Causes and treatments of lower back pain

Lower back pain most often occurs due to degenerative and dystrophic changes in the spine.The intervertebral disc is injured when lifting heavy objects, excessive load at rest and during movements, falls.The protrusion of the annulus fibrosus through the tears and fissures of the nucleus pulposus forms a herniation.Instability of the spine contributes to the development of osteophytes (spondylosis), damage to joints and intervertebral ligaments (spondyloarthrosis), osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by pathological processes in the sacroiliac joints.

In addition to changes in compression, pain is caused by reflex irritation of the receptors, the impulse from which goes to the motor neurons of the spinal cord.Muscle tone increases and over time, pathologies appear in the muscle tissues.Pain in the spine can result from the appearance of tumors, multiple myeloma and systemic autoimmune diseases.

Causes of pain and their types

Painful sensations can be dull, sharp, aching, burning and throbbing.They can extend across the entire back, radiate to neighboring areas, or be local in nature.An unpleasant feeling develops in different ways;it can appear suddenly or develop over a long period of time.

The symptom is also classified depending on the cause of its appearance:

• primary pain is a consequence of degeneration of the musculoskeletal system and its lesions;
• the secondary type occurs during pathological processes in the body not related to the lower back.

There are two types of pain:

• Periodicals are characteristic of intense physical exertion, acute illnesses and physiological features;they may radiate to another part of the body or spread beyond the affected area.After eliminating the cause of their appearance, they stop bothering the person.
• Constant pain is the consequence of deep damage to joints, tissues and muscles.With the help of medications, the symptoms are temporarily eliminated, but they appear again.

Indications for advanced diagnosis

To determine the method of pain relief, it is necessary to undergo additional examination in order to identify the true cause of the syndrome.Tests must be taken if:

• atypical manifestation of pain (no increase or decrease in discomfort when moving the body), unusual localization (for example, discomfort radiates from the back to the perineum, abdomen, rectum, anus, vagina);
• weakening of symptoms when standing and pumping when lying down;
• changes in the nature of back pain associated with going to the toilet, eating, sexual intercourse;
• previous injuries to the spine or hip joints;
• pain accompanied by vomiting and high body temperature;
• diagnosed oncology;
• the presence of mental behavioral disorders.

Additional studies are carried out in a hospital setting, when the patient is hospitalized in neurology or other departments that have a laboratory for diagnosing the suspected disease.

An x-ray of the spine is taken in several projections, a general blood test is examined and an advanced biochemical analysis is performed, which shows the level of creatinine, calcium, glucose, phosphates and other substances in the blood.The method of computer diagnostics and magnetic resonance imaging is widely used.Bone scan is used to examine bone tissue.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Unpleasant sensations in the back occur for the following reasons:

• Intervertebral osteochondrosis brings together several types of pathologies characterized by dystrophy or degeneration.Due to the disease, articular cartilage and bones are loosened and destroyed, and nerve endings are involved in the pathological change.Osteochondrosis causes the development of a hernia, lumbar radiculitis, sciatica, protrusion (bulging of the intervertebral disc without rupture of the annulus fibrosus).
• Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, with an asymmetrical shoulder line.It is accompanied by skeletal deformation, poor posture and protrusion of the hump to the right or left into the intercostal space.Classified as congenital or acquired form.
• Spondylosis is due to the natural aging of the vertebrae and joints of the lumbar region;over time, pain increases as joints wear out and mobility disappears.
• Lumbago is characterized by acute discomfort in the lumbar region due to destructive disorders of the vertebrae.Pain occurs when you lift weights incorrectly and is more common in men.With lumbago, movements of the lower back are limited;lack of treatment is dangerous because destructive processes progress to an irreversible stage.
• Ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease) is characterized by loss of mobility of the lumbar joints and is a chronic inflammation with significant proliferation of connective tissue.
• Osteomyelitis is a purulent-necrotic inflammation of the bone marrow, bones and surrounding soft tissues.The disease is caused by infection with purulent mycobacteria and pyogenic (pus-producing) bacteria.
• Osteoporosis is formed as a result of improper development of bone tissue due to insufficient intake of phosphorus and calcium, while bone density is reduced, leading to frequent damage.
• Congenital or acquired difference in leg length (more than 3 cm).

These diseases require a visit to the clinic for serious examination and treatment.Sometimes therapy helps relieve symptoms only for a while, and for complete cure, a surgical method is used.

