Strain or Lower Back Pain: Why Lower Back Pain Happens and How to Treat It

Lower back pain is a common reason to see a doctor. The cause of discomfort in this area can be a variety of diseases.What is ankylosing spondylitis, which is characterized by severe pain in the sacral area that radiates to the legs, what studies are performed during diagnosis, causes of pain in the lower scapula and the most effective treatments - in the material.

lower back pain

Sudden, acute pain in the lower back is fairly common. This symptom is characteristic of many pathological conditions and is not always caused by spinal diseases. The appearance and causes of pain can vary.

type of pain

Depending on the nature of the pain in the lower back, the main cause of the discomfort can be determined.

strong

Starting from the sacral area, severe pain is concentrated in the hip joint. The pain radiates down the leg and is felt in the foot. Similar symptoms are observed in osteochondrosis, along with the risk of numbness in the extremities.The mechanism of pain is compression of the sciatic nerve. The pain worsens when you walk quickly, bend down, or cough. Prolonged stress on the gluteal muscles can cause them to atrophy.

acute

Sudden onset of severe pain. They are excruciating and severe, often referred to as "low back pain. "Depending on the cause, the pain may be triggered by physical activity. This is accompanied by stiffness of movement (sometimes even the inability to stand upright). The slightest movement can worsen symptoms. Acute pain may last up to six weeks.

pulling and pain

Persistent pain in the lower back is often caused by conditions such as hernias, protrusions, and inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

chronic

Persistent lower back pain may be caused by a hernia or herniation, along with degenerative changes in the spine. The intensity of this performance increases with physical exercise and is a result of physical inactivity.

moved

The occurrence of such symptoms is secondary. Diseases of the genitourinary system, ovaries, prostate and other internal organs will be accompanied by symptoms of waist pain.

Mechanical

Mechanical pain occurs during or after physical activity.

irradiate

The pain is dull. Painful sensations may also radiate down the legs (all the way to the feet).

Local

They are characterized by an unpleasant sensation in an area of the lower back.

reflect

Referred pain is pain that is felt in a different location than the actual pain.

root nature

Radiculopathy is a manifestation of neuralgia that may be accompanied by feelings of numbness and loss of sensitivity.

myofascia

This pain is accompanied by muscle spasms and worsens when the muscle is touched.

reason

The causes of low back pain are varied and may be related to the pathological conditions of the spine itself and its surrounding tissues.Experts have identified the main conditions that cause lower back pain.

ankylosing spondylitis

It is a systemic disease associated with inflammation of the spinal connective tissue. With spondylitis, the vertebrae fuse, limiting their movement and creating ankylosis (immobility of the joints). As the paravertebral ligaments ossify, the spine gradually becomes solid, inflexible bone.Pathological conditions are characterized by an increase in symptoms:

• First, pain appears in the waist, gradually covering new areas;
• Negative symptoms may occasionally bother you, but over time they can become permanent;
• Increased stiffness of movement.

The expressiveness of the sign is observed at night. In the morning, the pain became unbearable.

osteochondrosis

The growth, destruction and protrusion of cartilage tissue are caused by the violation of its nutrition. This disease causes destructive changes in the intervertebral discs and triggers the development of spondyloarthropathy.Against this background, pain in the back (back pain) appears with characteristic manifestations of shooting in the lumbar area, as well as irradiation in the buttocks and legs. Weakness and numbness develop in the lower limbs. In this condition, the nerve endings at the root become pinched, causing burning and tingling sensations.

hernia

Intervertebral hernia is a complication of osteochondrosis. It is characterized by herniation and prolapse of disc fragments into the spinal canal.There are no symptoms in the initial stages, but lack of treatment can lead to increased pain and limited mobility in the lower back. Severe pain sensations are observed, which increase with exertion and they force the person to adopt anti-pain postures.

Kyphosis and Scoliosis

Lower back pain is the result of spinal curvature. There are no negative symptoms in the early stages of spinal curvature deformity. But over time, muscle fatigue manifests itself in cycles but develops into ongoing discomfort. The pain is achy in nature and worsens with physical activity.

spondyloarthropathy

In this pathology, the articular cartilage is destroyed and osteophytes (bone growths) form. This results in narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the nerve roots. As a result of these changes, severe pain can occur that worsens with physical activity and subsides in a calm state. Muscle tightness is observed, resulting in decreased motor activity.

protrude

Prerequisites for the formation of protrusions are spinal injury, excessive physical activity, and muscle weakness due to physical inactivity. In this case, a herniated disc occurs, along with tension and pain in the lower back.

arthritis

In rare cases, the cause of lower back joint pain is inflammation of the lower back. In the chronic course of the disease, patients often suffer from "low back pain" due to hypothermia and overexertion.

osteomyelitis

With osteomyelitis, an inflammatory process in the bone tissue can be observed. The acute phase of the disease is characterized by severe pain. Lack of treatment can cause the disease to become chronic, but the pain syndrome remains.

pancreatitis

Lower back pain is a sign of inflammation of the pancreas. The disease is accompanied by episodic tingling, cutting and pulling sensations.

spinal stenosis

The pathological condition results from complications of hernias and herniations. Nerve root compression can cause discomfort while walking and resting, and is exacerbated by bending the back.

facet joint syndrome

Destructive changes to the discs can lead to degeneration of the facet joints (which connect the vertebrae from the back). This condition is accompanied by an increase in the load on the muscles and bones and triggers an inflammatory process with subsequent development of spondyloarthropathies and degenerative changes.In the affected joint area, spasmodic pain is felt when the lower back is bent and rotated. One of the symptoms is stiffness of movement in the morning and increased discomfort at night.

localization

To determine the cause of lower back pain, you first need to identify the location of the discomfort. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, you need to contact a specialist.

pain below waist

The cause of pain below the waist is usually pathological conditions of the spine or internal organs. The resulting discomfort may indicate the development of:

• Osteoporosis;
• osteochondrosis;
• Urolithiasis;
• Inflammatory process of the ureters;
• cholecystitis;
• Pyelonephritis;
• gastritis;
• Gastrointestinal problems.

