What to do if severe back pain suddenly appears, how to relieve pain and can you do it yourself? Of course, it is good to know how to help yourself in case of sudden and severe pain, but you should not limit yourself to this: after the first emergency self-help, you should immediately consult a doctor. At the Paramita clinic in Moscow they will always help you: they will determine the cause of the pain and get rid of it.
What to do in case of acute back pain
Back pain occurs periodically in 60 to 80% of the population. It is the second leading cause of temporary disability after acute respiratory viral infections. Acute back pain can come on suddenly and end just as suddenly, but it can subside slightly and become chronic. This should not be tolerated, it is best to consult a doctor immediately.
Do not panic
The appearance of severe back pain does not mean that a person cannot be helped: in most cases, all this can be successfully treated, which means that there is no need to panic. But it is important to know how to help yourself and reduce the pain, and then seek medical attention immediately. It is necessary to contact a specialist, because back pain is caused by many diseases and requires different treatment approaches.
How to relieve your condition yourself
Sometimes the pain syndrome is so severe that the person remains in the position in which the attack surprised him. In this case you need:
- Lie on your back on a hard surface or floor with a blanket on top; If you cannot straighten your back, then you should adopt a position that causes minimal pain.
- Ask your loved ones to give you a tablet of some painkiller; all can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription:
- Apply to the skin, at the painful area, any analgesic medication for external use: rubbing solution, ointment, gel, emulgel and other over-the-counter medications:
- Call an ambulance; the doctor will give you an injection of anesthetic (usually injectable NSAID solutions) and advise you on the best course of action: call a doctor at home or go directly to a specialist clinic.
When you need to see a doctor urgently for back pain
You should immediately contact the clinic if you experience severe back pain:
- appeared after injury;
- accompanied by high body temperature and malaise;
- as a result, problems with urination and defecation appeared;
- accompanied by impaired motor function of the limbs and their numbness;
- has a surrounding character, covering not only the back, but also the abdomen (suspicion of acute pancreatitis);
- radiates to the left hand (suspected myocardial infarction);
- grows, cannot be eliminated with tablets and ointments.
It is impossible to help yourself in such a state. To avoid serious complications, you should consult a doctor.
What to do with back pain of different types
Back pain can be different: acute, radiating to different parts of the body, deep, painful, very strong, constant or wave-like. It can also be located on different parts of the back: the neck, chest, lower back, sacrum and coccyx. Even after a complete examination, it is not always possible to know the cause of back pain, and then it is said to be non-specific.
Such pain is called noceceptive, associated with irritation of pain receptors in tissues (muscles, ligaments, bones). Irritants can be mechanical (injury), physical, chemical and inflammatory in nature. Additionally, the degree of spinal change does not always correspond to the intensity of the pain. Nonspecific pain accounts for approximately 80% of all back pain syndromes.
Neuropathic pain syndrome is associated with damage to nerve roots and nerve trunks. These pains represent 7 to 8% of all pain syndromes; their distinctive feature is the high possibility of confirming the diagnosis during instrumental studies.
The third type of pain - specific pain syndromes (for example, with spinal tuberculosis) are relatively rare.
Severe back pain due to coronavirus and other acute respiratory viral infections
With any acute respiratory viral infection, accompanied by sudden onset and fever, muscle pain in the back, pain throughout the body and severe weakness may appear. These painful sensations are associated with general intoxication of the body. During a coronavirus infection accompanied by a high temperature, back pain can be one of the first manifestations.
When coronavirus pneumonia appears, back pain increases due to damage to the pleura, which has many nerve endings, as well as due to constant tension of the spinal muscles during obsessive coughing. A large amount of lactic acid builds up in the back muscles, causing irritation and pain.
What will help: you can take paracetamol orally - it is an analgesic and antipyretic. Taking NSAIDs orally and applying them to the skin in the form of ointments and gels will also help.
Severe pain in the upper back (cervical spine)
Acute pain syndrome can be of mixed nonspecific and neuropathic nature. Nonspecific aching pains are often associated with incorrect forced position at the table during work, tension in the back and neck muscles. A short-term painful attack may appear with angina and radiate to the left arm.
