People between the ages of 20 and 50 often go to the doctor with such problems, but sometimes even children get sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people have experienced low back pain or back discomfort at least once.Pain occurs due to overstrain of muscles and ligaments, spinal problems and diseases of internal organs.
The mechanism of development of back pain
This is the most vulnerable part of the body due to the structure and functions of the spine.Unpleasant sensations occur 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 associated with the following factors:
- Excessive effort, muscle fatigue.A decrease or increase in tone causes microtrauma, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
- Diseases of the internal organs.They cause radiating back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced strength, deformation of the discs or intervertebral joints.The process occurs due to an increase in the external load on the spine (excess body weight, heavy lifting) or its uneven distribution (awkward working posture).In severe cases, the discs swell and compress the nerve roots.
Classification of back pain
For convenience of description and correct choice of treatment tactics for back pathologies, pain symptoms are distinguished by duration.Additionally, doctors highlight the nature and location of the attack.
Depending on the type of pain, there are:
- acute, lasting from several days to a month and a half;
- subacute, disturbing 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, 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 is always felt in the soft tissue area.
- Reflex.The pain syndrome is projected onto the back from the internal organs.It can be burning and intense, but it never intensifies with movement.
- Radiant.The discomfort comes on suddenly, sometimes it is wandering: it radiates to the arm or leg.It appears when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.
The following conditions are distinguished based on location:
- Lumbonia– sharp pain in the lumbar region.
- Sacralgia– discomfort in the sacral spine.
- Lubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the sensation radiates down the leg.
- Cervical pain- inflammation of the neck.
- Coccydynia– coccyx pain.
- Thoracic pain– a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes chest discomfort.
Pain in the lumbar region
Lubmalgia is often painful in nature and is characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasm against the background of displaced discs or hernia.
The elderly and young people often suffer from back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.
The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly reappears.Severe lower back pain occurs in case of vascular diseases, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.So the symptom is constantly present and does not disappear during rest.
Back pain in the sacral region
Sacralgia occurs against the background of crushed spinal nerve endings due to deformation of the spine or inflammation of soft tissues.It occurs more often in men than in women.Pain in the lower back 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 caused 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.The pain is caused by heavy loads, poor posture or osteochondrosis.
The cause of the syndrome can be diseases of the internal organs:
- Pleurisy.It is characterized by a sharp pain on the right or left side of the chest, which intensifies with inhalation.
- Pneumonia.The condition causes mild pain behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades.Discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
- Tuberculosis or lung cancer.Aching pain in the shoulder, chest, arm and middle of the back is often observed.The intensity of the symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Shoulder blade pain
Discomfort occurs when the nerve endings in the chest become inflamed: intercostal neuralgia.The pain syndrome is moderate, aching, 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 symptom is complemented by:
- nausea, vomiting;
- weakness, loss of strength;
- increase in local body temperature;
- stiffness of movements;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- dizziness;
- sudden weight loss;
- difficulty breathing, cough;
- decreased visual and auditory 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 uncomfortable sensations: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second occurs due to disorders in the functioning of internal organs and neurological causes.Separately, back pain in women is noted.
The following factors contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant symptom:
- rowing, skiing or high jumping;
- long-term static loads;
- overweight;
- hypothermia;
- sudden movements;
- vibrations in the workplace;
- hard physical work (pain in the spine 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 associated with 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.
- Overhang– displacement (protrusion) of the 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 breakage of the connecting end.
- Spondylosis– proliferation of bone tissue.
- Spinal canal stenosis– compression of the nerve endings and a portion of the spinal space due to the displacement of the disc.
- Radiculitis– damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
- Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of the intervertebral joints.
- Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage disorders.
- Discuss– sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral discs.
Causes not related to the spine
Pain under the lower back and other areas of the back is often caused by diseases of the internal organs:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Tuberculosis.
- Appendicitis.
- Shingles.
- Stone in the ureter.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Malignant tumors.
- Kidney inflammation.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Angina pectoris.
- Intercostal neuralgia.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Prostate dysplasia.
- Pancreatitis.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Cystitis.
- Acute coronary syndrome.
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of low back pain in women
An unpleasant, annoying or sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.
The 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;
- wear high-heeled shoes;
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- myoma or fibroma of the uterus;
- ovarian cyst.
Diagnostics
If your back hurts, you need to visit a therapist.After collecting a medical history and external examination, the doctor will refer you for a consultation with specialized specialists: traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
To make a correct diagnosis, numerous studies are prescribed:
- X-raydetects 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 cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of a hernia, tumors or damage to the spinal column.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)shows disc protrusion, presence of calcifications, spinal canal stenosis.
- General and biochemical blood test.Studies 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 in case of suspected kidney and urinary tract diseases.
- Additional researchcarried out to exclude autoimmune diseases, diseases of the digestive system, rectum and hidden infections.
Treatment for back pain
The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors causing discomfort.When pain is caused by diseases of 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 phase, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If the pain occurs due to damage to the spine (herniation, disc protrusion, injury), surgery is performed.
First aid for acute pain
When the discomfort is unbearable, before the ambulance arrives, help the victim yourself:
- Place the person face up on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position will give peace to the muscles and relieve spasms.
- Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
- If discomfort does not improve, administer NSAIDs.
- If you need to move, wear a back brace or supportive corset.
Drug therapy
To reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, drugs are prescribed:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect and 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, cardiovascular system and to eliminate edema.
- Muscle relaxants.They relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Vitamin preparations.Improve the functioning of the nervous system, increase immunity.
If taking analgesics does not produce a therapeutic effect, paravertebral block is performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief 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 often used:
- Diathermy.Heating tissues with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes reabsorption of infiltrates and increases blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- administration of drugs to the site of pain through the skin.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
- Acupuncturerelieves spasm of muscle fibers, eliminates the inflammatory process.
- Laser therapy– impact on the source of pain with quantum particles of light flux.The procedure is performed using a special apparatus.Laser radiation penetrates deep tissue layers, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and removes swelling.
Surgery
Indications for surgery include injuries, intervertebral hernias, and spinal cord compression.The main goal of this treatment is to eliminate pain.In addition, operations restore the functions of the spine and joints.
Doctors perform the following surgeries:
- 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 the vertebra or ligament.The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
- Nucleoplasty– removal of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves pressure on the nerve endings.
- Vertebroplasty with puncture– method of stabilization of the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the cavities of the spine with bone cement.
Folk remedies for back pain
Decoctions and compresses of medicinal herbs help to improve the effect of drugs.With the permission of the doctor, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.
Recipes to help with pain:
- Mix 100 g of blue clay, 1 tbsp.the.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 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 every day at night.The course of treatment lasts 3-4 days.
- Beat 50 g of dry mustard, 20 g of alcohol, 50 g of camphor and 2 raw egg whites with a blender.Leave in the refrigerator for 5–6 hours.Apply the ointment to the painful areas 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a wool scarf around your back.
Prevention
Following the doctor's recommendations will speed up recovery and resuming physical activity, and to prevent discomfort in the future, follow the rules:
- observe 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;
- don't get carried away by high heels;
- buy an orthopedic mattress;
- when working in a sedentary manner, perform light exercises every 30 minutes;
- move more, do sports;
- Visit your doctor right away.