Why back pain occurs and how to treat it

Most often, people aged 20 to 50 go to the doctor with such problems, but sometimes children also get sick.According to statistics, about 85% of people have experienced lumbago or back problems at least once.Pain occurs due to overloading of muscles and ligaments, problems with the spine and diseases of the internal organs.

The mechanism of the development of back pain

This is the most vulnerable part of the body due to the structure and function of the spine.Unpleasant sensations occur in the neck, chest 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 leads to microtrauma, myositis (inflammation) and myalgia (acute pain).
• Diseases of the internal organs.They cause referred back pain in 10% of cases.
• Reduced strength, deformation of intervertebral discs or joints.The process occurs as a result of increased external load on the spine (excessive body weight, heavy lifting) or its uneven distribution (uncomfortable working posture).In severe cases, the intervertebral discs bulge and compress the nerve roots.

Classification of back pain

To simplify the description and to correctly choose the treatment tactics for back diseases, the pain symptoms are differentiated according to their duration.In addition, doctors shed light on the type 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, disruptive from 6 to 12 weeks;
• chronic, lasting longer than three months or constantly (exacerbation phases followed by a rest phase).

Based on the nature of 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, stabbing and throbbing, but is always felt in the soft tissue area.
• Reflects.The pain syndrome is projected from the internal organs to the back.It can be burning and intense, but never gets worse with movement.
• Irradiate.The discomfort comes on suddenly, sometimes it is migratory - it radiates to the arm or leg.It occurs when a nerve root is irritated or stretched.

Based on localization, the following conditions are distinguished:

• Lumbodynia– acute pain in the lumbar region.
• Sacralgia– Pain in the sacral spine.
• Lyubmoischialgia– The lower back hurts, the feeling radiates down to the leg.
• Cervicalgia- Inflammation of the throat.
• Coccydynia– Pain in the tailbone.
• Thoracalgia– a peripheral nerve disease that causes chest discomfort.

Pain in the lumbar region

Lyubmalgia is often painful in nature and characterized by gradual development.Pain syndrome occurs with dystrophic changes in the spine, muscle spasms against the background of disc displacement or hernia.

Older and young people often suffer from back pain in the lumbar region when they are in an uncomfortable position for a long time.

The discomfort goes away without manipulation, but suddenly reappears.Severe pain in the lower back occurs with vascular diseases, for example with an abdominal aortic aneurysm or damage to the gluteal artery.Then the symptom is constantly present and does not disappear even when you are at rest.

Back pain in the sacral area

Sacralgia occurs against the background of pinched spinal nerve endings due to deformation of the spine or inflammation of soft tissues.It is more common in men than in women.Lower back pain can be stabbing, dull, or aching.

Unpleasant sensations increase during physical activity, after sitting for a long time or after a sudden change in posture.Sometimes the pain radiates into the buttocks or leg.

Sacralgia is also caused by gynecological diseases, injuries, tumors and psychological disorders.

Upper back pain

This condition is accompanied by problems in the thoracic or cervical spine and severe muscle tension.Pain arises from heavy strain, 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 that increases when you breathe in.
• Pneumonia.The condition causes mild pain behind the breastbone or between the shoulder blades.The discomfort increases with coughing and deep breathing.
• tuberculosis or lung cancer.Aching pain is often observed in the shoulder, chest, arm and middle of the back.The intensity of the 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 and disappears after rest or massage.Diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart attack) or psychological problems are often the underlying cause.

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;
• reduced 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: primary and secondary.The first group is caused by diseases of the spine, the second arises from dysfunction 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;
• obesity;
• hypothermia;
• sudden movements;
• vibrations in the workplace;
• heavy physical work (pain in the spine occurs in miners, farmers and machine operators);
• uncomfortable posture;
• curvature of the spine;
• previous injuries or broken bones.

Spinal pathologies

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.
• projection– Displacement (protrusion) of the intervertebral discs.
• arthritis– Inflammation of the joints.
• Scoliosis– Curvature of the spine of varying severity.
• Intervertebral hernia– Displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc and fracture of the connecting end.
• Spondylosis– Proliferation of bone tissue.
• Spinal canal stenosis– Compression of nerve endings and part of the spinal space due to disc displacement.
• radiculitis– Damage to the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
• Spondyloarthrosis– dystrophic disease of the intervertebral joints.
• Osteochondrosis– degenerative cartilage diseases.
• Discitis– Sepsis, purulent inflammation of the intervertebral discs.

