Most often pain in the lower back because the lumbar spine has the greatest mobility and carries the weight of the upper half of the body. Pain in the lumbar region has a special title — the lumbago, if she gives in the leg — sciatica. Rarely, occurs pain in the thoracic spine. If the pain is acute and extends (gives) in the hand or on the arm, it is called "lumbago" or "sciatica". This type of pain usually associated with compression of the spinal nerve.
Pain in the back and lower part of the back pain can appear suddenly after heavy lifting, if uncomfortable to turn. Sometimes discomfort in the back develop gradually in the course of many years of effort or improper posture of the body. Rarely is the reason for the pain could not be determined. The pain may worsen at night, under load or after a long finding in an inconvenient pose, for example, after a long journey in the car. Often the pain goes away lying down on a flat hard surface.
In most cases, the back pain within a few days or weeks and then feel better, and mobility is fully restored. To speed healing help of pain relievers and a mode of physical activity: rest only in the first 1-2 days of the particularly intense pain and then gradual return to an active way of life. However, in some cases, back pain or lower back pain lasts for more than 6 weeks. Then we talk about the development of chronic back pain and prescribe additional treatment.
Play an important role in your mood. Because of the pain that can be difficult to keep a good mood, but research has shown that positive-minded people generally recover faster than those who are in depression.
The reasons for back pain
Back health depends on the smooth functioning of a complex mechanism of bones, muscles, nerves and joints. Often to accurately determine the cause of the pain can be difficult. Fortunately, a serious illness or injury are rare. Usually the back pain or back cause light injuries, muscular strain, stretching of muscles and ligaments, injury to the rights and inflammation of the nerves. Discomfort in the back can occur suddenly or develop gradually grows. The possible reasons for pain in the back and lower part of the back:
- uncomfortable movement: tilt or rotation of the housing;
- lifting or carrying of heavy objects, prolonged bending of the body;
- incorrect posture when walking or sitting;
- excessive stretching of the back muscles;
- prolonged driving without stopping.
Sometimes back starts the disease for no apparent reason, for example, in the morning, after sleeping.
Risk factors of back pain
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of back pains or lower back pain:
- Excess of weight, while the spine carry more cargo. To understand whether your weight is normal, to calculate the body mass index.
- Smoking — it can harm the tissues of the back, as well as smokers are generally less likely to lead a healthy way of life.
- The woman's pregnancy the spine is the subject of an additional burden, which increases with the increase of the volume of the stomach.
- The prolonged intake of drugs that decrease bone density, for example, corticosteroids.
- Stress — it is believed that the constant anxiety increases muscle tension in the back and neck, which can cause pain.
Diseases that can cause pain in the back and lower part of the back:
- Osteochondrosis and its complications, such as herniation of the spine — degenerative diseases, in which the fall of the intervertebral cartilage, resulting in pain. These diseases often develop with age, especially in those people who are faced with the heavy burden on his back.
- Stretching of the ligaments and muscles — which often occurs after excessive physical exertion or awkward movement.
- Different types of arthritis — inflammatory disease of the joints. In this case, in addition to pain, marked morning stiffness in the joints, reduced mobility.
- Kidney disease, such as pyelonephritis can cause pain in the lower part of the back.
There are also more dangerous, but very rare reasons for back pain. For example, cancer, tuberculosis of the spine, aortic aneurysm (separation of the walls of large blood vessels), etc. they usually are diagnosed during examination by the doctor.
Diagnosis of pain in back and rump
With pain in the back and lower back that can often cope at home with medication sold in a pharmacy, without a prescription. Hospital treatment is usually not required. If the pain is severe, seek help from the doctor, the doctor. If the pain does not give you to move, you can call the doctor at home.
During the examination, the doctor will ask you to sit, to stand, to walk, alternately lift your feet and will also check the range of motion in the arms. He may ask you about previous diseases or injuries of your way of life and the nature of the work, as well as:
- When the pain began?
- Where did not hurt?
- Mind back in the past?
- Can you describe the pain?
- From what the pain escalate or go?
The survey and examination, the doctor will attempt to rule out the possibility of infection and fracture, although they are very rare. In the case of doubtful diagnosis, can be stated for additional studies: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or x-ray of the spine. To avoid kidney disease doctor's orders in the urine.
In most cases, back pain fails to remove in a few days. If the treatment is not helping, the pain in the back lasts for more than 6 weeks (t.n. chronic back pain), or the cause of the disease is a serious disease, the therapist will refer you to a specialist. Most often the treatment of back pain and low back pain, deals with the neurologist. In addition, the treatment can be connected with the doctor as an osteopath, reflexologist, chiropractor.
