The pain in the back is a symptom of disease, the more often, the muscles of the back and spine. In this article, we will understand why the back pain.
The problem in the lower back can be the result of a bone disease of the spine, the lumbar discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the discs of the spine, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the lower back, the inside of the pelvis and abdomen, as well as the skin that covers the lumbar region. The upper part of the back may hurt as a result of diseases of the aorta, tumors of the breast or inflammation of the spine.
Suddenly emerged short duration of low back pain is also called lumbago, and has gradually evolved chronic lumbodynia. If the back pain (tailbone) is coccygodynia.
The causes of pain in the back
In most cases, back pain due to musculo-skeletal disorders (microdamages ligaments and joints of the spine and after great pressure, stretching, or muscle spasms). A little less often the cause of the pain become stronger changes on the part of the spine, for example herniated intervertebral disc or a slippage of vertebra (spondylolisthesis). Finally, in rare cases, the back pain may be related to serious diseases (tumours and inflammatory processes in the vertebral column and spinal cord, diseases of the internal organs, the kidneys, heart, pancreas, pelvic organs, et al).
The possible causes of the pain in the back
- The muscle spasms;
- Pull (injury to ligaments );
- Muscle trauma;
- Of pregnancy.
- Scoliosis;
- Bleeding in the pelvis;
- The dissection of the aorta;
- Infection of the spine and pelvis;
- Lumbar spinal stenosis;
- Metastases in the spine (cancer that has spread to the spine from other organs);
- Viral infections, including influenza.
Of diseases including back pain
- Osteochondrosis;
- Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta;
- Ankylosing spondylitis;
- Bone cancer;
- Coccygodynia;
- Degenerative disease of the spinal discs;
- Diffuse idiopathic skeletal the hyperostosis;
- Endometriosis;
- Fibromyalgia;
- The fracture;
- The kidney stones;
- Osteoarthritis;
- Paget's disease;
- Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer (embrace the pain);
- The psoriatic arthritis;
- Reactive arthritis;
- Sciatica;
- Tinea versicolor (pain and rash).
More hazardous pain in the back
Generally, back pain is ongoing, are reinforced when the movements and physical activities and accompanied by a limitation of mobility of the spinal column, and sense of stiffness in the back. In most cases, a recurrent feature course, in which episodes of exacerbations, usually cause intense physical exercise, prolonged exposure in an awkward position or hypothermia, are being replaced by more or less long periods, during which the pain is either lacking or are expressed minimum.
In the vast majority of cases of back pain do not constitute a threat to the life and health of man and often disappear on their own (without treatment). However, sometimes, pain in the back can be caused by serious diseases of the spine or the internal organs.
Here are the characteristics of the pain in the back, which can be linked to pathology heavy. If you have any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor and in no case of self-medication.
- The pain in the back constant, and is localized in a single place.
- The pain in the back does not decrease in a supine position, or occurs at night.
- The back pain is accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the body.
- The back pain is accompanied by tension in the muscles of the limbs or in combination with a prolonged discomfort in the morning.
The diagnosis of pain in the back
- The inspection of a neurologist for the evaluation of the state of the nervous system, the muscles of the spine.
- Total analysis of blood and urine to exclude the inflammatory process in the kidneys.
- The x-ray of the spine for the exclusion of osteomyelitis, fractures and other diseases. To refine identified during the x-ray changes doctor may possibly assign a computer or mri of the spine (the first assesses in detail the status of the bony structures, the second — of the spine and intervertebral discs).
Very often, during these studies reveal degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies and diagnose "degenerations". It should be noted that the low back pain is not in itself a disease, and reflects age-related changes of the spine. These changes of the intervertebral discs (including the hernia) show that virtually all males of mature age, including has never experienced pain in the back. In other words, the identification of the signs of degenerative disc disease, when the x-ray or a herniated disc when the magnetic resonance imaging does not give reasons to think that back pain is associated with them (such a decision can only draw a doctor on the basis of the results of the clinical examination).
The treatment of pain in the back
Completely cure back pain, it is often impossible, however, you can reduce the frequency of exacerbations by using a good lifestyle and drug treatment. The treatment of back pain depends on the cause of their appearance. Choose a suitable treatment for You, the doctor can only.
The effect of the treatment can occur at the same time, it is therefore necessary to arm itself of patience and endurance. The main goal of treatment is not only the withdrawal of acute pain, but also in the prevention of the aggravation of the disease in the future.
How to relieve back pain
Bed rest can facilitate the transition from acute pain in the back chronic. Taking this into account, with little pain, it is not necessary for the rest and in intense pain, it should be limited to the maximum of its duration (1-3 days).
