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Lower back pain

back pain in the lumbar region

80% of people in the world have experienced lumbar spine pain at least once. The causes range from so-called psychosomatics, where aching pain in the lumbar region is triggered by stress, to a much more terrible and difficult-to-treat cancer diagnosis.

How can you understand when discomfort and back pain are talking about a diseased spine and when other organs are being shown to be unhealthy? And how not to miss the right moment to see a doctor for spinal pain in the lumbar region?

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region

There are several organs and systems in the lumbar region at once - these are the digestive system, the urinary, reproductive and locomotor systems, and many glands that affect a person’s well-being. Fortunately, most pathologies that cause painful pain in the lumbar and lower back are treatable and non-life-threatening. Only every 20th pain in the lumbar region requires surgery or complex therapeutic procedures.

Consider in more detail the causes of spinal pain in the lumbar region. These include:

  • back muscle tension, especially in the lumbosacral region;
  • muscle cramps and internal organs;
  • the presence of inflammation or abscess;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • heart disease;
  • diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, peptic ulcer and others);
  • posture disorders;
  • neuralgia, including psychogenic character;
  • osteochondrosis, spinal stenosis, spinal hernia and other spinal pathologies;
  • diseases of the kidneys or internal genitals;
  • obesity;
  • pregnancy;
  • neoplasm metastases.

The nature of pain in lumbar osteochondrosis

A distinction should be made between primary pain in the lumbar vertebrae (associated with degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory processes and spinal cord injuries) and secondary, "reflective" pain due to functional disorders of the muscles and internal organs. secondary symptoms are almost always accompanied by bloating, urinary and defecation changes (rare, frequent, painful or other uncharacteristic features), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. The type of lumbar pain also tells a lot about the problem:

  • paroxysmal ("grabs the inside") - diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
  • increases every day - inflammatory process (for example, in the epithelial coccygeal tract), abscess, cyst;
  • sharp puncture (especially after injury) - internal organ (liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, etc. ) or vascular rupture, internal bleeding, gastric or intestinal ulcer, blockage of a blood vessel by a detached thrombus (see a doctor immediately for such pain! );
  • intermittent shooting - characterized by compression of the roots of the spine (radical syndrome), may be accompanied by convulsions;
  • dull continuous - indicates disease of the liver, kidneys, spleen, some endocrine glands;
  • pulling, aggravated by movement - injuries to the spine and adjacent tissues.

Localization of lumbar pain

  1. Pain in the lumbar region and above the sacrum can occur as a result of trauma, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, and injuries, oncology, or simple overwork. This zone often occurs after unsuccessful sports activities, especially in poorly performed strokes, unprocessed falls, and disregard for practical technique.
  2. It often hurts below the waist (above the coccyx) due to overexertion during lifting, standing or walking, and bruises on ice and other hard surfaces. Sometimes the pain in the lumbar region can be caused by an infection or hypothermia. Pain is most often caused by uncomfortable work or rest in a non-physiological position, such as time spent at a computer or a semi-bent "banana" drive. Pain is less common due to intestinal and urinary tract disorders (constipation, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, dysmenorrhea) . Low localization of pain may also indicate hip problems, especially in the elderly or athletes.
  3. Pain in the left side of the spine does not rule out related problems such as scoliosis and / or osteochondrosis, impaired blood circulation and even infection of the spinal canal.
  4. Infections and osteochondrosis are particularly characterized by persistent aching pain, which is exacerbated with the slightest physical exertion.
  5. If the pain syndrome occasionally subsides and the patient continues to take a break, it could be a displacement of the intervertebral disc, pinched nerve root, or sciatica. In addition, pain in the lumbar region can cause diabetes or hypothermia.
  6. If a patient often feels "surviving" and feels pain after several hours of sedentary activity, the pain may indicate an improper lifestyle that has not yet developed into a pathology but requires urgent changes — not just pain relief in lumbar osteochondrosis — but complex therapy.

Please note that in the case of severe pathologies of the heart and digestive system, the lower back can cause pain. If it hurts under the left shoulder and sideways at the same time, it is important to rule out a heart attack immediately. However, if you suffer from sharp pain attacks - "as if cut alive" - a stomach or intestinal ulcer.

Low back pain - diagnoses

Doctors identify more than 120 causes that can cause acute and chronic back pain. The most common of these.

  1. Diseases resulting from degenerative-dystrophic and other lesions of the vertebral and hip joints. For example, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, vertebral hernia, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, protrusion, facet syndrome, sciatica, lumbago, neurogenic lameness, hormonal spondylopathy.
  2. Autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.
  3. Inflammatory diseases. Spondyloarthropathies, including psoriasis and reactive arthritis.
  4. Traumatic defeat. Spondylolisthesis, muscle and ligament damage, bruises, dislocations, subluxations, and vertebral fractures.

Uncommonly, tumors and metastases in the spine, osteomyelitis, angina pectoris, cholecystitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, duodenal ulcer and other diseases can cause lumbar pain.

Pain in the lumbar spine in women

In women, acute and subacute (intermittent or up to 12 weeks) back pain may indicate minor hormonal disorders or natural physiological processes - during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. But most often he says:

  • lumbar osteochondrosis - women who stay in the corner for a long time, regularly carry loads of more than 5 kg, are forced to be in a bent position for a long time when doing professional or domestic work;
  • arthritis is an inflammatory disease to which young women are susceptible. It can cause lumbar injury, urinary tract infection, hypothermia due to insufficiently warm but fashionable clothing, and heredity (e. g. , the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in relatives);
  • arthrosis is a predominantly age-related disease that often occurs after 40 years in response to hormonal changes in the body;
  • inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis);
  • cervical or ovarian cancer;
  • ovarian cyst torsion;
  • endometriosis.

