Severe back pain in the lower back: possible causes, symptoms, consultation with a doctor and treatment

It is impossible to independently determine the reason for pain in the lower back.Pain in the back and lower back is medically called lumbago.It is felt in the lumbar region, accompanied by muscle spasms and additional unpleasant symptoms.Acute pain in the lower back is felt for various reasons and can last from a few minutes to several months.As a result, a person begins to get used to sharp pains in the lower back and back.But if you do not seek help from your doctor in time, the person's health condition will greatly deteriorate, and the chances of recovery will decrease.It is important to consider the causes of lower back pain and treatment.

Description of the lesion

Severe pain in the back and lower back, a feeling of tension and stiffness is a common condition that sooner or later occurs in many people.

In most cases, the pain syndrome occurs in the lower back, because the lumbar part of the spine is characterized by its mobility and takes half the weight of the human body.Back pain in the lumbar region can occur as a result of lifting heavy objects or turning suddenly.

In some cases, unpleasant symptoms in the lumbar region appear over time due to regular exercise or improper posture.In some cases, it is not possible to determine the cause of the pain syndrome.The pain is strongest at night, when there is a load on the lower back, or after a long stay in an uncomfortable position, for example, after a long trip in a car.In most cases, back pain in the lumbar region disappears if a person lies on a hard surface for some time.

Most often, the pain lasts for several days or weeks, after which the general condition of the person improves and the condition of the lower back returns.You can speed up recovery by taking painkillers and optimizing daily physical activity: rest only for the first few days, then gradually return to normal.But in some cases, discomfort and discomfort in the lower back indicate the beginning of a chronic disease that will require complex treatment.

A person's mood also plays a special role in this process.Due to the pain, the general condition of the patient can worsen, but according to statistics, a person who comes in a good mood recovers faster than a depressed person.

The main causes of the syndrome

The condition of the back directly depends on the functioning of the bones, nerves, muscles and joints.Most often, it is quite difficult to find out the exact cause of the pain.In rare cases, severe diseases or injuries to the spinal region occur.

In most cases, back pain at the lumbar level occurs due to minor injuries, muscle strain, dislocation of ligaments and muscles, pinched nerves and at the beginning of the inflammatory process.Unpleasant symptoms on the back can appear suddenly or develop gradually, intensifying.Causes of back and lower back pain:

• sudden movements: leaning or turning to the side;
• lifting and carrying heavy objects, long bending of the body;
• improper posture while walking or working at a desk;
• severe back muscle strain;
• long car rides without rest.

In some cases, pain in this area appears for no particular reason, for example, in the morning after waking up.

Main factors

There are factors that can cause severe back and lower back pain.Experts identify a large number of them;can negatively affect the condition of the back.Among the main ones are:

• Heavy weight - in this case the spine is heavily overloaded.To determine whether body weight affects the spine, the total body mass index should be calculated.
• Smoking - can negatively affect the tissues of the back, leading to pain.
• Carrying a child - in this condition, a woman's spine is subjected to severe stress, which becomes stronger as the size of the abdomen increases.
• Long-term use of drugs that reduce bone density, such as corticosteroids.
• Psychoemotional overstrain, stress - regular anxiety leads to strong tension in the muscles of the neck and back, which causes pain.

Major diseases

Diseases that can lead to lower back and back pain include the following:

1. Osteochondrosis and its complications, for example, spinal hernia, is a degenerative process during which the intervertebral cartilage is destroyed, which causes pain.Such diseases occur in older people, especially in those who experience severe stress on their backs.
2. Stretched ligaments and muscles - most often occur after prolonged physical activity or sudden movement.
3. Some types of arthritis are inflammatory diseases of the joints, in which, in addition to pain, joint stiffness and morning mobility problems are felt.
4. Kidney diseases, for example, pyelonephritis, can cause back pain on the right side of the lower back or on the left side.

Performing diagnostic activities

Severe pain in the back and lower back can be solved at home by taking special medicines that can be bought in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.Treatment in the clinic is usually not necessary.

If the back pain radiates to the lumbar region and brings severe discomfort, then the patient should definitely visit a doctor.He will perform an examination and prescribe treatment.

