Reasons for back pain. Causes of back pain. Pain in the back and lower back - a harbinger of illness or a common occurrence

The intensity of pain, as well as its duration, may indicate the development of serious diseases that require immediate detection and urgent treatment.

If there is pain in the lower back in the lumbar region, then this indicates the presence of acute, chronic, primary and secondary ailments. Such pain can be localized on the left back, radiating to the lower abdomen, left leg, buttock.

Complaints about lower back pain come from girls before or after menstruation, during pregnancy, after childbirth, with cystitis, after training. An accurate determination of the nature or intensity of pain, combined with the results of tests performed and an in-person examination by a doctor, can give a reliable determination of which internal organ signals a pathological condition.

Pain in the lower back and lower abdomen

Depending on the cause, the pain can be dull, burning, aching, sharp and spread throughout the lower back or localized to one point. If a woman complains that in addition to the entire lower back she also hurts below her abdomen, then consultation with a gynecologist, nephrologist, and then a surgeon is necessary. After tests and an ultrasound, doctors can diagnose:

Back pain is just a symptom. Acute lower back pain associated with dysfunction of the lumbar vertebrae and discs is called lumbago. Everyone should know why the lower back hurts. The following reasons for the appearance of this symptom are identified:

Maybe the problem is not in the lower back?

Women's reasons

Among women

Causes of lower back pain in early pregnancy

If your back constantly hurts, then the reasons may be secondary. They are very diverse and the doctor is not always able to find the etiological factor.

The main causes of secondary low back pain:

If your lower back hurts suddenly and acutely, this may indicate the following disorders:

The main causes of pain localized above the lower back are:

  • osteochondrosis;
  • myofascial syndrome;
  • uncomfortable workplace;
  • poor posture.

Osteochondrosis

The degenerative-dystrophic process leading to a change in the normal structure of the cartilage tissue of the spinal column is called osteochondrosis. There are cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral osteochondrosis. Often the disease is accompanied by protrusion of the vertebral disc and intervertebral hernia.

Clinical manifestations

Features of the symptoms of the disease depend on its location:

  1. Cervical osteochondrosis is manifested by pain and stiffness of movement in the neck and arms, headaches; when the vertebral artery is compressed, dizziness, hearing loss, and fainting may occur.
  2. In the chest form of the disease, acute pain in the back and chest (a feeling of a stake), heart pain, difficulty breathing appears.
  3. The lumbosacral localization is characterized by pain in the lumbar region, radiating to the legs and intensifying during movement; lumbago, numbness of the extremities, and disorders of the genitourinary system may appear.

Myofascial syndrome

The development of pain in the lumbar region can be triggered by the following pathologies:

  • vertebral displacement;
  • lumbago;
  • spinal disc prolapse.

Vertebral displacement

Spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae) is more often acquired than congenital. Clinical manifestations of the disease are determined by the stage of its development:

  1. One or more vertebrae are displaced by no more than a quarter, it is asymptomatic, and mild pain may occasionally be observed.
  2. Displacement of the vertebra occurs by 50%, this is manifested by the appearance of stable aching pain and muscle weakness;
  • A three-quarter displacement is characterized by constant severe pain, weakness of muscle fibers, impaired functioning of internal organs, and impaired gait posture.
  1. Complete displacement of a vertebra – severe pain, weakness, disruption of the usual position of the body, development of pathologies of internal organs.
  2. Sagging of the vertebra develops, which provokes compression of the spinal cord trunk and can cause its rupture; in addition to pain, paralysis may appear.

Lumbago

Back pain below the lower back can be caused by ankylosing spondylitis or renal colic.

Ankylosing spondylitis

During pregnancy, every woman has to deal with lumbar pain, which increases to its maximum in the third trimester. The presence of mild pain is considered a normal process, but if a woman feels severe discomfort, then there is a risk of developing serious illnesses. The main causes of lumbar pain during pregnancy are:

READ ALSO: Burning pain in the lower back when I stand for more than 20 minutes and lie on my back

As a rule, all causes of pain in the lumbar region are divided into primary and secondary. So, let's look at them in more detail.

Primary

This pain syndrome is nothing more than a pathological process that includes changes in musculoskeletal fibers. In practice it occurs much more often. It is understood as one of the following degenerative-dystrophic processes:

  • Osteochondrosis: dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissues are observed. Often the process affects the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae. Spondylosis may be present;
  • Spondyloarthrosis. Synovial and/or intervertebral (facet) joints, which are normally responsible for the mobility of the spinal column, are affected.

Secondary

They include:

The painful syndrome is very often associated with the presence of pathological disorders in the peritoneal organs, genitourinary system, and joints. This section will discuss the main reasons that cause secondary pain in the lumbosacral area in people.

First, we will talk about the main factors of female lower back pain and the causes of male lower back pain. Then, a general list of reasons for all people will be briefly and informatively presented.

So, the female body is significantly different in anatomy from the male, in particular at the hormonal and sexual level. Consequently, the physiological characteristics of the reproductive organs of two individuals are completely different.

Few patients realize that the lower back is one of the most psychosomatic parts of the body, and therefore it reacts very sharply to severe stress and anxiety.

Anger, anger, irritability or severe fear contribute to the release of significant doses of adrenaline into the blood. As a result, the tone of the back muscles increases.

And if adequate discharge does not occur, the muscles that are in increased tone begin to gradually tighten. And then - spasm and pain syndrome.

It should be noted that spinal disorders very often develop in people with unstable psyches, and for such patients psychotherapy is the best treatment method.

The fair sex may experience discomfort for the following reasons:

People describe lower back pain with different definitions. The back may become numb, ache, burn, be very painful, stab, ache, etc.

It happens that a person cannot bend down or straighten up. An experienced doctor, in some cases, solely by description, can presumably determine what exactly causes discomfort in the back.

Unpleasant sensations in the lumbar region are caused by a large number of pathological changes in the body.

  • If your back hurts a lot in the lower back, and the pain also spreads to the buttocks and legs, then this may be due to a muscle strain. This process is accompanied by pain during movement.
  • The initial stage of osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis is characterized by the fact that its signs are not clearly expressed. Painful reactions appear only with significant changes in the intervertebral discs, leading to pinched nerve in the lower back. The disease causes limited motor activity and severe pain in the lower back, which becomes less pronounced when lying down. A person constantly experiences fatigue, pain is more or less moderate during sleep and increases significantly with physical activity.
  • Feeling lower back pain in women, as well as in the lower abdomen, is associated with gynecological diseases.

Chiropractor Yuri Grobar, academician of the European Academy of Natural Sciences, tells more about the common causes of pain:

These include:

  1. Excessive physical activity.
  2. Hypothermia.
  3. Stressful situations.
  1. Incorrectly selected mattress and uncomfortable posture during the night.
  2. Unbalanced diet.

In general, lower back pain is an ambiguous phenomenon; they can also differ in their nature and location. In any case, such pain cannot be ignored; you should not rely only on a home first aid kit.

Only the attending physician will carry out an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis, and he will prescribe the necessary therapy.

Spondylosis deformans

Types of pain

Pain in the lumbar region can be of different types. The characteristics of the pain syndrome can tell you and the doctor what exactly is wrong and where the pathological focus is located.

After all, painful sensations in the back or lower back do not always indicate damage to the musculoskeletal system; they can also appear with diseases of the internal organs.

Most often it hurts exactly where the pathological focus is located; in other cases, the localization of pain may not coincide with the sore spot:

  • referred pain – develops against the background of pathology of internal organs, most often the digestive system, the cause of this phenomenon is considered to be the peculiarities of the innervation of the skin (sensitive zones-dermatomes);
  • projected back pain – radiates to the back along the sensory nerves.

READ ALSO: Back pain above the lower back: causes, on the right and left sides, on the sides, aching pain in the back

Signs of a hernia

If you are worried about lower back pain, the reasons may lie in an intervertebral hernia. This is a very common disease. With it, the core of the vertebral disc is displaced. Often, against this background, rupture of the fibrous ring occurs. The incidence rate is 150 cases per 100 thousand people. The following possible causes of hernia formation are identified:

  • injuries (bruises, falls);
  • osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
  • overweight;
  • curvature of the spinal column;
  • sharp turns.

The risk group includes drivers and office workers who work at a computer. Hernia pain has the following characteristics:

  • is local;
  • often radiates to the thigh, buttocks and lower leg;
  • combined with other symptoms (numbness, tingling);
  • increases with physical activity.

The severity of pain is determined by the size of the hernia. If it is large, radiculitis may develop. It manifests itself as sciatica. This is severe pain in the form of shooting.

