According to statistics, lower back pain is quite common.This is confirmed by the fact that around 80% of the population has experienced discomfort in the waist area at least once in their life.It is also known that one of the leading symptoms of a wide range of diseases is pain in the lumbar region.Some experts believe that discomfort in this part of the spine is a kind of retribution for a person for walking upright.
Generally, as long as the pain in the lumbar region is not severe or constant, but occurs periodically, people are not inclined to attach importance to it and go to the doctor.As a result, the discomfort usually increases and becomes chronic.On examination by a specialist, it turns out that the cause of the discomfort is a serious disease that requires surgical treatment.
As a rule, acute lumbar pain turns into constant pain over time.According to neurologists, in the following year after recovery, relapse occurs in 40% of patients, while long-term discomfort returns in 85% of patients.
Types of lumbar pain
For some people, lower back problems become so common that they stop noticing them.In general, unpleasant sensations in the lower back can be noticed by a person once and then never appear again.
Or they can keep coming back, causing incredible suffering.But before visiting the doctor, you can determine which disease is caused by the symptoms of the pain syndrome and its localization.
There are five types of lower back pain:
- local;
- reflected;
- reflected spondylogenic (pathological);
- radicular;
- caused by muscle spasm.
Local and referred pain in the lower back
Local localization of pain occurs as a result of irritation or compression of sensitive nerve endings.It is provoked by fractures, ruptures or stretching of sensitive fibers.Unpleasant sensations of a local nature that do not change in strength when changing the position of the body indicate the presence of a spinal tumor or infection.
The source of the mentioned pain, which is felt in the lower back, can be problems with the abdominal or pelvic organs.Very often, but not always, the pain is localized in addition to the lower back, also in the abdomen and pelvis.When the spine moves, the discomfort does not increase, but there is no particular relief either.
Spondylogenic referred pain in the case of damage to the upper lumbar spine is felt in the lower back, groin or on the front surface of the thighs.When the pathology affects the lower lumbar region, discomfort usually occurs in the buttocks, on the back of the thighs, and in rare cases in the calves or feet.
Sharp and cramping pain
Classic discomfort in the lower part of the spine of radicular origin is usually characterized by severity and spread to the leg.
Pain in the lower back when coughing is often caused by coughing, sneezing or other tension in the abdominal muscle tissue.This happens due to the tension of the affected root or nerve during a certain position or movement of the body.
Thus, pain in the lower back when sitting is caused by the tension of the sciatic nerve (roots L5 and S1) which runs along the back of the thigh.The nature of the sensations themselves usually does not make it possible to distinguish radicular pain from non-radicular pain.What causes the discomfort of muscle cramps is usually not clear.Pain occurs in various diseases of the spine.During a spasm, the spine bends, the deep muscles of the back tense and a dull pain occurs.
Often discomfort in the lower back occurs due to spine pathology.In some cases, it can be caused by damage to the kidneys, pancreas and lumbar muscle tissue.The cause of the pain is usually determined by a neurologist.If necessary, a therapist and orthopedist are involved.
Common causes of lower back pain
Doctors recommend that you pay attention to unpleasant sensations in the lower back, primarily because it can be one of the symptoms of a number of serious diseases.The nature of the manifestation of lumbar syndrome depends solely on the reasons that caused it.Only a specialist can determine the "source" of pain, as well as what disease could have caused discomfort in the lumbar region.
Causes of persistent lower back pain:
- cholelithiasis;
- pancreatitis;
- prostatitis;
- inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
- benign and malignant tumors of pelvic organs;
- stomach and duodenal ulcers;
- aortic aneurysm;
- kidney stones or urinary tract infections.
Causes of pain associated with the spine and back muscles
In medicine, there are a number of rather rare pathologies of the spine that can cause lumbar syndrome.Among such diseases, ankylosing spondylitis stands out, when the joints of the spine become inflamed.Also, pain in the spine in the lumbar region can be caused by a bacterial infection, osteomyelitis.
In 90% of cases, lumbar syndrome is caused by various problems with the spine and back muscle tissue.In this regard, the most common causes of pain are:
- degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spinal column (osteochondrosis, deforming spondylosis, progressive osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc herniation);
- severe strain of the lumbar muscles;
- complex spinal fractures - traumatic or compression.
Especially in this list of reasons is psychosomatic - pain in the lower back, according to this direction in medicine, is caused by psychological problems.For example, the inability to find one's true purpose, too heavy a burden (taking care of a sick relative, a small child, problems in the family, etc.).In this case, working on yourself will help.