If the back hurts, you must restrict to this time of the physical activity, in particular to avoid lifting heavy objects and long-stay in the same position; it is important to perform the movement, do not increase the load on the spine.
For the unloading of the spine and provide him a state of rest is advised to use a special belt or corset.
The medication of the pain in the back
The treatment depends on the cause of the pain in the back, and the appointed physician after the investigation.
To relieve pain use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, published in the form of tablets, blister moulds for injection, creams and gels and pain medications or drug combinations. The drugs for the two groups of prescribing a short period (usually not more than 3 to 5 days). In addition, for the elimination of the pain, apply compresses with a solution of local anesthetics and drug-drug blockade (which can pass by a doctor).
When the pain associated with muscle tension, medications, eliminating muscle spasms (muscle relaxant of central action — in a period of 1-2 weeks). Take these drugs can be prescribed by a doctor.
At the present time for the treatment of back pain associated with degenerative changes of the spine (osteochondrosis), propose the use of drugs — drugs that stimulate the production of basic components of cartilage and therefore slow down the destruction. The efficacy of these drugs in diseases of the spine is not proven, the same thing can be said of many widely advertised by the food additives (usually containing medicinal plants, organic products, vitamins and others) and homeopathic remedies. Despite the fact that all of the free funds are dispensed at pharmacies without a prescription should not be taken without prior consultation of a doctor.
The physiotherapy and physical THERAPY in the pain in the back
In order to reduce the severity of the pain, you can apply heat to dry (but not deep the warm-up) and other physiotherapy treatments, but only after consultation with the doctor.
After the end of the acute period of useful sessions of PHYSIOTHERAPY complex special (strengthening the back muscles, the abdominal muscles) and massage.
Manual therapy of the pain in the back
Chiropractic treatment may appoint a doctor only after the completion of the x-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging, that allow to objectively assess the state of the spine and tissues. During the course of the manual therapy (impact on the joints of the spine, ligaments, and muscles) enables you to adjust many of the premises of the offence (for example, muscle tension, and subluxations of the joints), that sometimes allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate back pain.
Manual therapy contraindications and restrictions:
- When the hernia or destruction of an intervertebral disk (offset of fragment can lead to a compression of the spinal cord, the spinal roots and blood vessels).
- After a myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, tuberculosis of the spine, of the violation of the function of the endocrine system, at the expressed osteoporosis.
- During the exacerbation, accompanied by the severe limitation of the mobility of the spine due to pain and muscle tension in the back (may be the reinforcement of the symptomatology).
- In the case of diseases of vessels and violations of the coagulation of the blood.
In case of improper performance of manual therapy may lead to serious complications, therefore, it must be performed only by a qualified technician (doctor, corresponding to the specialization). It is unacceptable for the holding of manual therapy through the nursing staff and the persons without medical training!
Acupuncture
Acupuncture (acupuncture), often has a positive effect on pain in the back, in particular those resulting from the muscle tension and in line with the emotional-mental disorders. Although, according to the ideas of the traditional chinese medicine, acupuncture can be used for all diseases, it is considered that acupuncture is contraindicated in the following cases.
- In diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
- In the presence of benign and malignant tumors (including in history).
- In cases of illness, requiring emergency surgery.
- In violation of the kidney and liver function.
- In the presence of bleeding tendency or receiving medication to affect the clotting of the blood.
- For acute infectious diseases.
- During pregnancy.
The yoga of pain in the back
Yoga not only help relieve pain but also relieve tension in the muscles of the back, as well as reduce the inflammation. In only 5 minutes per day to dedicate to exercise, and to soon see the result.
The prevention of back pain
- Use a good bed with elastic and difficult the mattress.
- Try to maintain a good posture when walking.
- Keep a good posture at the office, when you use your computer. Note, for the forearm during the use were not on the weight, and fully lying on the table. In case of prolonged use, use a chair, headrest and armrests for rest and relaxation.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to posture (the computer, the steering wheel of the car). To the extent possible, every half hour to stretch, stretch the legs, move.
- When the debt to stay in the standing position, find a point of support for the back, the arms or the head (for example, support the back on a vertical surface in the train, metro).
- If You wear high-heeled shoes, remember to walk in the footsteps of break of more than 2 hours straight.
- Avoid sharp turns and slopes of the torso, still looking for a support to carry out this type of action.
- If necessary, lift anything with the soil, it is necessary to crouch, but does not bow.
- Do not lift and do not carry gravity, bearing in front of him, avoiding blows and try to keep your back in place, that is.
- Strengthen the back muscles with the help of physiotherapy, swimming, to the gym.
- Maintain a reasonable weight