Most patients with a hernia develop lumbago-type pain. Additional symptoms of a hernia include decreased potency, limited mobility of the lower back, and weakness in the legs. Sometimes urination is impaired.

Treatment

Neurologists and orthopedists have numerous methods in their arsenal to cope with pain due to osteochondrosis. Manual therapy can bring great relief, as well as massage, reflexology, leech treatment, and physiotherapy methods.

In parallel, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and painkillers, used in tablets or in the form of injections.

We'll talk about what to do if your back hurts and treatment methods. First of all, it is important to understand what causes unpleasant pain.

To stop contractions, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Ibuprofen, Baralgin, Indomethacin, Meloxicam, Analgin, Ketonal, Nise, Tempalgin are used.

The acute course is relieved with novocaine blockades and lidocaine. Medicines that relieve muscle spasms: muscle relaxants Tolperisone, Tizanidine.

Dystrophic disorders are corrected by taking chondroprotectors Chondrotin, Artra, Structum, Dona, Arthrocin, Teraflex. B vitamins and multivitamin complexes are added.

Externally, ointments with absorbable, analgesic effects are prescribed: Heparin, Diclofenac, Fastum-gel, Dolgit, Deep relief, Indomethacin ointment, Bystrumgel, Apizatron, Aflutop.

Compresses with Dimeskid solution. Exposure of the bruised area to cold.

In case of a fracture, a bandage or plaster is applied.

A good outcome is achieved by physical procedures such as electrophoresis, laser therapy, magnets, ultrasound, shock wave method, ultraviolet irradiation, modulated sinusoidal current, paraffin applications, manual therapy, acupuncture, and stone therapy.

Hydrogen sulfide, radon baths, salt baths, based on turpentine, medicinal herbs.

In processes leading to the destruction of cartilage and bone mass, compliance with a special diet will be a prerequisite. For example, osteophyte salt deposits exclude salt, sweets, red wine, and chocolate from the menu.

Otherwise, fatty, peppery, fried foods, marinades, smoked foods, carbonated drinks, and alcohol are prohibited. It is also worth giving up smoking.

The correct ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates is allowed. Dishes can be stewed or steamed.

There are fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, fermented milk, cereals, and whole grain wheat bread.

Massage with rubbing of points and physical therapy are carried out. A set of physical exercises that has a beneficial effect on the dynamics of the disease.

Everyone is concerned about the question of what to do when your back hurts and aches without visiting a doctor? Alcohol rubbing, grandmother's rubbing based on iodine, Analgin, camphor alcohol, and medical ethyl are widely used at home.

The resulting mixture is infused for 10 days, applied to the area, and gently rubbed without putting pressure on the skin. Horseradish roots do an excellent job.

They are rubbed on a fine grater, placed on a layer of gauze and on the joint. Leave it overnight to eliminate the strong burning sensation, you can make a compress from fresh leaves of the plant.

Lotions are made from honey and propolis, warm salt pads, or with heated sand.

In order to get rid of back pain forever, it is necessary to cure the causative disease. However, symptomatic treatment for all major diseases manifested by back pain necessarily includes pain relief; among additional treatment methods, acupuncture and manual therapy will help get rid of pain.

Pain relief

If you follow bed rest, back pain progresses, so it is not recommended, and if it is necessary to prescribe it, you should try to reduce the time spent in bed as much as possible.

For a while, until the pain goes away, you need to limit physical activity and start wearing a corset or a special belt.

Bardukova Elena Anatolievna
neurologist, homeopath, work experience 23 years
✔ Article checked by a doctor

Famous Japanese rheumatologist:“THIS IS MONSTERAL! Russian methods of treating joints and spine cause only bewilderment. See what doctors offer to treat your back and joints in Russia: Voltaren, Fastum gel, Diclofenac, Milgamma, Dexalgin and other similar drugs. However, these drugs DO NOT TREAT JOINTS and BACK, they only relieve the symptoms of the disease - pain, inflammation, swelling. Now imagine that...” Read the full interview"

Why does my back hurt? Incredibly, back pain affects 9 out of 10 people. This makes you wonder if there is any common cause of excruciating back pain, under what conditions it can be eliminated, and if a person can get rid of it, whether it will return again.


In most cases, back pain appears due to a simple muscle strain.

Statistics show that half of people have chronic pain in the spine, as a result of joint diseases, pain in the muscles and spinal discs. There are many ways to relieve pain, but they require compliance with many rules, correct diagnosis and timely treatment.

We will tell you in detail about all the most important causes of back pain.

Why does my back hurt in the spinal area?

AN INCREDIBLE STORY THAT WILL SHOCK MANY:“My name is Olga, I’m 38 years old. My lower back hurt very badly. I came to the hospital and they did an MRI and said: “You have hernia and osteochondrosis 4 degrees. Get ready for operations" I almost fainted there! Horrible! What surgery, I'm only 38? It turns out that even at this age you can develop grade 4 osteochondrosis. But it all started with ordinary lower back pain, which then became chronic, aching, and then a lumbar hernia formed! She made it difficult to sleep and walk. I refused the operation because I was afraid of the anesthesia: I might fall asleep and never wake up again. I also have heart problems. As a result, they prescribed me a bunch of useless medications, and when I returned, the doctors simply shrugged, saying, what do you want, you have to do an operation... A couple of months ago, on the Internet, I came across an article that literally saved me. I regained my health and the pain went away! I am so grateful to fate, to the incident that brought me to this article! Finally my spine is healthy, all thanks to this article! Anyone who has PAIN IN THE BACK AND JOINTS - read NECESSARILY ! Now there is NO PAIN, I sleep normally, walk and work in the country.” Read more"

Back pain can occur accidentally, for example, when lifting heavy objects or during sudden movements. They often appear after heavy loads on this area of ​​the ridge.

This is explained by the fact that the back muscles along the spine, which were heavily loaded, suffer. The back muscles can also become overstrained if the patient stands or sits in the same position for a long time. After several hours of rest, such pain syndromes subside. Here are the most common causes of back pain:


If back pain does not go away after rest or if it gets worse, you should visit a multidisciplinary clinic. Very often, back pain signals a serious problem with the spine, which does not go away on its own and without timely treatment, complications are possible.

For example, a herniated disc can cause irreversible damage to the nerves in the spine. This will affect the mobility of the lower or upper limbs and eventually lead to disability.

As we already know, determining the exact cause of back pain is not easy - it can be very diverse. When pain in the back and lumbosacral spine appears simultaneously, the first thing we must take into account is whether the pain will go away after resting in a supine position.

According to patient reviews, in these cases, drug treatment provides a better therapeutic effect than balneological and physiotherapeutic procedures, and shock wave therapy. It is possible to prevent such conditions if you realize in time that it is necessary to strengthen your back muscles, lead an active lifestyle, monitor your weight and eat right.

For orthopedic diseases of the back and joints, it is better to make an appointment with a neurologist to receive quality advice.

Let's take a closer look at all the possible reasons that lead to the appearance of pain.

The main causes of pain depending on location

Stories from site readers:“My name is Ekaterina, I’m 42 years old. Several years ago I had a severe flu, after which I ended up in the hospital with complications. One of the complications was the inflammatory process in the lower back and joints. X-ray showed initial signs of lumbar osteochondrosis and hernia. And at that time I was 39 years old. When walking and climbing stairs, there was aching pain in the lower back and leg. I tried a lot: Voltaren, Milgamma, Meloxicam... Some helped more, some less. But only this new remedy took away the terrible pain. The last x-ray showed nothing. I just want to wave this photo in front of the doctors, who said that it could get worse, but it won’t get better. I keep the product on hand and recommend it to everyone. It saved me, that’s for sure.” Read more"

Muscle and joint pain

Back pain is sometimes a signal of serious diseases of the internal organs. A lot of pain - in the muscles and joints at the same time, may mean viral infections. This condition is transient, in addition, other symptoms occur simultaneously with these symptoms - high fever, runny nose, nausea and vomiting.

A viral infection may cause pain all over your back.

Chest and back pain

Very often, with heart attacks, chest pain appears, accompanied by an unpleasant sensation in the back. It is for this reason that any back pain should be carefully analyzed and, in acute conditions, medical help should be sought.

These pains are also caused by colds or osteochondrosis.

If you suddenly develop chest and back pain but don't have any other warning signs, try to remember if you were sitting somewhere in a draft. This is because cold air can cause inflammation in the nerves.

