Why does the back hurt in the lumbar region and how to treat lower back pain?

Low back pain is a symptom that can be associated with various medical conditions. They can be permanent or periodic, local or generalized.

If a person has lower back pain, they are prescribed a comprehensive examination to identify the cause.

Possible causes of low back pain and its characteristics

Low back pain can be caused by various reasons, depending on which the severity of the discomfort varies. Pain syndrome reduces a person's quality of life, limits mobility, and makes everyday activities impossible.

There are many causes that cause back pain in the lumbar region. Some of them are quite serious and require immediate specialist intervention.

Lumbar Sciatica

Lumbar sciatica is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which compression and inflammation of the spinal roots occur. This pathology is secondary in nature, as it develops against the background of the degenerative processes of the musculoskeletal system.

The common symptoms in this case are:

• Pain syndrome, aggravated by sudden movements, weight lifting. The localization of pain depends on the degree of damage. The syndrome can affect the lumbar and gluteal regions behind or in front of the thigh. If there is damage to the nerve endings that are located under the first and second lumbar discs, the patient has low back pain in the lumbar region and buttocks.
• Increased severity of pain when coughing, sneezing.
• Inability to stay in one position for a long time.
• Mobility disorders: inability to freely tilt the trunk forward, backward or to the side, inability to bend the fingers of the lower limbs.

With radiculitis of the lumbar spine, the pain usually appears suddenly and subsides spontaneously. The next time the pain becomes more acute, pronounced.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis of the spine is a phenomenon in which the process of leaching calcium from the bones occurs and the activity of the cells responsible for bone growth is disrupted. Under such conditions, bones are quickly destroyed and their density constantly decreases. Osteoporosis is difficult to suspect in the early stages of development.

Very often, the patient feels severe pain in the lumbar spine at the time of severe tension - with a sharp rotation of the body, falling, lifting weights.

In addition to severe lower back pain, osteoporosis has manifestations such as:

• chronic fatigue;
• abdominal swelling;
• reduced mobility of the spine.

With a compression fracture, provoked by osteoporosis of the lumbar spine, there is acute pain, which increases with palpation of the affected area, as well as muscle spasm.

Scoliosis

With scoliosis of the lumbar spine, its structures deviate to the right or left. These changes are reflected in the state of the surrounding tissues: they are irritated, foci of inflammation appear in the musculo-ligament structures.

Left-sided scoliosis is diagnosed more often. In left-handed people, scoliosis develops on the right side.

In the initial stage, scoliosis of the lumbar spine may not appear in any way. Negative changes can only be traced by the results of the X-ray examination.

The characteristic symptoms in this case, in addition to severe pain in the lumbar spine, are:

• bend down;
• swelling in the lumbar region;
• chest pain;
• displacement of the pelvic girdle, due to which one lower limb becomes shorter than the other;
• divergence of the blade.

Characteristic features of pain in scoliosis of the lumbar spine: its appearance at the onset of physical activity, a decrease in the intensity of discomfort when walking. The pain is usually short-lived.

Injury

Lumbar contusions occur during falls, blows. The lumbar region is more susceptible to trauma.

Bruises of the lumbar spine are closed damage to tissues and part of the spinal column, which does not cause anatomical abnormalities. Often this type of injury occurs in athletes, as well as in people who work in the workplace.

In case of contusion, the following additional symptoms are observed:

• formation of hematomas;
• redness of the skin;
• increased pain when pressing on the wound site.

If the contusion is severe, the conduction of nerve impulses in some areas of the lumbar spine may be disturbed, in some cases, complete loss of sensation.

Symptoms are more pronounced for lower back injuries and include the following:

• pain when exploring the affected area;
• growing hematoma;
• pain when turning the body, inability to bend;
• swelling in the ankle area, indicating poor circulation;
• paralysis and paresis of the lower limbs.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine is another likely cause of lower back pain. In this case, the joints located in this area are affected.

Rheumatoid arthritis pain occurs most often at night, usually closer to the morning. At the initial stage, the syndrome can be suppressed with the help of special exercises, but at night the pain reappears.

Other symptoms: local temperature increase in the affected area, accumulation of fluid in the cavities of the affected joint.

Osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a pathological process in which the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity. As the disease progresses, cracks form and hernias form.

In the initial stage of osteochondrosis, lower back pain occurs rarely and does not differ in intensity. In the future, they acquire a pronounced chronic character. The patient feels stiffness in movement, constant fatigue. Difficulty bending and extending the back.

Pain often radiates to the lower limbs. In parallel, tingling, numbness occurs.