Neuropathic pain has a sharp, burning character, radiates to the arm and scapula of the affected side and is associated with pinched nerve roots of the cervical spine.
How can I help you:
- for pain due to spinal diseases - NSAIDs;
- heart attack - Nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue; If the pain does not go away after a minute, take another tablet and call an ambulance.
Severe pain in chest and shoulder blades
The back in the thoracic region and between the shoulder blades most often hurts due to a sedentary lifestyle and the fact that the body remains in an uncomfortable position for a long time. Very often this condition appears in those who sit at the computer for several hours a day. Weakened muscles cannot support the load and are injured.
A child's development may be impaired due to poor posture - a lateral curvature of the thoracic spine occurs - scoliosis. If measures are not taken in time, the vertebrae will shift and a compression fracture may occur.
Severe pain between the shoulder blades can occur when the roots of the spinal nerves in the thoracic spine are pinched. It may radiate into the intercostal spaces or into the left arm and resemble an angina attack, but it is not relieved by nitroglycerin.
Acute pain in the shoulder blades can appear due to various diseases of the internal organs: heart, stomach, pancreas, lungs (with damage to the pleura), kidneys, gallbladder.
How can I help you:
- in case of damage to the musculoskeletal system - NSAIDs (see section "How to relieve your condition yourself");
- in the event of spasm of the arteries supplying the heart muscle (angina attack) - a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue;
- for diseases of internal organs - only a doctor can decide; in some cases, taking painkillers can lead to serious complications, for example, in cases of appendicitis or cholecystitis, pain indicating the need for surgery can be removed.
If you don't understand what hurts, it's better to call an ambulance.
My lower back hurts a lot
Acute lumbar pain syndrome is most often associated with the condition of the spine, is nonspecific in nature and accounts for approximately 80% of all pain in this area.
Neuropathic pain syndrome accounts for approximately 7 to 8%. Thus, sharp and sudden pain in the lower back (lumbago) is generally associated with pinching of the spinal roots in the lumbar spine. Sudden sharp pain in the buttock, radiating towards the back of the thigh (sciatica) is a pinching or inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
The lower back can also suffer from diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract and genitals.
How can I help you:
- for myositis - NSAIDs;
- for neuropathy - NSAIDs do not always relieve pain, you should consult a doctor to prescribe a complete course of treatment;
- for diseases of internal organs - depends on the diagnosis, which can only be established by a doctor.
Severe back and stomach pain
Such pains are dangerous, they are most often associated with diseases of internal organs. When they appear, they first think of acute pancreatitis. Acute pain syndrome is girdling in nature, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and requires emergency hospitalization of the patient. If this is not done, necrosis of pancreatic tissue may occur and the patient will die.
More rarely, pain in the girdles occurs in cases of kidney disease. This condition also requires medical attention. In case of cholecystitis and an attack of cholelithiasis, pain may occur on the right side, radiating upward to the clavicle.
Acute girdle pain can occur with intercostal neuralgia caused by pinching of the spinal roots of the lower parts of the thoracic spine. The pain is so intense that it deprives the patient of sleep.
How can I help you:
- for intercostal neuralgia - NSAIDs;
- for diseases of internal organs - immediately call an ambulance; Before the doctor arrives, you can take 2 No-shpa tablets.
Severe back pain that radiates down the leg
Radiation of sharp pain in the buttock and the back surface of the right or left leg up to the knee indicates damage to the nerve roots of the lumbar region with involvement of the sciatic nerve in the process. The pain syndrome is particularly intense, resembles an electric shock and is accompanied by painful convulsive contractions.
How to help: call an ambulance as soon as possible, and before that take NSAIDs and apply anesthetic ointment, but it is not very effective.
My back hurts when I inhale too much
Painful breathing most often occurs:
- with intercostal neuralgia - pain intensifies from any movement, including inhalation and coughing;
- for acute diseases of the lungs and bronchi involving the pleura - peripneumonia, lung cancer.
How to help: call a doctor at home and determine the problem; It is impossible to do it yourself.
