In clinical practice, back pain is a fairly common syndrome. It affects the lumbar spine while the patient feels "belt" pain. This is how degenerative, locomotor and dystrophic pathologies manifest as osteochondrosis or spondyloarthrosis.
Low back pain - Causes and Symptoms
The following causes of lower back pain have traditionally been distinguished in medicine:
- Infectious and inflammatory processes in the spine;
- Muscle cramps or pinched nerves;
- Development of intervertebral hernia;
- Spinal cord or spinal metastases;
- Scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis;
- Circulatory disorders (stroke, paralysis);
- Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (atypical manifestation of appendicitis, obstruction of the bile ducts and intestines);
- Diseases of the kidneys, reproductive organs;
- In some cases, women may experience discomfort in the lumbar spine in late pregnancy.
Low back pain can be acute or persistent (chronic). They can also be "migratory", e. g. they occur in another organ but are given to the lower back.
Acute pain is sudden, piercing, can impede movement, and affects the lower extremities and hips. The patient has a forced posture and limited mobility.
Acute pain is diagnosed when:
- stretching the long muscles of the back;
- spinal fracture and exit of intervertebral discs;
- facet syndrome (compression of the nerve root without displacement of the cartilage discs);
- epedural abscess (patient requires immediate hospitalization due to high risk of spinal cord compression);
- dystrophic anomalies of the hip joint.
Chronic low back pain is characterized by loss of sensitivity, "lumbago" of the pharyngeal muscle, weakness of the lower extremities, and the development of bone outgrowths.
The patient may experience postural disorders, intermittent hiccups, and foot deformities.
Chronic back pain occurs when:
- osteochondrosis;
- ankylosing spondylarthrosis;
- metastatic and intradural tumors.
Diagnosing and treating back pain
The real cause of back pain can be diagnosed by CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), X-ray, or ultrasound of the internal organs. The first two methods allow for a comprehensive assessment of the condition of bones and soft tissues, X-rays for bone integrity and the presence of tumors, and ultrasound for diseases of the organs and their systems.
The course of therapy is prescribed only by the attending physician, depending on the diagnosis, it may include: taking painkillers, hormonal medications, a course of physiotherapy procedures or manual therapy, exercise. If the pain is caused by a displacement of the cartilage discs or develops in the background of osteochondrosis, it is effective to wear a rigid fixation corset. It significantly relieves the lumbosacral region, prevents muscle tension and the development of cramps. Blockages provide a good therapeutic effect - special injections into the intervertebral joints. They relieve pain and relax muscles.
In severe cases, surgery may be needed. It is very important that you do not self-heal, but seek professional medical help in a timely manner.
During the rehabilitation period, physiotherapy exercises should be performed regularly, as well as massage and physiotherapy courses. It helps relieve muscle tension, improves blood flow and relieves tension.
General recommendations for cross-lumbar spine pain:
- observe bed rest. In this case, the bed should have a hard, smooth surface. Strictly excludes soft, down mattresses.
- wear a support bandage. It is especially important for pregnant women in the third trimester.
- painkillers are allowed.
- rub your back with ointments containing warming and anti-inflammatory components. Under no circumstances should you overcool, it is best to wear a woolen scarf or warm belt when the pain is getting worse.
Low back pain during pregnancy
If we talk about low back pain during pregnancy, they are associated with changes in the center of gravity of the female body due to the development and growth of the fetus. In addition, hormonal changes (excessive relaxin production) relax the hip-sacral joints, upsetting the balance. Excessive curvature of the enlarged abdomen and spine increases the pressure in the lower back. Muscles are constantly overloaded, which becomes the main cause of pain.
The risk group includes girls who had problems with hip muscle development, postural deterioration, osteochondrosis, and neurological spinal pathologies prior to pregnancy. Painful feelings do not appear earlier than in the second trimester, and it begins about the fifth or sixth month. It can be relieved by strengthening the muscles with a special set of exercises. And the sooner you start training your back muscles, the easier it will be to endure a healthy child.