An increase in the intensity of unpleasant sensations occurs with increased physical exertion, making sudden movements, lifting weights.

Malignant tumors

If the back hurts in the lumbar region, it can be associated with a dangerous pathology such as cancer. In this case, a malignant tumor does not necessarily affect the bony structures of the spine. In this case, the pancreas, which is located behind the stomach, can be affected, so the pain can be given to the lower back. Severe pain indicates advanced stages of cancer.

Furthermore, pain in the lumbar region may be associated with the fact that tumors from other organs have metastasized to the indicated area.

In women, back cramps can be a sign that ovarian cancer is developing. In men, acute and prolonged spasms signal prostate cancer.

Gynecological diseases

Women are often worried about lower back pain. A similar symptom can occur under the influence of such pathologies as:

• rupture of ovarian tissue;
• pathological processes of the uterus;
• cysts in the ovaries;
• cervical cancer;
• inflammatory processes of the fallopian tubes;
• benign formations on the inner wall of the uterus.

Low back pain often occurs in women who have undergone artificial termination of pregnancy. Unpleasant sensations are caused by mechanical damage to the tissues of the uterus and the prolonged process of tightening the wound.

In women with gynecological diseases, pain in the lower back, traction, pain. In addition, there is a violation of the menstrual cycle, loss of strength, irritability and an increase in body temperature. Often, the pain syndrome is supplemented by secretions of various consistencies and colors from the vagina.

The pain syndrome in this case is caused by a hormonal imbalance and inflammatory processes that spread to the tissues of the lumbar region.

Kidney disease

Lower back pain in the girdle is a sure sign of kidney disease.

A similar symptom accompanies pathologies such as:

• urolithiasis;
• pyelonephritis;
• glomerulonephritis;
• nephroptosis (prolapse of the kidneys).

In the presence of stones in the urinary tract, the pain in the lumbar region is not too pronounced, has a dull character. With inflammatory processes involving the kidneys, the pain is aching and constant. The place of its localization in this case is on the left and right of the spine.

Acute pain is indicative of renal colic. The pain radiates to the groin area, inside the thigh, to the anterior abdominal wall.

Other manifestations that may indicate kidney disease include:

• increased blood pressure;
• swelling of arms, legs, face that appears after waking up and disappears during the day;
• change in urination - the process can be quick and painful or, conversely, rare, until it stops completely;
• lethargy;
• increased sweating;
• impaired appetite.

Discomfort and pain in the lower back are often associated with the fetus pressing on the kidneys in pregnant women. In this case, the pain syndrome is not associated with any pathology, it is a completely natural phenomenon.

Diseases of the genitourinary system in men

In the stronger sex, back pain often manifests itself with diseases of the genitourinary system. Most often, the discomfort is caused by prostatitis, an inflammatory process of the prostate gland. With this disease, the urination process and sexual function are disrupted. In addition to lower back pain, there are shooting pains in the lower abdomen.

Another male disease that contributes to the onset of pain in the lumbar region is epididymitis, an inflammation of the epididymis.

Lumbar myositis

Lumbar myositis is an inflammatory process of muscle tissue, which manifests itself in pain and weakness of the muscles, sometimes in their atrophy. The disease can be caused by infectious processes, trauma, hypothermia, metabolic disorders in the body.

This pathology is characterized by:

• painful lower back pain that gets worse with movement;
• feeling of dull weakness in the muscles;
• swelling, redness of the skin.

Bone tuberculosis

With tuberculosis of the spine, the lower back often hurts. The nature of the pain syndrome in this case depends on how many vertebrae are involved in the pathological process, as well as on the degree of deformation of the structures.

The main signs of spinal tuberculosis are:

• Severe pain in the lumbar region. This localization is associated with the fact that the lumbar region is the largest part of the spine, which receives the maximum loads.
• Increased sweating at night.
• Increase in the size of the lymph nodes.
• Temperature rise within 37, 1-37, 3 degrees.
• Constant fatigue.

With the progression of tuberculosis of the spine, there is an angular curvature of this structure, the development of abscesses in the area of ​​the lumbar and thoracic regions.

Climax

Discoloration of sexual function in women is often accompanied by lower back pain. A similar phenomenon is associated with a decrease in ovarian activity, which is reflected in the level of the hormone estrogen. In deficient conditions, bone tissue becomes more fragile and prone to damage.

Against the background of hormonal changes, the musculoskeletal system as a whole becomes vulnerable: intervertebral cartilage and discs weaken, muscles and ligaments lose elasticity. As a result, the lumbar region, which always experiences the greatest stress, is particularly at risk.

