So, let's consider in turn the causes of the pain syndrome that occurs in the lumbar region:
- diseases of the spine. Among the rarest but most serious pathologies that cause back pain is ankylosing spondylitis. In this disease, the vertebrae grow together, calcium is deposited in the ligaments and the affected back loses mobility. Characteristic features of pain in this pathology - the pain increases at rest with long lying down; Movements in the lumbar region are restricted. This disease is more likely to start at a young age and may have a hereditary predisposition.
- curvature of the spine. Kyphoscoliosis and asymmetric scoliosis (two types of curvature) provoke spasms of the deep muscles of the spine. Most often, the pain syndrome is felt in the middle and late stages of the disease, it manifests itself more acutely at the end of the day along with fatigue. This pathology begins in childhood and can also have a hereditary predisposition.
- Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mineral density, resulting in bone fragility and frequent fractures.
- Osteochondrosis - thinning of the intervertebral discs, which in the late stages leads to bulging and hernia of the intervertebral discs - the most common cause of back pain. In addition, the pain increases when changing positions: getting up from a sitting position, trying to lie on your stomach, turning over, bending over.
- Spinal injuries, sprains and bruises, fractures.
- Spondylolisthesis - that is, the displacement of the lumbar vertebra relative to the underlying vertebra. The pain is localized in the middle of the back, is felt in the legs and is accompanied by numbness and/or weakness, which is aggravated by standing up or bending back.
- Fibromyalgia is a pathology that causes pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. There is pain and stiffness in different parts of the body, the pain worsens when touched. Often the patient complains of poor sleep. Most common in women aged 20-50.
- Injuries to soft tissues and kidneys. Strong sharp pains from the diseased kidney are characteristic of urolithiasis. Pain can occur in any position of a person. Another disease that has a symptom of lower back discomfort is pyelonephritis.
- Infections or infections of the spine and spinal cord, e. g. B. Osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal epidural abscess. Pain caused by this cause is progressive, not dependent on the patient's position or activity. Sometimes there is fever or night sweats.
- Local inflammatory processes such as appendicitis or cholecystitis.
Back pain is divided into three types: local, radiating and reflected. Local pain is perceived in the same place where its cause is located. This type of pain is most common with lower back syndrome. In this case, the most common cause is osteochondrosis of the spine, degeneration of the intervertebral disc, stretching or spasm of the deep muscles of the spine.
Referred pain is dull and aching, it most often radiates to the leg and sometimes extends to the foot. This can accompany osteochondrosis at the stage of a herniated disc, arthrosis or degeneration of the deep muscles of the spine with hemodynamic disorders along the sciatic nerve.
Referred pain usually means that the cause of the syndrome lies in the internal organs. For example, heart disease can cause pain in the arm, back, and shoulder blade. The pain is reflected from the internal organs to the lower back and has a deep pain character that does not depend on movements.
Back pain in men and women
In women, back pain can be the result of gynecological diseases. In this case, the discomfort is dull and dragging. Among such diseases in women, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cyst torsion, salpingo-oophoritis, uterine fibroids and endometritis can be expressed as lower back pain. Due to the increased strain on the spine and an increase in body weight, pregnancy often leads to back pain, which is also possible during menopause. Back pain can also occur with an ectopic pregnancy – in this case it is unbearable.
The causes of back pain in men are often caused by excessive physical activity, heavy lifting, spinal injuries, but can also indicate exclusively male diseases - prostatitis or epididymitis. The pathology of the prostate is characterized by pulling, aching pains, the patient often has impaired urination.
Diagnosis and treatment of back pain
Depending on the cause of back pain, different specialists are involved in the treatment. If it is a pathology of the spine, then you need to contact a kinesitherapist, if it is a pathology of the internal organs, then a therapist, gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist. If the pathology is of rheumatic origin, then to a rheumatologist Cases of neoplasm in the lower plane of the body, then to an oncologist .
First of all, for diagnosis, the doctor interviews the patient and recognizes the nature of the pain: whether it is acute or dull, whether it is pulling, whether it depends on movement, activity, posture, whether it is accompanied by other symptoms or not. After an oral questioning, the doctor examines the patient, feels the lumbar spine, the muscles of the spine and the limbs. Additional examination, laboratory tests, X-ray, MRI, tissue biopsy, electromyography may be required.
Depending on the disease, different treatments are used. With osteochondrosis, scoliosis, spondyloarthrosis and other factors that cause spasms and inflammation in the deep muscles of the spine, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are most often used, but they do not directly affect the cause of the pain syndrome, only eliminate its manifestation and have many side effects. To address the root cause of back pain, the following is suggested:
- Strength and stretch type decompression exercises to relieve spasms of the deep muscles of the spine and eliminate pain,
- therapeutic massage to relieve muscle tension in the area of \u200b\u200bpathology,
- cryotherapy for local pain relief,
- Physiotherapeutic methods such as shock wave therapy, acupuncture, machine massage, balneotherapy (mud applications, contrast treatments, etc. ),
Prevention of back pain
The main prevention of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system is to prevent the development of dystrophy, namely the weakening of the deep muscles of the spine, the condition of which depends on the nutrition of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. Strengthening the muscles of the spine should be done regularly, and the most modern way for this is the author's method, that is, the use of strength and decompression simulators. However, exercises can also be carried out without simulators, of which there are many. It is important to take a break from gymnastics at work, especially if it is a sedentary type, that is, spend at least 15 minutes on it every 3-4 hours, just walk a couple of times a week for 1. 5-2 hours, and do charge it in the morning.
According to the method, it is recommended to regularly perform several simple exercises to prevent back pain:
- Relaxation of the back (the well-known exercise "Cat"): in the position on all fours, inhale - raise your head, bend your back down; exhale - lower your head, round your back;
- Stretch step (in yoga this exercise is called "pose of the pigeon"): In the position on all fours, you need to move one knee forward, foot inward and the other leg back, lying on your stomach on your thigh, palms underyour shoulders. For a more effective stretch, move your arms diagonally to your sides and lower your head, holding for 5-10 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat for the other side.
- raise the pelvis in the supine position with legs bent at the knees;
- press: lying on your back bend your knees and arms at the elbows, hold the back of your head, press your chin to your chest on the exhale, raise your shoulder blades;
- Knee Press: While lying on your stomach, pull your knees up to your chest one at a time, press your hands to your body as you exhale, or do it while hanging.
All these exercises are very simple, it is enough to do 10-15 repetitions of each exercise. With regular practice, they will bring you invaluable benefits!
Of the additional tips, a comfortable mattress can take a seat, allowing the back muscles to relax at night. If you spend a lot of time driving or working on a computer, make sure you maintain proper posture. The seat in the car should be adjustable in height and close to the steering wheel, and the backrest should be soft enough to absorb bumps from rough roads.
When working or studying at the table, the elbows should be bent at right angles. The chair must necessarily have a backrest to support the lower back, and the gaze (along with it and the neck) should be straight or slightly up, but not down. Light falls correctly on the work surface of the table.
Remember that prevention is more important than cure!