One of the most common pain syndromes is associated with the lower back. According to some experts, pain in the lower back is a kind of retaliation for humans for walking upright, when the greatest load falls on the lumbar spine, which bears the main burden of the human body mass. Physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, obesity, stress also have a detrimental effect. For most people, back pain (lumbodynia) is so common that it becomes a part of daily life. It can arise only once and disappear without a trace, or can return over and over again, causing considerable suffering.
A large number of us at least once, but worry about getting pain in the lower back. Statistics say that pain like this occurs in 90% of the population. The lower back can be painful with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, genitals, accompanying menstruation in women. But often, such pain is caused by osteochondrosis - a degenerative -dystrophic change in the spine. And among the many osteochondrosis pain syndromes, back pain occupies a leading position.
Lower back pain can be of a different nature - pain, arising after a long static load while sitting or while sleeping, or a sharp shooting, which occurs with sudden movements or being stuck in an uncomfortable position. It’s all related to nerve root pinching, as well as the spasm, swelling and irritation of muscles and ligaments in the lumbar spine, which occurs with osteochondrosis.
Causes of back pain
The lumbosacral spine is under maximum pressure, and the intervertebral disc (the pad between the vertebrae) wears out faster here. There are many causes of osteochondrosis in the lower back, but the two main causes are: prolonged static weight and sharp maximum load, which usually occurs when bending over with heavy lifting. Here are some numbers. According to biomechanics, in the supine position, the intervertebral disc experiences a pressure of 50 kg, in the standing position - 100, in the sitting position with the back straight without support - 150, and sitting bent - 220.
Now calculate how much you sit in a day. . . And how much of this time is dismantled, with a back spin. . .
More figures: when the body is tilted forward only 20 ° without a load on the hands - 150, and with a load of only 10 kilograms (some bags with groceries) - 200 kg, and if tilted even lower, at an angle of 70 °, the load willincreased to 300 kg. For example, according to biomechanical data, when a person lifts a weight of 50 kg in a forward inclined position, the load on the spine is 700 kg. Now answer the question yourself: Do you lift heavy objects? And from the floor? And with tilt and rotation?
Back pain can be divided into primary and secondary pain. As you know, the spine is a network of vertebrae that are interconnected by elastic tissues - muscles and ligaments. They (in addition to bone tissue) contain nerve endings and can be a source of back pain.
The cause of primary back pain is due to pathology of the spinal space - dystrophic and functional changes in the vertebral joints, intervertebral discs, muscles, tendons, ligaments.
Secondary pain syndrome in the lower back is associated with traumatic lesions of the spine, tumors and infectious processes, diseases of internal organs, osteoporosis and other pathologies. This is a kind of alarm signal about damage to the body. The causes of persistent low back pain are benign and malignant diseases of the pelvic organs (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menstruation, lesions of the large ducts, kidneys, chronic prostatitis, some diseases of the nervous system).
There are 5 most common causes of back pain:
Osteochondrosis (dorsopathy)- The most common cause of pain in the lower back. Examination shows degenerative diseases of the spine - osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis. The height of the intervertebral disc decreases, which causes disturbances in the mechanical balance between the structures of the spinal space - therefore, the pain is constant, quite tolerable, but periodically increases the pain in the lower back.
Muscle cramp.Do you experience acute lower back pain while doing strenuous and excessive physical activity that is unusual for you? The predisposing factor is a short static body position (at the computer, squatting, half bent during summer hut work). As a result, muscle spasms develop, limiting the mobility of certain parts of the spine. Tight muscles become a source of suffering, triggering a cycle of lower back pain - muscle spasms - pain. This condition can last a long time and cause many unpleasant minutes. Attention! For persistent lower back pain, especially if it starts quickly and acutely, see a doctor to identify the underlying condition and develop a modern and correct treatment.
Herniated Disc, compresses the roots of the spinal cord, often occurs in men over 40 years of age. The first symptom of the problem is lumbodynia combined with a number of additional signs: pain along the roots from the back to the feet when coughing, sneezing and laughing, difficulty bending and extending the spine in the lumbar region (this is especially evident when wearing socks and shoes), increased sensationunpleasant when lifting straight legs lying on your back. This back pain is often referred to as an outdated term sciatica or the word lumbago. The pain increases in an upright position and subsides in a horizontal position.
