Many are already familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them get rid of the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers, and don’t try to figure out why the back hurts. A frivolous attitude towards one’s health can lead to the development of serious complications and lead to disability. Therefore, it is very important to determine the cause correctly and start treatment on time.
Kind of back pain
There are many types of back pain. They differ in nature, location and symptoms. Depending on these characteristics, they are divided into different types.
severe pain
The back pain was very sharp and came on suddenly. From severe pain in a person, it becomes dark in the eyes, dizziness. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. It occurs as a result of a sudden load on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles work excessively, resulting in muscle spasms. During an attack, the patient should try to relax, and then assume a reclining body position, so that the legs are higher than the head. To prevent recurrent attacks, it is necessary to seek qualified help from a specialist as soon as possible. After all, the cause of back pain can be a vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
Short-term pain syndrome that occurs for no apparent reason, or develops gradually. It can be weak, burning, intense and dull. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasms. It occurs with vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, lesions of the skeletal system, malignant tumors. Also, an attack of acute pain can be caused by displacement of the intervertebral disc. Often this problem occurs in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. Spinal curvature and congenital pathology can cause acute pain. During an attack, it is difficult for the patient to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem for which patients come to the doctor. Chronic back pain is usually divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in period. The nature of their occurrence is associated with individual human physiology, constant stress on the spine, diseases of internal organs, and poor posture. Many people are accustomed to living with problems and doing nothing to solve them. But their condition worsened, which led to declining living standards. Decreased quality of life and physical activity.
Abandoned pain
The peculiarity of this type is entanglement. It can happen the other way around, when pain in the lumbar region radiates to the legs. When they appear, one assumes that the cause is related to a spinal problem. But no. They appear due to diseases of internal organs, give to different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys manifest themselves in the lower back. Pain in the upper lumbar region indicates a problem with the liver. In this case, the patient may feel discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that the early elimination of the cause of the problem can lead to the development of complex pathologies, and even lead to death.
It hurts
The cause of the problem is associated with muscle fatigue. After a good rest, the pain will go away on its own. People who lead an inactive lifestyle most often experience back pain. The rest of the reason is not so dangerous. These include: vertebral hernia, sciatica, osteochondrosis. The pathological process leads to a decrease in the function of the musculoskeletal system and an increase in the load on the spine. They can appear during the recovery or healing period of the injury. The complexity of diagnosing back pain is related to facts. that they can be caused by many different reasons.
Why does my back hurt
An inactive lifestyle and minimal physical activity have led to the fact that many people of various ages have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Low back pain for a variety of reasons. The main one is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. It is subject to normal stress, which leads to the appearance of pain in its various departments. Among the common provoking factors are: prolonged stay of the spine in one position, muscle tension. Rarely, back problems occur as a result of severe illness. It can be renal pathology, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnostics
The examination of the patient depends on his condition and anamnesis. Research is conducted using a variety of methods, depending on the cause of the pain - vertebrogenic (the cause in the spine) or non -vertebral. Often, the disease is associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the patient, make a palpation and listen carefully to the patient’s complaints. Then clinical and instrumental examinations were performed. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without additional examination. In such cases, external examination reveals degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine.
The reason for a more detailed diagnosis is a change in the analysis of blood, urine, stiffness of the patient in the morning.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Assign to study soft tissue lesions.
- Radiography. It is used to assess bone tissue, assessing the condition of the spinal space. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Provides a visual representation of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligament apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Indicates the degree of nerve damage, identifies damage to specific nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation, performed with an arthroscope.
- Sonography. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathology.
Depending on the type of back pain, its severity, one or several diagnostic types are selected. A detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When you see a doctor
Regardless of the cause of the problem, you cannot do it without the help of a doctor. But there are cases when you need to see a specialist as soon as possible.
This must be done if:
- Worried about unreasonable pain;
- the pain lasts more than 3 days;
- pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- weight loss for no reason.
In matters of health, one should not play games. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely help will help avoid negative consequences.
How to treat back pain properly
Proper therapy is an important component in a patient’s recovery. But, before starting treatment completely, one needs to give first aid. It is placed on a flat hard surface, in a position on its side. When the attack passed, the person was helped to stand. This must be done carefully and slowly so as not to trigger new attacks. After the condition improves, it is necessary to correct back pain with a corset, take an anesthetic. Then they seek medical help to choose an effective treatment method along with the doctor.
Treatment with drugs
Therapy is carried out with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve inflammation and pain. Different drug forms (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a strong simultaneous effect on the pathological process. All of them have strong side effects, so they can only be used as directed by a doctor.
Exercise and physical exercise
Active sports are considered the most effective in combating this disease. The therapeutic training complex is selected individually by the attending physician, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and his age. Provides effective assistance to stretch the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonicity. But it is impossible to carry it out in the presence of vertebral hernias and during periods of exacerbation. Yoga, swimming and post -isometric relaxation classes have a good effect on back health.
massage
Massage courses are very useful for patients with back disease. This procedure has a relaxing effect on the whole body. Regular massage sessions increase blood flow, strengthen back muscles, improve overall well -being and back condition. It can be carried out only as an adjunctive treatment, if there are no contraindications to its implementation. Manipulation can only be performed by experienced and qualified specialists. Massage therapists use Thai, classical and therapeutic massages for treatments.
Warming and cryotherapy
After the exacerbation period has passed, the patient may be prescribed heating or cryotherapy. Heating is done with the help of special ointments, heating pads, blue light, mustard plaster, paraffin and ozocerite application. This procedure activates the process of tissue regeneration and nutrition. It is not always possible to carry out the procedure. For pregnant women, patients with infectious diseases, tumors, and tuberculosis, warming is categorically contraindicated.
Another effective therapeutic method is cryotherapy. Cold treatment normalizes metabolic processes, prevents the progression of the disease. Under the influence of fluid nitrogen the swelling decreases, blood circulation is stimulated and oxygen supply is improved.
prevention
The best way to fight disease is to prevent it. For this purpose, it is necessary to monitor your walking style, as well as ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to distribute the load properly. Distribute the weight bag so that each hand has approximately the same weight. If you have to stand a lot, then it is recommended to change positions every 10 minutes. Bending the back helps relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should be a part of the life of every person who wants to have a healthy spine.
While sitting on a chair, the body should be placed straight, pressed tightly behind the chair. It is necessary to provide support under the neck and lower back. People who have to sit for a long time are advised to warm up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the correct seat height, where, while sitting, the knees will be below hip level.
Many people think that you need to sleep on a hard surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case, the spine will take the wrong position. The ideal option is considered a medical orthopedic bed, intended to relax the muscles. It is better to choose a pillow of medium size. Every morning after bed do inhalations.
People who are overweight are more likely to experience back pain than others. They should eat right, try to lose weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichokes, grapes, hazelnuts. Intake of spicy foods should be minimized. Foods with high magnesium and calcium content occupy an important place in the preventive diet.
Medications themselves are very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should only be carried out by a specialist. Early identification of the root cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.