If back pain on the left side of the lower back prevents the patient from resting and moving normally, you should call the doctor at home.

When examining the condition, the doctor will ask the person to sit, stand, walk around, alternately raise the legs, and also determine the total range of motion in the back.He will also need information about possible recent illnesses or injuries, learn about lifestyle, work characteristics, and will also ask the following questions:

1. When did the pain start?
2. Where is pain common?
3. Have you had back pain before?
4. How is the pain syndrome manifested?
5. For what reason does the pain become stronger or weaker?

During the examination, the doctor will try to exclude possible infection and fracture, because such manifestations occur in rare cases.If there are problems with establishing a diagnosis, the doctor may send the patient for additional diagnostic measures: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-ray of the spine.A urine test is done to rule out kidney disease.

In a large number of cases, the pain in the spine disappears already on the third day of treatment.If the therapy does not improve the condition, and the pain lasts for six weeks (chronic process), or a serious illness has led to the lesion, then the doctor refers the person to a specialist.In most cases, the treatment of back and lower back pain is prescribed by a neurologist.In addition, other doctors can join the examination of the patient's condition: osteopath, chiropractor and reflexologist.

Basic methods of treatment

The treatment of pain syndrome will depend on its duration and severity, as well as on the individual characteristics of the person.In most cases, the pain can be relieved with simple home remedies.

Main methods of treatment:

• Mobility.Previously, doctors believed that it was important to ensure peace in the case of pain in the lumbar region.It has now been established that in patients who start moving earlier, the pain goes away faster.Complete rest and rest in bed should be observed only in the first days of acute pain, when it is strong and prevents normal movement.In this case, the person should lie on a hard and flat bed.After the condition returns to normal, you should gradually return to your normal lifestyle and previous loads, adding more and more mobility every day.Over time, the person will be able to walk normally around the house or visit public places.But he will have to endure some discomfort and try to avoid anything that could lead to pain again.After a few days, a person can return to work without waiting for severe pain in the back and lower back to completely disappear (of course, if the person's work does not include stress on the lumbar region).Early mobility will help restore the condition and reduce the intensity of pain.
• Taking painkillers.For severe back pain above or directly in the lower back, doctors prescribe painkillers.The products help to relieve pain and inflammation.Depending on the severity of the lesion, the specialist can prescribe different forms of these drugs: injections, tablets, local preparations - ointments, gels and creams against back pain.Most often, the initial treatment involves injections.After the pain syndrome passes, medication is stopped, and if necessary, tablets or special ointments are started.Such drugs have some contraindications, so before you start taking them, you must consult a doctor and study the instructions.Painkillers are best taken after meals with milk.
• Muscle relaxants- medicines that help to eliminate muscle spasms and relax muscles.They are prescribed when strong tension of the spinal muscles increases the pain syndrome, for example, during the acute phase of osteochondrosis or disc herniation.Muscle relaxants also have various side effects;for example, it is forbidden to take them while driving a car.It is important to consult a doctor first.
• Treatment with hot and cold compresses.In some cases, the pain can be relieved by taking a warm bath or applying heating pads to the painful area of the body.You can also improve the general condition with cold or a bag of frozen vegetables.But remember that you should not put ice on the skin itself, as this can lead to frostbite.The previously cold object should be wrapped in a towel and then applied to the affected area of the body.You can also alternate between cold and heat by applying ice or a heating pad to the body.
• Choosing a sleeping position.Changing your sleeping position will help eliminate tension and pain.If the patient is used to sleeping on his side, then he should draw his legs to his chest and put a pillow between his legs.If he sleeps on his back, then he should put a pillow under his knees, this will ensure the natural curvature of the spine in the lower back.
• Relaxation of the body- this is a very important component in the fight against severe back pain on the left side above the lower back, because with severe anxiety and overexertion, the pain syndrome only worsens.As practice shows, people in a good mood recover much faster, and their pain does not become chronic.There are special techniques that help a person relax and forget about back discomfort for a while.To do this, it is recommended to perform special breathing exercises and perform a series of simple exercises with alternating tightening and relaxing of the muscles in the body.
• Physical activity, following a healthy lifestyle.It is important to eliminate the root cause of severe back and lower back pain in order to avoid its recurrence.The most common causes of pain in this area are excess weight in a person, bad posture and regular emotional outbursts.In this case, a positive effect can be achieved if you start leading an active and healthy lifestyle, for example, walking more or visiting the pool.The main thing is to choose the activity that you like the most.In some cases, classes are conducted under the guidance of a trainer.The most commonly used sets of exercises that help strengthen the back muscles and ensure straight posture and stretching.
• If the pain syndrome does not disappear within 6 weeks of treatment, then it automatically passes into the chronic phase.In addition to painkillers and a muscle relaxant, in this case you need to start a complex treatment.