Japanese rheumatologist: “Do you have a sore Back and Joints? A new safe treatment method at home!” Good article, must read"

Simultaneous pain in the back and chest is possible for various psychological reasons, such as stress and depression, as well as skin diseases, in particular lichen.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Back pain can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease, as well as osteoarthritis. Treatment in such cases does not lead to the elimination of osteophytes, but to achieving comfort due to pain relief and reduction of inflammatory processes.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, chondroprotectors and kinesitherapy help in the treatment of this disease.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Back pain can occur as a result of trigeminal neuralgia and intercostal neuralgia. Attacks of this disease can limit movement indefinitely. Pain may occur in the area above the coccyx.

The cause of such attacks may be a compressed nerve, an inflammatory process, changes in hormonal levels and bone structure due to the natural aging of the body. Attacks of intercostal neuralgia can be confused with angina attacks. But unlike intercostal neuralgia, heart attacks go away within a few minutes after taking a nitroglycerin tablet.

This is exactly what is observed with lumbar arthrosis of the spine: intervertebral discs and nerve endings are pinched. This disease manifests itself after a long stay in an unnatural position, as well as during active sports.

Pain occurs mainly during movement.

Stenosis

With age, wear and tear of the spine occurs, which is reflected in a number of changes, one of which is spinal canal stenosis. Spinal stenosis affects different sections of the spine or the entire spinal column. This causes compression of the vertebrae and nerve roots.. This is what causes persistent back pain.

Spinal stenosis is not a harmless disease. Depending on the location of the lesion, not only back pain is observed, but other changes may also occur, such as immobilization of the arms or legs, as well as disruption of the functioning of internal organs, such as the intestines or bladder.

Diseases of internal organs

Real stories from site readers:“My name is Alexandra, I’m 38 years old. I want to tell my story about how I cured osteochondrosis and hernia. Finally, I was able to overcome this unbearable pain in my lower back. I lead an active lifestyle, live and enjoy every moment! A few months ago I got a cramp at the dacha; a sharp pain in my lower back didn’t allow me to move, I couldn’t even walk. The doctor at the hospital diagnosed osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, herniated discs L3-L4. He prescribed some medications, but they did not help, the pain was unbearable. They called an ambulance, they put a blockade and hinted at an operation, I kept thinking about this, that I would turn out to be a burden for the family... Everything changed when my daughter gave me an article to read on the Internet. You can’t imagine how grateful I am to her for this! What I learned from the article literally pulled me out of my wheelchair! In recent months I have started to move more; in the spring and summer I go to the dacha every day. Who wants to live a long and energetic life without osteochondrosis, take 5 minutes and read this article.” Read the article»

Tumors

If you systematically feel abdominal discomfort and at the same time back pain, these may be warning signs of ovarian or colon cancer. This statement may seem strange, but practice and statistics prove its truth.

Back pain can also be caused by a tumor on the bone tissue. Do not delay your visit to the medical center - solving the problem at an early stage means saving your life.

Gastritis

Excruciating pain in the left side of the body is a signal of exacerbation of gastritis. Sometimes the situation is quite complicated - the pain creeps to the left side of the chest and back. Most may think that these are heart problems.

Back pain and gastritis - it sounds strange, but it is quite possible. In such cases, carefully analyze where exactly the pain is coming from, whether there is heartburn, whether you feel discomfort, heaviness or pain in the gastrointestinal tract.


Gastritis can cause back pain

Bronchitis

Back pain when coughing and inhaling can occur with bronchitis. This is one of the symptoms that accompany a typical bronchitis cough. Pain in the back and chest occurs when this disease recurs.

Liver diseases

Experts say that in pathologies, the liver gives signals through a discomfort and pain in completely different parts of the body, and the body organ itself does not hurt. If the liver is painful, problems will most likely be in the hypochondrium - above it or in the back. So pain in the back, between the shoulder blades and in the right hypochondrium can be a signal of liver problems.

Anemia

An anemic condition may be associated with back pain in some malignant forms. In such cases, changes in the bone marrow and a decrease in the value of red blood cells are associated with cancer. If the bone marrow is affected, then disturbing back pain may appear.

Gallbladder diseases

What are the causes of back pain under the shoulder blades? If there is sudden and increasing pain in the area of ​​the right shoulder blade and shoulder, then you should be prepared to hear that you have problems with the gallbladder. Pain in the right side of the back is one of the typical signs of biliary colic. If the pain also covers the area of ​​the right hypochondrium - around the liver and gall bladder, then there is no doubt that we are talking about problems with bile or even stones in the gall bladder.

Risk factors

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Passive lifestyle

Working in an office for several hours in a row in front of a computer is a real test for the spine and, in general, for the entire musculoskeletal system. One of the disadvantages of office work is staying in the same position, which overloads the back and strains the muscles. The rule is known: after 50 minutes of working in front of the computer, a ten-minute warm-up or change of body position should follow.

To relieve back pain, experts recommend physical therapy and yoga as long as these activities are not contraindicated. Such activities will strengthen certain groups of muscles and ligaments, and this may also be good preparation for the process of giving birth to a child. You also need to be careful with nutrition - eat certain foods with enough vitamins, proteins and microelements so that the unborn child does not feel a deficiency of these nutrients and develops in the right way.

How to prevent back pain?

Stories from site readers:“My wife has long suffered from acute pain in her joints and back. Over the past 2 years, pain has always been present. Previously, I could not imagine that a person could scream like that in pain. It was terrible, especially in the middle of the night, when blood-curdling screams were heard in complete silence. According to her, it was like dogs chewing her legs and back. And there was nothing to help her, I just held her hand and reassured her. She injected herself with painkillers and fell asleep, and after a while everything happened again... In the morning, when she woke up, she cried more often. The smile completely disappeared from my face, the sun left our house forever. She also had difficulty moving - her knee joints and sacrum made it possible to even turn around. The first night after using this new remedy was the first time without screaming. And in the morning a cheerful woman came up to me and said with a smile: “But there’s no pain!” And for the first time in these 2 years I saw my beloved wife happy and smiling. She flutters around the house like a swallow, the rays of life play in her eyes.” Read more"

Experts say that back pain is one of the main causes of physical discomfort between the ages of 20 and 40. At this age, it rarely comes to degenerative changes in the skeleton and muscles.

Great article to follow up:

It may sound strange, but, according to surgeons, in most cases we are not talking about diseases of the spine, but about problems with posture! Especially for teenagers, when active growth begins, scoliosis is a fairly common disease after the age of 13. You should take more care of your posture.

Why does my lower back hurt?

Answer: The most common cause of back pain in modern lifestyles is degenerative diseases of various parts of the spine as a result of occupational injuries, coupled with immobilization.

For example, pain and numbness in the neck most often occur due to sitting for more than two hours daily in front of a computer and poor posture when working with a computer mouse. Pain in the neck and back often occurs in people who work in a static position in a factory or with constant repetitive movements during work. Lower back pain is most common among workers who perform strenuous physical work or are exposed to adverse weather conditions such as cold and drafts.

Why does back pain occur after sleep?

Answer: Even young people often complain of morning stiffness and back pain after getting out of bed in the morning. This can mean diseases such as sciatica, sciatica, lumbago and disc herniation. However, this can only be determined by a neurologist.

It may also be an uncomfortable bed. It is known that in such cases it is better to sleep on a hard bed, and soft mattresses are contraindicated, since they deform the spine and provoke pain. It is best to purchase an orthopedic mattress of medium hardness.

Why does my back hurt after a massage?

Answer: This can be influenced by various factors, ranging from illiterate actions of the massage therapist to exacerbations of chronic diseases. The following reasons can be identified why a person feels pain immediately after a session:

  • Some people come to a massage therapist during an acute period of illness in the hope of getting rid of it. However, applying pressure to painful areas in such cases usually makes the condition worse.
  • An illiterate massage therapist can cause serious injury. You need to be especially careful when choosing a specialist.
  • During the first massage sessions, the patient may experience discomfort and pain - this is normal and will go away within three days.

Massage is contraindicated for:

  • last trimester of pregnancy;
  • a period of stress or severe nervous shock;
  • osteomyelitis;
  • ankylosing spondylitis;
  • bone tuberculosis;
  • hemangiomas are benign tumors;
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • various injuries, sprains and other problems with the spine.

The most important thing is to find a qualified specialist, and then the positive effect will not be long in coming.

Video: why does your back hurt?

Although the causes of back pain can be very serious, in many cases it can go away on its own. But if pain bothers the patient for a long time and is not relieved by painkillers, then you should not postpone a visit to a therapist, neurologist or vertebrologist. Take care of yourself!

Conclusions and Conclusions

What are our Russian doctors keeping silent about? Why in 90% of cases does drug treatment give only a temporary effect?