Treatment of back and lumbar
Treatment of back pain may depend on the duration and intensity, as well as your personal preferences and needs. Most often, the pain can be removed with the use of non-prescription medicines and treatment at home.
Motor mode
In previous years it was believed that when the pain in the back need to rest. It is accepted that people who get up early to move faster to cope with the back pain and pain in the back. Complete quiet and bed rest is shown only for 1-2 days in the acute stage when the pain is extremely pronounced and does not move. In this case it is recommended to lie on the hard and smooth surface. As soon as the situation is significantly improved, you should gradually return to mobile life, the expansion of the range of motion a little each day.
Gradually you will be able to move around the house or to go shopping. You have to put up with some discomfort and learn to avoid anything that causes severe pain. A few days later, you can return to work without waiting for the moment when the pain in the back or in the lower part will be completely (of course, if your job is not connected with excessive loads on the spine). The beginning of the activation will get you back to normal daily routine and distraction from the pain.
Muscle relaxants
Are drugs that relieve spasm of skeletal muscles, to relax the muscles. They are appointed in cases where excessive tension in the muscles of the spine increased the pain, which may, for example, when the worsening of the degenerative disc disease or disc herniation. Muscle relaxants have side effects, many of them can not take over the wheel. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with a doctor.
The treatment of heat and cold
Some pain helps of heat, for example. a warm bath or heating pad on the sore place. Also relieve the condition may cold, for example, if applied to the lower back ice or package of frozen vegetables. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as it can cause frostbite. Wrap it in a damp cloth and apply to the affected area. You can also change the heat therapy with cold packs, application of alternating ice and a heating pad.
Posture for sleeping
The change of position of the body for sleep may relieve the tension from the back and relieve the pain. If you sleep on your side, slightly pull your legs to the chest and place a pillow between your legs. If back to back, place a pillow under the knees to support the natural curvature of the spine in the lumbar region.
Relaxation
This is an extremely important component of dealing with the pain, because if you worry too much, it will cause muscle tension, which can worsen the pain. Research has shown that positive-minded people usually recover faster. The pain of them go in a long, chronic. There are different techniques for relaxation. As a rule, it is recommended to learn breathing exercises and simple exercises with the alternate tension and relaxation of different muscles of the body.
Exercise and a healthy way of life
Try to eliminate the cause of pain in the back to prevent it from returning in the future. The most common reasons for back pain — being overweight, bad posture and stress. Regular exercise and an active way of life will help your back to be strong and healthy. Most people want to do this walking, swimming and yoga. What is the most important thing — choose what you like and not causing the pain. Sometimes classes are conducted in groups under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Usually the classes are run exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve the posture, as well as aerobic exercises and stretching exercises.
Treatment of chronic pain in the back
If the back pain lasts for more than 6 weeks (t.n. chronic back pain), in addition to analgesics and muscle relaxants used are described below methods of dealing with the pain. These therapies can help those that back pain prevents him from performing the usual routine and alarming.
Prevention of back pain
A strong and flexible back is the best way to avoid pain. Therefore, the most effective prevention is regular physical exercise, proper posture and safety when lifting and carrying heavy loads.
If you periodically back hurts, try the following:
- To lose weight, if obese. Too much body weight can put additional in the lower part of the stress.
- Wearing orthopedic shoes on a low heel, that reduces the load on the spine during walking.
- Avoid sudden movements that can cause stretching of the muscle.
- To learn how to cope with the stress, the anxiety and care that can enhance the on the back.
The correct position of the body and sound sleep, with pain in the back
Body posture affects the health of the back. Standing always try to keep the body straight, head straight, not to hunch. Distribute weight equally on both legs, do not bend them. Sit straight, with emphasis in the lower part of the back. Knees and hips should be level and the legs to stand on the floor (if necessary, use a footstool). Sometimes it is convenient to under half a small pillow or rolled up towel. If you type on the keyboard, the forearms must lie horizontally, and the elbows should be bent at the right angle.
If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, make sure that the chair has a emphasis for the waist. If you adjust the side view mirrors, you do not have to turn back. The vehicle should be right in the front part of the feet. In the long journey regularly to stop to stretch your back.
Sleep should serve as a place for relaxation of the whole body, including the back. This requires a fairly hard mattress, so it does not bend under the weight of the body from the shoulders to the buttocks, as a hammock. If the bed is too soft, place a firm Board or of the Board (ideally 2cm thick) under the mattress. The head should lie on the pillow, but the neck should not be bent in a large angle.