People aged 20–50 years old most often go to the doctor with such problems, but sometimes children also get sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people have at least once experienced a lumbago or discomfort in the back.Pain occurs due to overstrain of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine, and diseases of the internal organs.
The mechanism of development of pain in the back
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 regions 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:
- Overexertion, muscle strain.A decrease or increase in tone causes microtraumas, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
- Diseases of internal organs.They cause irradiation of back pain in 10% of cases.
- Reduced strength, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs due to an increase in external load on the spine (excess body weight, heavy lifting) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In serious cases, the discs bulge 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.In addition, doctors highlight the nature and location of the attack.
Depending on the type of pain, there are:
- acute, lasting from several days to one and a half months;
- subacute, disturbing from 6 to 12 weeks;
- chronic, which are 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 acute, sharp, throbbing, but is always felt in the soft tissue area.
- Reflected.The pain syndrome is projected onto the back from the internal organs.It can be burning and intense, but never intensifies with movement.
- Irradiating.Discomfort occurs suddenly, sometimes it is wandering - it radiates to the arm or leg.It appears when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.
Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:
- Lumbodynia– acute pain in the lumbar region.
- Sacralgia– discomfort of the sacral spine.
- Lyubmoischialgia– the lower back hurts, the sensation radiates down the leg.
- Cervicalgia- inflammation of the neck.
- Coccydynia– pain in the coccyx.
- Thoracalgia– a peripheral nerve disease that causes discomfort in the chest.
Pain in the lumbar region
Lyubmalgia is often aching in nature and characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasm against the background of displaced discs or hernia.
Elderly and young people often experience back pain in the lumbar region when they spend a long time in an uncomfortable position.
The discomfort disappears without any manipulation, but suddenly appears again.Severe lower back pain occurs with vascular diseases, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not go away during rest.
Back pain in the sacral region
Sacralgia occurs against the background of pinched spinal nerve endings due to spinal deformation 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 provoked by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and mental disorders.
Pain in the upper back
This condition is associated with problems of the thoracic or cervical spine, severe muscle tension.Pain is caused by heavy loads, incorrect posture or osteochondrosis.
The cause of the syndrome may be diseases of the internal organs:
- Pleurisy.It is characterized by a cutting 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 center of the back is often observed.The intensity of symptoms depends on the severity of the disease.
Pain in the shoulder blades
Discomfort occurs when the nerve endings of the chest become inflamed - intercostal neuralgia.The pain syndrome is moderate, aching, goes away 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 supplemented 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 hearing acuity;
- swelling, inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint;
- urinary incontinence, decreased sensitivity of the limbs.
Why does my back hurt?
There are two types of discomfort sensations: primary and secondary.The first group is provoked by diseases of the spine, the second arise due to disruptions 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);
- uncomfortable posture;
- curvature of the spine;
- past injuries or broken bones.
Pathologies of the spinal column
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.
- Protrusion– displacement (protrusion) of 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 rupture of the connecting end.
- Spondylosis– proliferation of bone tissue.
- Spinal canal stenosis– compression of nerve endings and a portion of the spinal space due to disc displacement.
- Radiculitis– damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
- Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of intervertebral joints.
- Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage disorders.
- Discitis– sepsis, purulent inflammation of intervertebral discs.
Causes not related to the spine
Pain below the lower back and in 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.
- Haemorrhoids.
- Prostate dysplasia.
- Pancreatitis.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Cystitis.
- Acute coronary syndrome.
- Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle.
Causes of lower back pain in women
Unpleasant, nagging or sharp pain indicates problems with the genitourinary and reproductive organs in women.
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;
- wearing high-heeled shoes;
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- myoma or fibroid of the uterus;
- ovarian cyst.
Diagnostics
If your back hurts, you need to visit a therapist.After collecting an anamnesis and an external examination, the doctor will refer you for a consultation with specialized specialists: a traumatologist, urologist, neurologist, oncologist or gynecologist.
To make a correct diagnosis, a number of studies are prescribed:
- Radiographydetects fractures, bone injuries, changes in the height of 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, the 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 for suspected kidney and urinary tract diseases.
- Additional Researchcarried out to exclude autoimmune disorders, diseases of the digestive tract, 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 the 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.
At the recovery stage, therapeutic exercises are recommended.If pain occurs due to damage to the spine (hernia, bulging disc, 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 provide peace to the muscles and relieve spasm.
- Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
- If discomfort does not improve, give NSAIDs.
- If you need to move around, wear a back brace or support corset.
Drug therapy
To reduce pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, medications are prescribed:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect, and relieve inflammation.
- Ointments.Preparations that warm muscles reduce pain and are used for massage.
- Chondroprotectors.These are products for protecting and restoring 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 blockade is performed.
An anesthetic solution is injected into the affected area.Relief occurs instantly 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 most often used:
- Diathermy.Warming up tissues with high-power currents dilates blood vessels, causes resorption of infiltrates, and increases blood flow.
- Electrophoresis- administering medications 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 carried out using a special apparatus.Laser radiation penetrates into the deep layers of tissue, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain, and removes swelling.
Surgical intervention
Indications for surgery include injuries, intervertebral hernias, and compression of the spinal cord.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 surgical interventions:
- 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 intervention is performed under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
- Nucleoplasty– removal of the core of the intervertebral disc.The operation relieves pressure on the nerve endings.
- Puncture vertebroplasty– method of stabilizing 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 enhance the effect of drugs.With your doctor's permission, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.
Recipes to help with pain:
- Mix 100 g of blue clay, 1 tbsp.l.aloe juice and honey.Add 750 ml 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 mummy in 1 tsp.water, add 1 g of medical sulfur.Rub the mixture onto your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product daily at night.The course of treatment is 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 sore areas 3-4 times a day.To enhance the effect, tie a woolen scarf around your back.
Prevention
Following the doctor’s recommendations will speed up recovery and resume physical activity, and to prevent discomfort in the future, follow the rules:
- watch your posture;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- When working at the computer, use a chair with a backrest or a comfortable chair;
- watch your weight;
- don’t get carried away with high heels;
- buy an orthopedic mattress;
- when working sedentarily, do light exercises every 30 minutes;
- move more, play sports;
- Visit your doctor promptly.