Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them overcome the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers and do not try to find out why their back hurts. Such a careless attitude toward one's health can lead to serious complications and disability. Therefore, it is very important to correctly identify the cause and start treatment on time.
Types of back pain
There are many types of back pain. They differ in nature, location and symptoms. Depending on these features, they are divided into different types.
severe pain
Back pain is very severe and starts suddenly. In a person, severe pain, darkening of the eyes, dizziness. Anxiety appears in the affected area after the attack. This occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles work hard, resulting in muscle spasms. During the attack, the patient should try to relax, and then take the position of the body stretched so that the legs are above the head. Seek professional help from a specialist as soon as possible to prevent recurrent attacks. After all, back pain can be caused by a vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
Short-term pain syndrome that occurs for no apparent reason or develops gradually. It can be weak, burning, intense and boring. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasms. They occur with vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, lesions of the skeletal system, malignant tumors. Acute pain attacks can also occur as a result of displacement of the intervertebral discs. This problem often occurs in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. Spinal curvature and congenital pathologies can cause severe pain. During the attack, the patient has difficulty moving.
chronic pain
This is a common problem that patients seek medical attention for. Chronic low back pain is usually divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of their formation is associated with individual human physiology, regular stress on the spine, diseases of the internal organs and poor posture. Many people are accustomed to experiencing a problem and doing nothing to solve it. However, their condition is deteriorating, so their standard of living is declining. Quality of life and physical activity decreases.
Transferred pains
The peculiarity of this species is the confusion. When the pain in the lower back spreads to the legs, the opposite can happen. When they appear, the person thinks that the cause is related to spinal problems. But it is not so. They appear due to diseases of the internal organs, spread to different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys manifest themselves in the lumbar region. Pain in the upper back indicates liver problems. In this case, patients may feel discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology is that failure to eliminate the cause of the problem in time can lead to the development of complex pathologies and even death.
Painful aches
The cause of the problem is muscle fatigue. After a good rest, the pain goes away on its own. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle have the most back pain. The rest of the reasons are not so harmless. These include: vertebral hernia, sciatica, osteochondrosis. Pathological processes lead to a decrease in the functionality of the musculoskeletal system and an increase in the load on the spine. They may appear during rehabilitation or recovery from injuries. The complexity of the diagnosis of back pain depends on the fact. that they can occur for various reasons.
Why does my back hurt
A sedentary lifestyle and minimal physical activity have caused many people of all ages to have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Back pain for various reasons. The main thing is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. He is under constant stress, which causes pain in various parts of him. Common triggers include prolonged stay in one position, muscle tension. Rarely, back problems occur due to serious illness. It can be pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnostics
Examination of the patient depends on his condition and medical history. Research is carried out using different methods, depending on the cause of pain - vertebrogenic (caused by the spine) or non-vertebral. The disease is often associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor will perform a visual examination of the patient, palpate and listen carefully to the patient's complaints. Then clinical and instrumental examinations are performed. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without additional examination. In such cases, external examination reveals degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
The reason for a more detailed diagnosis is a change in blood and urine tests, the patient's stiffness in the morning.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Assign for the study of soft tissue lesions.
- Radiography. It is used to assess bone tissue to assess the condition of the spine. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Gives a visual representation of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligamentous apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Indicates the degree of nerve damage, determines the degree of damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation with an arthroscope.
- Sonography. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathologies.
Depending on the type and severity of low back pain, one or more types of diagnosis are selected. Such a detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When to see a doctor
Regardless of the cause of the problem, you can not do without the help of a doctor. However, there are cases when you need to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
This should be done if:
- worrying about unreasonable pain;
- pain lasts more than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malfunction appear;
- unexplained weight loss.
Health issues should not be taken lightly. Therefore, it is better to play safely and undergo a medical examination. Timely help will help prevent negative consequences.
How to treat low back pain properly
Proper therapy is an important component in the patient's recovery. However, a person must provide first aid before starting a full-fledged treatment. Placed on a flat hard surface, in a position on the side. When the attack passes, the person helps to stand up. This should be done very carefully and slowly so as not to cause a new attack. After the condition improves, the back wound should be repaired with a corset and anesthesia should be taken. Then, together with the doctor, they seek medical help to choose effective treatment methods.
Medication treatment
Therapy is performed using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. Different forms of these drugs (needles, tablets, patches and ointments) allow to simultaneously have a strong effect on the pathological process. All of them have strong side effects, so they can be used only as directed by a doctor.
Physical exercises and workouts
Active sports are considered the most effective in the fight against this disease. Therapeutic exercise complex is selected individually by the attending physician depending on the patient's general physical condition and age. Helps effectively lengthen spineManipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertension. However, in the presence of vertebral hernias and exacerbations, it is absolutely impossible to do so. Yoga classes, swimming and post-isometric rest have beneficial effects on back health.
Massage
The massage course is very useful for patients with low back pain. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the whole body. Regular massage sessions improve blood flow, strengthen back muscles, improve overall well-being and back position. In the absence of contraindications for its implementation, it can be carried out only as adjuvant therapy. Manipulations should only be performed by an experienced and qualified professional. Massage therapists use Thai, classic and therapeutic massages for treatment.
Heat and cryotherapy
After the exacerbation period, patients may be prescribed warm-up or cryotherapy. Warming is carried out with the application of special ointments, heating pads, blue lamp, mustard plasters, paraffin and ozokerite. These procedures activate the processes of tissue regeneration and nutrition. It is not always possible to carry out the procedure. Fever is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women, patients with infectious diseases, tumors and tuberculosis.
Another effective treatment is cryotherapy. Cold treatment normalizes metabolic processes and prevents the development of the disease. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, swelling is reduced, blood circulation is stimulated and oxygen supply is improved.
Prevention
The best way to fight the disease is to prevent it. To do this, you need to control your gait, as well as ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to distribute the load properly. Distribute the heavy bags so that each hand weighs about the same. If you have to stop a lot, then it is recommended to change the position every 10 minutes. Back bends help relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become a part of the life of every person who wants to have a healthy back.
When sitting in a chair, the body should be placed straight, firmly pressed against the back of the chair. It is necessary to provide support under the neck and lower back. People who have to sit for a long time are advised to warm up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right height of the chair, the knees will be below the level of the hips when sitting.
Many people believe that it is necessary to sleep on a hard surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case, the spine will be in the wrong position. The ideal choice is a medical orthopedic bed aimed at relaxing the muscles. It is better to choose a pillow of medium size. For a sip after going to bed every morning.
People who are overweight have more back pain than others. They should eat properly and try to lose weight. Good for the health of the musculoskeletal system: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichokes, grapes, hazelnuts. Consumption of spicy foods is best minimized. Foods high in magnesium and calcium play an important role in the preventive diet.
Self-medication is very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should be carried out only by specialists. Early detection of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help to maintain good health.