About 80% of adults suffer from low back pain and if you have a problem as well, know that you are not alone. It's fixable. The main thing is to understand the origin of the pain, but there can be many factors. We have compiled the main causes of low back pain that can lead to back problems. How to relieve the disease? There are ways.
Back pain can appear at any age and with any physical form. So, there is a dull, constant or intermittent pain, and there is a sudden sharp attack, after which it is difficult for a person to move. Pain may appear suddenly due to heavy lifting, may develop with age due to changes in the spine or as a result of an accident. A sedentary lifestyle is also a major cause of low back pain. Especially when the daily routine is not diluted with physical activity (training, swimming, fitness, yoga).
In most cases, low back pain is acute and short-lived or less severe, but lasts from a few days to a few weeks. In such cases, a person still does not lose activity, the ability to move and use in everyday life.
Subacute pain is pain that persists after an acute period and lasts 4 to 12 weeks. If after this period the pain still persists, it is called chronic pain. Sometimes treatment can help relieve chronic lower back pain. But in some cases, the pain persists despite medical and surgical treatments.
So lower back pain, the causes of which are often related to age and associated with wear and tear of joints, discs and bones of the spine, or mechanical pain:
1. Sprain
This can lead to severe back pain. Stretching happens due to improper rotation or lifting of something. And also due to heavy lifting or excessive stretching. These conditions can cause spasms in the back muscles, which also cause pain.
2. Intervertebral disc wear
One of the most common causes of back pain. A manifestation of this is the loss of integrity of the discs, cracks appear. In a young and healthy back, discs allow the lower part to bend, bend and twist. But over the years, the elasticity of the discs decreases and they lose their shock absorbing capacity.
3. Hernia
It may appear due to heavy lifting, poor posture, accident, sports injury, etc. There is fluid in the center of the lumbar disc; for various reasons, it can come out and irritate the nerve root that is nearby. There are many nerve fibers in the wall of the disc, and a ruptured wall can cause severe pain.
4. Radiculopathy
This condition is due to compression, inflammation and / or damage to the spinal root. In addition, pressure on a nerve root causes pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation that spreads to other parts of the body connected to that nerve. The problem can arise if the central spinal canal narrows or if a hernia pinches the nerve root.
5. Sciatica
Compression of the sciatic nerve, which crosses the buttocks and descends to the back of the leg. This compression causes shock or a burning pain in the lower back, associated with pain in the buttocks. And also in exceptional cases, when the nerve gets stuck between the disc and the adjacent bone, a person may experience numbness and severe weakness in the legs. By the way, this condition appears due to a tumor or cyst that presses on the sciatic nerve or its roots.
6. Spinal stenosis
In the case of this disease, in addition to low back pain, a person may experience numbness or weakness in the legs when walking. And also with loss of sensitivity.
7. Scoliosis and other skeletal disorders
A person usually does not have particular problems with curvature of the spine until middle age.
Low back pain is not often associated with serious medical conditions. But you still need to be aware of their existence so that you have time to see a doctor in a timely manner. Beating the diseases listed below is possible only with medical help. This:
1. Infections
These are not causes of low back pain, but can affect the vertebrae (osteomyelitis), intervertebral discs (discitis) or sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis).
2. Tumors
Sometimes a tumor will appear in the back (and at certain stages, of course, there will be pain and other symptoms), but more often it is metastasis that has spread due tocancer in other parts of the body.
3. Cauda equina syndrome
Illness sometimes accompanied by a ruptured disc. This is because the disc material is pressed into the spinal canal and compresses the bundle of lumbar and sacral nerve roots. In connection with this disease, a person may have problems with urination and intestines.
4. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
This happens when a large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs expands abnormally. Also, lower back pain can be a sign that the aorta has enlarged and that there is a risk of rupture.
5. Kidney stones
Stones can cause severe pain in the lower back (usually on one side).
Other factors and causes that can cause back pain:
- Inflammatory diseases of the joints.For example, arthritis, spondylitis, spinal inflammation.
- Osteoporosis.This is a bone disease that is accompanied by a decrease in bone density and strength, which can lead to vertebral fractures.
- Endometriosis.A female disease that may be accompanied by pain in the pelvis and lower back.
- Fibromyalgia.Painful syndrome, accompanied by muscle pain and fatigue. It's chronic.
What to do with back pain?
First of all, you must have a good understanding of the causes of pain. What can help with one disease will not (and maybe even worsen) another. And in some cases, urgent hospitalization is required. That is why be sure to listen to the body's signals and, if necessary, consult a doctor or take appropriate measures.
Ways to treat low back pain:
1. You can rest your back after a certain period of time
Many back problems can be solved (or alleviated) by avoiding strenuous activities. However, resting for more than a few days is not recommended, as too long inactivity can make treatment difficult.
2. Limited activity
This means staying active but avoiding actions and attitudes that increase pain. For example, if long periods of rest in the car or at the office make the pain worse, set a timer to get up every 20 minutes and walk or stretch gently. Minimizing actions and positions that make the pain worse will help prevent or relieve painful cramps and speed up the healing process.
3. Cold / heat therapy
A hot bath, heating pads, a body wrap are suitable to relax tight muscles and improve blood circulation. If your back pain is due to inflammation, you can try applying ice or cold compresses to reduce the swelling. It is important to protect the skin during the procedures to avoid tissue damage.
4. Pain medication
The most common over-the-counter medications are anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve low back pain caused by swelling of the nerves or muscles. And also in some cases a pain reliever can help. B vitamins, muscle relaxants, various gels and ointments are effective.
5. Physiotherapy
Usually part of the treatment for low back pain. Stretching is helpful: the more mobile your muscles are, the better your back can move without injuring itself. It is recommended to start small - stretch the muscles of the lower back, buttocks, hips, legs for 20-30 seconds and stop stretching if it hurts.
You should also strengthen the muscles in the abdomen, thighs and buttocks that support your spine. Low-impact aerobic exercise increases blood flow and promotes healing of injuries without concussion. For example, you can exercise on stationary bikes and ellipticals, walk, and swim.
In fact, any exercise that keeps the heart cycle healthy for a long time is beneficial for the body. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining the freedom of movement and flexibility of a healthy spine.