Low back pain is one of the worst conditions imaginable, as the lumbar spine has the most stress compared to the rest of the spine, which is why the lower back is more susceptible to injury. Most often, back pain is a symptom of osteochondrosis, as well as sciatica and other serious diseases.
Why does the lower back hurt
Most often, back pain occurs after intense exercise, as well as if you are in a position for a long time or due to a difficult movement. The main risk factors due to which lower back pain may appear:
- constant driving or due to a sedentary lifestyle, working on a computer;
- if work is accompanied by a constant load on the lower back, stress;
- too intense exercise in the gym;
- also possible back pain due to pregnancy or recent birth of child;
- great weight.
Back pain usually goes away on its own when left alone. If, however, the lower back aches constantly or the pain comes periodically, then these may already be signs of illness. Without proper treatment, back pain can lead to quite serious consequences - including back surgery.
What diseases can cause pain in the lower back
Back pain is divided into primary and secondary. Primary pain syndrome directly causes a disease of the spine:
- in most cases it may be osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (one-third of all cases);
- it may also be an intervertebral hernia;
- extension of the intervertebral disc;
- spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, spondyloarthritis.
Secondary pain syndrome usually occurs not because of the spine, but because of some other problems in the body that cause pain in the lower back:
- may be fractures due to osteoporosis;
- tumors in the lumen of the spinal canal;
- spinal fractures;
- prolonged stay in one position and constant muscle load;
- anatomically narrow spinal canal;
- scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- may also be rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, or osteoarthritis;
- osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- also aching can cause urolithiasis;
- pyelonephritis;
- pregnancy or recent birth;
- ovarian cancer, ovarian cyst, endometriosis.
What to do about back pain
What to do if you have severe back pain, we recommend:
- lie on your back or on a firm mattress, a surface that would support the lower back;
- lift your legs and bend at the knees, you can place a pillow under your feet to make it much easier for you to lie down;
- take any painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications;
- try not to make sudden movements;
- call a doctor at your home;
- for a few days you have to stay in bed;
- it is worth giving up spicy and smoked foods as well as sticking to proper nutrition.
Prophylaxis
To avoid such problems, you need to constantly perform prevention:
- less sedentary lifestyle;
- if you still have sedentary work, then try to do a little exercise every hour - bend your head and torso to the sides, roll your shoulders back and forth, stretch your legs shoulder-width apart and breathe in and out;
- if you lift weights, then do it properly - keep your back straight, do not make sudden movements, lift weights gradually;
- do more exercises for the spine and abdomen;
- watch your posture, keep your back straight, do not squeeze, sit down and preferably walk with a book in your head;
- give up a soft bed and mattresses - do not choose the softer mattress, but also not the strongest, in order to hold well the lower back;
- several times a day, stand near the wall so that the heels, buttocks, shoulders and also the back of the head touch it, stay that way for a few minutes;
- do more sports that will keep your back muscles in good shape, be it swimming, walking, skiing, yoga and the like;
Therapeutic gymnastics for the treatment of the lower back in men and women
If the back pain is minor, then to prevent them, do the following exercises:
- Lie on your back, spread your arms along your torso, bend your legs slightly at the knees. Bend your legs to the left and turn your head and torso slightly to the right. Hold this for a few seconds. Then return to the starting position and repeat the exercise by bending the legs to the other side. Do this exercise 10 times.
- Get on your knees. Place your hands on the chair in front of you. In this position, bend your back up, then bend as much as possible. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Then raise your right foot 20 inches off the floor. Continue like this until you feel tired. Do the same exercise with the other leg. Repeat this exercise 5 times on each leg.