Do you spend a lot of time sitting down for work or hobbies, or do you exercise a lot in the gym?Everything was fine before, but now you have frequent back and lower back pain?So maybe you should see a doctor for help?What causes back pain?Which doctor should I contact and how should I deal with the wound?We will talk about this and much more later in the article.
What causes pain?
So, "What to do if your back hurts and what could be causing it?"Let's look at this question in more detail.There could be more than enough reasons for that.The fact is that pain in the back and lower back can signal a number of diseases, both of the spine itself and of the internal organs.This is due to the fact that many nerve endings extend from the spine and surround all the internal organs.Therefore, based on the localization of pain in a certain area of the ridge, we can talk about some specific diseases.
Causes
What does pain in the lower back mean and which doctor should you consult for it?The causes of pain in the lower back can be both habits and diseases.The first include:
- Constant sedentary work.IT workers and drivers are at risk.
- Permanent work.
- Frequent heavy physical activity.Athletes, especially weightlifters, are at risk.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Pregnant women and women who have recently given birth are in a special risk group.
- Excessive weight.
As you can see, everything is simple with habits.As for the second case, often pain in the lumbar region can be caused by a disease.Here we can distinguish between diseases of the spine itself and diseases in which pain in the lumbar region is only a symptom.The first include osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, intervertebral hernia and protrusions.
The second group includes the following possible causes of lower back pain:
- Fracture of the spine due to trauma.
- Fracture caused by osteoporosis.
- Tumor localized in the spinal canal.
- Prolonged muscle strain.
- Narrow structure of the spinal canal (rarely).
- Various complications during pregnancy.
- Various arthritis, for example, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis.
- Deformities of the spine, for example, kyphosis, scoliosis, Scheuermann-Mau disease, kyphoscoliosis.
- Spinal tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, discitis.
- Urolithiasis, pyelonephritis.
- Ovarian cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cyst.
When should you see a doctor?
Minor back pain, which passes quickly and is the result of prolonged exercise, is the norm.But if the lower back hurts for quite a long time or the pain is periodic, then it appears by itself and then disappears, then you should sound the alarm.You should also go to the hospital immediately after a serious back injury.It should be remembered that lumbar pain can be accompanied by pain in the foot or lower leg.It is also possible for part of the leg or buttock to go numb.In this case, you have something serious and should be examined as soon as possible.
You are unlikely to self-diagnose, so you should go to the hospital, but which doctor should you go to?Some will say a chiropractor, while others will say a neurologist is more experienced.Both options are correct, however, it would be more correct to contact a neurologist, because he will be able to correctly prescribe and carry out the entire course of diagnosing the disease.In this case too, the cause will be more precisely identified and there is every chance that we will be able to deal with it successfully.So, from the point of view of a neurologist, with pain in the lower back, based on the intensity and strength of the pain, you can tentatively determine the cause of its occurrence.
Acute pain
Acute lower back pain in men and women is the result of a recent injury (fall, muscle strain, blow, sudden movements).Also, the cause can be long-term work in one uncomfortable position or carrying and lifting heavy things for a long time.And, finally, don't forget about a cold back, due to hypothermia or prolonged exposure to drafts.Here you can easily treat lower back pain with folk remedies.
Separately, lumbago and displacement of intervertebral discs are the most common.This disease primarily affects people whose field of activity includes constant hard physical work, which is why men experience pain in the lower back.In the people, the disease is called "lumbago".It usually stops on its own with rest or after a few days.However, it can easily drag on for up to a month, so at least lower back pain treatment at home is necessary.
Acute and severe lower back pain also occurs when intervertebral discs are displaced.The disease can be caused by various injuries, heavy physical work or a disease such as osteochondrosis.You can no longer be treated at home here.Hospitalization and complete diagnosis is required.It can even go as far as surgical intervention.
Severe pain
Severe pain differs from acute pain in that it lasts longer and is the result of some disease related to the musculoskeletal system.These include lumbosacral radiculitis and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.With them, you feel dangerous pain in the lower back when you sneeze, cough, sit, walk, in a word, your back hurts with any movement.Also, the pain can spread to the lower extremities, and they can even become numb.Here you no longer have to run, but fly to the doctor for a check-up.
Aching
As a rule, the back can hurt due to a sudden strong tension in the muscles of the spine.Lower back pain can be alleviated by simply resting for a few hours.But you shouldn't fly in the clouds, you have to be careful, because your back can hurt from severe hypothermia.Therefore, a more chronic disease, myositis, can develop, in which the psoas muscles become inflamed.In that case, you need a few days of rest, and you know how to relieve the pain.
Chronic
Often caused by deforming spondylosis.The main symptoms of this disease are girdling pain in the lower back, which spreads to the buttocks or legs.Numbness of the lower extremities may also occur.Other diseases that cause similar symptoms are: cancer, metabolic disorders and ankylosing spondylitis.
Displaced
Such pain is not a consequence of a back disease, but a consequence of a disease of an organ involved in the spinal region.These include diseases of the pelvic organs and the male and female halves, as well as diseases of the colon, kidneys, pancreas and various types of tumors.
How is the treatment carried out?
So how do you get rid of lower back pain?First, you need to go to the hospital and make an appointment with a specialist for an examination.After the examination, the doctor should send you for an examination to confirm or refute his suspicions about the diagnosis.To find out what it might be, you may be sent for an X-ray of your spine.Today, a more advanced method called myelography is used.
