For the ability to walk on two legs, the human race pays with back pain. If your back periodically hurts in the lumbar region, it can be a sign of great fatigue or the result of a long stay in an uncomfortable position during work or sleep. But the reasons may be more serious.
Causes of pain
The lower back is one of the most painful areas. There are reasons for this:
- Osteochondrosis;
- Scoliosis;
- Herniated discs;
- tumors;
- tissue infections.
The nature and intensity of the pain depends on the disease. And she worries in different ways: after sleep, exercise, overwork. For example, renal colic is accompanied by constant pain in the lower back. And the type of activity of the patient does not matter here.
- Most often it hurts in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Pain of moderate intensity in a state of sleep, aggravated by physical exertion. Constantly tormented by a feeling of fatigue. The feeling of heaviness causes a desire to lie down. But relief does not always follow.
- If there is a herniated disc, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, heavy loads, falls.
- If the hernia is compressed, there is a sharp pain, characterized by low back pain. Movements in the lumbar region are noticeably limited. Nerve root damage signals pain in the leg.
- In old age, stenosis of the intervertebral canal often occurs. A sign of this is lameness, numbness in the legs, especially after a long walk.
- The stiffness that occurs in the morning in the region of the spine indicates the beginning of the development of Bechterew's disease. Initially, sharp painful sensations appear in the sacral region, and then spread to the lumbar region. The feeling after sleep is not rest, but fatigue, which disappears with the onset of motor activity. Young men are the most affected by the disease. The disease is hereditary. Basically, the lower back hurts when lying down.
- Sharp pain in the lumbar region also occurs with pyelonephritis (an inflammatory process in the kidneys). They are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, swelling in the morning after sleep.
- Often, in older men, a disease such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm develops. Aching, shooting pains in the abdomen are the result of aortic pressure on nearby organs.
- Lower back pain, fever, burning sensation along the nerve are signs of shingles. This viral disease affects the cells of the spinal cord. A pink rash appears on the body, then bubbles.
- Another common ailment that many consider harmless is flat feet. A deformed foot increases the load on the spine when walking. During sleep, the pain is relieved.
- If there are congenital changes in the vertebrae: an irregular shape or a change in the cleft, sooner or later they will make themselves felt.
- Autoimmune pathologies, in particular multiple sclerosis, cause pain of various locations. Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons why it hurts badly in the lumbar region. It can be osteoporosis, infections of the genitourinary system, hemorrhoids, tumor diseases, complications after viral or bacterial infections. And even physiological changes affecting women and occurring during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pain caused by diseases of internal organs
When wondering why the back hurts in the lumbar region, sometimes it is hard to believe that the reasons can be inside the organs. The fact is that in some cases pain sensations from the internal organs are "radiated" to the lumbar region.
- Right-sided pleurisy, pneumonia - the causes of pain in the lumbar region on the right. Associated symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever. Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back, which are aggravated when bending over, when lying down during sleep.
- Cholelithiasis also localizes sharp pains on the right, just above the waist, and they are accompanied by belching, nausea. They have a piercing character.
- Girdle pain in the lower back is due to pancreatitis. Its companions are nausea and vomiting.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of a myocardial infarction.
- For men, prostate pathology causes pain in the area below the waist, with a transition to the sacrum. Women have cystitis.
- Diseases of the distal digestive tract - the causes of pain below the waist.
pain stimulators
Pain can also be caused by factors such as:
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, bodybuilding).
- Cramp.
- Fracture.
- The menstrual cycle in women.
- Bad nutrition.
- Stress.
- Uncomfortable posture during sleep.
Back pain in the lumbar region in children
New technologies have not only brought benefits to our world, but also harm. Why? Because love for a computer from an early age deprives children of full physical activity, forms incorrect posture.
Important: If you choose the right chair and table for your child, curvature of the spine can be avoided!
