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back pain in the lumbar region

80% of people around the world have experienced lumbar spine pain at least once. The reasons for them can vary from the so-called psychosomatics, when the pain in the lumbar region is provoked by stress, to a much more frightening and difficult to treat cancer diagnosis.

How do we know when discomfort and back pain indicate a diseased spine and when they signal an unhealthy condition in other organs? And how not to miss the right moment to go to the doctor for back pain in the lumbar region?

Causes of back pain in the lumbar region

In the lumbar region there are several organs and systems at once - these are the digestive, urinary, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems, as well as a number of glands that affect the well-being of man. Fortunately, most pathologies that are felt with pain in the lumbar and lower back are treatable and non-life-threatening. Only every 20th case of lumbar pain requires surgery or complex therapeutic measures.

Consider the causes of lumbar spine pain in more detail. They include:

  • strain on the muscles of the back, especially the lumbosacral area;
  • spasms of muscles and internal organs;
  • the presence of inflammation or abscess;
  • hormonal disorders;
  • heart disease;
  • diseases of the stomach or intestines (gastritis, peptic ulcer, etc. );
  • posture disorders;
  • neuralgia, incl. psychogenic character;
  • osteochondrosis, spinal canal stenosis, spinal hernia and other pathologies of the spine;
  • diseases of the kidneys or internal genitals;
  • obesity;
  • pregnancy;
  • neoplasm metastases.

The nature of pain in osteochondrosis of the lumbar region

It is necessary to distinguish between primary pain in the lumbar spine (associated with degenerative-dystrophic, inflammatory processes and injuries of the spine) and secondary, "reflected" pain that occurs due to functional disorders in muscles and internal organs. area appear to be on their own and are rarely accompanied by additional symptoms (usually in the later stages, for example with advanced protrusions of the intervertebral discs) Secondary pain is almost always accompanied by bloating, changes in urination and defecation (they are rare, common, painful or have other uncharacteristic features), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. The type of lumbar pain can also tell a lot about the problem:

  • paroxysmal ("grabs the entrails") - diseases of the kidneys and pelvic organs;
  • increases every day - an inflammatory process (for example, in the epithelial coccygeal passage), abscess, cyst;
  • acute puncture (especially after injury) - rupture of an internal organ (liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, etc. ) or vessel, internal bleeding, gastric or intestinal ulcer, obstruction of the vessel by a separate blood clot (consult a doctor immediately forsuch pain! );
  • periodic shooting - characteristic of compression of the spinal roots (radicular syndrome), may be accompanied by spasms;
  • dull constantly - shows disease of the liver, kidneys, spleen, some endocrine glands;
  • pulling, aggravated by movement - injuries to the spine and adjacent tissues.

Localization of lumbar pain

  1. Pain in the lumbar region and above the sacrum can occur due to trauma, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, as well as injuries, oncology or simply overexertion. This area often manifests itself after unsuccessful sports activities, especially with badly applied blows, untreated falls and non-compliance with the technique of exercise.
  2. Below the lower back (above the coccyx) it often hurts due to overexertion when lifting loads, standing or walking for a long time, with bruises on ice and other hard surfaces. Sometimes the cause of painful pain in the lumbar region can be an infection or hypothermia. The most common pain is due to work or rest in an awkward, unphysiological position - for example due to spending time in front of a computer or driving in a semi-folded position "banana". Pain is less common due to disorders of the intestines and genitourinary system (constipation, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, dysmenorrhea). The "low" location of the pain may also indicate problems with the hip joint, especially in the elderly or athletes.
  3. If it hurts to the left of the spine, this does not rule out problems with it - such as scoliosis and / or osteochondrosis, circulatory disorders and even spinal canal infection.
  4. Particularly characteristic of infections and osteochondrosis is the constant pain, which intensifies at the slightest physical exertion.
  5. If the pain syndrome periodically subsides and still gives the patient rest, it may be a displacement of the intervertebral disc, pinched nerve root or sciatica. Also, lumbar pain can cause diabetes or hypothermia.
  6. If the patient often feels "stuck" and feels pain after several hours of sedentary activity, the pain may indicate an improper lifestyle that has not yet become a pathology, but requires urgent changes - not just relieving lumbar pain. osteochondrosis, but complex therapy.

Please note that pain can be given in the lower back in case of serious pathologies of the heart and digestive organs. If it hurts both under the left shoulder blade and on the side, it is important to rule out a heart attack as a matter of urgency. However, if the attacks of acute pain are tormented - "as if they were cut alive" - an ulcer of the stomach or intestines.

Low back pain - diagnoses

Doctors have identified more than 120 causes that can cause acute and chronic back pain. The most common of them are.

  1. Diseases resulting from degenerative-dystrophic and other lesions of the vertebral and hip joints. For example, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, vertebral hernia, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, bulge, facet syndrome, sciatica, lumbago, neurogenic lameness, hormonal spondylopathy.
  2. Autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease.
  3. Inflammatory diseases. Spondyloarthropathy, incl. psoriatic and reactive arthritis.
  4. Traumatic defeat. Spondylolisthesis, damage to muscles and ligaments, bruises, sprains, subluxations and vertebral fractures.

Less commonly, lumbar pain can be caused by neoplasms and metastases in the spine, osteomyelitis, angina pectoris, cholecystitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, myocardial infarction, duodenal ulcer and other diseases.