Unfortunately, most of the remedies “treating” back and joint diseases that are advertised on TV and sold in pharmacies are completely divorce.

At first it may seem that creams and ointments help, BUT in fact they only TEMPORARILY relieve the symptoms of the disease.

In simple words, you buy a regular painkiller, and the disease continues to develop into more severe stage. Ordinary pain can be a symptom of more serious diseases:

  • degeneration of muscle tissue in the buttocks, thighs and lower legs;
  • pinched sciatic nerve;
  • development of arthritis, arthrosis and related diseases;
  • acute and sharp pain - lumbago, which leads to chronic radiculitis;
  • cauda equina syndrome, which leads to paralysis of the legs;
  • impotence and infertility.

How to be?- you ask. We have studied a huge amount of materials and, most importantly, tested in practice most of the remedies for the treatment of diseases of the spine and joints. So, it turned out that the only new remedy which does not remove symptoms, but truly cures - this is a medicine that is not sold in pharmacies and is not advertised on TV! So that you don’t think that they are selling you another “miracle drug,” we will not tell you what an effective drug it is. If you are interested, you can read all the information about it yourself. Here is the link" .

List of used literature

  1. Evgeny Cherepanov "Healthy Spine School", 2012;
  2. Alexey Ivanchev "Spine. Secrets of Health", 2014;
  3. Victoria Karpukhina "Spinal health. Popov, Bubnovsky systems and other treatment methods", 2014;
  4. Yuri Glavchev “The spine is the provocateur of all diseases”, 2014;
  5. Stephen Ripple "Life without back pain. How to heal the spine and improve overall well-being", 2013;
  6. Galli, R.L., Speight, D.W., Simon, R.R. "Emergency orthopedics. Spine.", 1995

Many people have back pain and it hurts in very different ways; it happens to most adults from time to time. For some, the pain does not indicate anything serious; you just need to do a few simple exercises to make it go away. For some, it becomes a symptom of a tumor, infection, or degenerative changes in the spine.

Figuring out what causes pain, what it is like and what to do about it is not that difficult.

Why does my back hurt? The causes of back pain are varied. The easiest way to describe them is by dividing them into groups.

  • Temporary. The syndrome is observed in healthy people for a short period of time, as a result of exposure to unfavorable circumstances - abuse of physical activity, prolonged stay in one position. Not dangerous, just get rid of it.
  • Degenerative. Appears as a result of changes in the spine: a vertebra has shifted, problems with intervertebral discs, a pinched nerve. Not dangerous, but unpleasant and has a long flow.
  • Infectious. It becomes a symptom of an inflammatory process occurring in the spine itself or in the muscles surrounding it. It is dangerous because the infection has an extremely negative effect on the entire body and can lead to the death of the patient.
  • Irradiating. It becomes a symptom of a disease of the internal organs. The spine is not affected, the pain only radiates to the back.
  • Other. This group combines reasons that were not included in the first four.

When understanding why your back hurts, you should analyze each group separately.

Temporary pain

This is a small group, but it is with them that any person has a chance to encounter. There are three reasons for them:

  • Uncomfortable body position. Back pain becomes a natural reaction to muscle tension and improper curvature of the spine. The pain is nagging and unpleasant. Typical for people who work sitting for several hours, without bothering to provide a comfortable workplace, while remaining in one position for a long time.
  • Muscle strain. If an untrained person begins to carry weights, engages in active work or goes to the gym, the reaction of his muscles and ligaments will be natural - he will suffer from pain the next day. Her character is tugging and intensifies when she tries to move. If you continue to strain, you can cause your muscles to become inflamed.
  • Pregnancy. In order for the baby to pass through the birth canal, already in the first months of pregnancy, a woman’s body begins to produce a hormone that softens the ligaments. Moreover, the longer the period, the greater the weight of the child and the load on the spine - the result is constant nagging pain localized in the lower back or sacrum.

Back pain of this kind goes away on its own - the muscles are restored, the child is born, the body position changes and everything returns to normal practically without the participation of the patient.

All he can do is alleviate his condition, providing himself with peace for a while.

Degenerative pain

Such dysfunctions are more serious than temporary ones and do not go away on their own. These include:

  • Osteochondrosis. The reason is degenerative changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs. They lose elasticity and flatten, as a result of which the vertebrae become less mobile, crumble, and change shape. They are distinguished depending on which parts of the spine are affected: cervical, thoracic, lumbar. Cervical is accompanied by pain radiating to the shoulder, excruciating headaches, dizziness, and hearing loss. The chest pains in the chest, often so strongly that breathing problems occur. With lumbar pain, they radiate to the legs, often accompanied by lameness and disorders of the pelvic organs.
  • Intervertebral hernia. A herniation occurs when an intervertebral disc bulges between the vertebrae. At first, the pain is dull, drawing, and intensifies when the vertebrae are pressed on the disc - when the patient coughs, lifts weights, or sits in one place for a long time. Later it intensifies, begins to spread to the limbs, and becomes acute. Accompanied by muscle weakness, a rapid change in posture for the worse, and problems with sensitivity of the limbs. If left untreated, it can lead to paralysis of everything below the pinched disc.
  • Vertebral displacement. It develops either due to congenital pathology or due to degenerative changes in the structure of the spine. Most often localized in the lumbar region, the pain is constant, nagging, and radiates to the buttocks and legs.
  • Disc loss. It becomes a logical continuation of the development of a spinal hernia. The pinched disc bulges so much that it actually falls out of place. The condition is characterized by acute pain - the patient freezes in one position and tries very hard not to move so as not to aggravate it.
  • Radiculitis. Occurs due to pinching of the spinal cord roots. It manifests itself as pain, then tingling, numbness, decreased sensitivity up to complete atrophy of the area, the connection of which with the nervous system is provided by a specific root. It is because of radiculitis that lumbago occurs - a severe pain syndrome in which the patient suddenly shoots in the back and freezes in a bent position, unable to straighten up.
  • Osteoporosis. It occurs either due to old age or due to hormonal imbalances in the body. Bone tissue, as a result of the influence of the disease, becomes less dense and loses its normal structure. Pain appears when staying in a static position for a long time or when the weather changes. They are accompanied by changes in posture, leg cramps and extreme bone fragility - any slight blow can lead to a fracture.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis. A disease that causes weakening of the small joints in the spine that connect individual vertebrae. It is characterized by constant pain, which intensifies at night and becomes easier in the morning.

Degenerative changes are chronic and can mostly be treated with lifestyle changes and manual therapy. Symptomatic therapy is prescribed only during exacerbations; surgical interventions are indicated only in certain cases - for osteochondrosis, for example, they do not help.

Infectious

There are not many specific inflammations of the spine - for the most part, the syndrome occurs due to infectious diseases, which can, in principle, be localized anywhere. Most often these are two diseases:

  • Tuberculosis. The pulmonary form is the most common, but it also happens that the spine is affected. The pain is excruciating, the treatment is long and difficult, and the person often remains disabled.
  • Osteomyelitis. Affects bone tissue, periosteum, bone marrow. It proceeds severely, with the formation of pus. The pain is nagging, accompanied by the formation of fistulas - purulent wounds on the body.

Both tuberculosis and osteomyelitis are accompanied by fever, headaches, muscle weakness, fatigue, and often nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea - all classic symptoms of infection. They require treatment immediately, because the earlier the stage, the more effective it will be.

Irradiating

Diseases of the internal organs can also cause pain. In this case, the pain does not increase or decrease from changes in body position, and is also accompanied by clear symptoms indicating a specific organ.

  • Kidneys. The most common option, most often for inflammatory diseases or stones. The pain is girdling, at the lumbar level, stronger in the back, and does not depend on movement. Accompanied by a frequent urge to urinate, rich yellow urine or blood in it, and elevated temperature. Sometimes it occurs in the form of renal colic - a sharp pain on one side of the back.
  • Gastrointestinal tract. With an ulcer or gastritis, pain may radiate to the back. Aching character occurs either in the evening, when a person goes to bed, or when he is hungry, or immediately after eating. Accompanied by classic symptoms of stomach and intestinal upset - bloating, increased gas production, nausea, constipation or diarrhea. Sometimes heartburn and blood in the stool are added - black if the patient has a stomach ulcer, black if the patient has an intestinal ulcer.
  • Gynecology. In women, the pain is also aching in nature, located slightly above the lower back. Accompanied by menstrual irregularities, discharge of unusual color and consistency with an unpleasant odor, problems during sexual intercourse, and sometimes elevated temperature.
  • Lungs. The pain is stabbing, in the thoracic region, intensifies with inspiration, weakens with exhalation. Accompanied by shortness of breath, shallow, rapid breathing, symptoms of oxygen starvation - fatigue, dizziness, fainting.
  • Heart. The pain is stabbing, also in the thoracic region, and can radiate to the shoulder and arm on the left side. Accompanied by arrhythmia or tachycardia, rapid breathing, dizziness.

