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 their back hurts. Such a frivolous attitude towards one's health can lead to the development of serious complications and lead to disability. Therefore, it is very important to correctly determine 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.
strong pain
Back pain is very sharp and occurs suddenly. From severe pain in a person darkens the eyes, dizziness. After the attack, discomfort occurs in the affected area. It occurs as a result of sudden loads on the spine, because even the strongest muscles overload, which results in muscle spasms. During the attack, the patient should try to relax, and then take a supine position, so that the legs are higher than the head. In order to prevent recurrences, it is necessary to seek qualified professional help as soon as possible. After all, the reason that back pain can be in a herniated spine, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
Pain syndrome of short duration that occurs for no reason or develops gradually. It can be weak, burning, intense and boring. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasm. They occur in vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, lesions of the skeletal system, malignant tumors. Also, an attack of acute pain can be caused by displacement of the intervertebral discs. This problem often occurs in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. Curvature of the spine and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During the attack, the patient finds it difficult to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem that patients come to the doctor with. Chronic back pain is usually divided into recurrent and permanent. They differ in duration. The nature of their occurrence is related to individual human physiology, regular load on the spine, diseases of internal organs and poor posture. Many people get used to living with a problem and do nothing to solve it. But their condition is deteriorating, leading to declining living standards. Quality of life and physical activity are reduced.
Moved pains
The peculiarity of this species is entanglement. The opposite can also happen, when pain in the lumbar region radiates to the leg. When they appear, the person thinks that the cause is related to spine problems. But it's not. They appear due to diseases of internal organs, they give to 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 liver problems. In this case, patients may feel discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that untimely elimination of the cause of the problem can cause the development of complex pathologies, and even lead to death.
Painful pains
The cause of the problem is related to muscle fatigue. After a good rest, the pain goes away on its own. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle most often have back pain. Other reasons are not so harmless. These include: herniated vertebrae, sciatica, osteochondrosis. Pathological processes lead to a decrease in the functionality of the musculoskeletal system and an increase in the load on the spine. They can occur during the period of rehabilitation or healing of injuries. The complexity of diagnosing painful back pain is related to the fact. that they can be caused for many different reasons.
Why my back hurts
Sedentary lifestyle and minimal physical activity have led to many people of different ages having problems with the musculoskeletal system. Back pain for various reasons. The main anatomical structure is the musculoskeletal system. It is subject to regular stress, which leads to pain in different wards. Among the common provocative factors are: long stay of the spine in one position, muscle tension. Back problems due to severe illness are rare. It can be kidney pathology, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnosis
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and his anamnesis. Research is conducted by different methods, depending on the cause of pain - vertebrogenic (cause in the spine) or non-vertebral. The disease is most often associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the doctor will perform a visual examination of the patient, perform palpation and carefully listen to the patient's complaints. Clinical and instrumental examinations are then performed. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without further examination. In such cases, 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 get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Assign to study soft tissue lesions.
- Radiography. It is used to assess bone tissue, to assess the condition of the spine. It allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- M. R. I. Gives a visual picture of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. It helps to recognize damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligament apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. It shows the degree of nerve damage, identifies damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation performed with an arthroscope.
- Sonography. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathology.
Depending on the type of back pain, severity, one or more types of diagnostics are chosen. Such a detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When to see a doctor
Whatever the cause of the problem, you can’t without the help of a doctor. But there are times when you need to visit an expert as soon as possible.
This must be done if:
- Worried about unreasonable pain;
- pain lasts longer than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- unreasonable weight loss.
When it comes to health, one should not be frivolous. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely help will help to avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Proper therapy is an important component in a patient's recovery. But before starting full treatment, the person should provide first aid. It is placed on a flat hard surface, in a sideways position. When the attack is over, the person is helped to get up. This must be done very carefully and slowly so as not to provoke a new attack. After the condition improves, it is necessary to correct the pain in the back with a corset, take an anesthetic. Then they seek medical help in order to choose effective treatment methods together with the doctor.
Drug treatment
Therapy is carried out using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They remove inflammation and pain. Different forms of these drugs (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a strong effect on the pathological process at the same time. They all have strong side effects, so they can be used only on the advice of a doctor.
Physical exercises and exercises
Active sports are considered the most effective in the fight against this disease. The complex of therapeutic exercises is individually chosen by the doctor, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and his age. Provides effective help in stretching the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonia. But it is absolutely impossible to do this in the presence of a vertebral hernia and in the period of exacerbation. Yoga classes, swimming and postisometric relaxation have a beneficial effect on back health.
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 back muscles, improve general condition and back condition. It can be carried out only as an adjunct treatment, in the absence of contraindications for its use. Manipulations should only be performed by an experienced and qualified professional. Massage therapists use Thai, classical and therapeutic massage.
Heating and cryotherapy
After the exacerbation period, patients may be prescribed warming or cryotherapy. Heating is done with the help of special ointments, heating pads, blue lamps, mustard plasters, paraffin and ozokerite applications. These procedures activate the processes of tissue regeneration and nutrition. 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 disease. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, swelling is reduced, blood circulation is stimulated and the oxygen supply is improved.
Prevention
The best way to fight the disease is prevention. For this purpose, it is necessary to monitor your gait, as well as ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to distribute the load correctly. Divide the heavy bags so that each hand has approximately the same weight. If you have to stand a lot, then it is recommended to change the position every 10 minutes. Bending the back helps to relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become a part of the life of every person who wants to have a healthy back.
While sitting on the chair, the body should be flat, 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 advised to warm up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right height of the chair, at which the knees will be below hip level when sitting.
Many people think that you have 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 that aims to relax the muscles. It is better to choose a medium-sized pillow. Drink sips every morning after bed.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. You should eat right, try to lose weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system, the following are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichokes, grapes, hazelnuts. It is best to keep the consumption of spicy food 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 be carried out only by specialists. Early detection of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.