People aged 20 to 50 most often consult a doctor with such problems, but sometimes children also get sick.According to statistics, around 85% of people have experienced lumbago or back discomfort at least once.Pain is caused by overuse of muscles and ligaments, spinal problems and diseases of internal organs.
The mechanism of development of back pain
It is the most vulnerable part of the body due to the structure and functions of the spine.Unpleasant sensations occur in the cervical, thoracic regions or between the shoulder blades, but most often the pain is localized in the lumbosacral region of the back.
The mechanism of its development is associated with the following factors:
- Overwork, muscle tension.A decrease or increase in tone causes microtrauma, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
- Diseases of internal organs.They cause radiation of back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced resistance, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs due to an increase in external load on the spine (excess body weight, heavy lifting) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In severe cases, the discs bulge and compress the nerve roots.
Classification of back pain
To facilitate the description and correct choice of tactics for treating back pathologies, painful symptoms are distinguished by their duration.Furthermore, doctors highlight the nature and location of the attack.
Depending on the type of pain, we distinguish:
- acute, lasting several days to a month and a half;
- subacute, worrying 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, present for more than three months or constantly (periods of exacerbation followed by rest).
Depending on the nature of the sensations, back pain is classified as follows:
- Local.They are caused by changes in nerve receptors, muscles and ligaments, tendons or skin.The pain can be sharp, sharp, shooting, but it is always felt in the soft tissue area.
- Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected onto the back from the internal organs.It can be hot and intense, but never intensifies with movement.
- Radiating.Discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it is wandering - it radiates to the arm or leg.It appears when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.
Depending on the location, the following conditions are distinguished:
- Lumbodynie– acute pain in the lower back.
- Sacralgia– discomfort in the sacral spine.
- Lyubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the sensation radiates down the leg.
- Neck pain- inflammation of the neck.
- Coccydynia– coccyx pain.
- Thoracalgia– a peripheral nerve disease that causes discomfort in the chest.
Pain in the lumbar region
Lyubmalgia is often painful in nature and characterized by progressive development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasms against the background of displaced discs or herniation.
Older and younger people often experience lower back pain when they stay in an uncomfortable position for a long time.
The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly reappears.Severe lower back pain occurs in cases of vascular diseases, for example, abdominal aortic aneurysm or gluteal artery damage.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not disappear upon rest.
Back pain in the sacral region
Sacralgia occurs against the background of pinched spinal nerve endings due to spinal deformity or soft tissue inflammation.This occurs more often in men than in women.Lower back pain may be sharp, dull, or shooting.
Unpleasant sensations intensify during physical activity, after prolonged sitting or a sudden change in body position.Sometimes the pain radiates to the buttock or leg.
Sacralgia is also caused by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders.
Upper back pain
This condition is associated with problems of the thoracic or cervical spine, severe muscle tension.The pain is caused by heavy loads, poor posture or osteochondrosis.
The cause of the syndrome may be diseases of internal organs:
- Pleurisy.It is characterized by cutting pain on the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies on inhalation.
- Pneumonia.The disease causes mild pain behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Aching pain in the shoulder, chest, arm, and central back are often seen.The intensity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Pain in the shoulder blades
Discomfort occurs when the nerve endings in the chest become inflamed - intercostal neuralgia.Pain syndrome is moderate, painful, disappears after rest or massage.It is often caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack) or psychological problems.
Symptoms associated with back pain
The intensity and nature of the clinical picture depends on the cause of the pain syndrome, while the main symptom is supplemented by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, loss of strength;
- increase in local body temperature;
- stiffness of movements;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- dizziness;
- sudden weight loss;
- difficulty breathing, cough;
- decreased visual and hearing acuity;
- swelling, inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint;
- urinary incontinence, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
Why does my back hurt?
There are two types of discomfort sensations: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second is due to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain is noted in women.
The following factors contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant symptom:
- rowing, skiing or high jumping;
- long-term static loads;
- overweight;
- hypothermia;
- sudden movements;
- vibrations in the workplace;
- heavy physical labor (pain in the spine occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
- uncomfortable posture;
- curvature of the spine;
- previous injuries or fractures.
Spinal pathologies
The main causes of back pain are associated with a violation of the integrity or functionality of the spine, and there are groups of factors that include diseases:
- Osteomyelitis– necrotic process of bones and bone marrow.
- Projection– movement (protrusion) of the discs.
- Arthritis– inflammation of the joints.
- Scoliosis– curvature of the spine of varying severity.
- Intervertebral hernia– displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the disc and rupture of the connecting end.
- Spondylosis– proliferation of bone tissue.
- Spinal canal stenosis– compression of the nerve endings and part of the spinal space due to disc displacement.
- Radiculitis– damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
- Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of the intervertebral joints.
- Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage disorders.
- Discitis– sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral discs.
Causes not related to the spine
Pain under the lower back and in other areas of the back is often caused by diseases of the internal organs:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Tuberculosis.
