In clinical practice, back pain is a fairly common syndrome. It affects the lumbar spine, while the patient feels "girdle" pain. This is how degenerative, musculoskeletal and dystrophic pathologies manifest themselves in the form of osteochondrosis or spondyloarthrosis.
Low back pain - causes and symptoms
In medicine, the following causes of lower back pain are traditionally distinguished:
- Infectious and inflammatory processes in the spine;
- Muscle cramps or pinched nerves;
- The formation of an intervertebral hernia;
- Spinal cord or spine metastases;
- Scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis;
- Circulatory disorders (with stroke, paralysis);
- Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (atypical manifestation of inflammation of appendicitis, obstruction of the biliary tract and intestines);
- Diseases of the kidneys, reproductive organs;
- In some cases, during late pregnancy, women may experience discomfort in the lumbar spine.
Low back pain can be acute or persistent (chronic). They can also be "wandering", i. e. arise in another organ, but give to the lower back.
Acute pain strikes suddenly, it has a piercing character, can hinder movement and give to the lower limbs and thighs. The patient has a forced body position and limited mobility.
Acute pain is diagnosed when:
- stretching the long muscles of the back;
- fracture of the spine and exit of the intervertebral discs;
- facet syndrome (clamping of the nerve root, without displacement of the vertebral discs);
- epedural abscess (immediate hospitalization of the patient is required, since there is a high risk of spinal cord compression);
- dystrophic anomalies of the hip joint.
Chronic low back pain is characterized by loss of sensitivity, "lumbago" in the gluteus muscle, weakness of the lower extremities, the formation of bone outgrowths.
The patient may experience postural disturbances, intermittent claudication, deformity of the feet.
Chronic back pain occurs when:
- osteochondrosis;
- ankylosing spondylarthrosis;
- metastatic and intradural tumors.
Diagnosis and treatment of back pain
The true cause of back pain can be diagnosed with CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), x-rays, or ultrasound of internal organs. The first two methods provide a comprehensive assessment of the state of bone and soft tissues, an X-ray shows the integrity of bones and the presence of neoplasms, and an ultrasound examination indicates diseases of organs and their systems.
The therapeutic course is prescribed only by the attending physician, depending on the diagnosis, it may include: taking analgesics, hormonal drugs, a course of physiotherapeutic procedures or manual therapy, exercise therapy. If the pain is caused by displacement of the discs or develops against the background of osteochondrosis, it is effective to wear a rigid fixation corset. It significantly relieves the lumbosacral region, preventing muscle overstrain and spasm formation. A good therapeutic effect is given by blockades - special injections into the intervertebral joints. They relieve pain and relax muscles.
In severe cases, surgery may be required. It is very important not to self-medicate, but to seek qualified medical help in time.
In the rehabilitation period, you need to regularly perform physiotherapy exercises, undergo a course of massage and physiotherapy. This will help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, and relieve tightness.
General recommendations for pain in the sacro-lumbar spine:
- observe bed rest. In this case, the bed should be with a hard, flat surface. Strictly exclude soft, down mattresses.
- wear a supportive bandage. It is especially important for pregnant women in the third trimester.
- pain relievers are allowed.
- rub your back with ointments with warming and anti-inflammatory components. In no case should you overcool it; it is best to wear a woolen scarf or a warm belt during an exacerbation of pain.
Low back pain during pregnancy
If we talk about lower back pain during pregnancy, then they are associated with a change in the center of gravity of the woman's body due to the development and growth of the fetus. Also, as a result of hormonal changes (excessive production of relaxin), the hip-sacral joints relax, which disturbs the balance. An enlarged abdomen and excessive arching of the spine increase the pressure on the lower back. Muscles are constantly overloaded, which becomes the main cause of pain.
The risk group includes girls who, before pregnancy, had problems with the development of the muscles of the hip joint, impaired posture, osteochondrosis, and spinal pathologies of a neurological nature. Painful sensations do not appear earlier than the second trimester, and this is approximately from the fifth or sixth month. It can be alleviated by strengthening the muscles with a special set of exercises. And the sooner you start to train your back muscles, the easier it will be to endure a healthy child.