Lumbar spine pain in women

In women, acute and subacute (intermittent or lasting up to 12 weeks) back pain may indicate mild hormonal disorders or natural physiological processes - during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. But more often it is stated as follows:

  • osteochondrosis of the lumbar region - women who stand on their heels for a long time, regularly carry loads over 5 kg, are forced to be in a bent position for a long time when performing professional or household work;
  • Arthritis is an inflammatory disease to which young women are vulnerable. It can be provoked by lower back injury, urogenital infection, hypothermia due to insufficiently warm but modern clothes, as well as heredity (for example, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in relatives);
  • osteoarthritis is mainly an age-related disease that often appears after 40 years as a reaction to hormonal changes in the body;
  • inflammation of the appendages (adnexitis);
  • cervical or ovarian cancer;
  • torsion of the ovarian cyst;
  • endometriosis.

Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms of low back pain:

  • appeared after injury;
  • occur in the medical history of the patient with oncological and precancerous (eg cervical dysplasia) conditions;
  • accompanied by fever;
  • accompanied by unexplained weight loss;
  • cause difficulty in urination and defecation;
  • accompany staining;
  • associated with tingling or numbness in the legs, change in gait.

Lumbar spine pain in men

Men suffer from low back pain less often than women. Most often, as in women, their cause lies in osteochondrosis or kidney disease. Among the gender-specific diseases that provoke pain in the spine in the lumbar region, we can name:

  • epididymitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicle);
  • prostatitis;
  • orchitis (swelling of the testicles);
  • testicles and other oncological diseases of the genital organs;
  • prostate cancer.

Often the pain in the lower back in the strong half occurs due to spinal or inguinal hernia. These diseases are especially predisposed to men over 40 who are actively engaged in physical labor or work in an awkward position. In women, this pathology is less common.

Treatment of back pain

The treatment of back pain (lumbar) requires a therapeutic effect on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, nerve fibers and muscles. Along with relieving lumbar spine pain, it is necessary to slow down the degenerative processes in the spine, if any, to relieve inflammation, to restore blood microcirculation and conduction of nerve impulses. Treatment is prescribed exclusively by a doctor or immediately by a group of specialists - neurologist, traumatologist, gynecologist, orthopedist, rheumatologist and other doctors, depending on the underlying and concomitant diagnoses.

In more than 98% of cases related to spinal diseases, treatment is conservative - the operation can be canceled even in the case of a hernia.

Medical approach

With the help of drugs the pain can be completely eliminated within a few months (for example, pain in the spine in the lumbar region is treated for 3-4 months by squeezing the roots, hernias). Then, depending on the diagnosis, therapy is completed or conducted periodically, in courses - to maintain remission.

In the treatment of back pain (lumbar) help:

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
  2. Hormonal preparations (in the form of blockades and droppers).
  3. Analgesics to relieve pain.
  4. Chondroprotectors.
  5. Warming preparations, for example ointments based on bee and snake venom, mustard plasters.
  6. Venotonics and angioprotectors.
  7. Anticonvulsants, anxiolytics and antidepressants.

Physiotherapy for back pain

Used to treat low back pain:

  • massage (classic, wreath, hydromassage);
  • phonophoresis;
  • electrophoresis;
  • magnetic therapy;
  • laser therapy;
  • diadynamic therapy;
  • electrical neuromyostimulation;
  • manual therapy;
  • acupuncture;
  • balneological procedures and mud therapy;
  • kinesitherapy.

Exercise therapy for lumbar pain

A set of exercises for lumbar pain is performed daily and only when remission is reached! In case of exacerbation of the disease, any load can only worsen the situation. Before doing the exercises, you should consult an exercise instructor.

  1. Get on your knees and place your right foot forward (foot on the floor, knee bent at right angles). Maintaining balance, pull the left leg to the buttocks with your left hand and feel the tension in the muscles. 10 times on each side.
  2. Stand on all fours, look straight ahead. Bend and bend your back - exercise "cat".
  3. Lie on your back and, keeping your legs below your knees, pull your knees up to your chest and lock in this position for a few seconds. 10 times.
  4. The starting position is the same. Cross your legs (on the weight) and stretch the muscles well, supporting the lower leg below the knee with both hands.
  5. Standing on all fours, raise your left arm and right leg perpendicular to the floor. Repeat for the other side. 10 times.

A set of exercises for lumbar pain with a massage roller is also recommended. For example: place the roller under the sacrum and pull the knee to the chest while the other leg is on the floor. Repeat 10 times for each leg. If the tension is not enough, place your hand behind your head and / or move your slightly bent knee to the side.

How to take care of your back - recommendations from doctors

We recommend 10 simple tips to protect your lower back.

  1. To keep your back healthy, it is important to avoid serious physical (as well as mental and emotional) overload and hypothermia. If you are forced to work for a long time in the cold or in rooms with sudden temperature changes, get high-quality thermal underwear.
  2. Perform timely treatment of lumbar pain in the lumbar region.
  3. If you have already been diagnosed with early-stage osteochondrosis, have congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system, use orthoses - special bandages and corsets that help relieve back pain. If you carry a heavy backpack, get one designed to protect your back from the symptoms of low back pain.
  4. Also, do not forget to take chondroprotectors for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes at least 3-6 months a year.
  5. Balance your diet so that your body receives enough vitamins and minerals, as well as protein.
  6. Equip the right place to sleep. The mattress should not be too soft or too hard, the length of the bed should be slightly greater than your height. The height of the pillow is also important for relieving the pain of lumbar osteochondrosis - it is best to buy an orthopedic. If pets force you to take an awkward sleeping position, do not leave them in bed.
  7. When sitting, make sure that your elbows are on the table top, at a comfortable height, and the seat of the chair allows you to keep your shins perpendicular to the floor.
  8. If you have already been diagnosed with a disease of the spine, take care of rational employment, which will reduce occupational stress on the lower back.
  9. Try not to abuse alcohol, coffee and cigarettes.
  10. Maintain a normal level of physical activity (at least in the form of 15-minute exercises for lumbar pain 3-4 times a day).

Health on your back!