Back pain in the lumbar region may indicate various diseases of the spine, disturbances in the connections of nerve structures, injuries to internal organs, soft tissues, and oncological tumors. Pain syndrome can have varying intensity and nature of manifestation. Depending on the type of pain that occurs, pathology can be identified, but to obtain an accurate diagnosis, an examination is carried out, including instrumental diagnostics. This allows you to find out why the pain occurs. Based on the examination results, the doctor selects treatment.
Types of pain
Back pain in the lumbar region may indicate the development of serious pathologies. But in most cases, discomfort is benign and is associated with the influence of various external factors:
- hypothermia;
- staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- compression of blood vessels;
- soft tissue damage due to trauma.
When diagnosing back pain, the doctor pays attention to the nature of its manifestation and duration. If the pain occurs due to a cold or simple hypothermia, it will completely disappear 2 weeks after using ointments that contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory components. They will not help cure the disease, but after them it does not hurt to move.
If pain in the spine does not go away, despite the use of local medications, and sometimes intensifies, a full examination is necessary. In some cases, such a symptom is an alarming sign indicating the development of dangerous diseases. With diseases of the spinal column, at the time of an attack, pain can radiate to various areas of the body: leg, arm, groin. Often such an attack is accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the body: a feeling of numbness, tingling, goosebumps, burning.
In most cases, pain in the lumbar region occurs suddenly, is acute and resembles a lumbago (lumbago). Patients themselves describe the pain as shooting, sharp, sometimes squeezing and less intense. At the moment of an attack, a person’s movements are constrained, and it is possible to straighten the lower back only through pain. Movements do not bring relief and sometimes provoke increased pain. The acute condition may last only a few minutes, but sometimes it persists for a day or more.
Women and men over the age of 50, as well as people who have suffered serious injuries, experience chronic pain in the lower back. In this case, it is constant, but tolerable; patients note only mild discomfort, stiffness of mobility in the morning, and pain at night. Attacks of chronic pain can be triggered by stress, heavy lifting, or hypothermia. The rest of the time there is no pain, there is stiffness and discomfort.
Lower back pain in pregnant women
Women often experience lower back pain during pregnancy. Its occurrence is associated with natural changes. As the fetus grows, around the second trimester of pregnancy, a change in the center of gravity occurs, causing deformation of posture with a deflection in the lumbar region. This change is not dangerous, it occurs abruptly in more than 70% of women, but it needs to be monitored as it can lead to serious health problems in the future.
During pregnancy, no special treatment is carried out. To ease the intensity of painful attacks, the doctor may recommend that the woman take NSAIDs topically. In some cases, it is recommended to wear support structures to ensure proper distribution of the load on the spine.
Also, expectant mothers should not neglect the general rules; they must rest regularly and avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Be careful when bending over to pick something up. Straighten your back and straighten up, then you need to get up as slowly as possible. You should also pay attention to choosing a bed at home; it should be comfortable.
Pain at night and in the morning
If severe discomfort bothers a person mainly at night and occurs in the morning immediately after waking up, the problem should be looked for in the quality of sleep at night. The manifestation of sharply painful sensations is associated with incorrect body position at night during the rest period. The first thing you need to do at home is replace the mattress, bed and pillow. It would be good if the bed was orthopedic.
If pain is observed only in the morning, it is worth considering the possibility of making sudden movements after waking up. It is better to wake up earlier and do a light warm-up of your muscles and joints while lying in bed. When you regularly perform such exercises, you can forget about the manifestation of pain. It will be much easier to bend over, and the feeling that your back is stiff will go away. It will be easier to get up after warming up.
It is also worth considering that the spine and lower back suffer from excess body weight. The problem of back pain more often occurs in obese individuals, as well as in patients leading a sedentary lifestyle. After normalizing behavior and improving the quality of night's rest, periodic pain goes away if it is not associated with any diseases.
Lower back pain radiates to the leg
Pain that occurs in the back can radiate throughout the body. Most often it radiates to the leg, and can involve part of the foot and reach the heel. The cause of pain is sciatica, lumbago or radiculitis, that is, pathologies associated with damage to nerve tissue. Due to changes in the structure of cartilaginous tissue, leading to deformation of the vertebrae and the formation of osteophytes, pinching of nerve endings occurs, against the background of which attacks of sharp pain appear, radiating to the leg.
