The lower back is called the lower back - from the area where the ribs end to the tailbone (the lowest protruding vertebra).Often, when someone experiences "back pain," we're talking about the lower back.And if 20 years ago, pain in the lower back bothered mainly older people, now even relatively young patients turn to specialists for help with their backs.
Why does the lower back often suffer?The fact is that the center of gravity of the human body is located exactly at the level of the lumbar spine, and it bears almost the entire load when walking.This is one of the disadvantages of walking upright - vertebrates that move on 4 limbs do not have such a disease.
Causes of lower back pain - what you need to know
Statistical studies tell us the following about the frequency of factors that cause back pain:
- 91% of the calls are problems with the spine and back muscle skeleton.
- 5% of complaints are related to diseases of the urinary system.
- 4% - pathology of other organs (reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract).
Types of lower back pain
Often, back problems arise unexpectedly - like a bolt from the blue.Acute pain in the lower back is called "lumbago," and before that one could hear the term "lumbago."The name itself speaks of the nature of sharp and shooting sensations.During an attack of lumbago, any movement only increases the torment, and the patient involuntarily finds himself in a confined position, frozen in one position.Lumbago lasts for a few minutes and then subsides.
If the pain is prolonged and painful, then we are talking about lumbodynia.This is a low-intensity but persistent painful sensation in the lumbar region, which increases during physical activity or during hypothermia.
And there are situations when there is no back pain itself, but a person feels stiffness and discomfort.In this case, additional diagnostics from a specialist is also required.Depending on how lower back pain appears, the approach to treating it varies.
Back pain as a symptom of disease?
Back pain itself can indicate very different pathological conditions, and often understanding the real cause is not so easy.
For example, there is such a thing as transferred pain.It indicates a condition where the back hurts on the right, left or lower back - and the person thinks that the cause of the pain lies in the spine.However, after being examined 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 causes of discomfort in the lumbar spine.
Musculoskeletal disorders cause lower back pain
The relationship between spinal disease and lower back pain is direct and unclear.It was previously mentioned that spinal pathology is the most common cause of back pain and accounts for more than 90% of all visits.
Protrusions and herniated intervertebral discs rightfully take first place in terms of prevalence.With such a destructive pathology, the intervertebral disc initially moves slightly outward, prolapses (disc protrusion), and as the disease progresses, the integrity of the disc is disturbed in such a way that the inner part (nucleus pulposus) comes out of the fibrous ring around it.
Protrusions most often occur due to traumatic damage to the disc or osteochondrosis.
Another painful consequence of osteochondrosis is compression and pinching of the sciatic nerve.The pain is sharp and shooting - lumbago.
As a result of this compression, the nerve can become inflamed.The general name of such a disease is radiculitis, and if the inflammation involves the sciatic nerve, then it is designated by the more specific term "sciatica."Pain with sciatica is concentrated in the lumbar region and spreads to the buttocks and thighs 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 shooting or dull pain character.With the progression of the disease (2nd and 3rd degrees), neurological symptoms appear - numbness, a feeling of pins and needles in the lower part of the leg.In the morning, a person is bothered by a feeling of stiffness.The function of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and reproductive system is disturbed.
The main goal in the treatment of osteochondrosis is to relieve pain and stop the destruction of 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 lower back
You may have heard.that lower back pain is caused by diseased kidneys.In some cases this is true.We recommend consulting a urologist if you are concerned about the following symptoms:
- Frequent painful urination, change in color of urine.
- Deterioration of health, indifference to life.
- Hyperthermia is an elevated temperature.
- Decreased appetite, nausea.
- Arterial hypertension.
Pain varies.For example, with 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 kidney pathology is concentrated on one side - because one kidney is involved in the inflammatory process.This is how renal calculus (stones) appear in the kidney or ureter.
Another important diagnostic criterion is that in nephropathy, 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 pain in your back after going to the gym should warn you.Usually, pain in the back muscles due to the accumulation of lactic acid disappears within 1-2 hours and, if this does not happen, pathology should be suspected.
The cause of pain in the spine after playing sports can be an old injury or a hidden problem with the intervertebral disc - for example, disc protrusion.In this case, eliminating physical exercise will not lead to healing, but will only hide the course of the destructive spinal disease.
In addition, back pain after exercise is characteristic of myofascial syndrome.It is not a threat to life, but significantly reduces its quality.
At the same time, physical activity can also contribute to the disappearance of back pain - for example, overweight patients are more likely to get rid of back pain due to 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 cause hypothermia.If the lower back is not protected from harmful environmental factors, uncomfortable conditions such as myositis may occur.This is the name for skeletal muscle inflammation.The pain is aching, and upon palpation (palpation) there is tightening of the back muscles.
Characteristics of lower back pain in women and the mechanism of its 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 phase of the menstrual cycle, women may experience disturbing pain in the lower back.Unfortunately, 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, significant hormonal changes occur in the female body during this period, the uterus expands - which changes the deflection in the lower back and shifts the center of gravity.In addition, a pregnant woman's body weight naturally increases, which also increases the pressure on the spine.
If we talk about other causes of pain in the lumbar region in women, back pain may indicate approaching menopause.This is due to a decrease in estrogen levels and changes in several other sex hormones.
Therefore, the diagnosis of the cause of lower back pain in women should be carried out especially carefully so as not to miss important symptoms of serious diseases and not to eliminate the pathological cause of lower back pain in women.In fact, among the terrible diseases there may be cysts, apoplexy or ovarian inflammation, and even cervical tumors.Ignoring and untimely diagnosis of such conditions can cause infertility and critical complications.
What diseases can cause back pain?