In this case, pain syndromes are easily associated with internal organs, since with ordinary back pain no additional symptoms are observed.

Other

This group includes pathologies such as malignant tumors and back injuries, which were not included in the previous ones. They are characterized by different symptoms:

  • Tumor. Cancer in the spine area is extremely rare - then either the bone marrow or bone tissue is affected. More often, the back is riddled with metastases, and then, in addition to the main symptoms, the patient also suffers from severe back pain.
  • Injury. Falls, blows and other injuries leave a hematoma, sometimes a fracture of the ribs or even the spine itself. Both symptoms and treatment very much depend on the nature of the injury, on which vertebra it occurred on, and on how young the person is. Most often, the consequences range from “just wait for the bruise to go away” to “go to the hospital and wait a long time for the bones to heal.”

In any case, these reasons are serious and require a visit to the doctor, diagnosis and treatment.

Types of pain

Back pain comes in different forms - you can often guess what the problem is simply by its nature. Happens:

  • strong, pulling - characteristic of degenerative changes, or, if accompanied by symptoms, for diseases of the heart and lungs;
  • acute - occurs with radiculitis, vertebral prolapse, renal colic and infectious lesions, often accompanied by an increase in temperature;
  • aching - most often caused by muscle tension (and then the muscles are hard and contracted upon palpation), but may also indicate degenerative changes not in the acute stage, if the back pain is constant;
  • radiating - symptoms of back pain are accompanied by symptoms from other organs, the pain does not change intensity either depending on the position of the body or depending on the time of day.

If your back hurts, the pain speaks volumes about what exactly is affected. Sometimes you don’t even need a visit to the doctor and you can figure it out on your own.

What to do if you have back pain?

There are a number of cases when it is not necessary to see a doctor:

  • if this is a chronic disease and the patient has encountered it more than once;
  • if pain occurs as a result of muscle strain;
  • if the patient was simply sitting in an uncomfortable position and can clearly associate pain with this.

In such cases, it is enough to keep the sore spot warm (you can wrap it with a scarf), avoid uncomfortable positions and drink vitamins - they will help the body recover faster.

You should immediately make an appointment with a doctor or call him at home if:

  • pain appeared after injury;
  • pain is accompanied by loss of sensation in the back or limbs;
  • the pain does not go away within a few days or even gets worse;
  • it is accompanied by fever and other symptoms of infection;
  • the pain does not go away, even if you lie down and relax;
  • the pain is accompanied by additional symptoms - tachycardia, shortness of breath, problems with urination, constipation or diarrhea.

You should also visit a doctor if back pain plagues a child or an elderly person over fifty years of age.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is carried out sequentially - after a consultation, at which the doctor asks the patient about the symptoms and performs palpation, various examinations are carried out to understand what could lead to back pain.

Among them:

  • general blood and urine tests - allow you to get an idea of ​​the state of the body, as well as identify infectious contamination, if any;
  • X-ray - suitable for detecting tumors and tuberculosis, allows you to get an idea of ​​the shape of the spine and its curvatures;
  • Ultrasound and MRI are used to obtain the most detailed picture of the spine.

After receiving the results of the examination, the doctor can already assume what caused this condition and prescribe more specialized tests. A biopsy, which will show what processes are taking place in the tissues, neurological tests, showing the depth of the lesion, infectious cultures, identifying the pathogen.

As a result, the circle will narrow so much that the cause of such pathology will become obvious and it will be possible to move on to treatment.

Treatment of lower back pain

Back pain is treated comprehensively, using the most effective methods. So, for the treatment of degenerative changes, use:

  • Drugs that relieve acute pain. These are either tablets and injections, or ointments - mainly anti-inflammatory. Sometimes they are supplemented with warming ointments.
  • Manual therapy. For degenerative changes, this is the most effective way to reduce the causes that result in pain. Promotes nutrition of bone tissue - this makes it an ideal supplement for the treatment of osteoporosis. Improves blood flow, ensures the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the nerve area, kneads and relaxes muscles, and helps to at least partially realign the vertebrae. However, there are also contraindications (for example, exacerbations, inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases), so before going to a massage therapist, you must first consult a doctor.
  • Lifestyle changes. The load on the spine is constantly present, but it is within the power of a person to reduce it. An orthopedic mattress and pillow, wearing a corset during exacerbations, moderate physical activity every day, taking vitamins - all this is more effective, using drugs with daily injections.
  • Exercise therapy. The basis for the fight against degenerative changes. Allows you to relax your back, improve posture, and increase the overall tone of the body. Ideally, the patient should exercise every day.

But treating other causes requires a more complex approach:

  • infectious diseases are treated with a complex combination of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and other drugs with sanatorium treatment;
  • diseases of internal organs are treated by eliminating the cause, and if there is pain in the back, treatment is started with a drug with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect;
  • for cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are used;
  • for fractures, plaster is applied and anti-inflammatory drugs are used;
  • During pregnancy, a support belt is prescribed and it is recommended to handle your back carefully.

In any case, back pain requires consultation with a doctor who knows exactly what drug to start treatment with in the presence of pain syndrome.

Prevention

  • Dress for the weather so that hypothermia does not affect the muscles and lead to a decrease in immunity.
  • Do not lift weights, and if there is no other choice, do it smoothly and not jerkily.
  • If possible, do not bend over to the floor to pick up an item, but squat down.
  • Eating right - obesity is one of the factors leading to back problems. To do this, eat more white meat, fresh vegetables and fruits, natural products, and milk. Reduce consumption of sweets, simple carbohydrates, fried, salty, peppered foods. Do not overeat or abuse fast food. It is also useful if work hours allow you to eat by the hour, at the same time every day.
  • Do not neglect physical activity - sitting in one place cannot strengthen the body. A half-hour walk every day will be enough. Swimming and cycling are also good.
  • Carefully undergo a routine medical examination every year - a visit to a neurologist will help determine if the spinal canal begins to curve.
  • Watch your posture, if your job is sedentary, get up every half hour and do a minimal stretch.

Everyone experiences back pain at different times in their lives. If you visit a doctor in time, get diagnosed and start treatment, the disease will not have time to progress and will be cured - or at least stopped in its development at a very early stage.

The main thing is not to experience it on your feet.

People often complain of lower back pain, and this is natural: this area bears most of the load. Compared to other departments, the lumbar region is more often susceptible to diseases.

In this article we will look at what back pain in the lumbar region is like, what causes it and how to get rid of it.

Lower back pain is known as lumbago, or “lumbago.” Sometimes it is so strong that a person has to take an unnatural position, his movements are constrained. Any movement causes severe discomfort to the patient.

Lower back pain is a dangerous manifestation of spinal diseases

Painful sensations can last from a couple of minutes to several days. Then they suddenly stop, but after a while they repeat with renewed vigor. A person has to get used to such waves of pain that will not go away completely if he is not treated.

Prices for painkillers for back pain

Why does my lower back hurt?

The following factors may be the reason:

  • long periods of driving or working at a computer in a sitting position;
  • physical activity, emotional or nervous stress at work;
  • intensive training in the gym (when performing exercises in a standing or sitting position);
  • pregnancy and difficult childbirth;
  • problems with excess weight.

Pain in the lumbar region can occur for various reasons

It happens that the pain goes away on its own. This makes it clear that if the lower back bothers you regularly, the development of a serious disease is possible. And if not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to serious consequences, which will have to be treated with surgical intervention.

Lower back pain as a symptom of disease

There are two types of low back pain: primary and secondary.

The connection between pain and disease has been discovered since ancient times.

Primary pain syndrome occurs directly with the development of spinal diseases. It can be:

  • lumbar osteochondrosis;
  • formation of intervertebral disc protrusion;
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • spondylosis or spondyloarthrosis;
  • diseases of the spine, such as kyphosis, scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis;
  • arthritis;
  • discitis, osteomyelitis and spinal tuberculosis.

Secondary pain syndrome occurs due to diseases in other areas of the body. It is caused by the following reasons:

  • fractures;
  • tumor inside the spinal canal;
  • constant muscle spasms;
  • diseases of internal organs;
  • urolithiasis;
  • complicated pregnancy;
  • problems with the ovary.