Contact a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of low back pain:

  • appeared after injury;
  • occur in the patient's medical history with oncological and cancer-preventing conditions (e. g. , cervical dysplasia);
  • accompanied by a rise in temperature;
  • accompanied by unexplained weight loss;
  • causes difficulty urinating and defecating;
  • accompanying sealing;
  • it is associated with a feeling of numbness or stiffness in the legs, a change in gait.

Pain in the lumbar spine in men

Men are less likely to suffer from back pain than women. It is most commonly associated with osteochondrosis or kidney disease, similar to women. Among the non-specific diseases that cause spinal pain in the lumbar region, we can name:

  • epididymitis (inflammation of the semen appendix);
  • prostatitis;
  • orchitis (swelling of the testicles);
  • testicular and other oncological diseases of the genitals;
  • prostate cancer.

Often in the strong half, lower back pain occurs due to a vertebral or groin hernia. These diseases are especially prone to men over the age of 40 who are actively doing physical work or working in an awkward position. In women, this pathology is less common.

Treatment of back pain

Treatment of back pain (lumbar) requires a therapeutic effect on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, nerve fibers and muscles. In addition to relieving pain in the lumbar spine, degenerative processes in the spine, if any, should be slowed, inflammation should be alleviated, blood microcirculation should be restored, and nerve impulses should be conducted. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor or a team of specialists immediately - a neurologist, traumatologist, gynecologist, orthopedist, rheumatologist and other doctors, depending on the main and accompanying diagnoses.

In more than 98% of cases of spinal disease, treatment is done conservatively - surgery can be dispensed with even if you have a hernia.

Medical approach

With the help of medications, the pain can be completely eliminated within a few months (for example, spinal pain in the lumbar region is treated for 3-4 months with compression of the roots and hernias). Then, depending on the diagnosis, therapy is completed or intermittently, in courses - to maintain remission.

Help treating back pain (lumbar):

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
  2. Hormonal preparations (in the form of blockers and drips).
  3. Analgesics to relieve pain.
  4. Chondroprotectors.
  5. Warming preparations such as ointment based on bee and snake venom, mustard patch.
  6. Venotonics and angioprotectors.
  7. Anticonvulsants, antianxiety and antidepressants.

Physiotherapy for back pain

It is used to treat low back pain:

  • massage (classic, cupping, hydromassage);
  • phonophoresis;
  • electrophoresis;
  • magnetotherapy;
  • laser therapy;
  • diadynamic therapy;
  • electrical neuromiostimulation;
  • manual therapy;
  • acupuncture;
  • balneological procedures and mud therapy;
  • kinesitherapy.

Practice therapy for lumbar pain

Pain relief exercises in the lumbar region are performed daily and only when remission is achieved! As the disease worsens, any load can only exacerbate the situation. Consult a gym instructor before performing the exercises.

  1. Stand up on your knees and put your right foot forward (feet on the floor, knees bent at right angles). While maintaining balance, pull your left leg to the buttocks with your left hand and feel the tension in your muscles. 10 times on each side.
  2. Stand on all fours, look straight ahead. Bend and arch your back - practice the "cat".
  3. Lie on your back and keep your feet under your knees, pull your knees up to your chest and secure in this position for a few seconds. 10 times.
  4. The starting position is the same. Cross your legs (on the weight) and stretch your muscles well, supporting your lower leg with both hands under your knees.
  5. Standing on all fours, raise your left arm and right leg perpendicular to the floor. Repeat on the other side. 10 times.

A series of exercises with a massage roller is also recommended to relieve pain in the lumbar region. For example, place the roller under the sacrum and pull your knees to your chest while the other leg is on the floor. Repeat 10 times for each foot. If the tension is not enough, put your hands behind your head and / or move your bent knees slightly to the side.

How to take care of your back - doctors' recommendations

Here are 10 simple tips to help protect your lower back.

  1. To maintain back health, it is important to avoid severe physical (as well as mental and emotional) overload and hypothermia. If you are forced to work for a long time in cold rooms or in rooms with sudden temperature fluctuations, choose good quality thermal underwear.
  2. Treat your spine in the lumbar region in a timely manner.
  3. If you have already been diagnosed with the initial stage of osteochondrosis, have congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system, use an orthosis - special bandages and corsets to help ease your back. If you wear a heavy backpack, choose one that protects your back from the symptoms of low back pain.
  4. Remember to take chondroprotectors for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes for at least 3-6 months a year.
  5. Compile your diet so that your body gets enough vitamins and minerals as well as protein.
  6. Install a sleeping area properly. The mattress should not be too soft or too hard, the length of the bed should be slightly larger than your height. Pillow height is also important in relieving the pain of lumbar osteochondrosis - it’s best to buy an orthopedic product. If pets are forced into an uncomfortable sleeping position, do not let them on the bed.
  7. When sitting, make sure your elbows are on the table top, at a comfortable height, and the seat surface of the chair allows you to keep your legs perpendicular to the floor.
  8. If you have already been diagnosed with spinal disease, pay attention to rational employment that reduces occupational stress in the lower back.
  9. Try not to abuse alcohol, coffee and cigarettes.
  10. Maintains normal levels of physical activity (at least 15 minutes of exercise for lumbar pain 3-4 times a day).

Health to your back!