In this case, the pain most often occurs after lifting heavy objects or walking quickly. Pain below the lower back usually occurs after a serious injury or infection. They also occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

Pain above the lower back but below the shoulder blades

Pain between the lower back and shoulder blades can be caused by:

• Spinal pathology in the lumbar and thoracic areas or previous injury to these areas;
• Osteoporosis;
• muscle spasms or tension;
• pancreatitis.

Similar presentations may occur in the context of tumor development of various etiologies.

left lower back pain

Pain in the lower back that radiates to the left shoulder blade and covers the left side of the neck is usually caused by a myocardial infarction.Cutting pain in the area indicates the possibility of a perforated ulcer.Additionally, these symptoms may indicate the presence of disease and pathological conditions such as radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and poor posture. In this case, people experience soreness, which occurs when the body is inactive or exceeds the allowed load.

right lower back pain

When dull pain occurs on the right side, lesions in the kidneys or genitourinary organs should be suspected. Inflammation may have an infectious etiology or be the result of hypothermia.Sudden, severe pain on the right side may be a sign of a perforated ulcer, ruptured appendicitis, or internal bleeding. Pain on the right side usually indicates muscle strain and radiculopathy.

Low back pain when coughing

Possible causes of lower back pain when coughing:

• osteochondrosis;
• hernia;
• Nerve root stenosis, leading to weakness and difficulty walking;
• Facet joint disease, in which muscle strain occurs;
• Injury to the annulus fibrosus;
• Pathological conditions of the kidneys.

In the context of neuralgia, a painful sensation during coughing is often observed.Low back pain may occur due to physiological reasons. These include:

• overweight,
• passive lifestyle,
• Excessive physical activity.

diagnosis

In order to determine the source of lower back pain, a comprehensive diagnostic examination is required. It includes laboratory testing and instrumental procedures.There are:

• Blood tests (general, biochemical), urine tests;
• Tumor marker detection;
• Lumbar spine X-ray;
• Endoscopy to examine internal organs;
• Ultrasound (sonography);
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Also seek advice from a neurologist and chiropractor. Based on the test results, the expert will make an accurate diagnosis and decide how to treat the low back pain.

treat

The main methods of treating low back pain are:

• medicinal;
• physiotherapy;
• Surgical treatment.

Diseases associated with low back pain can pose serious threats to human health (even death). Without resorting to self-medication, you need to consult a therapist, neurologist, or neurologist. Usually, in order to determine the cause of pain, it is necessary to consult a urologist and gynecologist.

surgical

Surgical intervention is relevant only as an emergency measure in oncology. Specialists perform planned surgeries only in cases where there is a lack of positive dynamics in the treatment of herniations, hernias and fractures.

drug

The first step in pain relief is to use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). They are used in many forms - tablets, injections, rectal suppositories, patches, ointments or gels.

Depending on the established diagnosis and the severity of symptoms, corticosteroids - hormonal medications that relieve pain and inflammation - may also be used. If muscle spasm is present, muscle relaxants are prescribed.B vitamins are suitable as adjunctive therapy to improve nerve conduction. Pharmacological treatment should always be accompanied by non-pharmacological treatment methods: physiotherapy, physiotherapy, massage (only in case of exacerbation). Depending on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the measures taken, the severity of the symptoms and the results of the examination, the patient may be advised to undergo surgical treatment - removal of the hernia and removal of compression at the root of the spinal cord.Treatment depends on the cause of low back pain. Lesions of the internal organs must be eliminated by specialized specialists; inflammatory lesions of the skeletal system, systemic inflammation, may require antibiotic treatment.

recovery

When the patient improves and the acute symptoms of the disease resolve, doctors can prescribe physical therapy (electrophoresis, laser therapy, ultrasound, magnet therapy, transcutaneous electrical stimulation) and exercise therapy.Additionally, your treating physician may prescribe acupuncture. Massage is also effective in treating this condition.Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen muscles, increase the distance between vertebrae, and eliminate painful symptoms. Specifically selected exercises can release compression from nerve roots, help normalize blood flow and normalize metabolic processes.

prevention

To prevent degenerative changes in the spine, it is important to observe correct exercise habits every day, alternate physical activities, practice walking and swimming. Additionally, it is important to control your weight so that your spine does not experience additional stress.

Most commonly, the lumbosacral and cervical spine are affected by degenerative changes. The area of the chest that is anchored by the ribcage is less susceptible to osteochondrosis. The pain occurs in the lower back or neck, respectively, in the projection of the spine. At first, it may be cyclical and mild.

At this stage, a person is able to help himself independently. To relieve pain, you need to lie on your back: this is the most comfortable position for the body, and the discs, ligaments and joints of the spine are in the most relaxed state. For the lumbar area, this is usually a side-lying position with legs bent. You can take a NSAID once. It is recommended to apply an anti-inflammatory ointment or cream topically to the painful area.As the process progresses, the pain becomes more frequent and increases in intensity. It can radiate to the arms or legs. Numbness (impaired sensitivity) and motor deficits (weakness) often occur in the limbs. These symptoms indicate the involvement of the spinal cord roots in the pathological process.Additionally, preventive measures for low back pain include:

• Daily morning exercise;
• Balanced diet;
• Follow the drinking regime;
• Regular preventive inspections.