I have a lot of back pain under my ribs
This localization is often associated with diseases of internal organs:
- sharp, intense pain that does not subside and cannot be relieved, radiating to the stomach and spreading to the opposite side of the back; accompanied by nausea and vomiting – in acute pancreatitis;
- acute paroxysmal pain, often radiating to the groin area - with urolithiasis when a stone passes through the urinary tract.
How to help: call an ambulance - this is an emergency situation that often requires hospitalization; A pain reliever may help provide mild pain relief.
Back pain
Acute pain in the sides of the back can also be associated with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and internal organs. Depending on the location and nature of the pain, we can assume its origin. If there is pain in the right side:
Location in the middle right back:
- sharp pain radiating along the intercostal nerves - it can be assumed that the nerve roots of the thoracic spine are pinched;
- local pain – muscle inflammation;
- deep, aggravated by deep inspiration and cough - often associated with diseases of the pleura - pleurisy, lung cancer with germination in the pleura.
Location of the right side under the ribs:
- intercostal neuralgia due to damage to the right nerve root;
- diseases of the pancreas, liver and bile ducts.
Pain in left side:
- Severe burning pain along the ribs at any level is neurogenic pain associated with spinal pathology.
- Sharp, sudden, short-lived pain in the upper and middle back, often radiating to the left arm - an attack of angina.
How can I help you:
- for diseases of the spine - NSAIDs;
- for angina - Nitroglycerin under the tongue;
- for attacks of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, urolithiasis - take 2 No-shpa tablets.
If the pain persists, you should call an ambulance.
Back muscles hurt a lot
Back muscle pain appears with a cold, an acute respiratory viral infection or after a long workout. In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, muscles can be sore even with little physical activity.
Any spinal disease (osteochondrosis, herniated disc, scoliosis, etc. ) is always accompanied by tension in the back muscles, because they protect the spine from any negative influences. At the same time, tension in the muscles increases back pain.
How to help: contact a neurologist, undergo an examination and find out the cause of the pain; You can relieve severe pain yourself using an ointment or gel containing NSAIDs, but it will be difficult to completely get rid of the pain.
Severe back pain at night and in the morning
Night and morning back pain is a serious symptom, one of the signs of the inflammatory process. As a rule, pain is associated with other symptoms: age up to 40 years, gradual onset, morning stiffness of movements up to half an hour or more, elimination of pain after the start of physical activity.
This is a serious symptom that deprives patients of sleep and develops in diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis (ankylosing spondylitis), reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, chronic juvenile arthritis, arthritisassociated with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
How to help: do not do anything on your own, you need to contact a rheumatologist, conduct an examination and treat the identified pathology.
Severe back pain during pregnancy
Pain syndrome during pregnancy is mechanical in nature. A growing fetus increases the load on the muscles and ligaments of the back. In the back muscles, with constant tension, an increased amount of lactic acid is produced, which leads to the appearance of painful muscle pain.
The pain syndrome can also have an acute and paroxysmal character, which indicates damage to the spinal roots against the background of a high load on the spine. A pregnant woman experiences severe pain, is deprived of sleep and is constantly in a state of stress.
How can I help you:
- contact a neurologist or therapist from the antenatal clinic, he will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary treatment; You cannot take medications yourself: many NSAIDs are contraindicated during pregnancy;
- Wearing a bandage to support the abdomen is indicated.
The most common diseases causing back pain
Pain syndrome in the back in most cases develops against the background of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, neuroendocrine system or internal organs. The most common are osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, ankylosing spondylitis, oncological processes of the spine, etc.
Osteochondrosis and herniated disc
This is a degenerative-dystrophic process that leads to the gradual destruction of intervertebral discs (cushioning cartilaginous plates with an elastic core in the middle). The discs crack, lose their elasticity and can collapse completely. In this case, the core of the disc protrudes and compresses the nerve roots or spinal cord – a herniated disc develops.
