Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them eliminate the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers and do not try to find out why the back hurts. Such a frivolous attitude to health can lead to the development of serious complications and lead to disability. That is why it is so important to correctly establish the cause and start treatment on time.
types of back pain
There are many types of back pain. They differ in nature, location and symptoms. Depending on these characteristics, they are divided into different types.
severe pain
Back pain is very acute and comes on suddenly. From severe pain in a person, it darkens in the eyes, dizzy. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. It occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles are overloaded, resulting in muscle spasms. During an attack, the patient should try to relax, and then take the position of the body lying down, so that the legs are higher than the head. 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 be in the vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
acute pain
Short-term pain syndrome that occurs for no apparent reason or develops gradually. It can be weak, burning, intense and dull. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasm. They occur with vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, injuries of the skeletal system, malignant tumors. Also, an attack of acute pain can be caused by a displacement of the intervertebral discs. Often this problem occurs in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. The curvature of the spine and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During an attack, it is difficult for the patient to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem with which patients go to the doctor. Chronic back pain is generally divided into recurrent and permanent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of its appearance is associated with individual human physiology, regular stress on the spine, diseases of internal organs, poor posture. Many people get used to living with a problem and doing nothing to solve it. But his condition worsens, so the standard of living decreases. Quality of life and physical activity are reduced.
displaced pains
The peculiarity of this type is entanglement. It can happen the other way around, when the pain in the lower back radiates to the leg. When they appear, the cause is thought to be related to spinal problems. But is not. They appear due to diseases of the internal organs, they occur in different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys manifest in the lower back. Pain in the upper lumbar region indicates problems with the liver. In this case, patients may feel discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that the premature elimination of the cause of the problem can provoke the development of complex pathologies and even lead to death.
aching pains
The cause of the problem is associated with muscle fatigue. After a good rest, the pain goes away on its own. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle often have back pain. The rest of the reasons are not so harmless. These include: vertebral hernia, sciatica, osteochondrosis. Pathological processes lead to a decrease in the functionality of the musculoskeletal system and an increased load on the spine. They can appear during the period of rehabilitation or healing of injuries. The complexity of diagnosing back pain is related to the fact. which can be caused by many different reasons.
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 main one is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. It is subject to regular stress, which leads to the appearance of pain in its various departments. Among the common triggers are: a long stay of the spine in one position, muscle tension. Rarely, back problems occur due to serious ailments. It can be a pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnostics
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and his anamnesis. Research is carried out using various methods, depending on the cause of the pain: vertebrogenic (cause in the spine) or non-vertebral. Most often, the disease is associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the patient, palpate and listen carefully to the patient's complaints. Then clinical and instrumental examinations are performed. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without further 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, stiffness of the patient in the morning.
You can obtain detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Assign for the study of soft tissue injuries.
- Bone scan. It is used to assess bone tissue, assess the condition of the spine. It allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. It gives a visual image of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligamentous apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Shows the degree of nerve damage, identifies damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopySurgical manipulation, which is performed with an arthroscope.
- Sonography. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathologies.
Depending on the type of back pain, severity, one or several types of diagnoses are chosen. Such a detailed study of the cause allows choosing the most appropriate treatment.
When to see a 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 quickly as possible.
This should be done if:
- Concerned about unreasonable pain;
- the pain lasts more than 3 days;
- pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- causeless weight loss.
In matters of health, one should not be frivolous. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely assistance will help avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Appropriate therapy is an important component in a patient's recovery. But, before starting a full course of treatment, a person must provide first aid. It is placed on a flat, hard surface, in a side position. When the attack passes, the person is helped to his feet. This must be done very carefully and slowly so as not to provoke a new attack. After the condition has improved, it is necessary to fix the back pain with a corset, take an anesthetic. They then seek medical help to choose effective methods of treatment together with the doctor.
drug treatment
Therapy is carried out with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. Different forms of these drugs - injections, tablets, patches and ointments - allow you to simultaneously have a powerful effect on the pathological process. All of them have a strong side effect, so they can only be used 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, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and her age. Provides effective support for stretching the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonicity. But it is absolutely impossible to carry it out in the presence of vertebral hernias and during the period of exacerbation. Yoga classes, swimming and post-isometric relaxation have a beneficial effect on the health of the back.
Massage
The massage course is very useful for patients with back diseases. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the whole body. Regular massage sessions improve blood flow, strengthen the back muscles, improve the general well-being and condition of the back. It can be carried out only as an auxiliary treatment, in the absence of contraindications to its implementation. Manipulations should only be carried out by an experienced and qualified specialist. The masseuses use Thai, classic and therapeutic massage for treatment.
heating and cryotherapy
After the period of exacerbation has passed, patients may be prescribed heating or cryotherapy. Warming 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 regeneration and nutrition of the tissues. It is not always possible to perform the procedure. For pregnant women, patients with infectious diseases, tumors and tuberculosis, heating is categorically contraindicated.
Another effective therapeutic 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 improves.
Prevention
The best way to fight disease is to prevent it. To do this, you need to watch your gait, as well as make sure your back is always straight. It is important to correctly distribute the load. Distribute heavy bags so that each hand is about the same weight. If you have to stand for a long time, it is recommended to change your position every 10 minutes. Backbends help relax your back muscles. Active physical activity should be part of the life of everyone who wants to have a healthy back.
While sitting in a chair, the body should be in a straight position, firmly pressed against the back of the chair. It is necessary to provide support under the neck and lower back. People who have to sit for a long time are recommended to do a warm-up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the correct height of the chair, at which, when sitting, the knees will be below the level of the hips.
Many people think that it is necessary to sleep on a hard surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case, the spine will take the wrong position. The ideal option is considered to be a medical orthopedic bed, aimed at relaxing muscles. It is better to choose a pillow of medium size. Every morning after sleeping take sips.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. They should eat right, try to reduce body weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. It is best to keep the consumption of spicy foods to a minimum. Foods with a high content of magnesium and calcium occupy an important place in the preventive diet.
Self-medication is very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should only be carried out by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.