For the ability to walk on two legs, the human race pays with a sore back. If your back periodically hurts in the lumbar region, this may be a sign of extreme fatigue or the result of a long stay in an uncomfortable position during work or sleep. But the reasons may be more serious.
Causes of pain
The lower back is one of the most painful areas. There are reasons for this:
- Osteochondrosis;
- scoliosis;
- Disc herniation;
- tumors;
- tissue infections.
The nature and intensity of the pain depends on the disease. And she worries in different ways: after sleep, exercise, overwork. For example, renal colic is accompanied by constant pain in the lower back. And the patient's type of activity does not matter here.
- It most often hurts in the lumbar region due to osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Moderate pain during sleep, aggravated by physical exertion. Constantly tormented by a feeling of fatigue. The feeling of heaviness causes a desire to lie down. But relief does not always come.
- If there is a herniated disc, severe pain occurs after sudden movements, lifting weights, falling.
- If the hernia is compressed, there is a sharp pain characterized as low back pain. Movement in the lumbar region is significantly limited. Damage to the nerve root signals leg pain.
- In old age, stenosis of the intervertebral canal often occurs. A sign of it is limping, numbness of the legs, especially after a long walk.
- The stiffness that appears in the morning in the region of the spine indicates the beginning of the development of Bekhterev's disease. At first, sharp sensations of pain appear in the sacral region, then spread to the lumbar region. The feeling after sleep is not rest, but fatigue, which disappears with the onset of motor activity. Young men are most affected by the disease. The disease is inherited. Basically, the lower back hurts when lying down.
- Acute pain in the lumbar region also occurs with pyelonephritis (an inflammatory process in the kidneys). They are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, swelling in the morning after sleep.
- A disease such as an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta often develops in elderly men. Abdominal pain and throbbing results from aortic pressure on nearby organs.
- Pain in the lower back, fever, burning along the nerve are signs of herpes zoster. This viral disease affects the cells of the spinal cord. A pink rash appears on the body, and later blisters.
- Another widespread condition that many consider harmless is flat feet. A deformed foot increases the load on the spine when walking. During sleep, the pain is relieved.
- If there are congenital changes in the vertebrae: an irregular shape or a change in the cleft, then sooner or later they will be felt.
- Autoimmune pathologies, in particular multiple sclerosis, are provocateurs of pain with different localization. Including lower back pain.
There are other reasons why it hurts a lot in the lumbar region. This can be osteoporosis, infections of the genitourinary system, hemorrhoids, tumor diseases, complications after viral or bacterial infections. And even physiological changes affecting women and occurring during pregnancy and childbirth.
Pain caused by diseases of the internal organs
When you wonder why the back hurts in the lumbar region, it is sometimes hard to believe that the causes can be inside the organs. The fact is that in some cases pain sensations from the internal organs are "radiated" to the lumbar region.
- Right pleurisy, pneumonia - the causes of pain in the lumbar region on the right. Accompanying symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever. Left-sided pleurisy sends pain signals to the left side of the lower back, which worsens when bending over, lying down during sleep.
- Cholelithiasis also localizes sharp pains on the right, just above the waist, and they are accompanied by belching, nausea. They have a piercing character.
- Girdling pain in the lower back occurs due to pancreatitis. Its companions are nausea and vomiting.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of a myocardial infarction.
- In men, prostate pathology causes pain in the area below the waist, with a transition to the sacrum. Women have cystitis.
- Diseases of the distal alimentary canal - the causes of pain below the waist.
Pain triggers
Pain can also be caused by factors such as:
- Hypothermia of the body.
- Intense physical activity.
- Certain sports (bodybuilding, bodybuilding, weightlifting, weight training).
- Scream.
- Fracture.
- The menstrual cycle in women.
- Improper nutrition.
- stress.
- Awkward posture while sleeping.
Back pain in the lumbar region in children
New technologies have brought not only benefits to our world, but also harm. Why? Since the love of the computer from an early age deprives children of full-fledged physical activity, it forms an incorrect posture.
Important: if you choose the right chair and table for your child, then the curvature of the spine can be avoided!
