Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them eliminate the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers, not trying to figure out why the back hurts. Such a reckless attitude to one's health can lead to serious complications and disabilities. Therefore, it is so important to correctly establish the cause and start treatment in a timely manner.
types of back pain
There are many types of back pain. They differ in type, location and symptoms. Depending on these properties, they are classified into different types.
strong 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 occurs in the affected area. It occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles are overloaded, which leads to muscle spasms. During an attack, the patient should try to relax and then assume the supine body position 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 may lie in the vertebral hernia osteochondrosis.
acute pain
A pain syndrome of a short-term nature, occurring for no apparent reason or developing gradually. It can be weak, burning, intense and boring. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasms. They occur with vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, lesions of the skeletal system, malignant tumors. An acute attack of pain can also be caused by a displacement of the intervertebral discs. Often this problem occurs with inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. Curvature of the spine and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During a seizure, the patient finds it difficult to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem that patients come to the doctor with. Chronic back pain is usually divided into intermittent and permanent pain. They differ in duration. The nature of their occurrence is associated with individual human physiology, regular loads 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 is deteriorating, causing the standard of living to drop. Quality of life and physical activity are limited.
Displaced pain
The peculiarity of this type is the entanglement. Conversely, it can also happen if the pain in the lumbar region radiates into the leg. When they appear, a person thinks that the cause is related to spinal problems. But that's not the case. They appear due to diseases of the internal organs and give off 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 problems with the liver. In this case, patients may experience discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that untimely elimination of the cause of the problem can provoke the development of complex pathologies and even lead to death.
pains
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 a sedentary lifestyle are most likely to experience back pain. The rest of the reasons are not so harmless. These include: vertebral fracture, 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 occur during rehabilitation or healing from injuries. The complexity of diagnosing back pain is related to this. that they can have many different causes.
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 most important is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. It is subjected to regular stress, which causes pain in its various departments. The most common provoking factors include: prolonged spinal immobilization in one position, muscle strain. Rarely do back problems occur due to severe complaints. It can be a pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
diagnosis
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and his medical history. Depending on the cause of the pain - vertebral (cause in the spine) or non-vertebral - research is carried out using different methods. Most often, the disease is associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the patient, performs palpation and carefully listens to the patient's complaints. Clinical and instrumental examinations are then 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 and the patient's morning stiffness.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed Tomography. Assign for examination of soft tissue lesions.
- radiography. It is used to assess bone tissue and assess the condition of the spine. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Gives a visual picture of changes in soft tissue, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasonic. Helps detect 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 pathologies.
Depending on the type of back pain and its severity, one or more types of diagnostics are selected. Such a detailed study of the cause will allow you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When to the 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 soon as possible.
This must be done when:
- Concerned about inappropriate pain;
- pain lasts more than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- Weakness and malaise appear;
- unexplained weight loss.
One should not be careless when it comes to health. It is therefore better to play it safe and get a medical examination. Timely help will help to avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Proper therapy is an important part of patient recovery. But before starting full-fledged treatment, a person must provide first aid. It is placed on your side on a flat, hard surface. When the attack is over, 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 improves, it is necessary to fix the wound with a corset and take an anesthetic. Then they seek medical help in order to choose effective treatment methods together with the doctor.
treatment with medication
Therapy is carried out using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. Various forms of these drugs (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a strong impact on the pathological process at the same time. All of them have a strong side effect so they must be used only 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, basing his choice on 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 do it in the presence of vertebral hernias and during the period of exacerbation. Yoga classes, swimming and post isometric relaxation have a positive effect on back health.
massage
The course of the massage is very useful for patients with back diseases. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the entire 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 auxiliary treatment, if there are no contraindications to its implementation. Manipulations should be performed only by an experienced and qualified professional. Masseurs use Thai, classical and therapeutic massages for treatment.
heating and cryotherapy
After the exacerbation period has passed, patients may be prescribed warming or cryotherapy. Warming up is carried out with the help of special ointments, heating pads, a blue lamp, mustard plasters, paraffin and ozokerite applications. These procedures activate the processes of tissue regeneration and nutrition. It is not always possible to carry out the procedure. Heating is categorically contraindicated in pregnant women, patients with infectious diseases, tumors and tuberculosis.
Another effective therapy method is cryotherapy. Cold treatment normalizes metabolic processes, prevents the development of the disease. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, 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 gait and ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to properly distribute the load. Distribute heavy bags so that each hand weighs about the same. If you have to stand a lot, then it's a good idea to change positions every 10 minutes. Backbends help relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become a part of the life of every person who wants a healthy back.
When sitting in a chair, your body should be straight and firmly pressed against the back of the chair. It is necessary to support the neck and lower back. People who have to sit for a long time are recommended to warm up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right chair height where the knees are below hip height when seated.
Many people think that you have to sleep on a hard surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case, the spine takes the wrong position. The ideal option is considered a medical orthopedic bed aimed at muscle relaxation. It is better to choose a medium-sized pillow. Take sips every morning after sleeping.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. You should eat right and try to reduce body weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruit, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. Consumption of spicy foods is best kept to a minimum. Foods with a high content of magnesium and calcium occupy an important place in preventive nutrition.
Self-medication is very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should be carried out only by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain health.