If you want to learn more and also consider alternative treatment methods, you can read an article about this on our portal.

Video -How to relieve acute pain in the lumbar region

Classification of pain

Lower back pain can be:

  • strong;
  • spicy;
  • aching;
  • chronic;
  • displaced.

Severe pain

Severe pain occurs with osteochondrosis. Pain haunts a person constantly: when he walks, sits, lifts weights, even coughs or sneezes. Sometimes it radiates to the lower extremities. This is accompanied by numbness and a feeling of “pins and needles”.

A person feels severe pain immediately, which is why he goes to the hospital. Therefore it is easier to get rid of them

With lumbosacral radiculitis, a person feels severe pain in the lower back and other parts of the body: in the buttocks, hips, pelvis and legs. The pain becomes stronger during walking, coughing, and changing body position.

Prices for lumbosacral corset

At the first such signs, you need to contact a neurologist. It is recommended to sleep on a hard mattress to maintain the lower back in the correct anatomical position.

Acute pain

Acute pain in a person occurs in the following cases:

  • Crick;
  • being in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
  • working with weights;
  • injuries;
  • sudden movements;
  • hypothermia of the body;
  • draft.

To eliminate such pain, you need to use gels and ointments that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. They will help improve blood circulation and get rid of swelling. If the lower back pain does not go away two or three days after the first onset, then it’s time to see a doctor.

In the first days, when lower back pain is especially severe, it is better to adhere to bed rest.

Aching pain

Aching pain in the lower back can occur due to myositis or inflammation of the lower back muscles. A person is constrained in his movements because he experiences pain when performing even the simplest movements.

Aching pain is not as noticeable as others, especially in the early periods of its development

To get rid of pain, you must first take a warm shower and then put on warm clothes. Physical activity is excluded. To alleviate the condition, it is recommended to rub in ointments that have a warming effect. If the pain does not go away after three days, it is better to consult a doctor.

Therapeutic warming products

Chronic pain

Often the cause of such pain is spondylosis deformans. A person with such a disease is very worried about the lower back, and may develop loss of sensation and weakness in the legs.

It is impossible to get rid of chronic pain. The best thing a doctor can do is reduce their strength.

Chronic pain can also occur due to ankylosing spondylitis, metabolic problems or cancerous tumors. There is no way to cope with these diseases at home. It is also difficult to identify the cause in the early stages. Therefore, if you experience pain that does not go away for more than three days and even gets worse, you should consult a doctor.

Displaced pains

This type is distinguished by its “entanglement”. A person feels pain in the lower back and believes that the cause is problems with the spine. But in reality, displaced pain usually appears due to diseases of the organs located in the pelvic region, tumors and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

This type of pain is considered the most dangerous, since its symptoms are easily “confused” with the symptoms of other diseases

In what cases should you consult a doctor??

If you have any sign from the list below, you should immediately make an appointment with a therapist.

  • severe pain in the lumbar region does not go away after three days or more;
  • the cause of the pain is a spinal injury that you know about (for example, a couple of days before there was an accident or a fall on your back);
  • your lower back, hips, legs and feet hurt at the same time;
  • Due to pain, sensitivity is lost in the buttocks, thighs, legs, feet and groin area.

How to cure lower back pain?

Usually the patient receives comprehensive treatment, where attention is paid to the lumbar region, the spine, and nearby organs.

Treatment is divided into two types: conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment is a type of treatment in which the patient’s recovery is achieved both through the use of medications (drug treatment) and through the use of alternative methods (non-drug treatment).

Conservative treatment comes in several types:

  • taking special medications;
  • physiotherapy;
  • physiotherapy;
  • massage.

Treatment with medications

Ointments and gels

Ointment is a medicine in soft form, which is intended for external application to affected areas of the body. The ointment consists of two components: a base and medicinal active substances.

Ointments as medicines are effective if you need to improve your health at home as quickly as possible. They help a person relieve pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. Some have a warming effect on the lower back, which is useful if it has a cold.

Which drugs work and which don't?

Chinese back patches have excellent properties as warming preparations.

Prices for Chinese plasters for joints and spine

There is the following classification of ointments:

  1. Anti-inflammatory ointments with analgesic effect. They have a cooling effect due to the fact that they contain menthol and lavender. These include Ibuprofen, Nurofen and Diclofenac.
  2. Combined ointments. They are used for injuries and sprains. In addition to anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, they have a healing effect, which is achieved through heparin and demethyl sulfoxide in the ointment. For example, "Dolobene".
  3. Drugs with the effect of vasodilation. They increase blood flow to the affected area. For example, papaverine ointment;
  4. Chondroprotectors. Used for pathologies of cartilage tissue. Thanks to chondroitin sulfate, these medications restore joints. These are "Chondroxid" and "Drastop".

Injections

An injection involves injecting medication into a muscle or vein to speed up the “delivery” of drugs to the inflamed area. It is important that the needle is sharp so that neither the skin nor the muscles are injured.

Distinctive features of the injection are:

  • Treatment speed.
  • Treatment effectiveness. The active substance is not subject to any degenerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • The need for a professional approach to the administration of injections. It is better not to give yourself injections - you need to either visit a doctor every day or call a healthcare worker at home.
  • A specialist appointment is required. Only a doctor can prescribe the right medicine for you. And many drugs cannot be purchased without a prescription.

Physical exercises and exercises

Physical therapy is a method of treating diseases and reducing lower back pain. The objectives of exercise therapy are the restoration of the musculoskeletal system, improvement of the patient’s condition and correction of posture.

Therapeutic exercise is an effective method of conservative treatment

  1. Starting position - lying down. You need to alternately raise your left and right legs. The maximum lifting height is ten to fifteen centimeters. The raised leg must be held suspended for 10-15 seconds. The exercise is performed 10-15 times on each leg.
  2. While lying on your back, you need to bend your knees. The bending angle is 90-100 degrees. At the end of the exercise, the bent legs must be tilted to the right and left until they stop. The exercise is performed 15 times.
  3. You need to slowly and smoothly lean in different directions. When performing the exercise, your back should be as straight as possible. 20 tilts in each direction are enough.
  4. Starting position - standing on all fours. You need to swing with arms and legs opposite each other (for example, the right arm and left leg are involved) at the same time. Performed 10-15 times
  5. "Bridge". Standing on all fours with your stomach facing out, you need to arch your back upward and lock in this position for as long as you have the strength. You need to perform the exercise at least 5 times.

Massage

Massage is a treatment technique aimed at influencing a person’s active points using hands or special devices. This method has proven itself to be effective in the fight against pain in the lumbar region. However, massage should only be performed by a specialist, since a non-professional can be harmful to the health of the spine.

Pros of massage:

  • improves blood flow in the affected part of the body;
  • makes muscles and ligaments more flexible and elastic;
  • relieves acute pain;
  • removes toxins from the body;
  • creates pleasant sensations by massaging sensitive areas of the body;
  • has a beneficial effect on mood.

It is better to combine a massage with a bath or sauna. It is especially useful to steam with birch or oak brooms: they increase the tone of the body.

Warming and cryotherapy

This treatment method belongs to traditional medicine. Warming up helps with pain that is not associated with inflammation. For example, this is a sprain, hernia, curvature of the spine or osteochondrosis. Cryotherapy, on the contrary, is effective for acute forms of inflammation.

Remember! If there is an infection in the body, heating loses its positive effects. Increased blood flow causes irrepressible pain in the human body, and the area of ​​inflammation can increase.

Disease prevention

To avoid the recurrence of pain in the lumbar region, we recommend that you strictly follow three main rules:

  • Exercise regularly.

Exercises should be of a general strengthening nature. They evenly affect all muscle groups, including those in the back and abdomen. It is recommended to practice them daily for at least twenty to thirty minutes. Morning exercises, jogging, swimming in the pool or walking briskly are suitable.

  • Maintain water-salt balance.

You should drink more water in the first half of the day. After 20.00 it is better to reduce the amount of water consumed, because this is fraught with swelling and pain in the kidneys.

  • Eat right and visit a doctor.

Review your daily diet. You should reduce the amount of fatty, fried and smoked foods or eliminate them altogether - it is better to add healthy dishes and products. The healthiest one is the one that is steamed or boiled. The daily diet should contain as many foods as possible that are rich in the vitamins, microelements and minerals necessary for the body.

It is recommended to undergo annual medical examinations, which include a complete examination of the body. Women should regularly visit a gynecologist, men - a urologist. The health of children should be monitored at the level of educational institutions - well-established medical examination will help to identify the disease in time and begin treatment as early as possible.