Renal pathologies

Due to kidney failure, discomfort may occur in the lower back and pain may occur on the left, right and sometimes in the central part of the back.The causes of the symptom can be the following pathologies:

• Kidney prolapse.This is a condition in which the organ moves beyond the permissible norm (the movement of the renal bed is ensured from bottom to top by 2 cm).With nephroptosis, the kidney is said to wander if it can deviate by 10 cm.
• Kidney failure is a condition in which urine is not formed.The patient notices that he feels severe pain in the lower back and that his health condition is rapidly deteriorating.
• Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the renal pelvis and neighboring tissues of the genitourinary system are involved.With this disease, urinary diversion may not be impaired, and pain in the lower back on the right and left is due to the intensity of the inflammatory process.
• Gout causes discomfort when getting up from a sitting position or during other movements.When the disease occurs, the natural metabolism of uric acid is disrupted;it accumulates in the lumbar joints, limiting their mobility.
• Renal colic is a common pathology.With this, pain arises for various reasons.The most common are damage to the ureter caused by a stone, its twisting or obstruction of the upper urinary tract due to a blood clot, formation, pus or mucus.Low back pain caused by renal colic is characterized by a sudden onset at any time of the day, when moving or at rest.
• Diabetic nephropathy is more common in people with diabetes (75%) and is a complex injury to the renal arteries, glomeruli, and tubules resulting from changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in kidney tissues.The pain associated with this pathology radiates to any part of the back, as well as to the groin and lower abdomen.
• Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli (kidney glomeruli) and can lead to kidney failure.We note a rapidly progressive and chronic form.
• Kidney stones are not always accompanied by lower back pain;it can be difficult to determine its location.
• Hydronephrosis is characterized by dilation of the renal pelvis and discomfort.Requires additional diagnostics.

Gynecological diseases

Pain syndrome occurs in women due to diseases:

• The frequent localization of discomfort from uterine fibroids, vulvitis, adnexitis and neoplasms of the genitals is the lower abdomen, but pain can occur in the lower back on the left and right.
• During pregnancy, the lower back hurts and it hurts to walk, but such symptoms arise for natural reasons and are explained by the load of the growing fetus on the musculoskeletal system, therefore they do not require treatment.
• Menopause is accompanied by pain due to impaired blood supply to the internal organs of the small pelvis, which, in turn, is a consequence of hormonal imbalance during this period.
• Unpleasant sensations can constantly arise from psychosomatics.In this case, the woman should consult a psychotherapist and psychologist.
• The consequences of surgical intervention, for example, abortion, can be accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen and spread to the lumbar vertebrae due to involuntary contractions of the uterus or the development of inflammation.
• Hormonal disruptions during the menstrual cycle, the release of the follicle from the ovary and its movement through the fallopian tubes, as well as the enlargement of the uterus during menstruation cause pain in the lower back and lower back.

Other causes of lower back pain

Discomfort in the lumbar region can be caused by diseases of the human body systems:

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic pathology and most often affects women.It is a chronic inflammation that develops in the lumbar joints and affects the surrounding cartilage and muscles.The disease is caused by autoimmune disorders in the body.
• Thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis develop due to partial or complete cessation of blood flow in deep veins.Lower back discomfort is felt after a long walk or standing.This pain radiates towards the buttock and the leg.
• Late-stage atherosclerosis causes discomfort in the lower back.

Treatment of pain due to musculoskeletal problems

To eliminate discomfort in the lower back caused by impaired functionality of the musculoskeletal system, various medications are used depending on the root cause and stage of the underlying disease.

They are used in several forms, from tablets to intramuscular injections.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce pain.These drugs lower body temperature, relieve inflammation and fever.

NSAIDs from the group of phenylacetic acid derivatives are popular in the treatment of lower back pain.These drugs are safe and effective and have an advantage over other painkillers because they do not negatively affect the metabolic processes of the intervertebral disc.The therapeutic dosage, sufficient to relieve severe discomfort, ranges from 75 to 150 mg per day, with the norm being consumed in several doses.To accelerate the analgesic effect, rectal suppositories are used or the drug is administered intramuscularly.

Muscle relaxers

If NSAIDs do not have a positive effect in treating pain, muscle relaxants are used.These medications decrease the tone of skeletal muscles and reduce their movements, sometimes to the point of complete cessation of their function.Start treatment with a standard dose and maintain it for several weeks.Practice shows that the addition of muscle relaxants to complex pain treatment allows lasting regression of discomfort and improves joint mobility.Combinations of different types of these drugs are not used.

Analgesics and corticosteroids

To relieve back pain if it is very painful, narcotic analgesics, which have been relevant in medicine for a long time, are used.They are based on opioids, thanks to which the drugs provide relief.These medications are prescribed by a doctor (they are only sold in pharmacies by prescription);you cannot treat pain yourself with these medications.

To eliminate the syndrome, corticosteroids are used in cases of degenerative disorders of joint tissues.

The drugs partially restore the cartilage and prevent further destruction.

Injections

Injections are used if previous medications have not had the desired effect.For blocking directly on the lumbar area, drugs of the ester group and amide series are used.

A blockade is a procedure to relieve muscle spasm at the site of pain;injections are administered into the nerve plexuses, including the paravertebral region, via a catheter.Its effect is short-lived, but it helps relieve severe attacks.

Use of ointments, creams and patches

With the help of gels and creams, the uncomfortable condition is also eliminated.They are applied directly to the sore spot.You can use NSAID products.Combined products have a more enhanced effect.

