Why back pain occurs and its treatment

With such problems, people aged 20-50 years go to the doctor most often, but sometimes children also get sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people at least once had lumbago or back discomfort.Pain occurs due to overstrain of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine 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 appear in the cervical, thoracic region 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 related to the following factors:

• Overstrain, muscle tension.Decrease or increase in tone causes microtraumas, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
• Diseases of internal organs.They cause back pain irradiation in 10% of cases.
• Reduced strength, deformation of the intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs due to an increase in the external load on the spine (excess body weight, lifting weights) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In severe cases, the discs bulge and press on the nerve roots.

Classification of back pain

For the convenience of description and the correct choice of tactics for the treatment of back pathologies, pain symptoms are distinguished by duration.In addition, doctors emphasize the nature and location of the attack.

Depending on the type of pain there are:

• acute, lasting from a few days to a month and a half;
• subacute, anxious from 6 to 12 weeks;
• chronic, which are present for more than three months or constantly (periods of exacerbation followed by rest).

Based 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, throbbing, but always felt in the area of soft tissues.
• Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected onto the back from the internal organs.It can be burning and intense, but never increases with movement.
• Irradiation.Discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it is wandering - radiates to the arm or leg.Appears when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.

Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:

• Lumbodynia– sharp pain in the lumbar region.
• Sacralgia– discomfort of the sacral spine.
• Lyubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the feeling spreads down the leg.
• Cervical pain- inflammation of the neck.
• Coccidinia– coccyx pain.
• thoracalgia– a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes chest discomfort.

Lumbar pain

Lubmalgia is often painful in nature and is characterized by gradual development.The pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasm against the background of displaced discs or herniation.

Adults and young people often experience back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.

Discomfort disappears without any manipulations, but suddenly reappears.Severe pain in the lower back occurs with vascular diseases, for example, an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not disappear during 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.It occurs more often in men than in women.Lower back pain can be sharp, dull or pulling.

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 provoked by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders.

Upper back pain

This condition is associated with problems of the thoracic or cervical spine, strong muscle tension.The pain is caused by heavy loads, incorrect posture or osteochondrosis.

The cause of the syndrome can be diseases of the internal organs:

• Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting pain on the right or left side of the chest that intensifies when breathing in.
• Pneumonia.The condition causes mild pain behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
• Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Shoulder, chest, arm and central back pain are common.The intensity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.

Pain in shoulder blades

Discomfort occurs with inflammation of the nerve endings of the chest - intercostal neuralgia.The pain is moderate, painful, disappears after rest or massage.It is often caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack) or psychological problems.

Symptoms related to 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;
• increase in local body temperature;
• stiffness of movements;
• thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
• vertigo;
• sudden weight loss;
• difficulty breathing, cough;
• reduced visual and hearing acuity;
• swelling, inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint;
• urinary incontinence, reduced sensitivity of the limbs.

Why does my back hurt?

There are two types of discomfort: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second occurs due to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and neurological reasons.Back pain in women is noted separately.

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;
• heavy physical work (spinal pain occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
• awkward posture;
• curvature of the spine;
• past injuries or broken bones.

Pathologies of the spine

The main causes of back pain are related to 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.
• Protrusion– displacement (protrusion) of 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 nerve endings and part of the spinal space due to displacement of the disc.
• Radiculitis- damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
• Spondyloarthrosis- dystrophic diseases of the intervertebral joints.
• Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage disorders.
• Discite– sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral discs.

Non-spinal causes

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 zoster.
• A stone in the ureter.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Pneumonia.
• Malignant tumors.
• Kidney inflammation.
• Aortic aneurysm.
• Angina pectoris.
• Intercostal neuralgia.
• hemorrhoids.
• Dysplasia of the prostate.
• 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, nagging or sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.

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;
• wearing high-heeled shoes;
• inflammation of the ovaries;
• myoma or fibroid of the uterus;
• ovarian cyst.

Diagnosis

If your back hurts, you should see a therapist.After taking an anamnesis and an external examination, the doctor will refer you for a consultation with specialized specialists: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.

To make a correct diagnosis, a number of tests are prescribed:

• Radiographydetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of the intervertebral discs and possible growths of bone tissue.
• Myelography- a method of examining the spinal cord, which evaluates the patency of the channels of the cerebrospinal fluid, the presence of hernia, tumors or damage to the spinal column.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)shows disc protrusion, presence of calcifications, stenosis of the spinal canal.
• General and biochemical blood test.Investigations 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 kidney and urinary tract disease is suspected.
• Additional researchperformed to rule out 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 the pain is caused by diseases of the internal organs, the treatment begins with the removal of the cause.Painkillers are prescribed to relieve unpleasant symptoms.

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 (hernia, bulging disc, injury), surgery is performed.

First aid for acute pain

When the discomfort is unbearable, before the arrival of the ambulance, help the victim yourself:

1. Place the person face up on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will provide relaxation to the muscles and relieve the spasm.
2. Apply a cold compress or pain-relieving ointment to your back.
3. If the discomfort does not improve, give an NSAID.
4. If you must move, wear a back brace or support corset.

Drug therapy

To reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, drugs are prescribed:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect, relieve inflammation.
• Ointments.Preparations that warm the muscles, reduce pain and are used for massage.
• Chondroprotectors.These are products for the protection and restoration of cartilage tissue.
• Diuretics.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, the cardiovascular system and to eliminate edema.
• Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
• Vitamin preparations.Improving the work of the nervous system, increasing immunity.

If taking analgesics does not lead to a therapeutic effect, a paravertebral block is performed.

An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief occurs instantly and lasts up to 6-12 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 often used:

• Diathermy.Heating the tissues with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes resorption of infiltrates and increases blood flow.
• Electrophoresis- application of drugs to the site of pain through the skin.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
• Acupuncturerelieves the spasm of muscle fibers, removes the inflammatory process.
• Laser therapy– impact on the source of pain with quantum particle light flux.The procedure is performed using a special device.Laser radiation penetrates deep tissue layers, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and removes swelling.

Surgical intervention

Indications for surgery include injuries, intervertebral hernias, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, 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 affected disc, part of a vertebra or ligament.The intervention is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
• Nucleoplasty– removal of the core of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves the pressure on the nerve endings.
• Puncture vertebroplasty– a method of stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the spinal cavities with bone cement.

Folk remedies for back pain treatment

Decoctions and compresses of medicinal herbs help to enhance the effect of drugs.With the 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 warm water.Apply the composition to the affected area of the back, cover with cling film and woolen cloth.Leave the compress on for 1 hour.Use the composition for osteochondrosis 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.
• Dissolve 5 g of mumio in 1 tsp.water, add 1 g medical sulfur.Rub the mixture into your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product daily at night.The course of treatment is 3-4 days.
• Beat with a mixer 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites.Leave in the fridge for 5-6 hours.Apply the ointment to the sore areas 3-4 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 resume physical activity, and to prevent discomfort in the future, follow the rules:

• watch your posture;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• When working on the computer, use a chair with a back or a comfortable chair;
• watch your weight;
• do not get carried away with high heels;
• buy an orthopedic mattress;
• if you are sedentary, do light exercise every 30 minutes;
• move more, do sports;
• See your doctor immediately.