Treatment of chronic pain

In this condition, doctors prescribe the following measures to patients:

• Manual therapy is carried out by a chiropractor or osteopath and includes the use of various methods of therapy, massage and mobilization.
• Alexander's technique - helps to remove heavy tension in the muscles, teaches a person how to take the correct position of the body in different situations and move.This technique will help you learn to maintain body balance and straight posture.
• Acupuncture sessions are an ancient Chinese method of treatment, during which thin needles are inserted into different parts of the body, which help reduce pain and normalize the person's condition.
• Taking antidepressants.Such drugs are prescribed to the patient when painkillers and other treatment techniques do not give a positive result.Doctors advise taking tricyclic antidepressants in small amounts.Such drugs were initially created to treat depression and nervous system problems, but they can also work to control certain types of pain.
• A session with a psychiatrist.A positive effect from such a procedure can be achieved when other methods of treatment do not help.Severe back pain in the lumbar region is a real condition.The way a person treats it can strengthen it or, conversely, significantly weaken it.Cognitive behavioral therapy can help eliminate back pain in the lumbar region on the right or left side by changing your attitude towards it.According to statistics, people who have undergone psychotherapy sessions experience much less severe pain.In this case, the person becomes motivated to lead an active lifestyle and exercise regularly, which leads to a reduction in pain.

Performing an operation

Most often, surgery is used only when all other methods of treating pain in the back and lower back have no effect.Surgery is used when the pain syndrome is so strong or constant that it prevents the patient from working or even resting.The chosen method of surgical intervention will directly depend on the type of pain syndrome and the cause of its occurrence.

For example, in the case of a spinal hernia, the doctor prescribes a discectomy.Currently, doctors are able to perform surgery through a minimal incision with the help of specialized microsurgical instruments.Such operations are complex, but they are characterized by minimal trauma.

Spinal fusion is a complex and rather rare surgical intervention.Its results do not always meet expectations.For example, after surgery, a person may continue to have severe back pain below the lower back.

With spinal fusion, the overall mobility of the spine is significantly reduced, because during the operation several vertebrae that cause pain are fixed to each other in one position by implanting living bone tissue between them.At the end of the rehabilitation period, the bones are completely fused, and when a person moves, they do not affect the nerve endings located near them.It helps to suppress severe back pain in the lumbar region on the left and right.Before deciding to undergo surgery, the patient should receive information from the neurosurgeon about all possible complications and positive effects of the therapy.

Additional treatments

For acute and chronic pain in the lower back, other alternative methods of treatment can be used, the effectiveness of which has not been proven in medical practice.The main non-traditional treatment methods include:

• laser treatment - minimal power lasers affect the inflamed area of the body and lead to tissue regeneration;
• treatment with interfering currents - the lower back is exposed to medium and low frequency currents, which causes increased production of endorphins (hormones for pain relief), as well as active restoration of damaged tissues;
• ultrasound treatment - in this case, an ultrasound wave directed at the surface of the back is used: it ensures tissue renewal and active healing, which eliminates pain;
• electrical stimulation of nerves through the skin - electrodes glued to the surface of the skin deliver electrical impulses of a certain strength, which cause the active production of endorphins and help stop the transmission of pain signals along the spine to the brain;
• lumbar prostheses - for this, special pillows, cushions and corsets are used to maintain the condition of the spine;
• spine traction using specialized devices and sets of exercises;
• injection of special injections into the spine - drugs are injected into the intervertebral spaces.

