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 in 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 acute and comes on suddenly. From severe pain in a person, he 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, as even the strongest muscles overwork, resulting in muscle spasms. During an attack, the patient should try to relax, and then take the position of the lying body, 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 why the back hurts can be in vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
Short-lived 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. They occur with vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, damage to the skeletal system, malignant tumors. In addition, an acute pain attack can be caused by displacement of the intervertebral discs. Often this problem arises in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. The curvature of the spine and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During a seizure, 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 generally divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in their 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. Quality of life and physical activity are 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 the cause is related to spinal problems. But it's not. 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 liver problems. In this case, patients may experience discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that the premature 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 who lead a sedentary lifestyle most often suffer from back pain. The other reasons are not so trivial. 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 may appear during the period of rehabilitation or healing of injuries. The complexity of diagnosing aching pain in the back is connected with 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 stresses, which leads to the appearance of aches in its various departments. Among the common provocative factors are: a long stay of the spine in one position, muscle tension. Rarely, back problems occur due to serious illnesses. It can be a pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnostic
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and his anamnesis. Research is carried out using different 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, conduct a palpation and listen carefully 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, stiffness of the patient in the morning.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- CT scan. Assign to the study of soft tissue damage.
- X-ray. It is used to assess bone tissue, assess the condition of the spine. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Provides a visual picture of changes in soft tissue, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendino-ligamentous apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Shows the degree of nerve damage, identifies damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation, which is performed with an arthroscope.
- Ultrasound. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathologies.
Depending on the type of back pain, its severity, one or more types of diagnoses are chosen. Such a detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When to consult a doctor
Whatever the causes of the problem, you cannot do without the help of a doctor. But there are cases when you need to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
This should be done if:
- Worried about unreasonable pain;
- the pain lasts more than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- causeless weight loss.
When it comes to health, one should not be frivolous. Therefore, it is best to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely assistance will help to avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Appropriate therapy is an important element in the patient's recovery. But, before starting full-fledged treatment, a person must provide first aid. It is placed on a flat, hard surface, in a sideways position. When the attack passes, the person is helped to get 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 back pain with a corset, take an anesthetic. Then they consult a doctor to choose effective treatment methods with the doctor.
Treatment with drugs
Treatment is carried out with the use of nonsteroidal 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 significant 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 selected individually by the attending physician, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and his age. Provides effective help in stretching the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonia. 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 massage course is very useful for patients with back diseases. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the whole body. Regular massage sessions improve blood circulation, strengthen back muscles, improve general well-being and condition of the back. It can be carried out only as an adjunctive treatment, in the absence of contraindications to its implementation. Manipulations should only be carried out by an experienced and qualified specialist. The masseurs use Thai, classical and therapeutic massage for the treatment.
Heating and cryotherapy
After the period of exacerbation has passed, patients may be prescribed rewarming 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 perform 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. For this, it is necessary to monitor your gait, as well as to make sure that your back is always straight. It is important to evenly distribute the load. Distribute the heavy bags so that each hand weighs approximately the same. If you have to stand a lot, changing positions every 10 minutes is recommended. Backbends help relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should be part of life for anyone who wants to have a healthy back.
When sitting on a chair, the body should be straight, leaning well 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 correct height of the chair, on which, when sitting, the knees will be below the level of the hips.
Many people think you have to sleep on a hard surface. But it's wrong. Because in this case, the spine will take the wrong position. The ideal option is considered a medical orthopedic bed, aimed at relaxing the muscles. It is best to choose a medium-sized pillow. Every morning after sleep, drink.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. They should eat well, try to reduce body weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. It is best to keep the consumption of spicy foods to a minimum. Foods high in magnesium and calcium occupy an important place in the preventive diet.
Self-medication is very dangerous, therefore diagnosis and treatment should be carried out only by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and prompt treatment will help maintain good health.