The main condition for maintaining a healthy spine is the right lifestyle!

In addition to these three rules, there are several more that are also recommended to be followed:

  • Watch your posture.
  • Avoid uncomfortable postures when working while sitting. The knees should be higher than the level of the pelvis. You need to sit on a low chair or put a stand under your feet. It is better if a small pillow is placed between the lower back and the back of the chair (chair).
  • When working in an office environment, you should move regularly. Once an hour, take breaks for a short five-minute exercise.
  • You need to sleep on a hard orthopedic mattress.
  • Lift weights correctly. This is done by bending the knee joints. You need to sit down to the object, bending your knees, while keeping your back straight.
  • When carrying a load, it is worth distributing the load between both hands.

Back pillow

Conclusion

Low back pain is a dangerous symptom, which is characterized by its inconstancy and variability.

You can get rid of lower back pain if you make an effort

Take care of your health, do not put off going to the doctor and lead an active lifestyle - then you will not have problems with your spine.

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Pain in the lumbar back is an extremely common occurrence. Paleontologists and biologists believe that this is a consequence of such an evolutionary acquisition as upright walking.

The load when walking is not distributed evenly across all sections, as in most animals, but falls almost entirely on the lumbar region.

Lower back pain occurs for a number of reasons and may indicate a complex of ailments of a different nature.

Diseases of the spine and internal organs

Pain can occur as a result of congenital or acquired diseases.

Thus, congenital defects in particular include:

  • changes and cleft vertebrae;
  • irregular shape of the vertebral processes, their shortening or lengthening.

Vertebral clefts: 1.2-posterior, 3.4-lateral, 5-7-anterior

These problems can be completely asymptomatic or accompanied by acute pain when performing certain types of bends, difficulty moving, problems with urination, and mental retardation.

The causes of lower back pain can also be of a neuralgic nature with:

  • pinched nerves in the spine (this pain can be described as severe and sudden);
  • lumbar osteochondrosis, which develops as a result of a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and causes nagging pain due to muscle strain;
  • lumbar ischialgia, characterized by atrophic changes in the sciatic nerve (most often the pain with this disease spreads to the buttock and occurs sharply and suddenly).
  • multiple sclerosis (this chronic autoimmune disease affects the sheath of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord and brain, provokes pain of different localization, severity and is difficult to cure).

In addition, sharp pains of this nature can also cause:

  • degenerative sacroiliitis- a serious disease, which is a purulent-inflammatory process on the surface of the sacroiliac joint;
  • the cause of which is a lack of calcium in the body or disturbances in its metabolism (in the initial stages the disease is characterized by chronic aching pain, cramps, and changes in posture).

Pattern: osteoporosis

Another type of pain in the lumbar region is referred pain.

They can act as a characteristic symptom of a number of diseases of different organs and systems:

  • infections of the genitourinary system (chlamydia, ureaplasmosis);
  • unstable intestinal function and tumor diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • hemorrhoids arising from sedentary work;
  • tumors and polyps in the uterus;
  • complications after colds (after sore throat, flu, ARVI);
  • radiculitis (causes lumbar pain radiating to the leg).

In some cases, the cause may be:

  • physiological changes (pregnancy, childbirth, menstruation);
  • excessive physical activity (in particular, heavy lifting);
  • sudden weight gain;
  • epidural anesthesia.

Fig.: how to lift weights

Provoking factors

In addition to internal diseases, lumbar pain can be provoked by the following factors:

Hypothermia

The most common consequence of hypothermia is radiculitis.

This is an inflammatory process affecting the nerve roots.

Infectious processes occur against the background of reduced immunity. Periodic or prolonged exposure to cold, as well as humid air, significantly worsen the body's resistance.

Irregular exercise

Often, after a long stay in a sitting position, back pain occurs when walking.

Lack of exercise and physical activity causes blood stagnation and can lead to irreversible changes in cartilage tissue.

However, any loads must be dosed, their strength should be increased gradually.

Excessive tension provokes injuries and muscle strains, fractures, and bone cracks.

With a sudden transition to complex exercises, painful displacements of internal organs may occur.

Professional sports

Dangerous sports include:

  • body-building;
  • body-building;
  • Weightlifting.

They involve excessive stress on the lower back muscles.

An alarming symptom is pain after squats with a barbell, sharp turns and bends.

If it is painful for an athlete to walk, they should immediately stop training and consult a doctor.

Poor nutrition

The diet must contain a sufficient amount of calcium, phosphorus and fluorine, which are important components of bone tissue.

Women during pregnancy, lactation and menopause should pay special attention to the consumption of calcium, fluorine and phosphorus.

In addition, frequent constipation and excess fatty and high-calorie foods in the diet have a traumatic effect on the rectum and large intestine.

This leads to radiating pain in the lower back.

Vomiting and frequent nausea indicate gastritis or an ulcer, which can cause severe tension in the lower back.

Rachiocampsis

Another name for the pathology is scoliosis. It can be congenital or acquired.

In a mild form, it can be easily cured with a set of exercises; in a severe form, it requires surgical intervention.

When the curvature occurs, it becomes difficult for the patient to stand for a long time or sit without support.

Stress

Severe nervous tension, frequent worries and long-term lack of rest have a negative impact on all body systems. Psychologists have found that a person under the burden of problems begins to involuntarily slouch, “bending” under their weight.

Many chronic diseases can be aggravated by nerves and stress.

If depression and loss of strength continue for a month, the help of a specialist is needed.

What diseases and conditions cause lower back pain?

Causes of pain in men

Lumbar pain in men can have different etiologies and are characterized by their own distinctive features.

Age-related and hormonal changes have little effect on the male spine, but often problems with the prostate gland can cause characteristic deep, mild pain.

The main causes of lumbar pain in men include:

Crick

Often people who do not engage in physical labor as part of their occupation have weak back muscles, especially the latissimus muscle.

The ability to properly distribute physical activity must be developed.

When lifting heavy weights, an untrained person transfers all the weight to the lower back, and not to the biceps, triceps or pectoral muscles. The consequence of this is a stretch of the latissimus dorsi muscle.

When stretched, the pain comes and goes, decreasing with hot compresses and warming ointments.

It can make itself felt if you stand for a long time, and pass while lying on your back.

Fracture

The cause of a fracture can be either a serious injury or a simple bruise.

When the intervertebral disc subsides, a fracture of the lumbar spine can even cause an unsuccessful step or loss of balance.

A symptom of a fracture is acute pain in the lower back or in the tailbone area.

Sometimes the pain can spread to the upper or lower extremities and intensify with changes in body position.

Genital tumor metastases

The pain from metastasis of the bone tissue of the spine is the most severe, sometimes becoming unbearable.

A visit to the oncologist cannot be postponed when the lower back and testicles or penis hurt.

Such pain can only be relieved with potent drugs; the process of necrotic tissue changes will most likely not be stopped.

Kidney diseases

About a third of male patients with low back pain suffer from kidney problems.

Pain in the kidney area intensifies during movements and prolonged standing in an upright position. At rest, the pain subsides.

If you stand for a long time, the pain may gradually increase.

This occurs because fluid rushes to the kidneys and creates excess pressure on the spine.

After drinking alcohol, lower back pain may also intensify.

Prostatitis

This disease causes lumbar pain on the right and back. Sometimes the pain radiates to the groin.

Other symptoms of prostatitis include a burning sensation when urinating and problems with erections.

The main cause of the disease is stagnation of blood in the capillaries or a bacterial infection.

Causes of pain in women

The female body is constantly subject to changes and hormonal shocks.

Certain types of pain in the female body occur normally and are not an alarming signal.

Pain associated with the menstrual cycle

Pain that occurs at different times of the menstrual cycle does not necessarily indicate any pathology:

  • During menstruation, the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the back muscles, causing discomfort;
  • If pain occurs 7-8 days before menstruation and radiates to the stomach, this indicates the need to revise your diet. It is better to include more foods rich in fiber and fruit acids in your diet.
  • Pain in the middle of the cycle may be associated with the release of an egg from the ovary;
  • Pain after menstruation indicates problems in the reproductive system, in which case a visit to a specialist is necessary.

Pain caused by pregnancy

In the first weeks, when a woman does not yet know about her situation, she may have pain in her lower back and lower abdomen. Such pain is similar in nature to premenstrual pain and often coincides with it in terms of timing.

A delay in menstruation in this case may indicate pregnancy or an infectious process.

Sometimes slight bleeding is possible; they are associated with the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall.

If your lower abdomen and lower back hurt, but you don’t have your period, the first thing you need to do is a pregnancy test.

