In clinical practice, back pain is a fairly common syndrome. It affects the lumbar spine, while the patient feels pain in the "belt". Thus degenerative, musculoskeletal and dystrophic pathologies appear in the form of osteochondrosis or spondylarthrosis.
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 metastasis
- 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 "wanderers", eg. arise in another organ, but give to the lower back.
Sharp pain strikes suddenly, has a piercing character, can hinder movement and give to the lower limbs and hips. 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 vertebral column and exit of the intervertebral discs;
- facet syndrome (blockage of the nerve root, without displacement of the vertebral discs);
- epedural abscess (immediate hospitalization of the patient is required, as there is a high risk of spinal cord compression);
- dystrophic abnormalities of the hip joint.
Chronic low back pain is characterized by loss of sensation, "low back pain" in the gluteal muscle, weakness in the lower limbs, formation of bony growths.
The patient may experience postural disturbances, intermittent claudication, foot deformities.
Chronic back pain occurs when:
- osteochondrosis;
- ankylosing spondyloarthrosis;
- metastatic and intradural tumors.
Back Pain Diagnosis and Treatment
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 bones and soft tissues, an x-ray shows the integrity of the bones and the presence of neoplasms, and an ultrasound examination indicates diseases of the 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, physical 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. Significantly relieves the lumbosacral region, preventing muscle overload and the formation of spasms. A good therapeutic effect is given by blocks - special injections into the intervertebral joints. They relieve pain and relax the 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, it is necessary to regularly perform physiotherapy exercises, undergo a course of massage and physiotherapy. This will help relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, and relieve tension.
General recommendations for sacro-lumbar spine pain:
- observe bed rest. In this case, the bed should have a hard, flat surface. Strictly exclude soft and feather mattresses.
- wear a support bandage. It is especially important for pregnant women in the third trimester.
- painkillers are allowed.
- rub your back with ointments with warming and anti-inflammatory components. In no case should you cool it too much; it is better to wear a woolen scarf or a warm belt during an exacerbation of pain.
Low back pain in pregnancy
If we talk about low 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, due to hormonal changes (excessive relaxin production), 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. The 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 before the second trimester, and this is approximately from the fifth or sixth month. It can be relieved by strengthening the muscles with a special set of exercises. And the earlier you start training the back muscles, the easier it will be to bear a healthy baby.