Back pain - symptoms and treatment.

Back pain is a symptom of disease often of the muscles of the back and spine. In this article, we will look at why the pain in the back.

The problem in the lower part of the back pain can be the result of diseases of the bone tissue of the spine, the lumbar discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of pelvis and abdomen and the skin covering the lumbar area. Your upper back can be painful as a consequence of diseases of the aorta, chest tumors, or inflammation of the spine.

treatment of back pain

All of a sudden short pain in the lower back pain, also called lumbago, and gradually develops a chronic lumbalgia. If you hurt your lower back (the coccyx) is coccygodynia.

The reasons for back pain

In most cases, back pain due to musculoskeletal disorders (microdamages of joints and ligaments of the spine after heavy loads of them, tension or spasm of muscles). A few less common cause of pain in the become more pronounced changes of the spine, such as herniated discs or displacement of the vertebrae (spondylolisthesis). Finally, in rare cases, back pain may be associated with serious diseases (tumors and inflammatory processes in the spine and spinal cord, diseases of the internal organs — kidneys, heart, pancreas, pelvic organs, etc.).

The possible reasons for pain in the back

  • Muscle spasms;
  • Of a sprain (ligament injury );
  • Muscular injury;
  • Pregnancy;
  • Scoliosis;
  • Bleeding in the pelvis;
  • Dissection of the aorta;
  • Infection of the spine and pelvis;
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis;
  • Metastases in the spine (cancer that has spread to the spine from other organs);
  • Viral infections, including the flu.

A disease in which pain in the back

  • Osteochondrosis;
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm;
  • Ankylosing spondylitis;
  • Cancer of the bone;
  • Coccygodynia;
  • Degenerative diseases of the vertebral discs;
  • Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis;
  • Endometriosis;
  • Fibromyalgia;
  • Fracture;
  • Kidney stones;
  • Arthritis;
  • Paget's disease;
  • Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer (girdle pain);
  • Psoriatic arthritis;
  • Reactive arthritis;
  • Sciatica;
  • Herpes zoster (pain and a characteristic rash on the skin).

What is the danger of back pain

Usually, the back pain is of a permanent nature, aggravated by movement and physical exertion and are accompanied by limited mobility of the spine, and the feeling of stiffness of the back. In most cases, is characterized by a relapsing course, in which episodes of exacerbations, usually caused by intense physical activity, long-term presence in an awkward position, or hypothermia, is replaced by a more or less long periods during which pain is absent or minimally expressed.

causes of pain

In most cases of back pain do not represent a direct threat to the life and health of the person, and often pass on their own (without treatment). However, sometimes back pain can be due to serious diseases of the spine or the internal organs.

The following are features of back pain that can be associated with severe pathology. If you have any of these symptoms you should immediately consult with a doctor and in any case not to self-medicate.

  • Back pain is constant and localized in one place.
  • Back pain is not diminished in the supine position, or occurs in the course of the night.
  • Back pain accompanied by fever.
  • Back pain accompanied with tension in the muscles of the extremities or in combination with prolonged stiffness in the morning.

Diagnosis of pain in the back

  • Examination by a neurologist to assess the condition of the nervous system, muscles and spine.
  • General analysis of blood and urine tests to exclude inflammation of the kidneys.
  • Spinal radiography to exclude osteomyelitis, fractures and other diseases. For clarification identified from the x-rays changes, the doctor may additionally request a CT or MRI of the spine (the first allows us to assess the condition of the bone structures, the second — of the spinal cord and intervertebral discs).

Very often, when these studies reveal degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies and makes the diagnosis "osteochondrosis". It should be noted that the degenerative disc disease itself is not a disease, and is a reflection of the age-related changes of the spine. Certain changes in the intervertebral discs (including hernia) reveal almost all the people of Mature age, including never experienced the pain in the back. In other words, the identification of the signs of osteoarthritis on x-ray or disc herniation in magnetic resonance imaging does not give us reason to believe that the pain associated with them (such a decision can only be made by a physician based on the results of the clinical trial).

Treatment of back pain

To fully recover from the back pain is not often, however, you can reduce the frequency of exacerbations through a proper way of life and therapy. Treatment of back pain depends on the cause of their appearance. Choose a treatment that suits You can be a doctor.

The effect of therapeutic interventions may take some time, so you need patience and endurance. The main goal of the treatment is not only for the relief of acute pain, but also in the prevention of exacerbation of the disease in the future.

How to relieve back pain

Bed rest can contribute to the transition of acute pain in the back chronic. With this in mind, when moderate pain is not necessary in bed, and when intense pains should be possible to limit its duration (1-3 days).

