People aged 20-50 most often go to the doctor with such problems, but sometimes children are also sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people have at least experienced 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 pain in the back
This is the weakest part of the body because of the structure and function of the spine.Unpleasant sensations occur in the cervical, thoracic or between the shoulder blades, but more often the pain is localized in the lumbosacral region of the back.
The development mechanism is linked to the following factors:
- Overexertion, muscle tension.A decrease or increase in tone causes microtraumas, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
- Diseases of internal organs.They cause radiating back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced strength, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.This process occurs due to increased external load on the spine (excess body weight, heavy lifting) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In serious cases, the disc bulges and compresses the nerve root.
Classification of back pain
For the convenience of description and the choice of the correct treatment tactics for back pathology, pain symptoms are distinguished by duration.In addition, the doctor highlights 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, bothering from 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, which is present for more than three months or constantly (periods of severity followed by rest).
Based on the nature of the sensation, 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 acute, sharp, throbbing, but always felt in the soft tissue area.
- Mirrored.The pain syndrome is projected backwards from the internal organs.It can burn and be intense, but never increases with movement.
- Shining.Discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it travels - it radiates to the arms or legs.It appears when nerve roots are irritated or stretched.
Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:
- Lumbodynia- Acute pain in the lumbar region.
- Sacralgia- sacral spine discomfort.
- Lyubmoischialgia- Pain in the lower back, radiating sensation in the legs.
- Cervicalgia- Inflammation of the neck.
- Coccydynia- Pain in Coccyx.
- Thoracalgia- Peripheral nerve disease that causes chest discomfort.
Pain in the lumbar region
Lyubmalgia is often painful and characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasm against the background of a displaced disc or hernia.
Old people and young people often experience back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.
Discomfort disappears without manipulation, but suddenly appears again.Severe back pain occurs with vascular disease, for example, abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptoms are always present and do not go away during rest.
Back pain in the sacral area
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 women.Pain in the lower back can be sharp, dull, or pulling.
Unpleasant sensations increase during physical activity, after prolonged sitting or sudden changes in body position.Sometimes the pain radiates to the back or legs.
Sacralgia is also provoked by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders.
Pain in the upper back
This condition is associated with thoracic or cervical spine problems, severe muscle tension.Pain caused by heavy loads, incorrect posture or osteochondrosis.
The cause of the syndrome may be diseases of internal organs:
- Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting pain in the right or left side of the chest, which increases with inhalation.
- Pneumonia.This condition causes mild pain behind the sternum or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Aching pains in the shoulders, chest, arms and center of the back are often observed.The severity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Pain in the shoulder blade
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 symptoms are accompanied by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, loss of strength;
- increased local body temperature;
- stiffness of movement;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- dizziness;
- sudden weight loss;
- difficulty breathing, coughing;
- decreased visual and hearing acuity;
- swelling, inflammation of the soft tissue around the joint;
- Urinary incontinence, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
Why does my back hurt?
There are two types of discomfort sensations: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second arises as a result of disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and neurological reasons.Separately, back pain in women is noted.
The following factors contribute to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms:
- rowing, skiing or high jumping;
- Long-term static load;
- overweight;
- hypothermia;
- sudden movements;
- vibration at work;
- Hard physical work (pain in the spine occurs in miners, farmers, machine operators);
- uncomfortable posture;
- curvature of the spine;
- past injuries or broken bones.
Pathology of the spine
The main causes of back pain are associated with a violation of the integrity or function of the spine, and there is a group of factors that include diseases:
- Osteomyelitis- Necrotic process in bone and bone marrow.
- Prominence- Displacement (protrusion) of the disc.
- Arthritis- Inflammation of the joints.
- Scoliosis- Different curvatures of the spine.
- 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 column due to disc displacement.
- Radiculitis- Damage to the nerve root of the spinal cord.
- Spondyloarthrosis- Dystrophic disease of intervertebral joints.
- Osteochondrosis- Degenerative cartilage disorders.
- Dyspitis- Sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral disc.