For local distracting and irritating effects, warming ointments with a restorative chondroprotective effect are used, which dilate blood vessels, which improves the nutrition of spinal tissues and cartilage and accelerates metabolic processes.

The use of patches is popular due to its convenient method of application and speed of action.The product is impregnated with the medicine and applied to the site of pain.With this method, overdose is excluded.

Other methods for influencing painful areas

Physiotherapeutic treatment allows you to warm up the muscles, improve blood supply and enhance the therapeutic effect of basic medications.

Paraffin applications are used, effective in cases of throbbing pain.The procedure involves applying layer by layer of wax or paraffin to the skin with a total thickness of 1 cm, covered with polyethylene, and then a warm blanket.The duration is at least one hour, with daily use the duration of treatment is one month.Physiotherapy is effective when used during periods of non-exacerbated illness.Exercise also reduces the risk of recurring back pain.

Massage is not practiced in all cases, because in certain pathologies it can harm the body.In this case, the effect is not on the sensitive point, but on the surrounding areas.The procedure should be carried out by an experienced massage therapist;you should not do this yourself.

The mud therapy method is also used as a distraction.

Pain relief for gynecological problems

Complex antibacterial agents are used to eliminate the initial cause of pain.Special medications are used to reduce bacteriological infection of the vagina.An ointment containing antibiotics and antiseptics is used in the vulva area.

Inflammation of the glands of an infectious nature, accompanied by lower back pain, is treated with antibiotics, taking into account the sensitivity of the microorganism, and ultrasound is used as a physiotherapeutic effect.Abscesses of the genitals, especially Bartholin's gland abscess, are removed surgically by opening.If the pain is moderate and the tumor does not bother the patient, then hormonal drugs are prescribed, which are considered only as a prophylactic measure before surgical intervention.

GnRH antagonists reduce the amount of estrogen in the body.They are used for uterine fibroids, hyperplasia and endometriosis.Hormonal medications are effective in reducing the size of the uterus before surgery.However, their long-term use leads to the development of osteoporosis.

In some cases, after treatment, the nodules begin to grow and cause back pain.Unpleasant sensations are relieved with the help of oral contraceptives.To alleviate well-being in case of lower back pain, treatment with antigonadotropins is used.These medications have many side effects and are therefore used in rare cases.

If the growth of a tumor causes severe pain and threatens health, surgery is necessary to remove it.During menopause and if a woman is not planning to have children, complete removal of the uterus is recommended.In other cases, only the fibroid is removed laparoscopically (through small incisions in the abdomen).

Popular hormonal drugs are NSAIDs.Antispasmodic drugs are also used.

Help with kidney pain

Acute pain in the kidneys is relieved by taking antispasmodic drugs that can increase the lumen of the ureter and provide urine diversion.

Acute symptoms require the use of a combination of drugs containing both an analgesic and an antispasmodic with anti-inflammatory components.You can take 2 tablets at a time;in severe cases, intramuscular injections are given.Antipyretics based on analgin help relieve kidney pain.

Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional recipes help relieve lower back pain, but before using them, you should make sure that there are no diseases dangerous for human life and health that require timely drug treatment or even surgical intervention.The most popular methods:

• A napkin soaked in a combined infusion of St. John's wort, thyme, chamomile flowers and black elderberry is applied to the sore spot.For cooking, take 1 tsp.raw or dried raw materials, pour a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour.Then remove the compress and go to bed.
• Garlic ointment helps a lot.To prepare it, take one head, grind it in an accessible way and mix it with a small portion of petroleum jelly and lemon juice.Apply the prepared mixture to the sore spot on the back.
• Mustard bath relieves pain.To do this, take a glass of mustard powder and pour it with warm water.Take a bath until it cools, then rinse the skin with clean water and cover with a blanket.
• A compress of honey and vinegar (1 tablespoon each) relieves pain.The resulting mixture is placed on a cabbage leaf and applied to the problem area.
• Radish or horseradish are grated, combined with sour cream and placed on a napkin made of natural material.The compress is fixed with a warm scarf or handkerchief.
• Dry leaves of burdock steamed with boiling water are applied to the sore spot and isolated.
• To improve blood circulation in the tissues, rub the back with honey.The massage is carried out without pressure, but the movements must be intense.Likewise, use an alcoholic tincture based on eucalyptus, purchased at a pharmacy.
• Make a compress of grated beets, squeeze out the mass and mix the cake obtained from a vegetable with 1 liter.kerosene.Using a napkin, the composition is transferred to the sore spot, fixed and wrapped.This compress is left overnight.
• Use grated laundry soap with white incense, mix them in equal quantities, add 2 beaten egg yolks.The product is applied to the back, a towel is placed on top and fixed with a bandage.Keep for about 2-3 hours.

Treatment of back pain is carried out by various means, but diagnosis of the underlying disease causing unpleasant symptoms is always required.