If the pain in the back need to be limited in it during physical activity, especially to avoid heavy lifting and prolonged stay in one position; it is important to do the movement without increasing the load on the spine.

To unload the spine and rest it is recommended to use a special belt or corset.

back treatment

Cure for back pain

Treatment depends on the cause of the pain in the back and called his doctor after the examination.

For pain relief using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, manufactured in the form of tablets, ampoule forms for injections, creams and gels and pain medications or combination of medications. Medications in both groups prescribed a short (usually 3-5 days). In addition, to eliminate the pain, apply compresses with a solution of local anaesthetic and pharmacological blockade (which may be performed only by a physician).

Pain associated with muscle tension and the use of medications to eliminate the muscle spasm (muscle relaxants of Central action in a period of 1-2 weeks). Take these medications only on prescription.

Currently, for the treatment of back pain is associated with degenerative changes of the spine (osteochondrosis), I suggest to use special drugs — drugs that stimulate the production of the main components of cartilage tissue and thus prevents its destruction. The effectiveness of these drugs in diseases of the spine is not proven, the same can be said for many widely advertised supplements (usually containing medicinal plants, biological products, vitamins, etc.) and homeopathic remedies. Despite the fact that all these tools are freely dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription, do not take them without consultation with the doctor.

Physiotherapy and recreation therapy for back pain

To reduce the intensity of the pain you can apply dry heat (but not deep heat) and other physiotherapy treatments, but only after consultation with your doctor.

After the end of the acute period of useful therapeutic exercises for special complexes (strengthening of the back muscles, and abdomen) and massage.

Chiropractic for back pain

Manual therapy can be prescribed only by a doctor after carrying out of radiography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, that allow to objectively assess the condition of the spine and surrounding tissues. With proper implementation of manual therapy (impact on the joints of the spine, ligaments and muscles) allows you to customize many of the local disturbances (e.g., muscle tension, subluxations in the joints) which sometimes allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate back pain.

Manual therapy has contraindications and limitations:

  • Hernia or destruction of intervertebral discs (displacement of the fragments may cause compression of the spinal cord, spinal roots and blood vessels).
  • After myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, tuberculosis of the spine, dysfunction of the endocrine system in cases of severe osteoporosis.
  • In severe cases, accompanied with a sharp restriction of mobility of the spine due to pain and tension in the muscles in the back (possibly increased symptoms).
  • In diseases of the blood vessels and disorders of blood coagulation.

If improperly performed chiropractic can lead to serious complications, so it should only be performed by a qualified professional (doctor in specialization). Absolutely unacceptable behavior manual therapy average health care professionals and persons without medical education!

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (acupuncture) often has a positive effect in moderate back pain, especially caused by tension in the muscles and in combination with psycho-emotional disorders. Although, according to the ideas of Chinese traditional medicine, acupuncture can be used in any disease, it is considered that acupuncture is contraindicated in the following cases.

  • In diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
  • In the presence of benign and malignant tumors (including in the past).
  • In diseases requiring urgent surgical intervention.
  • In violation of function of kidneys and liver.
  • In the presence of a tendency to hemorrhage or the intake of drugs that violate the blood clots.
  • In the acute infectious diseases.
  • For the time of pregnancy.

Yoga for back pain

Yoga not only help relieve pain but also relieve tension of the back muscles and reduce inflammation. Only 5 minutes a day to devote to exercise, and you will soon see the result.

Prevention of back pain

prevention
  • Use a comfortable bed with a firm and hard mattress.
  • Try to maintain proper posture when walking.
  • Observe the correct position of the body on the Table, when working with a computer. Please keep in mind that the forearms when I was on weight, and completely lies on the table. For continuous operations, the use of a chair with a backrest, headrest and armrests for rest and relaxation.
  • Avoid prolonged stay in one position (computer, driving a car). Try every half hour to stretch, to stretch, to move.
  • During the long stay in a standing position, locate the fulcrum for the arms, hand or head (for example, lean back against the vertical surface in the train station).
  • If You wear shoes with high heels, remember that you can walk in it without interruption for not more than 2 hours to do it.
  • Avoid sharp turns and slopes of the body, always seek support for the execution of such works.
  • If you need to pick up something from the floor, you should squat, but not lean.
  • Do not lift or move the weights, carrying them in front of you, avoid the jerks and try to keep your back straight.
  • Strengthen your back muscles through physical therapy, swimming, workout in the gym.
  • Maintenance of normal body weight