Scoliosis can develop from carrying a heavy backpack, flat feet, uncomfortable shoes. Be sure to treat him! Children are contraindicated in excessive physical activity, weight lifting. When training in the sports section, you should be especially sensitive to the child's complaints about back discomfort after training. We can talk about spinal hernia. Timely treatment will allow the child to live a full life.
Types of pain
The nature of pain is divided into the following types:
- Spasms in the long muscles of the back cause sharp pain. This happens due to stretching. The problem is known to athletes and people whose specific professions are associated with loading the back muscles. In a lying position, the pain subsides a little. The place of the main localization is the lower back.
- Injury to the spine, namely a fracture, is very dangerous. This can happen from a failed fall or become a consequence of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, hyperparathyroidism.
- Displacement of the intervertebral discs provokes pain as a result of compression of the nerve roots. For this reason, the patient's mobility is limited, sensitivity is impaired and the knee is reduced. The danger of this disease is also that healthy vertebrae begin to hurt, which leads to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and causes restless sleep.
- Facet joint syndrome causes back pain in 31% of cases. This degenerative process captures the capsule of the intervertebral joints and causes pain not only in the lower back, but also in the legs. The lower part of the back hurts when sitting, with lateral bending or leaning back, with long standing.
- The inflammatory process of an infectious nature in the epidural space is a very serious and dangerous disease. It can be fatal if not treated in time.
Treatment
Immediate medical attention for back pain is the key to successful treatment. Even if the pain bothers you only at night or after sleep, there is a reason to visit a specialist.
After analyzing the causes, the doctor will give recommendations on how to treat and not get sick. The treatment will be complex, using ointments, tablets, injections, massages and physiotherapy exercises.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are first in the treatment of low back pain:
- In the initial stage, literally during the first 3-5 days, treatment is carried out using injections to relieve pain and inflammation. They act quickly, effectively relieve acute pain by directly injecting the drug into the blood or muscle.
- After that, anti-inflammatory and analgesic tablets, chondroprotectors, irritating drugs are used (for each case separately).
- In addition, ointment treatment is applied. Correctly selected ointment helps to relieve inflammation in the affected area, and also heats (if necessary).
Reflex muscle tension is removed using muscle relaxants. With their help, the pain syndrome is treated and mobility is restored. It is applied from 3 to 7 days.
Vitamin preparations of group B are a necessary addition to the main therapy.
In some cases, drug blockade is necessary. The anesthetic is administered epidurally or paravertebrally. It is used for degenerative changes in the spine.
Physiotherapy treatment:
- UHF;
- electrophoresis;
- Magnetotherapy.
Massage relieves acute pain by improving blood circulation. Kneading the muscles has a beneficial effect on the elasticity and flexibility of the ligaments. To improve the general tone of the body and only with the permission of the attending physician, the massage is combined with a bath or sauna. You can't get warm during the infectious process!
Pain during pregnancy can be relieved by wearing a special bandage.
Wearing orthopedic insoles is mandatory for patients with flat feet.
Physiotherapy
Exercise is also a cure. They strengthen the back muscles, improve posture, increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation. They are used not only in the complex of therapeutic therapy, but also for the prevention of pain in the lumbar region. As with drug therapy, therapeutic exercises are prescribed in each case individually, analyzing the main causes of the disease. But there are several general exercises, each of which is performed 5-10 times, preferably in the morning, avoiding overwork.
- In a standing position, tilt the body alternately to the right, forward, backward, left.
- In a standing position, feet shoulder-width apart, turn the body to the side.
- In a position on all fours, do a "kitten": arch the back in the lower back.
- Lie on your back, bend your legs at the knees, arms along the body. Raise and lower the pelvis, gradually increasing the range of motion.
- Lie on your back, legs outstretched, arms along the body. Alternately bend the legs at the knees, followed by a pull-up to the chest.
- Standing on all fours, alternately swing your legs.
Whatever the reasons, only a specialist can determine why the back hurts, identify the "culprit" of the disease and prescribe the correct and effective treatment. As with any other disease, self-medication is not worth it! Any medicine can not only heal, but also harm if it is chosen incorrectly.