Spinal instabilityIt is a common problem for middle -aged women. Manifested by back pain, exacerbated by prolonged physical activity and standing. At the same time, there is a feeling of fatigue and a desire to lie down. The disease is caused by damage to the discs or intervertebral joints and often occurs against a background of moderate obesity. It is difficult for such a patient not to bend, but to straighten, to perform "extra" movements.
Narrow spinal canal.The most common symptom is pain at rest combined with pain when walking. It spreads along the roots from the back to the feet, while always being sore, even lying down or sitting, making it impossible to sit on a "sick" back. Narrow spinal canal syndrome is the result of degenerative changes, bone proliferation and spinal articular structure, which leads to violation of the spinal nerve roots.
You are also more likely to experience back pain on your own skin if:
- Overweight
- Are you fond of summer cottage work
- Spend a lot of time driving a car or a computer
- Lead a lifestyle (office worker) or stand (salesman, waiter, guide, surgeon)
- Load yourself up at the gym or fitness club. Be careful if you are just starting to exercise.
- Perform dynamic physical energy with sudden changes in body position (especially if your expertise is related to strenuous physical activity)
Additional risks for women:
- You are pregnant or have just given birth
- Has reached postmenopause, conducive to the development of osteoporosis
What to do for back pain:
And now, based on the above reasons, the same promised advice for those who want to reduce chronic lumbar discomfort, as well as prevent the occurrence of lower back pain.
- Take time to sit down. And if you still have to, then sit in the right position.
- If you sit for long periods of time, make sure you rest every hour to do some movement (extensions, bends, moderate walks, etc. ).
- Do not lift heavy objects. If you must lift it, use the rules for lifting heavy items.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles as if tying tight pants. The abdominal muscles support the lumbar spine and by tensing the abdomen, you slightly relieve the load on the lower back.
- Exercise regularly for the spine and strengthen the muscular corset. Strong muscles will help you relieve excess pressure on your lower back in any position. A flexible spine will help prevent squeezing blood vessels and nerve endings.
- Find a comfortable orthopedic mattress.
Also, for back pain, your doctor will usually recommend:
- A specialist may prescribe muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms, as well as diuretics and vascular medications to reduce nerve root swelling and improve blood circulation in the affected area.
- Rest for 2-5 days. As a rule, we are talking about beds on hard and flat surfaces.
- Take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are available in the form of tablets, injectable solutions and ointments.
- Wear special bandages if necessary.
- Take a physical therapy course to incorporate positive effects as your well -being improves. Physiotherapy procedures (magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis), as well as massage and physiotherapy exercises relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation and stop the inflammatory process
- To use local therapy with ointments and gels containing analgesic, anti-inflammatory or warming components.
Recently, doctors have a dual -acting agent - analgesic and muscle relaxant (muscle relaxation), which is very important in the treatment of pain syndromes in pathology of the musculoskeletal system and muscle spasms. These are drugs that have a threefold effect - analgesic, muscle relaxant and neuroprotective (protects nerve cells from damage). In fact, we are talking about a fundamentally new approach to the treatment of back pain.
Whatever the cause of lower back pain, it is impossible to determine for yourself with certainty. If the back does not rest day or night, it is better to see a specialist in a timely manner, who will tell you the tactics of treatment. All of these tips will help you prevent and reduce discomfort in the lumbar spine. But if you experience acute pain in the lower back and sacrum, do not delay a visit to the doctor. Give the final diagnosis to a specialist! Low back pain has a variety of causes, not necessarily associated with spinal pathology. In case of back and lumbago pain, it is recommended to undergo computed tomography (showing the state of spinal bone tissue) and magnetic resonance imaging (allows you to assess the state of soft tissue) tomography. As a rule, the majority of patients recover in 2-3 months, only a small number of patients with complaints of lumbodynia reveal a serious illness.