Causes that have nothing to do with 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.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Prostatic dysplasia.
• Pancreatitis.
• Inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Cystitis.
• Acute coronary syndrome.
• Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle.

Causes of lower back pain in women

Unpleasant, sharp or stabbing pain indicates problems with the urogenital and reproductive organs in women.

Discomfort is caused by muscle tension due to pregnancy or a posterior or occipital position 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 myoma of the uterus;
• Ovarian cyst.

diagnosis

If your back hurts, you need to see 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 the intervertebral discs and possible growths of bone tissue.
• Myelography– a method of examining the spinal cord, assessing the patency of the cerebrospinal fluid channels, the presence of a hernia, tumors or damage to the spine.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)shows a herniated disc, the presence of calcifications and spinal canal stenosis.
• General and biochemical blood test.Studies show inflammatory processes, increased calcium levels and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
• Electromyographyindicates the degree of damage to nerve endings and muscle fibers.
• Urinalysis.It is taken if kidney and urinary tract diseases are suspected.
• Additional researchcarried out to exclude autoimmune diseases, diseases of the digestive tract, rectum and hidden infections.

Treatment of back pain

The choice of treatment regimen depends on the factors causing the discomfort.If 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.

Therapeutic exercises are recommended during the recovery period.If pain occurs due to damage to the spine (hernia, herniated disc, injury), surgery is performed.

First aid for acute pain

If the discomfort is unbearable, help the victim yourself before the ambulance arrives:

1. Place the person faceup on a firm or semi-firm mattress.This position calms the muscles and relieves cramps.
2. Apply a cold compress or numbing ointment to your back.
3. If symptoms do not improve, give NSAIDs.
4. If you need to move, wear a back brace or support corset.

Drug therapy

To relieve pain, relieve swelling and other unpleasant symptoms, medications are prescribed:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.They have an analgesic and antipyretic effect and relieve inflammation.
• Anoint.Muscle warming preparations relieve pain and are used for massage.
• Chondroprotectors.These are products to protect and restore 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 supplements.Improve nervous system function and 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 is immediate and lasts up to 6-12 hours.

Physiotherapy

Manual and mechanical methods are used in the recovery phase or for chronic pain.They improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition.

The following procedures are most commonly used:

• Diathermy.By heating the tissue with strong currents, the blood vessels are dilated, infiltrates are reabsorbed and blood circulation is increased.
• Electrophoresis- Administering medication through the skin to the site of pain.The procedure relieves pain and improves tissue trophism.
• acupuncturerelieves spasms of muscle fibers and eliminates the inflammatory process.
• Laser therapy– Impact on the source of pain with quantum particles of the light flow.The procedure is carried out using a special device.Laser radiation penetrates the deep layers of tissue, stimulates metabolic processes, relieves pain and eliminates 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 procedures:

• Endoscopic discectomy.It is prescribed for the treatment of intervertebral hernias and is performed using an endoscope and microsurgical devices.
• Open spine surgery.The doctor removes the affected disc, part of the vertebra, or the affected ligament.The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and is characterized by a long recovery period.
• Nucleoplasty– Removal of the disc nucleus.The operation relieves pressure on the nerve endings.
• Puncture vertebroplasty– Method for stabilizing the vertebrae.During the procedure, the doctor fills the cavities in the spine with bone cement.

Folk remedies for back pain

Decoctions and compresses made from medicinal herbs enhance the effect of medications.With the permission of your doctor, use folk remedies based on natural ingredients at home.

Recipes for 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 and cover with cling film and woolen cloth.Leave the compress on for 1 hour.Use the composition against osteochondrosis twice a day for 2-3 weeks.
• Dissolve 5 g mummy in 1 tsp.Water, add 1 g of medicinal sulfur.Rub the mixture on your lower back and cover yourself with a warm blanket.Use the product daily in the evening.The duration of treatment is 3-4 days.
• Whisk 50 g dry mustard, 20 g alcohol, 50 g camphor and 2 raw egg whites with a mixer.Let rest in the fridge for 5-6 hours.Apply the ointment to the sore spots 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 resumption of physical activity.To prevent future discomfort, follow the following rules:

• Pay attention to your posture;
• Do not lift heavy objects.
• When working at the computer, use a chair with a back or a comfortable chair;
• Watch your weight;
• do not get carried away with high heels;
• buy an orthopedic mattress;
• Do light exercises every 30 minutes while sitting.
• move more, do sports;
• Visit your doctor immediately.