Often such pain will accompany a woman for several months; in such cases, the doctor suggests taking medications with magnesium.

During pregnancy, especially in the last stages, most women experience pain below or above the lower back.

This is due to the fact that a growing belly puts more strain on the back muscles.

If the pain is constant and associated with vigorous activity, the expectant mother needs a support bandage that will distribute the load between different muscle groups.

If the lower back hurts during sleep and in the morning, most likely the woman sleeps in an uncomfortable position.

Special sleeping pillows that support the body and prevent muscle tension can help. The lower back pain should go away at night.

By the end of the term, the pain may be concentrated in the lower back on the right or left: this does not indicate the position of the fetus, but a curvature of posture.

The pain may go away in a pregnant woman when she sits with her elbows completely leaning against a support.

After abortions

Women who decide to terminate their pregnancy or do so for medical reasons complain of pain after an abortion in almost 100% of cases.

The causes of pain may be:

  • inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus (endometritis);
  • woman's stressful condition;
  • contraction of the uterus after an abortion.

In this case, the pain may radiate to the leg or concentrate in the lower back.

Pain associated with childbirth

After childbirth, women often experience back pain. Sometimes the pain is localized where the tailbone is or where the sacrum is. This is due to injuries and sprains received during childbirth.

You can prevent pain by doing special exercises during pregnancy or visiting the pool.

Nursing mothers can also perform a set of exercises, paying special attention to their posture.

If the pain is accompanied by a rise in temperature to 37 degrees or higher, the woman suddenly has a fever, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

Perhaps this is an infectious process.

Pain caused by diseases of the female reproductive system

Typical female ailments, the symptom of which is lower back pain, include:

Cystitis

This is an inflammation of the bladder, which is more common in women. Cystitis is easily treated and diagnosed.

It is worth taking urine tests to check for the presence of this disease if you feel a burning sensation when urinating, pulling in the lower back when bending forward, or increased body temperature.

Fig.: cystitis

Infectious processes in the vagina

A number of inflammations in women cause pain when lying on their stomach.

This could be candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis or a viral disease.

Such pain can also be a symptom of kidney damage.

Inflammation of the appendages

If a woman has pain in the lower back and ovaries, a burning sensation when urinating, the temperature has risen above 38 degrees, an ultrasound diagnosis and treatment under the supervision of a specialist (a course of injections or taking oral medications) is necessary.

Pain associated with diseases of internal organs

Diseases of the intestines or stomach can provoke pain in the spine.

Sometimes the pain in these disorders can radiate strongly - radiate to the leg or radiate to the stomach.

This clinical picture is due to the fact that the brain incorrectly interprets the signal that the organs give it.

If the lower back and right side hurt, this indicates problems with the liver or pancreas. Pain on the left side indicates appendicitis or intestinal colic.

In the left side, pain may occur during running or other physical exercise. It passes quickly and does not pose a health hazard.

There may be tingling and nagging pain in the tailbone area.

In children

The most common cause of lower back pain in children is incorrect posture.

During the learning process, if a chair and table for studying are incorrectly selected for a child, spinal curvature may develop.

Scoliosis can be caused by:

  • incorrectly selected shoes;
  • flat feet;
  • uncomfortable backpack.

In the initial stages of the disease, curvature can be easily corrected with the help of physical therapy prescribed by a doctor.

Moderate pain that appears in a child in the morning, after strenuous work or prolonged stay in one position, may also be the first sign of a spinal hernia.

The cause of a hernia can be:

  • rachiocampsis;
  • too much physical activity;
  • excessive exercise.

Particularly dangerous in childhood are jumping over the head, lifting weights, twisting, and squats.

If a child periodically complains of back pain after training, then he needs the help of a specialist.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most accurate methods for diagnosing various diseases. To learn about what pathologies can be identified in the neck area using MRI, read the article about.

What is coccydynia and how to treat it? Information about this syndrome can be found.

For what reasons does such a serious disease as glenohumeral periarthritis develop? Find out .

What to do?

Use of ointments

This type of medicine is very effective when you need to quickly improve your health at home.

The ointment helps relieve inflammation, sprains, and has a warming effect if the lower back has a cold.

The following groups of ointments are distinguished:

  • anti-inflammatory analgesics (they contain cooling medicinal substances that relieve irritation - menthol, lavender, and painkillers - nurofen, iboprofen);
  • combination medications (used for sprains and injuries, along with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, they have a healing effect due to the heparin and demethyl sulfoxide they contain);
  • irritating drugs (the effect is based on vasodilation and blood flow to the source of pain);
  • chondroprotectors (one of the active components of such drugs is chondroitin sulfate, used in pathological processes in cartilage tissue, promoting active restoration of the cartilaginous surfaces of joints).

Injections

The effect achieved with injections is similar to taking the corresponding ointments or oral medications.

Distinctive features of this type of therapy are:

  • Speed. Quick relief from severe pain is only possible by getting the medicine into the blood or muscle.
  • Efficiency. Injections allow you to deliver the active component precisely to the target. The active substance is not destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • The need for the presence of a specialist. It is difficult to give yourself injections, so you need to either visit the clinic every day or call a nurse at home.
  • Can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Only a doctor can advise how to treat malaise and severe pain with injections and prescribe the necessary medication. Most of them can only be purchased with a prescription.

Warming up

This method of relieving pain refers more to traditional medicine.

Warming up helps well with non-inflammatory pain - sprains, hernias, curvatures, osteochondrosis.

During an infectious process, heating causes blood flow to the affected area of ​​​​tissue and increases pain.

Exercises

Physical therapy is an excellent prevention and treatment for lower back pain.

The purpose of the classes is to strengthen the muscular corset of the spine and correct posture.

  1. From a lying position, you need to take turns raising your legs by 10-15 cm and keeping them suspended for some time.
  2. Lying on your back, you need to bend your knees at an angle of 90-100 degrees and raise them to the maximum height. After performing, the bent legs must be tilted to the right and left until they touch the floor.
  3. Slow and smooth bends performed in different directions. During the exercise, you should try not to bend your back in the thoracic region, keeping it as straight as possible.
  4. Standing on all fours, you need to swing simultaneously with your right hand and left leg and vice versa.
  5. Exercise "bridge". First, it must be performed leaning on a wall, or with the help of another person.

Massage

Massage is great for relieving pain in the lumbar spine.

It can be entrusted to a specialist in a clinic or carried out at home; in any case, the benefits from it will be invaluable.

The positive therapeutic effects of massage include the following:

  • improving blood supply to the diseased part of the body;
  • kneading the muscles, which makes them and ligaments more flexible and elastic;
  • relieving acute pain;
  • getting rid of toxins accumulated in muscles and subcutaneous tissue;
  • pleasant sensations due to stimulation of the nerve endings of the skin;
  • positive emotions.

It is good when a massage is combined with a bath or sauna.

It is especially useful to steam with birch or oak brooms; they perfectly stimulate all life processes and increase the overall tone of the body.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you have back pain, the cause of which is unknown, you should first consult a physician. It will help identify the disease based on the totality of symptoms.

If the reason is obvious: the pain was preceded by an injury, the pain arose during pregnancy, the menstrual cycle or a chronic disease, it makes sense to immediately contact a more specialized specialist.

Self-medication is only permissible if the cause of the pain is precisely known.

Video: first aid

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent pain include the following:

Regular exercise

Physical education should be general strengthening, giving equal loads to all muscle groups.

Every day you should devote 20-30 minutes to exercise.

This could be morning exercises, jogging, swimming in the pool, or a brisk walk.

Video: gymnastics to strengthen the muscles of the back and spine

Maintaining water-salt balance

A person should consume up to 3 liters of fluid per day. The best liquid to consume is mineral water.

Coffee, tea (including green), and carbonated drinks create additional stress on the kidneys, but do not replenish the body’s need for fluid.

You should drink more water in the first half of the day, and after 20.00 do not drink at all. Otherwise, swelling and pain in the kidney area are possible.

Proper nutrition

It is worth reducing the content of fatty, fried and smoked foods in your diet or eliminating them completely.

The healthiest foods are boiled or steamed.

The daily menu should include the entire complex of microelements, vitamins and minerals necessary for the body.

  • Preventive examinations by specialists

Women should visit a gynecologist annually, men - a urologist, and children's health is usually monitored at educational institutions as part of a routine examination.

This allows you to timely identify the disease and begin its treatment.

The main condition for maintaining a healthy back is a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude.

It's never too late to start watching your posture and doing a set of exercises. Many serious diseases of the spine allow you to lead a full life if you follow the rules and prescriptions of doctors.

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