Scoliosis can develop from carrying a heavy backpack, flat feet, uncomfortable shoes. Be sure to treat it! Children are contraindicated in excessive physical activity, weight lifting. When exercising in the sports section, you should be especially sensitive to complaints from the child about discomfort in the back after training. We can speak of a hernia of the spine. Prompt treatment will allow the child to live a full life.
Types of pain
The nature of pain is divided into the following types:
- Spasms in the long muscles of the back cause sharp pain. This happens due to stretching. The problem is familiar to athletes and people whose specific professions are associated with stress on the back muscles. In supine position, the pain decreases a little. The place of the main localization is the lower back.
- An injury to the spine, namely a fracture, is very dangerous. It can arise from an unsuccessful fall or become a consequence of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hyperparathyroidism.
- The displacement of the intervertebral discs causes pain due to the compression of the nerve roots. Due to this, the patient's mobility is limited, sensitivity is impaired and the patellar reflex is reduced. The danger of this disease is also that healthy vertebrae begin to hurt, which leads to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and is the cause of restless sleep.
- The facet joint syndrome in 31% of cases causes pain in the back. This degenerative process captures the capsule of the intervertebral joints and causes pain not only in the lower back, but also in the legs. The lower back hurts when sitting, with side bending or tilting backwards, with long standing.
- The inflammatory process of an infectious nature in the epidural space is a very serious and dangerous disease. It can be fatal if not treated in time.
Treatment
Seeing a doctor immediately when you have back pain is key to successful treatment. Even if the pain only bothers you at night or after sleep, there's a reason to see a specialist.
After analyzing the causes, the doctor will give recommendations on how to treat and not get sick. The treatment will be complex, with the use of ointments, tablets, injections, massage and physiotherapy exercises.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are in first place in the treatment of low back pain:
- At the initial stage, literally in the first 3-5 days, treatment is carried out with the help of injections to relieve pain and inflammation. They are fast acting, effectively relieving acute pain by injecting the drug directly into the blood or muscle.
- Then anti-inflammatory and analgesic tablets, chondroprotectors, irritating drugs are used (in each case separately).
- Additionally, ointment treatment is applied. Properly selected ointment helps relieve inflammation in the affected area, and also warms (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is eliminated with the help of muscle relaxants. With their help, the pain syndrome is treated and mobility is restored. Apply 3 to 7 days.
Preparations of vitamins of group B are a necessary supplement to the main therapy.
In some cases, a drug blockade is necessary. The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally. It is used for degenerative changes in the spine.
Physiotherapy treatment:
- UHF;
- electrophoresis;
- Magnetotherapy.
Massage relieves acute pain by improving blood circulation. Kneading the muscles has a beneficial effect on the elasticity and flexibility of the ligaments. To improve the general tone of the body and only with the permission of the attending physician, massage is combined with a bath or sauna. You cannot warm up during the infectious process!
Pain during pregnancy can be relieved by wearing a special bandage.
Wearing orthopedic insoles is mandatory for patients with flat feet.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercise is also a remedy. They strengthen back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and increase blood circulation. They are used not only in the complex of therapeutic therapy, but also for the prevention of pain in the lumbar region. As in the case of drug therapy, therapeutic exercises are prescribed in each case individually, analyzing the main causes of the disease. But there are several general exercises, each of which is performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning, avoiding overstrain.
- In a standing position, tilt the body alternately to the right, forward, backward, to the left.
- In a standing position, feet shoulder-width apart, turn the body to the sides.
- In position on all fours, do a "kitty": arch your back in the lower back.
- Lying on your back, bend your legs at the knees, arms along your body. Raise and lower the pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lie on your back, legs straight, arms along your body. Alternately bend the legs at the knees, then pull to the chest.
- Standing on all fours, alternately swing your legs.
Whatever the reasons, only a specialist can determine why the back hurts, identify the "culprit" of the disease and prescribe the correct and effective treatment. As with any other disease, self-medication is not worth it! Any medicine can not only heal, but also harm if it is poorly chosen.