In addition to reducing back pain, menopausal women suffer from headaches, increased sweating, hot flashes.

Vascular pathology

Violation of blood circulation, provoked by pathological vascular processes, can also cause pain in the lumbar region. Thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, phlebothrombosis contribute to the onset of pain syndrome.

The presence of blood clots in the veins, inflammation of the vascular walls, narrowing of the vascular lumen - all this prevents the full flow of blood and therefore limits the supply of oxygen to the tissues and structures of the body, which negatively affectson their conditions.

Additional symptoms accompanying vascular disease are swelling of the veins, heaviness in the extremities and a bluish color of the skin.

Intestinal diseases

With intestinal diseases, pain can radiate to the lower back. This is due to the fact that the intestinal tract occupies a significant space in the abdominal cavity. If part of it undergoes pathological changes, then it grows, putting pressure on other organs. The spine is also at risk.

Pain extends to the lumbar region in case of ulcerative colitis, exacerbation of appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome.

In the case of pathological processes that spread to the stomach, the pain is localized in the upper part of the lower back. They appear after meals, with the appearance of a feeling of hunger, in case of abuse of harmful products.

The following symptoms are observed in parallel:

• flatulence;
• stool disorders;
• abdominal pain.

Obesity

Being overweight increases the stress on the spine, especially the lumbar spine. Constant pressure creates the risk of developing pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, causes injury to the intervertebral discs, curvature of the spine and the development of osteochondrosis.

In addition to the above pathological causes, pain in the lower back can occur due to prolonged driving or computer use, excessive loads in the gym, summer housework hobbies, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Which doctor should I contact?

The appearance of back pain is often caused by severe ailments of the body, so it is important to consult a doctor in time to diagnose the true cause and treat it.

It is necessary to consult a specialist if the patient has pain in the lumbar region:

• is ​​regular;
• constantly appears after physical exertion;
• does not disappear when lying down;
• is ​​accompanied by numbness in the limbs and an increase in body temperature.

The main specialists you should contact if your back hurts in the lumbar region are:

• vertebrologist (treats osteochondrosis and other neurological diseases);
• neurologist;
• nephrologist (urologist): this specialist diagnoses and treats if low back pain is associated with pathological processes in the genitourinary system.

If necessary, other specialists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment process: an orthopedist, surgeon, gynecologist, oncologist, gastroenterologist.

Diagnostics

For pain in the lumbar region, the following diagnostic measures are prescribed:

• general examination, identification of anamnesis;
• test to determine retained nerve endings;
• blood test to evaluate the hemoglobin level;
• myelography;
• X-ray examination of the spine;
• MRI;
• CT;
• ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
• endoscopy of the uterus, stomach, intestines;
• bone scan.

The listed activities allow you to compile a complete picture of the patient's condition, identify the disease causing pain in the lumbar spine and determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Approaches to the treatment of low back pain

The main course of treatment for low back pain depends on what caused the symptom. Therapy is aimed at eliminating the existing disease.

General principles

Treatment is based on the following:

• the use of drugs to suppress inflammatory processes;
• perform physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at accelerating the recovery of the affected structures;
• physiotherapy exercises.

In the course of treatment, the patient should avoid active sports activities, as well as any physical activity, so as not to aggravate the course of the pathological process. During the rehabilitation period, the patient may be advised to practice yoga, swimming and hiking in the fresh air.

In addition, the therapy includes dietary correction. The patient has to refuse heavy, all fatty and fried food. It is important to give up bad habits - this will greatly speed up the healing process.

Drugs

For pain in the lumbar region, drugs are usually prescribed in the form of injections, which include vitamin B. The tasks of these drugs are:

• acceleration of the restoration of damaged nerve fibers;
• increased functional activity of the central and peripheral nervous system;
• acceleration of metabolic processes.

For severe and intense lower back pain, powerful analgesics are prescribed.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that control inflammation are also given by injection.

After a course of injections of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs of this group are prescribed in the form of tablets for oral administration.

For muscle spasms that cause low back pain, medications such as muscle relaxants are prescribed.

Patients are also prescribed external drugs. They usually have a warming effect and help suppress pain. They are only prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment.

For pain in the lumbar region, special ointments are recommended.

Corrective gymnastics

A set of therapeutic exercises is prescribed only after the pain syndrome has been reduced. During the period of exacerbation, therapeutic exercises are contraindicated.