Acute pain
The duration of acute pain attacks varies. They can last from a few minutes to many weeks. Chronic pain can manifest itself unnoticed and sharply for a person; the patient gets used to it and may not feel it when the attack passes.
Acute, unbearable attacks of pain in the lumbar region are characteristic of various diseases:
- scoliosis;
- myositis;
- arthritis;
- arthrosis;
- neurological lesions;
- tumor processes;
- osteomyelitis;
- spondylitis
If the pain has a shooting character, it means that the roots of the spinal cord are involved in the pathological inflammatory process. If the pain seems monotonous, dull, and spreads to the abdominal cavity, liver inflammation should be suspected. Severe attacks that disrupt consciousness and cause its loss can signal urolithiasis or pyelonephritis.
Causes of lower back pain
Back pain in the lumbar region can have different causes. Many of them lead to the development of pathologies that significantly reduce the quality of life, in which pain becomes a constant companion. Trying to cope with the problem on your own is practically pointless and difficult; an accurate diagnosis and selection of competent treatment can only be done based on the results of instrumental diagnostics.
The most common causes of back pain:
- intervertebral hernial protrusions;
- osteochondrosis;
- disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- curvature of the spine;
- tumors;
- damage to muscles and ligaments;
- soft tissue infections.
Often the cause of pain is simple hypothermia, which affects the largest nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve. Also, against the background of hypothermia, it may become pinched, which causes acute pain. Other factors can trigger attacks:
- physical inactivity;
- excessive nervous tension;
- hard physical labor;
- damage and injury.
Lower back pain can occur with urolithiasis; they accompany an attack. They are also characteristic of many sexually transmitted diseases. Pain in the lumbar region in women is not always pathological. It is a physiological norm if it occurs before menstrual bleeding or at the beginning of menopause. In these cases, the conditions are not dangerous and can be controlled through the use of painkillers. With all of the listed pathologies, it is problematic to move, bend, or do any work at home.
Spinal diseases
The main cause of lower back pain is various diseases, deformations and lesions of the spinal column. Pain can be of a completely different nature. The intensity of their manifestation depends on many factors and varies greatly depending on the affected part of the spine. The most common types of pain observed are:
- periodic;
- local or local;
- pulling or squeezing;
- burning and cutting;
- shooting.
The intensity of symptomatic manifestations may depend on stress, sitting in an uncomfortable position on a chair, sports and physical activity. The discomfort increases when you stand or sit awkwardly. When muscle fibers spasm, lumbago is observed, and the entire area hurts. With such pain, stiffness of movement occurs, the symptom spreads to the back of the thigh, and can reach the calves and even the feet. Much depends on the type of disease and its nature. The pathology must be treated by a specialist.
Intervertebral hernia
Intervertebral hernias of the lumbar region often form with osteochondrosis in the later stages of development. They usually cover predominantly the lumbar region, lower back, and are formed between the 4th-5th vertebrae, as well as in the sacral area. The pain syndrome in this case is unpleasant, intrusive, it is associated with damage to the nerve roots, and weak blood circulation occurs. The pain is similar to that which occurs with radiculitis, and intensifies when you stand or sit on an uncomfortable stool. If the hernial formation is large, it compresses the spinal cord, a person experiences a loss of sensitivity, and in complicated cases, paralysis is possible due to the hernia getting between the intervertebral discs.
You can understand what is bothering you about intervertebral hernia by the appearance of the following episodes:
- it is impossible to stand without support on a chair or other surface, this is due to increased loads on the intervertebral discs;
- lying on your stomach is extremely uncomfortable;
- a feeling of stiffness in the back;
- it is difficult to bend forward;
- arching of the back is impossible due to pain that impedes movement.
Treatment of hernias is provided conservatively and operatively. The appropriate method is determined depending on the patient's condition. Treating the disease conservatively in advanced cases is ineffective.
