in the lumbar spine
This happens with myositis - inflammation of the back muscles. The disease occurs after a strong overvoltage or hypothermia. It is accompanied by stiffness of movements. The pain becomes sharp with movement.
Chronic (permanent) lower back pain
Periodic attacks accompany the deforming spondylosis. And the affected area may become numb. In addition, there is sometimes weakness in the legs.
It should also be borne in mind that chronic pain is characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis, oncological pathologies. They can also indicate a metabolic disorder.
Displaced pain
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 happens with diseases of the pelvic organs, pancreas, kidneys and large intestine.
Back pain: when to see a doctor?
Do not hesitate to consult a specialist in the following cases:
- the attack lasts 3 days or more;
- Complaints arose after an injury;
- at the same time pain in the lower back, lower leg and foot;
- Pain syndrome is combined with numbness of a limb.
What to do with severe cramps in the lumbar region?
If the causes are unknown, the temperature should be measured. An increase in this indicator indicates infection and inflammation. Other symptoms are also noted (violation of the stool, vomiting, pain on only one side). Then you need to call a doctor or an emergency team.
If the causes are known, such as a muscle strain or a bruise, an anti-inflammatory drug should first be taken to relieve the symptoms.
Relieve swelling, increase fluid circulation to remove harmful substances from the body will help a single dose of a diuretic.
An orthopedic belt or even a regular towel will help keep the muscles and bones in a stable condition.
What not to do with lower back pain
It is forbidden to conduct warm-up procedures without making a diagnosis.
They provoke blood flow, which is not always safe. Do not use painkillers if you have unfamiliar symptoms. In this case, the disease will still progress, but without symptoms.
It is possible to set the vertebrae in any part of the back by a chiropractor only after examination, diagnosis and determination of the cause of the pathology. Not always there is a displacement of the vertebrae due to trauma, this can also happen as a result of dystrophic processes. The reduction can pinch the nerve and destroy the processes of the vertebra.
How to treat back pain at home: folk recipes
An alcohol tincture of burdock or eucalyptus will help relieve discomfort. It can also be used for compresses. For a similar purpose, fresh horseradish leaves are applied to the affected area. They are changed daily as needed.
- Ointment with horse chestnut. Melted fat is mixed with dried horse chestnut grass and camphor oil. The components are taken in equal proportions. The remedy is applied to thin pieces of black bread and applied to the affected areas;
- You can treat with horse chestnut tincture. Cotton cloth or gauze is moistened in it, which is applied to the lower back;
- Effectively relieves discomfort in the joints and bones Tincture of the golden mustache on "Bishofite". It is necessary to add 35-40 particles of the plant in ½ l of the latter. The mixture is left for 14 days. As time passes, it is filtered and applied at night for compresses.
Diet for back problems
To strengthen the bone apparatus, you need to enrich the diet with healthy foods and reduce the amount of harmful ones in it.
Liver and fatty fish (e. g. salmon, sardines, mackerel) are very useful. These foods are rich in vitamin D, fatty acids and niacin.
Dairy products, meat, cereals, fresh fruits, especially garlic and lemons - all this 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.
You should consume less caffeinated beverages, as well as sweets, spicy, greasy and fried foods.
Exercises for the spine
For minor discomfort, as well as for prevention in the back area, it is recommended to perform a number of exercises:
- Lie on your back, put your hands along your body, bend your legs a little at the knees. The legs bend 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 in the other direction in the same way. You must complete 10 approaches;
- Kneel down and place your hands on a chair in front of you. Then bend and arch your back as much as possible. Perform up to 10 approaches;
- Lie on your back with your arms/legs straight. First, the right leg is lifted about 15 cm from the floor and kept elevated until a feeling of fatigue occurs. 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 sedentary time;
- If you work seated, do a little spinal and limb warm-up every hour.
- How to lift / carry weights correctly - keep your back straight, do not lift sharply, divide the load into parts;
- perform exercises to strengthen the muscular corset (support the spine);
- The mattress should be moderately firm to provide proper lower back support;
- Watch your posture, don't slouch;
- Get up against the wall more often and touch it with your heels, buttocks and shoulder blades. You must stand in this position for 3 minutes;
- It is recommended to play sports to strengthen the muscles that hold the spine: hiking, skiing, wushu / qigong gymnastics, swimming, yoga;
Running, boxing, tennis, martial arts, skiing and horseback riding should not be practiced.