The lower back is called the lower back, from the area where the ribs end to the tailbone (the lowest protruding vertebra).Very often, when a person suffers from “back pain”, we are talking about the lower back.And if 20 years ago pain in the lower back bothered mostly older people, now even quite young patients turn to specialists for help with their back.
Why does the lower back suffer so often?The fact is that the center of gravity of the human body is located precisely at the level of the lumbar spine and bears almost the entire load when walking.This is one of the disadvantages of upright walking: vertebrates that move on 4 limbs do not have such disorders.
Causes of back pain: what you need to know
Statistical studies tell us the following about the frequency of causal factors of back pain:
- 91% of calls concern problems with the spine and the muscular structure of the back.
- 5% of complaints are related to urinary system diseases.
- 4% - pathologies of other organs (reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract).
Types of back pain
Back problems often arise unexpectedly, like a bolt from the blue.Such sharp pain in the lower back is called “low back pain” and you may have heard the term “low back pain” before.The name itself speaks of the sharp and snappy nature of the sensations.During an attack of low back pain, any movement only intensifies the torment, and the patient involuntarily finds himself in a constrained position, freezing in one position.The low back pain lasts for several minutes and then disappears.
If the pain is prolonged and aching in nature, then we are talking about low back pain.These are low intensity but constant painful sensations in the lumbar region, which intensify during physical activity or during hypothermia.
And there is a condition in which there is no back pain itself, but a person feels stiffness and discomfort.In this case, additional diagnostics by specialists is also required.Depending on how lower back pain manifests itself, treatment approaches vary.
Low back pain as a symptom of disease?
Back pain itself can signal very different pathological conditions, and often understanding the real cause is not so simple.
For example, there is displaced pain.It denotes a situation in which the back hurts on the right, left or lower back, and the person thinks that the cause of his torment lies in the spine.However, after research it turns out that one of the internal organs (kidneys, intestines or organs of the reproductive system) is to blame.The human body is very complex and confusing.Let's look at some possible root causes of lower back discomfort.
Musculoskeletal disorders causing lower back pain
The connection between spinal diseases and low back pain is direct and unequivocal.It was previously mentioned that spinal conditions are the most common cause of back pain, accounting for more than 90% of all visits.
Protrusions and herniations of the intervertebral discs rightly rank first in terms of prevalence.In such destructive pathologies, the intervertebral disc initially shifts slightly outward, prolapses (disc protrusion), and as the disease progresses the integrity of the disc is compromised such that the internal part (nucleus pulposus) protrudes from the surrounding fibrous ring.
Protrusions most often occur due to traumatic disc damage or osteochondrosis.
Another painful consequence of osteochondrosis is compression and pinching of the sciatic nerve.The pain is sharp and excruciating: low back pain.
As a result of this compression, the nerve can become inflamed.The general name of this disorder is radiculitis, and if the inflammation affects the sciatic nerve, it is designated with the more specific term "sciatica".Sciatica pain is concentrated in the lower back and spreads to the buttock and thigh along the sciatic nerve.
Now about the disease that leads to the development of all of the above: osteochondrosis.Pain in the lower back with osteochondrosis is a sharp or dull and painful character.With the development of the disease (2nd and 3rd degree), neurological symptoms appear: numbness, tingling sensation in the lower extremities.In the morning, a person is bothered by a feeling of stiffness.The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and reproductive system is disrupted.
The main goal in the treatment of osteochondrosis is to relieve pain and stop the destruction of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.It is important to understand that the earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Pain in the kidneys, urinary tract and lumbar area
You may have heard.that lower back pain is due to diseased kidneys.In some cases this is actually true.We recommend that you see a urologist if you are concerned about the following symptoms:
- Frequent and painful urination, change in color of urine.
- Worsening health, indifference to life.
- Hyperthermia is a high temperature.
- Decreased appetite, feeling of nausea.
- Arterial hypertension.
The pain varies.For example, with an exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis, the pain seems to pull and surround the lower back, and renal colic is acute and short-term.
It is characteristic that the pain in renal pathology is concentrated on one side, since one kidney is involved in the inflammatory process.This is what a kidney stone (stone) looks like in the kidney or ureter.
Another important diagnostic criterion is that in nephropathies the intensity of pain does not change with changes in body position.However, as you understand, it is better to leave the right to make an accurate diagnosis to a specialist.