This method allows you to examine in detail the pathways that conduct the spinal cord.Identifies all pathologies in the presence of reduced road patency.It is worth knowing that before the x-ray, a xenon substance will be injected into your spinal cord using a syringe, which will highlight everything in the image.This method is quite expensive, but very effective and almost always helps to find out why your back hurts.In addition, MRI, ultrasound, EKG and CT may be prescribed.In additional cases, other tests may be required, such as a complete blood count, etc.
Medicines
In most cases, medication is an excellent option for treating lower back pain.It is aimed at pain relief, removal and further prevention of inflammatory processes, improvement of circulation and regeneration of damaged tissues.So, once we know why the lower back hurts, we can get a general picture of how to treat lower back pain.
Usually, all treatment can be divided into 3 phases: the beginning of the treatment, the treatment itself and the end of the therapy.At each stage, drugs can be administered both in the form of drops and in the form of blocks and injections.Treatment of lower back pain in the first phase should eliminate the pain itself, reduce swelling and inflammation, relieve spasms and relax the muscles.In the second stage, you have to completely get rid of the cause of the disease.Here, treatment is mostly carried out locally.Ointments and dressing compounds are used.In addition, physical therapy is recommended.
The third phase consists of injections that increase the regeneration of damaged tissues and feed them with all the necessary components.This restores the full functionality of the segment.In all stages, the choice of drugs and therapy depends on your diagnosis and the choice of your doctor.Self-medication is strictly not recommended.
Physiotherapy
When the exact cause of the pain is determined, treatment with physiotherapeutic methods can be started.Based on their cause, the following treatment methods can be distinguished:
- Ultrasound.
- Laser therapy.
- Exposure to electric current, etc.
Physical therapy is more focused on treating back pain in the early stages.In the later stages of the disease, it can be recommended as an auxiliary method of treatment.The therapy you need is only prescribed by a doctor after an examination.
Surgical intervention
In the vast majority of cases, back pain will not require surgery.However, if you have pain for a long time and it only gets worse over time, and you resolutely refuse to consult a doctor, then this method of treatment is also possible.In this case, general anesthesia, where a lytic mixture is used, will most likely be used to completely immobilize the patient.The surgical plan itself will be created by the surgeon based on the diagnostic data.
Traditional methods
To the question "How to relieve pain in the lower back?"Traditional medicine can also answer.Here, depending on how strong the pain symptoms are, various homemade ointments, lotions, etc. can be used.The main purpose of such drugs is to relieve pain and inflammation.In most cases, treatment of the lower back with folk remedies is justified only as first aid.Along with long-term self-medication, not knowing the main cause of the pain can greatly worsen the disease.Below we present several folk remedies.
- A poultice of grated horseradish and radish mixed with sour cream is placed on the painful area of the lower back.Everything is covered from above with a paper napkin, and a scarf is tied around the entire lower part of the back.This wrap perfectly removes pain symptoms and removes muscle spasms.
- When your back hurts, hot compresses made from an infusion prepared from a mixture of healing injuries will be of great help.These include thyme, chamomile, St. John's wort and black elder.The compress is applied at night.The painful area is wrapped in a warm cloth.It is recommended to carry out the treatment at night.An identical poultice is prepared from an infusion of dried burdock leaves.
- Another treatment with folk remedies is based on the medicinal properties of horse chestnut.First you need to grind the chestnut into a powder.It is then mixed with camphor oil and melted lard.The ingredients are given in approximately the same amounts.The resulting fat is spread on a slice of black bread and placed on the painful back as a poultice.This product can improve blood circulation and has nutritional and anti-inflammatory properties.
But remember, no matter how good a folk remedy turns out to be, you still need to see a doctor.After all, self-treatment is always carried out at your own risk and responsibility.In addition, it may turn out that medical procedures bring only short-term relief, after which the pain will significantly increase.
Prevention
When your back hurts in the lumbar region, it is too late for prevention.But in order not to encounter such a problem as long as possible, you need to think about how to prevent it and what leads to it?It has already been described above that people who lead a sedentary or sedentary lifestyle, athletes, especially weightlifters and overweight people are at risk.
Accordingly, the best prevention of the disease would be mandatory morning exercises, sports, therapeutic exercises, reducing the load on the back, massage, diet control, etc.Also, periodic appointments with the doctor will help you get rid of what may be the cause of lower back pain.
First aid
What to do if your lower back hurts a lot and it's a long way to the hospital?How to relieve back pain quickly so you can wait for the doctor?To do this, you need to know some first aid techniques.Of course, it will not have a therapeutic effect, but it will help to cope with the pain.So let's do everything step by step:
- We lie on our backs, on a hard bed or on the floor.The blanket must be removed from the bed.
- At the same time, the legs are raised and bent at the knees.For greater comfort, place a pillow or folded blanket under the raised legs.
- We take the usual dose of pain reliever or anti-inflammatory that we have.
- We lie down and try not to make sudden movements.
- While performing the procedures, do not forget to call the doctor at home.
- In most cases, you will need rest and bed rest for the next few days.After the doctor's visit, call work and inform your boss.
- During and after the treatment, avoid spicy and smoked foods.