Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them eliminate the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers, and do not try to find out why the back hurts. Such a frivolous attitude to one's health can lead to the development of serious complications and lead to disability. Therefore, it is so important to correctly establish the cause and start treatment on time.
Types 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
Back pain is very sharp and comes on suddenly. From severe pain in a person, it darkens in the eyes, dizzy. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. It occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles overwork, resulting in muscle spasm. During an attack, the patient should try to relax, and then take the position of the body lying down, so that the legs are higher than the head. In order to prevent repeated attacks, it is necessary to seek qualified help from a specialist as soon as possible. After all, the reason that the back hurts can be in the vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
Pain syndrome of a short-term nature 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 spasm. Occur with fractures of the vertebrae, spinal injuries, lesions of the skeletal system, malignant tumors. Also, an attack of acute pain can be caused by a displacement of the intervertebral discs. Often this problem occurs in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. Curvature of the spine and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During an attack, it is difficult for the patient to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem with which patients come to the doctor. Chronic back pain is usually divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of their occurrence is associated with individual human physiology, regular stress on the spine, diseases of internal organs, and poor posture. Many people get used to living with a problem and doing nothing to solve it. But their condition worsens, because of which the standard of living decreases. The quality of life and physical activity is reduced.
Displaced pains
The peculiarity of this type is entanglement. It can happen the other way around, when the pain in the lumbar region radiates to the leg. When they appear, a person thinks that the cause is related to spinal problems. But it's not. They appear due to diseases of the internal organs, give to different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys manifest themselves in the lower back. Soreness in the upper lumbar region indicates problems with the liver. In this case, patients may feel discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that untimely elimination of the cause of the problem can cause the development of complex pathologies, and even lead to death.
Aching pains
The cause of the problem is associated with muscle fatigue. After a good rest, the pain goes away on its own. People leading a sedentary lifestyle most often have back pain. The rest of the reasons are not so harmless. These include: vertebral hernia, sciatica, osteochondrosis. Pathological processes lead to a decrease in the functionality of the musculoskeletal system and an increase in the load on the spine. They can appear during the period of rehabilitation or healing of injuries. The complexity of diagnosing aching pain in the back is related to the fact. that they can be caused by many different reasons.
Why does my back hurt
A sedentary lifestyle and minimal physical activity have led to the fact that many people of different ages have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Back pain for various reasons. The main one is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. It is subject to regular stress, which leads to the appearance of soreness in its various departments. Among the common provoking factors are: a long stay of the spine in one position, muscle strain. Rarely, back problems occur due to severe ailments. It can be a pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnostics
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and his anamnesis. Research is carried out using various methods, depending on the cause of pain - vertebrogenic (cause in the spine) or non-vertebral. Most often, the disease is associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the patient, make palpation and carefully listen to the patient's complaints. Then clinical and instrumental examinations are carried out. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without additional examination. In such cases, an 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, the patient's stiffness in the morning.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Assign for the study of soft tissue lesions.
- Radiography. It is used to assess bone tissue, assess the condition of the spinal column. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Gives a visual picture of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps to identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligamentous apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Shows the degree of nerve damage, identify damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation, which is performed with an arthroscope.
- Sonography. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathologies.
Depending on the type of back pain, severity, one or several types of diagnostics are chosen. Such a detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When to see a doctor
Regardless of the causes of the problem, you cannot do without the help of a doctor. But there are cases when you need to see a specialist as quickly as possible.
This must be done if:
- Worried about unreasonable pain;
- soreness lasts more than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- causeless weight loss.
In matters of health, one should not be frivolous. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely assistance will help to avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Proper therapy is an important component in the recovery of the patient. But, before starting a full-fledged treatment, a person needs to provide first aid. It is placed on a flat hard surface, in a position on its side. When the attack passes, the person is helped to stand up. This must be done very carefully and slowly so as not to provoke a new attack. After the condition has improved, it is necessary to fix the sore back with a corset, take an anesthetic. Then they seek medical help in order to choose effective methods of treatment together with the doctor.
Treatment with drugs
Therapy is carried out with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. Different forms of these drugs (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a simultaneous powerful effect on the pathological process. All of them have a strong side effect, so they can only be used as directed by a doctor.
Physical exercise and exercises
Active sports are considered the most effective in the fight against this disease. The complex of therapeutic exercises is individually selected by the attending physician, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and his age. Provides effective help stretching the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonicity. But it is absolutely impossible to carry it out in the presence of vertebral hernias and during the period of exacerbation. Yoga classes, swimming and post-isometric relaxation have a beneficial effect on back health.
Massage
The course of massage is very useful for patients with back diseases. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the entire body. Regular massage sessions improve blood flow, strengthen back muscles, improve overall well-being and condition of the back. It can be carried out only as an auxiliary treatment, in the absence of contraindications for its implementation. Manipulations should only be carried out by an experienced and qualified specialist. Masseurs use Thai, classical and therapeutic massage for treatment.
Heating and cryotherapy
After the period of exacerbation has passed, patients may be prescribed warming or cryotherapy. Warming up is done with the help of special ointments, heating pads, a blue lamp, mustard plasters, paraffin and ozocerite applications. These procedures activate the processes 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, heating is categorically contraindicated.
Another effective therapeutic method is cryotherapy. Cold treatment normalizes metabolic processes, prevents the development of the disease. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen puffiness decreases, blood circulation is stimulated and oxygen supply improves.
Prevention
The best way to fight disease is to prevent it. To this end, it is necessary to monitor your gait, as well as to ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to properly distribute the load. Distribute heavy bags so that each hand has approximately the same weight. If you have to stand a lot, then it is recommended to change the position every 10 minutes. Backbends help to relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become a part of the life of every person who wants to have a healthy back.
While sitting on a chair, the body should be located straight, tightly pressed against the back of 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 do a warm-up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right height of the chair, on which, while sitting, the knees will be below the level of the hips.
Many people are of the opinion that you need to sleep on a hard surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case, the spine will take the wrong position. An ideal option is a medical orthopedic bed, aimed at relaxing the muscles. It is better to choose a pillow of medium size. Every morning after sleep do sips.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. They should eat right, try to reduce body weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. The consumption of spicy foods is best kept to a minimum. In the preventive diet, foods high in magnesium and calcium occupy an important place.
Self-medication is very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should only be carried out by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.