Causes unrelated to the spine
Pain under the lower back and in other areas of the back is often caused by diseases of internal organs:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Tuberculosis.
- Appendicitis.
- Syrup.
- Stones in the ureter.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Malignant tumor.
- Kidney inflammation.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Angina pectoris.
- Intercostal Neuralgia.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Prostatic dysplasia.
- Pancreatitis.
- Gallbladder inflammation.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Cystitis.
- Acute coronary syndrome.
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of lower back pain in women
Unpleasant, dull or sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.
Discomfort caused by muscle tension due to pregnancy, posterior or occipital presentation of the fetus.
Causes of pain in women:
- body or cervical cancer;
- external endometriosis;
- menstruation;
- premenopause;
- wear high-powered shoes;
- ovarian inflammation;
- uterine myoma or fibroid;
- Ovarian cysts.
Diagnostics
If your back hurts, you should visit a therapist.After collecting the anamnesis and external examination, the doctor will refer you to consult a specialist: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
To make a correct diagnosis, several studies are prescribed:
- RadiographyDetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of the intervertebral disc, and possible growth of bone tissue.
- Myelography- A method of examining the spinal cord, which evaluates the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of hernias, tumors or damage to the spinal column.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)shows disc protrusion, the presence of calcification, spinal canal stenosis.
- General blood and biochemical tests.Studies reveal inflammatory processes, high calcium levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates.
- Electromyographyreveal the extent of damage to nerve endings and muscle fibers.
- Urinalysis.It is taken for suspected kidney and urinary tract diseases.
- Additional researchPerformed to exclude autoimmune disorders, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and hidden infections.
Treatment for back pain
The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors that cause discomfort.When the pain is caused by a disease of the internal organs, treatment begins with eliminating the cause.To relieve unpleasant symptoms, painkillers are prescribed.
In addition to tablets and ointments, doctors prescribe physiotherapy and reflexology.
In the recovery stage, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If the pain occurs due to damage to the spine (hernia, bulging disc, injury), surgery is performed.
First aid for acute pain
If the discomfort is unbearable, before the ambulance arrives, help the victim yourself:
- Place the person facing a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will provide peace to the muscles and relieve spasms.
- Apply cold compresses or cool ointment to your back.
- If discomfort does not improve, give an NSAID.
- If you need to 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 analgesic and antipyretic effects, and relieve inflammation.
- Ointment.Preparations that warm muscles reduce pain and are used for massage.
- Chondroprotectors.This is a product to protect and restore cartilage tissue.
- Diuretic.They are prescribed for diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, and to eliminate edema.
- Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Vitamin preparations.Improves the function of the nervous system, improves immunity.
If taking analgesics does not produce a therapeutic effect, a paravertebral block is performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.The release occurs immediately 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 tissue with a high-power current dilates blood vessels, causes absorption of infiltrates, and increases blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- Administer medications to the site of pain through the skin.This procedure relieves pain and increases tissue trophism.
- AcupunctureRelieves muscle fiber spasms, eliminates the inflammatory process.
- Laser therapy- Effect on the source of pain with light flux quantum particles.This procedure is carried out using special tools.Laser rays penetrate deep tissue layers, stimulate metabolic processes, relieve pain, and eliminate swelling.
Surgical intervention
Indications for surgery include injury, intervertebral hernia, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, the operation restores the function of the spine and joints.
The doctor performs 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.Doctors remove 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 intervertebral disc core.The operation relieves pressure on the nerve endings.
- Vertebroplasty puncture- Method of stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the spinal cavity with bone cement.
Folk remedies for back pain
Decoctions and compresses of medicinal herbs help enhance the effect of the drug.With your doctor's permission, use folk 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 on the back, cover with cling film and woolen 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 teaspoon.water, add 1 g of 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 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of lime and 2 raw egg whites with a blender.Leave in the fridge for 5-6 hours.Apply the ointment to the sore area 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a wool scarf behind you.
Prevention
Following the doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and continue 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 sedentary, do light exercise every 30 minutes;
- move more, play sports;
- Visit your doctor immediately.