Lower back pain is a rather uncomfortable phenomenon that can signal you are suffering from dangerous diseases. The lower back bears a greater load than other parts of the spine, making it more susceptible to injury.
Low back spasms can be a symptom of sciatica, osteochondrosis, scoliosis, and many other conditions.
Pain in the lower back: possible causes
This can happen after exercising, staying in one position for a long time, after a clumsy movement.
Risk factors:
- fat;
- recent birth/birth;
- Sports training;
- sedentary work (driver, cashier, etc. );
- work that involves significant physical exertion;
- work in a standing position.
After overtraining, the discomfort will go away on its own - just rest is enough. Its periodic appearance indicates the presence of pathology. Without quality therapy, the condition can deteriorate dramatically: sometimes only surgical intervention is indicated.
Diseases accompanied by discomfort in the lower back
This symptom in medicine is classified into primary and secondary.
In the first case, discomfort is caused directly by diseases of the back, namely the spine:
- bone necrosis in this area (1/3 of pain cases);
- spondylosis / spondylolisthesis / spondyloarthrosis;
- disc protrusion or herniated disc.
They talk about secondary pains when they are caused by damage to other organs:
- osteoporosis fractures;
- tumor in the spinal canal;
- spine fracture;
- Muscle tension;
- anatomical stenosis of the spinal canal;
- kyphosis / scoliosis / kyphoscoliosis / Scheuermann-Mau;
- arthritis (rheumatism, psoriasis, osteoarthritis);
- osteomyelitis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis of the spine;
- disorders of the urinary system: urolithiasis / pyelonephritis;
- gynecological diseases: cancer or ovarian cysts, endometriosis;
- complicated pregnancy.
Types of pain
Severe lower back pain
These are observed in osteonecrosis. Discomfort when moving, sitting, lifting heavy objects and even coughing/sneezing. Discomfort may be provided to the lower extremities. Patients need to see a neurologist urgently.
Severe discomfort accompanied by sciatica. Dull or sharp, aching pain, usually unilateral.
It can be for the buttocks, thighs and even legs; aggravated when changing position, coughing, walking. Root canal inflammation is treated by a neurologist. The patient should rest on a firm mattress to support the lower back.
Acute low back pain
Causes can be from sitting in an uncomfortable position for long periods of time, carrying/lifting heavy objects, falls, bumps, sudden movements, as well as drafts and hypothermia.
An acute attack is accompanied by displacement of the intervertebral discs. The latter occurs with vertebral fractures, osteonecrosis, heavy work, weight lifting.
Displacement can also occur after surgery in this area. The diagnosis in this case was made by a neurologist. He also prescribes treatment.
Pain in the lumbar spine
This happens with myositis - inflammation of the back muscles. The disease occurs after a bout of severe hyperthermia or hypothermia. Accompanying it is the numbness of movements. The pain becomes sharp with movement.
Chronic (permanent) lower back pain
Periodic attacks are accompanied by deforming spondylolisthesis. And the affected area can become numb. In addition, sometimes there is weakness of the legs.
It is also important to note that chronic pain is characteristic of Bechterew's disease, a cancer pathology. They can also indicate a metabolic disorder.
Pain
Sometimes it seems to a person that the lower back hurts, but in reality, the cause lies in the loss of a completely different part of the body. This happens with diseases of the pelvic organs, pancreas, kidneys, colon.
Back pain: when to see a doctor?
Do not hesitate to see a specialist in the following cases:
- the attack lasts for 3 days or more;
- unpleasant sensations arising after an injury;
- at the same time aching back, legs and feet;
- pain syndrome associated with numbness of a limb.
What to do when severe spasms in the lumbar region
If the cause is unknown, the temperature should be measured. An increase in this index indicates infection and inflammation. Other symptoms are also identified (violation of stool, vomiting, pain only on one side). Then you need to call your doctor or emergency team.
If causes are identified, such as muscle tension or bruising, anti-inflammatory medications should be administered first to relieve discomfort.
Reducing swelling, increasing fluid circulation to remove harmful substances from the body, a dose of diuretic helps.
An orthopedic belt or even a regular towel will help keep the muscles and bones in place.
What not to do about lower back discomfort
Do not perform startup procedures without a diagnosis.
They stimulate blood flow, which is not always safe. With persistent discomfort of unknown nature, do not use analgesics. In this case, the disease will still progress, but not cause discomfort.
Only a chiropractor in any part of the back can correct it after examining, diagnosing and determining the pathological cause. The vertebrae are not always displaced by trauma; This can also occur due to the dystrophic process. Reduction can compress nerves and destroy the processes of the vertebrae.
How to cure back pain at home: folk recipes
Burdock or eucalyptus wine will help relieve discomfort. It can also be used for compression. For a similar purpose, fresh horseradish leaves are applied to the affected area. They are changed daily as needed.
- Ointment with horse chestnut. The melted fat is mixed with dried horse chestnut grass and camphor oil. Components are taken in equal proportions. The agent is applied to thin pieces of rye 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 joint and bone discomfort. Yellow mustache tincture on "Bishofite". Need to add 35-40 tree seeds in ½ l of seeds later. The mixture is left for 14 days. As time passes, it is filtered and applied at night for compression.
Nutrition for back problems
To strengthen the skeletal apparatus, you need to enrich the diet with healthy foods and reduce the amount of harmful substances in them.
Liver and fatty fish (eg salmon, sardines, mackerel) are useful. These foods are high in vitamin D, fatty acids, and niacin.
Dairy products, meat, cereals, fresh fruits, especially garlic and lemon - all these should be prioritized in the diet.
A lot of potassium is found in cabbage and spinach, and vitamin C - in citrus fruits.
Vitamin A can be obtained from eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, and red, orange and yellow fruits.
You should consume less caffeinated beverages, as well as sweets, spicy, fatty and fried foods.
Exercises for the spine
With mild discomfort, as well as to prevent such in the back region, you should perform a series of exercises:
- Lie on your back, place your hands along your body, bend your legs slightly at the knees. Legs lean to the right and body in the opposite direction. In this position, they freeze for 5 seconds, then return to their original position. Turn in the other direction in the same way. You need to complete 10 approaches;
- Kneel, put your hands on the chair in front of you. Then bend and arch your back as much as you can. Take up to 10 approaches;
- Lie on your back, straighten your arms/legs. First, raise your right leg about 15 cm from the floor and hold it until you feel fatigue. Repeat the same with the left leg. You need to complete 5 sets with each leg.
Back pain prevention
To reduce the risk of problems, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- Less time sitting;
- When sedentary, every hour do a little warm-up for the spine, limbs;
- Lift/carry weights properly - keep your back straight, don't lift hard, divide the load into several parts;
- Perform exercises to strengthen the muscular corset (support for the spine);
- The mattress must be of moderate firmness to provide good support for the lower back;
- Watch your posture, don't slouch;
- Stand up to the wall more often, touching the wall with your heels, butt, and shoulder blades. You need to stand in this position for 3 minutes;
- It is recommended to participate in sports to strengthen the muscles holding the spine: walking, skiing, wushu / qigong exercise, swimming, yoga;
You should not come for running, boxing, tennis, martial arts, skiing, horseback riding.