For lower back pain, the following exercises are recommended:

• Lifts the pelvic region.You need to lie on your back and bend your legs at right angles. You should gently lift your pelvis and return to its original position. Repeat 10-15 times.
• Maintain balance.The exercise is performed in a standing position. You need to stand on tiptoe and try to keep your balance in this position for about 10-15 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
• Raise the legs from a prone position.Lie on your back, alternately raise your straightened lower limbs as high as possible. Do 5-10 lifts for each leg.
• Movement on the buttocks.You need to sit on the floor, straighten your back. Using your hips and buttocks, go forward, then back. It is necessary to walk like this for about 2 m forward and the same amount backwards. The number of approaches is 2-3.

You must not do gymnastics for spinal injuries, tumors and hernias, as well as in the presence of diseases that manifest themselves in an acute form.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures are carried out provided that the lower back pain was not caused by an acute inflammatory process. Acute pain syndrome is first relieved with conservative methods, and only then physiotherapy is prescribed.

For pain in the lumbar spine, the following procedures are prescribed:

• Magnetotherapy.This method improves blood circulation in the affected area.
• Electrophoresis. This method is necessary if you want to speed up the administration of drugs to the lesion (analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors).
• Laser therapy.The technique allows to normalize metabolism and improve blood circulation in the affected areas.

Nutrition

To strengthen the bone elements, you should include cottage cheese, dairy products and real whole milk, fatty sea fish and black bread in the diet.

If the patient is overweight, which creates an additional load on the spine, it is necessary to exclude flour, sweets and sugary carbonated drinks from the diet.

Folk remedies

Traditional treatment methods should in no way become the basis for the treatment of low back pain. They are used exclusively as an adjuvant method and are used only with the approval of the attending physician.

For low back pain, you can use the following traditional medicine recipes:

• Honey-based ointment.To prepare a medicinal composition, you need to take 3 tablespoons of natural bee honey and dissolve it in a water bath. Cool the composition. Add 2 tablespoons of pharmaceutical alcohol to honey, add 100 g of petroleum jelly and rub on the areas where the pain is localized. For greater effectiveness, you can apply a compress with this ointment. In this case, it is not rubbed into the skin, but spread over it in a thin layer and put on cling film and wrap it with a warm scarf on top. Leave the compress for 3-4 hours, then wash off the composition with warm water.
• Salt pack.It is necessary to dissolve table salt in hot water (proportions - 1: 10), mix. In the finished solution, moisten a gauze cloth folded in several layers, cover the lower back with a compress, wrap it with a towel and warm it with a scarf. Leave to rest overnight, remove the rest of the pack in the morning.
• Garlic pack.You have to take 3 heads of garlic, peel and chop them. Pour the resulting mass with warm water (2 glasses), leave for 3 hours. In the infusion, moisten a cotton cloth and sprinkle it with freshly squeezed lemon juice over the entire surface. Apply the cold compress. Leave on for 20 minutes for a damp towel to reach body temperature. Afterwards, repeat the procedure to apply the compress. This can be repeated until the patient feels relief.

• Compress with body.You need to mix bodyagi powder with olive oil in a ratio of 1: 30. Lubricate the sore lower back with the resulting composition, leaving the product on the skin for 40 minutes. After the expiration of the specified period, the product should be washed off with warm water.
• Pack of dried burdock leaves.It is necessary to moisten the raw material in boiling water, fix it on the back, wrap it with a warm scarf on top. Leave the compress for at least an hour.
• Baths with additives.Bathing can reduce the severity of pain. 200 g of mustard powder, 600 ml of broth on mint leaves can act as additives. Take a bath within 20 minutes. The water should be hot.

All the listed treatments are aimed at relieving low back pain, ie they are symptomatic.

Treatment of a specific diagnosed disease should be carried out according to a separate scheme.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of low back pain, you should:

• check your posture;
• stand and walk only with a straight back;
• performs special exercises to strengthen the spine and back muscles;
• do not expose the spine to excessive loads, moderately perform exercises that use the back muscles;
• avoids hypothermia;
• as far as possible, practice a sport that does not adversely affect the spine: swimming, yoga, walking are especially useful;
• do not make sudden movements when lifting loads;
• sleep on a mattress of medium hardness, above all - orthopedic, the pillow should also be orthopedic and of medium size;
• keep track of weight, if necessary, follow a diet and do special exercises to combat extra pounds;
• takes vitamin and mineral complexes, especially during periods of hormonal changes in the body.

Back pain can be associated not only with diseases of the spine, but also with dysfunctions of the internal organs. A specialist can determine the true cause of the pain syndrome in the course of diagnostic measures. Both the symptom itself and its cause should be treated.