Low back pain: causes and treatment

A person suffering from back pain must learn to live again: every hard movement or careless step causes unbearable suffering.

Back pain, osteochondrosis, disease prevention, pelvis, lumbosacral region, diseases of the digestive system, kidney diseases

The lumbar spine gets the most stress when walking, lift weights, bend over and turn the body. According to the biomechanics of the spine, simply raising the arms in a horizontal position doubles the load on the lower back. And if you take a bag weighing 10 kg, the load on the lumbar vertebrae increases to 206 kg! It is not surprising that in the rhythm of modern life, almost everyone sometimes experiences discomfort in the back.

Back pain in the lumbar region photo 1

Why does back pain occur?

The most common cause of back pain is a degenerative disease of the spine - osteochondrosis. Over the years, intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae, are consumed and become thinner. The intervertebral joints become loose, the vertebral bodies gain excessive mobility and may move little. At the ends of the vertebrae grow bone pillars - osteophytes.

All of these factors lead to narrowing and deformation of the intervertebral fissures, where the spinal nerves and blood vessels pass. Any load on the spine in such a situation can provoke their compression, which leads to the appearance of pain syndrome. The cartilage tissue that makes up the intervertebral discs loses moisture and elasticity and can rupture. As a result, disc herniations form. In some cases, the hernia compresses the spinal cord, worsening the patient's condition.

How to improve quality of life with osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease, it is impossible to cure. However, there are some recommendations, after which, you can significantly improve the quality of life and avoid recurring pain.

Royal attitude

Proper posture is the position in which the bones and joints of the spine are exposed to the least stress. By straightening our backs and directing our shoulders, we give rest to "our vital nucleus. "With proper gait, the head, body and pelvis are in line.

Furniture on which you have to sit for a long time should be rigid. The back should be pressed against the back of the chair. In the car, you can place a small support under the lower back to maintain the natural curve of the spine and relieve muscle tension during long drives.

back pain in the lumbar region photo 2

Healthy sleep

Even in the supine position, the lower back is under stress. This is manifested by an aggravation in the spine after sleeping in an incredibly soft or hard bed. Therefore, for those who suffer from back pain, it is important to choose the right pillow and mattress.

Its stiffness should correspond to body weight. In the lateral position, the shoulders and pelvis should push the mattress so that the spine forms a straight line. For extra relief of the lower back, it is recommended to lie on your back and place a pillow under your knees.

If back pain (lumbago) worsens, it is important to sleep on a firm surface. In the absence of a good mattress, you can lie on the floor or put a strong shield on the bed and roll small rollers under your neck, lower back and knees.

Bending and lifting weights

For people with low back pain, it is advisable to avoid prolonged bending. For this, it is important to equip your life properly. All kitchen worktops should have the right height. The bathroom can be equipped with special handrails to save the spine from unnecessary work. In summer villas, it is better to work sitting on a light portable bench or on your knees, placing an insulating mattress under them.

Improper lifting of the load is the main reason for the aggravation of osteochondrosis of the spine during the holidays, when we pack our bags or take out the harvest from the dacha. To relieve the pain, try to hold the load in both hands, distributing the load evenly. When lifting weights, do not bend your back under any circumstances. All inclinations should be replaced by squatting and lifting the load off the ground just because of the strength of the legs.

For those suffering from back pain, the maximum allowed weight of luggage is 15 kg. If you need to carry more, buy a wheelchair or luggage. A backpack equipped with a waist belt and a stiffening frame perfectly distributes the load on the back. It should be put on and removed by a top support or with assistance.

The most dangerous movements for the spine are turning from side to side and bending with a right or left turn with a load on the hands. With such a load, the compression of the spinal nerves, the vessels that supply the spinal cord, and the likelihood of rupture of the intervertebral disc are extremely high. All load turns must be made by foot.

Artificial fixation

To eliminate the pain and prevent lumbago attacks, all types of braces have been created: orthoses (corsets, posture braces), braces, bandages, belts. These devices hold the spine in the correct position, prevent its pathological deformation, reduce the compression of intervertebral fissures and improve venous outflow.

Such funds are good for those who, because of their duty, spend a long time on the computer, in transportation, and are engaged in heavy physical work. However, their use should be discussed with an orthopedic surgeon. Prolonged and uncontrolled use of spinal braces can lead to atrophy of your muscle corset and an increase in pain attacks.

massage for back pain

Natural fixation

The back muscles are the natural fixators of the spine. In order for them not to lose their tone, strength and elasticity, daily exercises are needed: morning exercises, a contrast shower, warm-up during the working day.

When doing physical exercises, you need to be attentive to your feelings - the main thing here is not the result, but the process. It is important to maintain a measured rhythm and physiological range of motion.

The best sport for back pain is swimming. In the aquatic environment, the load on the spine is reduced; during swimming movements almost all the muscles of the body work, especially the back, arms and legs. Outside of irritation, spine stretching exercises that can be performed on a horizontal bar are helpful. It is important to learn how to gradually relax your back muscles and stretch them again, gradually sinking into your legs.

For those suffering from spinal osteochondrosis, special complexes of physiotherapy exercises have been developed.

Medications "for the lower back"

Traditional medicine has a wide range of remedies to facilitate the course of osteochondrosis of the spine. During the period of deterioration, they are described as follows:

  • strict bed rest;
  • dry heat in the lumbar region;
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of injections, which reduce pain and inflammatory changes in tissues;
  • vitamin B;
  • medicines that relieve spasm in inflamed muscles of the back, relieve pressure on the spinal nerves, improve blood circulation;
  • external ointments with a warming, distracting and anti-inflammatory effect.

Physiotherapeutic techniques have a good effect: massage, electrophoresis with various drugs, acupuncture, etc. A kinesitherapy system has been developed, when, with the help of special exercises, the patient learns to independently stop a pain attack, strengthens the muscular framework of the body in simulators. Outside of an attack, your doctor may recommend taking chondroprotectors and vitamins, which help improve spinal tissue nutrition, speed up metabolism, and repair damage.

Back pain can be the result of a variety of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, pelvic organs, circulatory system. Therefore, the first step in the onset of back pain should be a visit to the doctor, who will establish an accurate diagnosis.