- Appendicitis.
- Shingles.
- Stone in the ureter.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Malignant tumors.
- Kidney inflammation.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Angina pectoris.
- Intercostal neuralgia.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Prostate dysplasia.
- Pancreatitis.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Cystitis.
- Acute coronary syndrome.
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of lower back pain in women
Unpleasant, stabbing or sharp pain indicates problems in the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.
Discomfort is caused by muscular tension due to pregnancy, posterior or occipital presentation of the fetus.
Causes of pain in women:
- cancer of the body or cervix;
- external endometriosis;
- menstruation;
- premenopause;
- wear high-heeled shoes;
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- myoma or fibroid of the uterus;
- ovarian cyst.
Diagnosis
If you have back pain, you need to see a therapist.After collecting an anamnesis and an external examination, the doctor will refer you to a consultation with specialized specialists: a traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
To make a correct diagnosis, a number of studies are prescribed:
- X-raydetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of intervertebral discs and possible growths of bone tissue.
- Myelography– a method of examining the spinal cord, which assesses the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of a hernia, tumors or lesions of the spine.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)shows a disc protrusion, the presence of calcifications, stenosis of the spinal canal.
- General and biochemical blood test.Studies reveal inflammatory processes, elevated calcium levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- Electromyographyreveals the degree of damage to nerve endings and muscle fibers.
- Urinalysis.It is taken when there is suspicion of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.
- Additional researchcarried out to exclude autoimmune diseases, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and hidden infections.
Back pain treatment
The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors causing discomfort.When pain is caused by diseases of internal organs, treatment begins with eliminating the cause.To relieve unpleasant symptoms, painkillers are prescribed.
In addition to tablets and ointments, doctors prescribe physiotherapy and reflexology.
At the recovery stage, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If pain occurs due to damage to the spine (herniation, bulging disc, injury), surgery is performed.
First aid for acute pain
When the discomfort is unbearable, before the ambulance arrives, help the victim yourself:
- Place the person face up on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will bring peace to the muscles and relieve spasms.
- Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
- If discomfort does not improve, give NSAIDs.
- If you need to move around, wear a back brace or support corset.
Drug therapy
To reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, medications are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect and relieve inflammation.
- Ointments.Preparations that warm the muscles reduce pain and are used for massage.
- Chondroprotectors.These are products intended to protect and restore cartilage tissue.
- Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and to eliminate edema.
- Muscle relaxers.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Vitamin preparations.Improve the functioning of the nervous system, increase immunity.
If taking painkillers does not produce a therapeutic effect, a paravertebral blockade is performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief occurs instantly and lasts up to 6 to 12 hours.
Physiotherapy
Manual and mechanical methods are used during the recovery phase or in cases of chronic pain.They improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
The following procedures are most often used:
- Diathermy.Heating of tissues with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes resorption of infiltrates and increases blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- deliver medication to the site of pain through the skin.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
- Acupuncturerelieves spasms of muscle fibers, eliminates the inflammatory process.
- Laser therapy– impact on the source of pain with quantum particles of light flow.The procedure is carried out using a special device.Laser radiation penetrates deep layers of tissues, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and eliminates swelling.
Surgery
Indications for surgery include injuries, intervertebral hernias, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, operations restore the functions of the spine and joints.
Doctors perform the following surgical procedures:
- Endoscopic discectomy.It is prescribed for the treatment of intervertebral hernia and is performed using an endoscope and microsurgical equipment.
- Open spine surgery.The doctor removes the disc, part of the vertebra or an affected ligament.The procedure takes place under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
- Nucleoplasty– ablation of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves pressure on the nerve endings.
- Puncture vertebroplasty– method of stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the cavities in the spine with bone cement.
Folk remedies for back pain
Decoctions and compresses of medicinal herbs help to enhance the effect of medications.With your doctor's permission, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.
Recipes for pain relief:
- Mix 100 g of blue clay, 1 tbsp.L.aloe juice and honey.Add 750 ml of lukewarm water.Apply the composition to the affected area of the back, cover with cling film and a woolen cloth.Leave the compress to act for 1 hour.Use the composition for osteochondrosis 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
- Dissolve 5 g of mummy in 1 tbsp.water, add 1 g of medical sulfur.Rub the mixture onto your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product daily at night.The duration of treatment is 3 to 4 days.
- Beat in a blender 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites.Leave in the refrigerator for 5 to 6 hours.Apply the ointment to painful areas 3 to 4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a woolen scarf around your back.
Prevention
Following the doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and return to physical activity, and to avoid future discomfort, follow the rules:
- watch your posture;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- When working at the computer, use a chair with a back or a comfortable chair;
- watch your weight;
- don't get carried away with high heels;
- buy an orthopedic mattress;
- when working sedentary, do light exercises every 30 minutes;
- move more, play sports;
- Consult your doctor promptly.