Symptoms, nature of pain |
Presumptive diagnosis by MRI |
| Lower back pain when coughing, sneezing, bending over. | Protrusion (bulging) of the intervertebral disc of the L1/L2 (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) vertebrae |
| Numbness, tingling not only in the back, but also in the buttocks and lower legs. | Symmetric protrusion of the dorsal (posterior) vertebral disc L1/L2 (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) vertebrae |
| Weakness in leg muscles, motor reflexes worsen. | Dorsal median protrusion (posterior) of vertebral disc L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| Sharp, shooting pain;the patient cannot stand upright during the attack. | Round protrusion of vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| Being in one position for a long time causes excruciating pain. | Diffuse protrusion of vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| Symptoms may not be present for a long time and are discovered by chance. | Median disc protrusion of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae |
| Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower back - also called "lumbago". | Vertebral herniated disc L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| Pain in the leg extending below the knee, "pins and needles" sensation in the leg. | Dorsal disc herniation of vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| It is often asymptomatic, with patients reporting only mild discomfort. | Schmorl's hernia on vertebrae L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 |
| The function of the intestines, bladder, and reproductive system is disturbed. | Paramedian disc herniation of vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 |
| In the early 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) |
| Pain depends on the degree of vertebral displacement.If changes occur in the joints, movement disorders are observed. | Retrolisthesis and antelisthesis of L1 vertebra (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| The pain is intermittent at first, then becomes constant.Increase with physical activity. | Ventral wedge-shaped defect of L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5) |
| Aching pain in the lower back, left or right, along the spine.Numbness, "pins and needles" feeling.Muscle tension. | MRI image, signs of degenerative-dystrophic changes (osteochondrosis) of the lumbar spine |
| Rsharp pain from exercise 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 back and legs, discomfort from sitting for a long time on a chair and walking for a long time. | Spondyloarthrosis of the lumbar spine, 1st degree (2nd degree, 3rd degree) |
What to do if you have back pain?
If the symptoms of back pain in the lumbar region do not disappear or decrease within 3 days, you should see a doctor.What should be done before visiting the doctor?
What you can do yourself for lower back pain
If the cause of the pain is unknown:
- take your temperature to detect inflammation in the body.
- determine accompanying 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 lower back injury):
- taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - diclofenac, ibuprofen or others.
- applying cold locally will help reduce swelling and dull the pain.
- tighten the lumbar region with a towel or orthopedic belt to fix the injured area in one position.
- Consult a doctor for a full diagnosis and determine further treatment tactics.
What not to do for lower back pain
- In any case, you should not heat the painful back!Heat will increase blood flow and, if there is inflammation, 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 bathhouses and saunas.
- You cannot relieve pain for a long time if you have persistent and unexplained back problems.Ignoring the main cause can only worsen the course of the disease and lead to serious complications.
- You should not try to straighten the vertebrae yourself or massage your back roughly.Without a diagnosis, such actions can cause displacement of the vertebrae and cause unnecessary additional injuries.
Which doctor should I consult for pain in the lumbar region?
It happens that a person would be happy to go to a specialist, but does not know which doctor to contact with a complaint of lower back pain.Let's bring some clarity to this issue.
First of all, you need to make an appointment with a general practitioner.He will carry out a differential diagnosis and determine which doctor you should continue treatment with.It can be:
- Neurologist – for neurological symptoms and nerve involvement in the process.
- Urologist - if urinary system (kidney) disease is suspected.
- Gynecologist – for the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system.
According to indications, complete blood count (CBC) and general urinalysis (UCA), X-ray examination of the spine (in particular, MRI), ultrasound of pelvic organs, kidneys and other studies may be prescribed.
It is important to remember that self-medication and other home remedies for lower back pain are a waste of money and time.Moreover, by delaying a visit to a specialist, you risk getting an advanced form of the disease, thereby punishing yourself for long-term, expensive, and often less successful treatment (compared to the initial stage).
How to cure back pain: basic treatment methods
You may naturally have a question: if the drugs themselves do not work, then how to cure back pain?A competent specialist has many techniques in his arsenal, including conservative and surgical treatment.
Conservative treatment consists of the following:
- Take anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and pain relievers orally and topically.
- Physiotherapy (shock wave therapy, acupuncture).
- Kinesiotherapy.
- Therapeutic massage.
- Therapeutic exercises and gymnastics.
Physiotherapy and massage procedures must 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 disease, when conservative methods fail to achieve any significant results.However, with timely diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment, the need for surgical intervention can be delayed or completely avoided.
Prevention of back pain
As a rule, painful sensations in the back and lower back arise due to a careless attitude towards one's health.After all, a sedentary lifestyle, burdened by sedentary work and having to stay long in one position, is typical for most of us.Excessive physical activity without preparation (stretching) and lifting weights with an incorrect back position are also no less dangerous.No wonder the majority of the world's population suffers from back pain.
Doctor's advice to prevent back pain:
- Pay attention to your posture, keep your back straight.
- Avoid awkward postures at work.You can place a small pillow under your lower back to support your back.Try it!
- When sitting at the table for a long time, it is recommended to get up from time to time (every hour), it is best to warm up together, or you can just walk.
- It is advisable to sleep on an orthopedic mattress;it is quite hard and, at the same time, elastic.
- Start the 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 this by bending your knees, not your back.That is, first you need to sit down, take the load, and then straighten your knees, leaving a straight back line.
Lower 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 - where to turn?Of course, when choosing a clinic, preference should be given to a medical center where you can be examined consistently by different specialists.That is, you do not need to go to the other end of the city for additional diagnostics, and a complete comprehensive treatment plan for back pain in the lumbar region will be provided in one place.
The qualifications of the doctor and the availability of appropriate equipment play an equally important role.After all, lower back pain due to osteochondrosis and myositis requires a different approach to therapy.