Excessive exercise and back pain
Our spine is adapted to physical activity.Therefore, the appearance of back pain after going to the gym should alert you.Normally pain in the back muscles due to the accumulation of lactic acid disappears within 1-2 hours, and if this does not happen, a pathology should be suspected.
The cause of pain in the spine after playing sports can be old injuries or hidden problems with the intervertebral discs, for example, disc protrusion.In this case, the elimination of exercise will not lead to healing, but will only hide the course of a destructive spinal disease.
In addition, back pain after exercise is characteristic of myofascial syndrome.It is not life-threatening, but significantly reduces its quality.
At the same time, physical activity can also contribute to the disappearance of back pain: for example, an overweight patient is more likely to get rid of back pain as a result of weight loss.
Remember that constant and periodic pain in the lower back after physical activity should be a reason to consult a doctor.
Hypothermia and back pain
Prolonged exposure to cold air and wind can lead to hypothermia.If the lower back is not protected from harmful environmental factors, an uncomfortable condition such as myositis can occur.This is the name for inflammation of the skeletal muscles.The pain is aching in nature, and on palpation (palpation) there is a tightening of the back muscles.
Characteristics of back pain in women and the mechanism of their occurrence
It's no secret that women's well-being is closely related to their hormone levels, which undergo dramatic changes not only throughout their lives, but also every month.Therefore, every month at a certain stage of the menstrual cycle, women may experience a nagging pain in the lower back.Alas, this is a variant of the physiological norm.
And during pregnancy, discomfort in the lower back is considered normal, if it disappears after rest.After all, during this period significant hormonal changes occur in a woman's body, the uterus expands, which changes the deflection in the lower back and shifts the center of gravity.In addition, the pregnant woman's weight naturally increases, which also places increased stress on the spine.
If we talk about other causes of pain in the lumbar region in women, back pain may indicate the approaching menopause.This is due to decreased estrogen levels and changes in a number of other sex hormones.
Therefore, the diagnosis of the causes of low back pain in women should be carried out with special attention so as not to miss important symptoms of serious diseases and not to write off the pathological causes of low back pain in women.Indeed, among these formidable diseases there may be cysts, apoplexy or inflammation of the ovaries and even cervical tumors.Ignoring and prematurely diagnosing such conditions can lead to infertility and critical complications.
What diseases can cause back pain?
Symptoms, nature of pain |
Presumable diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging |
| Lower back pain when coughing, sneezing, bending over. | Protrusion (bulging) of the intervertebral disc of the L1/L2 vertebra (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) |
| Numbness, tingling not only in the back, but also in the buttocks and lower limbs. | Symmetrical dorsal (posterior) protrusion of the L1/L2 vertebrae discs (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) |
| Weakness in the leg muscles, motor reflexes worsen. | Dorsal (posterior) median protrusion of the discs of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Sharp, stabbing pains;the patient cannot even right himself during an attack. | Circular protrusions of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Staying in the same position for a long time causes excruciating pain. | Diffuse protrusions of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Symptoms may be absent for a long time and are discovered by chance. | Median disc protrusion of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower back, also called "low back pain." | Herniated disc of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Leg pain extending below the knee, “pins and needles” sensation in the leg. | Dorsal disc herniation of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| It is often asymptomatic, with patients reporting only mild discomfort. | Schmorl hernia of the L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 vertebrae |
| The functioning of the intestines, bladder and reproductive system is disrupted. | Paramedian disc herniation of the L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| In the initial stages, the course is asymptomatic.Pain occurs when the tumor spreads beyond the disc. | Hemangiolipoma and hemangioma in the L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| The pain depends on the degree of displacement of the vertebra.If changes occur in the joints, movement disorders are noted. | Retrolisthesis and anthelisthesis of the L1 vertebra (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| The pain is periodic at first, then becomes constant.Increased by physical activity. | Ventral wedge-shaped deformity of the L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| Aching pain in the lower back, left or right, along the spine.Numbness, "pins and needles" sensation.Muscle tension. | MRI image, signs of degenerative-dystrophic changes (osteochondrosis) of the lumbar spine |
| Rsharp pain due to effort or careless movement.Changes in gait, dysfunction of the genitourinary system. | Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, 1st degree (2nd degree, 3rd degree) |
| Pain in the buttocks and legs, discomfort from sitting in a chair for a long time and walking for a long time. | 1st degree spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine (2nd degree, 3rd degree) |
What to do if you suffer from back pain?