When the roots are pinched, severe back pain occurs, often radiating to large nerve trunks. Most often this occurs in the lumbar region, which can withstand the highest loads. It first hurts in the lumbar region, then radiates to the back of the lower limb (lumboischialgia). The sooner treatment of this disease is started, the sooner the patient will get rid of pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis
The correct name for the disease is ankylosing spondylitis. This is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease of connective tissue associated with autoimmune processes (allergy to the patient's own tissues) and aggravated heredity. It is mainly men under 40 who are affected.
Damage to the joints and ligaments of the spine occurs, accompanied by severe back pain and the gradual formation of spinal immobility (ankylosis). The process begins in the lower parts of the spine and gradually progresses upward. The features of the pain syndrome are: night and morning back pain, morning stiffness, which disappear at least half an hour after waking up and starting active movements. It is very important to pay attention to these symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Lung cancer
The tumor grows slowly from the mucous membrane of the large or small bronchi. At first, the disease is asymptomatic, then a cough appears and inflammatory processes periodically develop in the bronchi and lungs. When the tumor grows in the pleura (a thin film covering the chest in one layer and the lungs in the other), back pain appears, intensifying with deep breathing, coughing or sneezing.
If you experience back pain that gets worse with breathing and coughing, you should seek medical attention immediately!
Diagnostic
Correct diagnosis of the disease is very important because treatment is prescribed based on its results. It is established on the basis of a survey and examination of the patient by a doctor and additional examination data, including:
- Laboratory tests – general and biochemical blood tests, urine tests; immunological blood tests, rheumatoid factor;
- Instrumental studies: spinal radiography; magnetic resonance or computed tomography (MRI or CT); radioisotope scintigraphy – carried out at the slightest suspicion of oncological pathology.
But even with a comprehensive examination, it is not always possible to identify or exclude one or another cause of pain.
How to treat back pain
The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain and suppress the transition from an acute pathological process to a chronic one. For this purpose, treatment of the underlying disease is prescribed, as well as symptomatic drug therapy and non-drug treatment methods.
Algorithm for the treatment of acute pain syndrome:
- short-term bed rest (2–5 days) in combination with drug treatment and reflexology (RT); long-term adherence to bed rest contributes to the transition from an acute to a chronic process; it is possible to prescribe a short course of treatment to wear orthopedic devices: a cervical collar for pathology of the upper back and neck or the lumbar girdle;
- semi-bed rest for next 7-8 days; the course of drug treatment and RT continues, light physical exercises and physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis with analgesic medicinal solutions) are added;
- mode of physical activity with minor restrictions (10-20 days); drug treatment is carried out according to indications; physiotherapy (laser and magnetic therapy), RT; add a manual therapy and massage course;
- a mode of physical activity without restrictions (but without lifting weights) with the performance of specially selected exercise therapy exercises;
- pain prevention – regular exercise therapy and feasible sports in order to raise the quality of life to a new level.
Drug therapy
The examination does not always reveal the causes of the pain, the treatment takes into account its nature (noceceptive, neuropathic):
- In case of very intense and sharp pain, paravertebral blocks with novocaine are performed. If the pain syndrome is not relieved, epidural blockages are performed - pain relief by introducing anesthetics into the epidural cavity located between the dura mater and the periosteum of the spine.
- Less intense pain is relieved by intramuscular administration of drugs from the NSAID group. The selection of drugs is carried out individually, taking into account the properties of the drug and the individual characteristics of the patient. The most effective remedy can cause gastrointestinal complications. Therefore, if the patient suffers from stomach diseases, more modern NSAIDs will help relieve back pain.
- To eliminate back muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed.
- B vitamins (B1, B6, B12) have a beneficial effect on the peripheral nervous system and enhance the analgesic effect of NSAIDs. These medications can be given as individual vitamin injections or as a solution containing all 3 vitamins and the pain reliever lidocaine. Once the condition improves, you can take tablets orally.
- For neuropathic pain associated with the involvement of nerve fibers in the process, antidepressants and anticonvulsants are included in the complex treatment. These remedies help relieve pain.
When treating severe back pain, the most important thing is to avoid the transition from acute pain to chronic pain. Therefore, the patient should consult a doctor as soon as possible.