Precipitating factors
In the case of a significant number of diseases of the spine and damage to the nerve roots, discomfort in the lower back can be noticed.
However, these diseases can appear for quite a long time without manifestations.They are felt only under the influence of certain factors.Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate not only unpleasant sensations, but also the underlying disease.
Factors that contribute to lower back pain:
- not knowing the rules of lifting weights;
- lack of physical activity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- use of uncomfortable furniture (chair, armchair, etc.);
- improper posture.
Hypothermia, atmospheric pressure changes and magnetic storms can also cause lower back pain.In any case, the sensitive nerve roots of the spinal cord are irritated.It can also be noticed due to pathological deposits of calcium salts.Hernias and protrusions (bulging of the intervertebral discs) can also cause pain in the coccyx and lower back.
Lower back pain: symptoms
Each disease has its own symptoms, but with lumbar syndrome, the symptoms appear depending on the reasons that caused the discomfort in the lower back.For example, acute discomfort may be due to renal colic.In this case, the person will not be able to find a body position that would allow him to withstand the discomfort.
Pain in the lower back and groin is sometimes a reflection of the stone moving from the renal pelvis into the ureter.When the fifth vertebra is displaced, pain with severe weakness can be felt not only in the lumbar region, but also in the hips and legs.
It is difficult for a person to move, because the syndrome only increases and becomes unbearable.The disease itself is called spondylolisthesis.
Middle-aged women often have lower back pain after sleeping, as well as morning sickness.In addition, there is inactivity of the spinal column and discomfort along it.Such symptoms are characteristic of fibrositis.When the disease is advanced, the pain in the lower back when moving becomes quite strong, because the fibrous connective tissue, when inflamed, reacts very sensitively to the movement of the human body.
Lumbar syndrome deserves special attention, considering foreign bodies:
- pain in the right part of the lumbar region is a sign of problems in the sexual sphere, as well as a signal of pathology of the right kidney, abdominal wall, intestine or appendix;
- discomfort in the left side of the lumbar region is a sign of diseases of the reproductive system, problems with the ureter, left kidney, hernia, intestines, abdominal wall.
Treatment of lower back pain
It happens that the pain in the lower back during a cold, as well as for other reasons, is so strong that it cannot be treated without therapy.Regardless of what caused the attack, it is recommended to stay in bed for the first few days.If your lower back discomfort is caused by a sprain, then a heating pad or warm bath will help you feel better.If the injury is serious, see a doctor immediately.
Conservative therapy
Irritant ointments, as well as mustard plasters or pepper plasters will help to perform local heating of the lumbar region in the area of greatest pain.
Wrapping in a warm woolen scarf, applying an electric heating pad, a bag of heated sand and leeches will provide relief.Hot compresses help with myositis.
Depending on which parallel symptoms are observed, pain in the lower back can be relieved by electrical procedures: diadynamic currents, transcutaneous electroanalgesia, sinusoidally modulated currents, electrophoresis with novocaine and others.Reflexology (acupuncture, moxibustion, electroacupuncture, laser therapy), including blockades with novocaine, will also help relieve discomfort.
In case of radiculitis caused by displacement of the intervertebral discs, traction therapy is prescribed - stretching the torso on the bed or under water.Similar procedures are performed in a hospital setting.Balneotherapy is also recognized as effective.These are radon, sulfide, chloride, sodium, turpentine, iodine-bromine baths, low-temperature mud applications, naphthalene.
Rubbing with anti-inflammatories and pain relievers is quite effective for lumbar syndrome.You can relieve the pain and wash the affected area with ethyl chloride.
Prevention
Of great importance in eliminating lumbar syndrome and preventing its attacks is the wearing of external support systems - orthosis.
At the doctor's discretion, it can be a corset, semi-corset, posture corrector or recliner (a special corset that eliminates tilt) or a bandage.Belts are sometimes recommended: corset, anti-radiculitis, elastic and others.
Only one universal remedy will help relieve pain in the lower back after sitting and prevent the development of lumbar syndrome - physical therapy (or yoga - a set of exercises to improve health).It is also important to monitor your posture when sitting, and when your lower back is stiff, do light exercises.A massage will help a lot.It will remove muscle spasms and bring the muscles into proper tone.
In general, lower back pain can have various causes.It is important not to ignore the symptoms and go to the clinic on time.Prophylaxis will prolong the achieved treatment effect.Therefore, later you should not carry heavy objects and fully comply with the doctor's recommendations.Then, perhaps, the pain in the lumbar region will never manifest itself again.