If symptoms of back pain in the lumbar region do not disappear or decrease within 3 days, consult a doctor.What to do before visiting a doctor?
What you can do yourself for back pain
If the cause of the pain is unknown:
- measure your temperature to detect inflammation in the body.
- determine associated symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea or other)
- call a doctor at home or go to the emergency room.
If the cause of the pain is known (bruise, sprain or injury to the lower back):
- take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) - diclofenac, ibuprofen or other.
- applying cold locally will help reduce swelling and ease pain.
- Tighten the lower back tightly with a towel or orthopedic belt to fix the injured area in one position.
- Consult a doctor for a complete diagnosis and determine further treatment tactics.
What not to do for back pain
- Under no circumstances should you warm up a sore area of your back!Heat will increase blood flow, and in case of inflammation, it will worsen the situation: it will increase pain and lead to the spread of the infectious process.For the same reason you should avoid visiting bathing establishments and saunas.
- You can't relieve pain for a long time if you have persistent, unexplained back problems.Ignoring the root cause can only aggravate the course of the disease and lead to serious complications.
- You can't try to straighten the vertebrae yourself or brutally massage your back.Without diagnosis, such actions can cause vertebral displacement and cause unnecessary additional injuries.
Which doctor should I consult for pain in the lower back region?
It happens that a person would be happy to turn to a specialist, but does not know which doctor to turn to with a complaint of back pain.Let's clarify this issue a little.
First of all you should make an appointment with a GP.He will conduct a differential diagnosis and determine which doctor you should continue treatment with.Could be:
- Neurologist – for neurological symptoms and nerve involvement in the process.
- Urologist – if diseases of the urinary system (kidneys) are suspected.
- Gynecologist – for the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system.
According to indications, a complete blood count (CBC) and a general urinalysis (UCA), an X-ray examination of the spine (especially MRI), an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, kidneys and other studies may be prescribed.
It is important to remember that self-medication and other home remedies for back pain are a waste of time and money.Furthermore, by delaying a visit to a specialist, you risk contracting an advanced form of the disease, thus condemning yourself to long-term, expensive and often less effective treatments (compared to the initial stages).
How to cure low back pain: basic treatment methods
You may naturally have a question: if self-medication is not effective, how to cure back pain?A competent specialist has many techniques in his arsenal, including both conservative and surgical treatment.
Conservative treatment consists of the following points:
- Taking anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and painkillers orally and locally.
- Physiotherapy (shock wave therapy, acupuncture).
- Kinesitherapy.
- Therapeutic massage.
- Therapeutic exercise and gymnastics.
Physiotherapy procedures and massage should be carried out after the acute phase of the disease, when the pain syndrome has been relieved.
Surgical treatment is indicated in advanced cases of spinal diseases, when conservative methods fail to achieve significant results.However, with timely diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment, the need for surgery can be delayed or completely avoided.
Prevention of low back pain
As a rule, painful sensations in the back and lower back arise due to a negligent attitude towards one's health.After all, a sedentary lifestyle, burdened by sedentary work and forced prolonged stay in one position, is typical for many of us.No less harmful are excessive physical activity without preparation (stretching) and lifting weights with an incorrect back position.It's no wonder that the majority of the world's population suffers from back pain.
Doctors' tips to prevent back pain:
- Watch your posture, keep your back straight.
- Avoid awkward postures in the workplace.You can place a small pillow under your lower back to support your back.Try it!
- When sitting at a desk for a long time, it is advisable to get up from time to time (every hour), possibly doing a joint warm-up, or simply walking.
- It is advisable to sleep on an orthopedic mattress;it is quite hard and, at the same time, elastic.
- Start your day with exercises to strengthen your back and core muscles.
How to lift weights correctly?
If you need to pick up and carry something heavy, you should do so by bending your knees and not your back.That is, you must first sit down, take the load, and then straighten your knees, leaving the back line straight.
Back pain: what to do?
Now that you have read about the most common causes of back pain, you know what you need to know and what to do, the question arises: who to turn to?Definitely, when choosing a clinic, preference should be given to a medical center where you can be constantly examined by several specialists.That is, it will not be necessary to go to the other side of the city for further diagnosis, and in one place a comprehensive and comprehensive treatment plan for back pain in the lumbar region will be drawn up.
The qualifications of doctors and the availability of appropriate equipment play an equally important role.After all, lower back pain due to osteochondrosis and myositis requires different treatment approaches.