Rachiocampsis
With minor curvatures, pain does not appear. Feelings of fatigue may occur; a person wants to spend more time lying down, because the pain becomes stronger when standing or sitting. Various neurological disorders occur with second-degree deformities. At this stage, pain occurs, which can manifest itself moderately and moderately intensely, present on the left and right. As the disease progresses, the discomfort intensifies during the day, in advanced forms it becomes unbearable, and is not relieved by local and systemic painkillers. It is difficult to get rid of the manifestation completely; the curvature can be cured quickly.
Osteoporosis
This disease often occurs in men and women over the age of 50. The pathology is characterized by rapid loss of bone tissue. Due to such loss, fragility occurs, the vertebrae become less strong, and damage is possible even with minor injuries, physical exertion, or heavy lifting. Patients bend over only through discomfort and return from a bent position with severe pain. For a person to pick something up from the floor, it is better to sit down and straighten your back, and then straighten up. If you sit down first, the health risks of osteoporosis will be reduced.
Pain in osteoporosis is not only due to fractures. The disease is dangerous, it can be used to register a disability group.
Spinal injuries
The most common injury is a bruise. If it is mild, there is moderate discomfort. It tends to intensify during the day with movement, causing local swelling with hematomas and hemorrhage. The symptom always increases with movement and exercise. In severe cases, the problem not only hurts, it can be accompanied by neurological disorders, especially if nerve endings are involved in the process. It is impossible to completely get rid of the problem; it is not always possible to cure the consequences of injuries even surgically.
Soft tissue and kidney injuries
With soft tissue bruises, mild pain appears, which subsides after local use of anti-inflammatory compounds. The pain is always local, the bruised area is swollen, and hemorrhages are possible.
If, in combination with the described symptoms, pain in the lumbar area on the left is accompanied by the appearance of blood in the urine, it means that there is damage to the kidney. The discomfort will be more intense; with serious injuries to the organs of the excretory system, urination is impaired or becomes impossible. Hematomas may occur on the lower back. The development of shock and life-threatening conditions is not excluded.
Spinal infections
Infectious lesions of the spine are more dangerous. Osteomyelitis can be:
- postoperative;
- post-traumatic;
- contact;
- hematogenous.
In acute cases, the disease progresses at lightning speed. It is characterized by increasing pain manifestations that intensify during the day, accompanied by high body temperature and a very strong deterioration in general condition. The nature of the discomfort can be different: twitching, pressing, bursting. The attacks are severe, hinder movements and force one to freeze in one position because it hurts to move. In chronic pathologies, fistulas may appear with the formation of purulent discharge.
An uncommon but dangerous disease of the spine is spinal tuberculosis. Already at the initial stage of development, it causes deep and very strong pains below, which reach a peak after exercise. The gait of men and women becomes stiff. As the bone structures are destroyed, the nerve roots are compressed, the pain becomes burning and spreads to the lower part of the body.
With a spinal epidural abscess, the pain is quite deep, very strong, accompanied by chills and muscle tension. Against the background of progress, the radicular syndrome intensifies, paresis occurs, and the functioning of the pelvic organs is disrupted.
Muscle damage
Aching discomfort in the lower lumbar area can occur after physical activity, lifting weights, or performing intense workouts. It also manifests itself during prolonged stay in a static position with tension in the lower back and gluteal muscles.
With such a lesion, discomfort manifests itself less intensely at rest and after rest, after applying a warming ointment. Muscle damage or myositis occurs not only against the background of infections. It can be provoked by stress and hypothermia of the body, severe poisoning, and metabolic disorders. The condition is most often accompanied by aching pain.
Myofascial syndrome
Myofascial syndrome is classified as a painful condition in which discomfort in the lower back is associated with painful muscle tension. During an attack, trigger points appear on the affected area. The sources of pain are muscles and fascia, connective tissues. To treat this pathology, specialists prescribe painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sedatives.
In some cases, it is indicated to treat the disease using centrally acting muscle relaxants. Such remedies are designed to reduce tonic tension, reduce excitation and provoke relaxation of the muscles involved in the spasm, so that the person can bend. In some cases, specialists resort to point blockade of points by administering anesthetics.
Tumors of the spine, kidneys
Tumors of the spine and spinal cord are quite rare. The frequency of detection of such diseases is no more than 0. 5% of the total number of diagnosed cancer pathologies. Neoplasms can be either benign or malignant. Depending on this, the prognosis varies significantly.
