People between the ages of 20 and 50 usually go to the doctor with these types of problems, but sometimes children get sick too.According to statistics, about 85% of people have experienced lumbago or back discomfort at least once.Pain occurs due to excessive strain of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine and diseases of internal organs.
The mechanism of development of pain in the back.
This 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 more often the pain is localized in the lumbosacral region of the back.
The mechanism of its development is associated with the following factors:
- Overexertion, muscle strain.A decrease or increase in tone causes microtrauma, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
- Diseases of internal organs.They cause irradiation of back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced strength, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs due to an increase in external load on the spine (excess body weight, lifting heavy objects) 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 the correct choice of treatment tactics for back pathologies, pain symptoms are distinguished by their duration.Additionally, doctors highlight the nature and place of the attack.
Depending on the type of pain, there are:
- acute, lasting from several days to a month and a half;
- subacute, disturbing 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, which are 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, stabbing, but it is always felt in the soft tissue area.
- Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected to the back from the internal organs.It can be hot and intense, but it is never intensified by movement.
- Radiating.The discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it is mobile: it radiates to the arm or leg.It appears when a nerve root becomes irritated or stretched.
Depending on the location, the following conditions are distinguished:
- lumbodynia– acute pain in the lumbar region.
- sacralgia– discomfort of the sacral spine.
- lymphoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the sensation radiates to the leg.
- cervicalgia- inflammation of the neck.
- coccydynia– pain in the coccyx.
- thoracalgia– a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes chest discomfort.
Pain in the lumbar region.
Lyubmalgia is usually painful in nature and is characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasms against the background of displaced discs or herniations.
Older and younger people often experience back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.
The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly it appears again.Severe low back pain occurs with vascular diseases, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.So the symptom is constantly present and does not go away during rest.
Back pain in the sacral region.
Sacralgia occurs against the background of pinched spinal nerve endings due to deformation of the spine or inflammation of soft tissues.It occurs more frequently in men than in women.Pain in the lower back can be sharp, dull or pulling.
Unpleasant sensations intensify during physical activity, after sitting for a long time or after 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.Pain is caused by heavy loads, incorrect posture or osteochondrosis.
The cause of the syndrome can be diseases of internal organs:
- Pleuritis.It is characterized by cutting pain on the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies with inhalation.
- Pneumonia.The condition causes mild pain behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades.The discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Pain is often seen in the shoulder, chest, arm, and center of the back.The intensity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Pain in the shoulder blades
The discomfort occurs when the nerve endings in the chest become inflamed: intercostal neuralgia.The 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 complemented by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, loss of strength;
- increased local body temperature;
- rigidity of movements;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- dizziness;
- sudden weight loss;
- shortness of breath, cough;
- decreased visual and hearing acuity;
- swelling, inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint;
- urinary incontinence, decreased sensitivity of the extremities.
Why does my back hurt?
There are two types of discomfort sensations: primary and secondary.The first group is caused by diseases of the spine, the second arises due to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain is observed 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;
- workplace vibrations;
- hard physical work (pain in the spine occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
- uncomfortable posture;
- curvature of the spine;
- past injuries or broken bones.
Pathologies of the spine.
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 in bones and bone marrow.
- Outgoing– displacement (bulging) 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 a portion 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.
- Herpes.
- 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 inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of low back pain in women.
An unpleasant, annoying or sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.
The discomfort is caused by muscle 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 fibroma of the uterus;
- ovarian cyst.
Diagnosis
If your back hurts, you should visit a therapist.After taking a history and external examination, the doctor will refer you for consultation with specialized specialists: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
To make a correct diagnosis, a series of studies are prescribed:
- Radiographydetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of intervertebral discs and possible growths of bone tissue.
- myelography– a method of examination of the spinal cord, which assesses the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of a hernia, tumors or damage to the spinal column.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)shows disc protrusion, presence of calcifications, spinal canal stenosis.
- 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.
- Urine analysis.It is taken in case of suspected kidney and urinary tract diseases.
- Additional researchcarried out to exclude autoimmune disorders, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and occult infections.
Treatment for back pain
The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors causing the discomfort.When pain is caused by diseases of the internal organs, treatment begins with eliminating the cause.To relieve unpleasant symptoms, pain relievers are prescribed.
In addition to pills and ointments, doctors prescribe physiotherapy and reflexology.
Therapeutic exercises are recommended in the recovery stage.If the 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 provide peace of mind to the muscles and relieve spasms.
- Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
- If discomfort does not improve, administer NSAIDs.
- If you need to move, wear a back brace or support corset.
Drug therapy
To reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, medications are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect and relieve inflammation.
- Ointments.Preparations that warm the muscles reduce pain and are used for massages.
- Chondroprotectors.These are products to protect and restore cartilage tissue.
- Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system and to eliminate edema.
- Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Vitamin preparations.Improve the functioning of the nervous system, increase immunity.
If the reception of analgesics does not produce a therapeutic effect, a paravertebral block is performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief occurs instantly and lasts between 6 and 12 hours.
Physiotherapy
Manual and mechanical methods are used during the recovery phase or for chronic pain.They improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
The following procedures are most frequently used:
- Diathermy.Heating tissues with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes resorption of infiltrates, and increases blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- administer medications to the site of pain through the skin.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
- Acupuncturerelieves spasm of muscle fibers, eliminates the inflammatory process.
- laser therapy– impact on the source of pain with quantum particles of luminous flux.The procedure is carried out using a special apparatus.Laser radiation penetrates deep layers of tissue, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and relieves swelling.
surgical intervention
Indications for surgery include injuries, intervertebral hernias, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.Additionally, the operations restore the functions of the spine and joints.
Doctors perform the following surgical interventions:
- 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 affected vertebra or ligament.The intervention is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
- Nucleoplasty– removal of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves pressure on the nerve endings.
- Puncture vertebroplasty– method of stabilization of the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the spinal cavities with bone cement.
Folk remedies for back pain.
Decoctions and compresses from medicinal herbs help to enhance the effect of drugs.With your doctor's permission, use home remedies based on natural ingredients at home.
Recipes to help with pain:
- Mix 100 g of blue clay, 1 tbsp.l.aloe juice and honey.Add 750 ml of warm water.Apply the composition to the affected area of the back, cover with transparent film and wool cloth.Leave the compress for 1 hour.Use the composition for osteochondrosis 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
- Dissolve 5 g of mummy in 1 tsp.water, add 1 g of medicinal sulfur.Rub the mixture on your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product daily at night.The course of treatment is 3 to 4 days.
- Beat 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites with a mixer.Leave in the refrigerator for 5 to 6 hours.Apply the ointment to painful areas 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a wool scarf around your back.
Prevention
Following the doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and return to physical activity, and to avoid discomfort in the future, follow the rules:
- watch your posture;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- When working at the computer, use a chair with a backrest or a comfortable chair;
- watch your weight;
- don't get carried away with high heels;
- buy an orthopedic mattress;
- when working sedentarily, do light exercises every 30 minutes;
- move more, play sports;
- Visit your doctor immediately.