With this pathology, the distinctive symptom is pain in the lumbar region. With benign etiology, discomfort is relieved through the use of medications. If the formation is malignant, treatment must be complex, often reducing to surgery.
Also, pain in the lower back on the left can be traced with cancer of the kidney. It will have a pronounced character, it can be aching, pressing, bursting. Discomfort increases over time, and urination disorders develop. Do not steam or apply heat to the affected area. Normalization of the condition is possible after the formation is removed.
What to do after acute back pain
If acute back pain appears for a moment, the situation can be controlled on your own. If possible, you should visit a specialist and undergo an examination to reduce the risk of a recurrent attack.
It is necessary to contact a specialist urgently if the following symptoms occur:
- lower back pain of any nature persists for a week;
- against the background of pain, body temperature rises;
- discomfort manifested itself at the site of previous injuries and damage;
- pain spreads to the whole body;
- The sensitivity of certain areas is lost.
In these cases, pain cannot be ignored. It is important to see a doctor as quickly as possible and begin treatment, otherwise the disease will progress.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you suspect the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, you should consult a traumatologist or neurologist. Specialists will conduct a survey, physical examination and prescribe the necessary instrumental examination. If your back hurts suddenly, you can call an ambulance. You can use pain-relieving gels at home.
If you suspect that pain in the lumbar region is due to kidney damage, you should visit a urologist or nephrologist. You can also see a therapist. Any of the specialists will tell you what to do for lower back pain that manifests itself against the background of kidney disease, and will also prescribe additional examination. Laboratory tests of the patient’s blood and urine are required; they are needed to confirm or refute the disease.
If lower back pain occurs sporadically in women, and it is associated with menstruation or menopause, it is worth raising this issue with a gynecologist. A specialist will help you choose a treatment that will eliminate discomfort. In cases where you need to clarify the origin of the pain syndrome, you should visit a therapist, family doctor or general practitioner. The doctor will conduct an examination and determine the preliminary cause of the violation.
Diagnostics
There are many factors that can cause pain in the lumbar area, so even an experienced doctor cannot make an accurate diagnosis without an examination. The following methods are used as part of diagnostics:
- X-ray examination of the painful area;
- MRI;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic and abdominal organs;
- general analysis of urine and blood;
- electroneuromyography.
If pain occurs against the background of pathologies of the genitourinary system or gastrointestinal tract, an endoscopic examination of the intestine may be required. If the development of neoplasms in the body is suspected, a biochemical blood test is performed.
Treatment
The intervention regimen necessary for the treatment of back pain is selected individually. The main rule is that therapy should be comprehensive, including symptomatic treatment and lifestyle changes. Treatment is selected after the doctor determines the cause of the pain.
Regardless of the causes of back pain, all patients should follow these rules:
- do not lift heavy objects;
- bend over and straighten your back when sitting;
- give up strenuous sports;
- if you are obese, you should lose weight;
- change the place to sleep, make it comfortable;
- Carrying out regular minutes of physical education while sitting directly on a chair or armchair;
- light sports;
- do not take a steam bath, do not visit the sauna, do not take a hot bath;
- wearing a support bandage (as prescribed by a doctor).
For diagnosed spinal pathologies, the treatment complex also includes the following recommendations:
- Medicinal influence. The use of painkillers, anti-inflammatory, and decongestants is indicated. The drugs can be prescribed for oral administration and topical use in the form of a cream, gel, or ointment that relieves pain.
- Blockade of the lumbar region.
- Physiotherapy. Patients are prescribed physical therapy, massage, magnetic therapy, and electrophoresis.
- Acupuncture, manual therapy, osteopathy.
In severe cases, when conservative intervention for spinal pathologies does not produce results, surgical intervention is performed.
The information in the article should not become the basis for self-diagnosis and treatment; it is provided for informational purposes only. You should not take any medications without consulting a specialist.
Trying to figure out how to get rid of lower back pain and why your back hurts on your own is almost pointless. It can have a different nature, depending on which an effective method of influence is selected. Self-medication for many pathologies is ineffective and dangerous, since it leads to a worsening of the condition.