The specialist may also send the patient to a "pain management school", where people are taught to cope with pain independently, perform special exercises and lead an active and healthy life.Such institutions primarily deal with group therapy, relaxation and psychology.

Prevention measures

A healthy and strong back is the best solution to avoid any pain.Precisely for this reason, the most effective prevention will be regular physical activity in a rational amount, correct body posture, as well as avoiding lifting heavy objects.

If a person has temporary back pain radiating to the lumbar region, then the following preventive measures should be taken:

• get rid of excess weight, if any: a large number of excess weight can negatively affect the condition of the lower back, causing additional stress;
• use correct and comfortable shoes with a low heel, which will help you evenly distribute the load on the foot and avoid overloading the spine when moving;
• it is also important to stop moving suddenly, as this can cause muscle strain;
• learn to deal with stress, depression, nervous breakdowns, stop worrying too much, because all of these can cause pain.

Types of back exercises

A set of exercises is a good way to prevent and relieve pain in the lower back, but if the pain lasts longer than 6 months, then it is very important to consult a doctor before starting the exercises.

Walking and strengthening swimming will help improve muscle condition and support the spine without overloading, which eliminates possible sprains.Pilates and yoga will help you strengthen your back muscles and develop their flexibility, but they should be performed under the strict supervision of a professional trainer.

The most common simple exercises against back pain that can be performed at home:

1. Wall squats - to do this, you need to straighten up, place your feet shoulder-width apart.Then perform a squat until the body is in a 90 degree bend position.
2. Alternating leg lifts.To perform the exercise, you need to lie on the floor and start lifting your legs one by one without bending.The exercise is repeated 5 times.
3. Pelvic lift.The exercise is performed in a lying position.First, the knees are bent, and then the pelvis is lifted with tension in the abdominal muscles.When performing the exercise, it is important to keep your back straight.Repeat 5 times.

At first, the exercises are performed several times a day, over time the number of approaches increases to six, depending on how the person feels.This complex helps to warm up and strengthen the back muscles.People most commonly injure their lower back while doing everyday activities, for example, lifting heavy objects or cleaning the house.Warming up the muscles thoroughly before performing the work will help prevent injuries.

Pain due to osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis is a disease of the articular cartilage that connects the vertebrae.Due to this disease, the roots of the spinal cord are pinched, which causes pain.People over the age of 30 are especially susceptible to this condition, and recently the lesion is often diagnosed in young people.

The main cause of pain in the back and lower back is lifting heavy objects, monotonous work in an uncomfortable position (for example, in the garden).Osteochondrosis can occur as a result of a long journey without stopping, when a person is constantly sitting.

No person is immune from such a disease.It can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• back pain;
• pain in the lower back, right side of the back (or left), the pain spreads to the leg;
• the pain only intensifies with changes in position and load on the lower back;
• a person may feel a strong burning sensation and painful lumbago;
• after a long stay in an uncomfortable position, it is difficult to change it due to severe discomfort;
• the sensitivity of the buttocks and legs decreases, a feeling of suffocation appears;
• There are problems with sweating, the lower extremities get cold.

If a person is sure that the pain syndrome comes from the spine, then he should carry out the following therapeutic measures:

• use a special wool belt or scarf, tying it around the lower back;
• lie down on a hard and flat surface;
• start taking anti-inflammatory drugs;
• apply anti-inflammatory ointments for back pain in the lumbar region.

It is important to remember that painkillers should not be taken on an empty stomach, as they irritate the mucous membrane and can cause ulcers and gastritis.If a person is not sure about the cause of pain in the back and lower back, then it is important for him to see a doctor - taking anti-inflammatory drugs for diseases of the stomach and pancreas is very dangerous, because they can only worsen the overall situation.

What is forbidden?

In no case should the patient try to "correct" the back on his own - this can only increase the pain syndrome and cause great damage.In the case of an acute form of osteochondrosis, one should not bathe in hot baths or visit baths and saunas.

After warming up, a person may feel an improvement in his condition and relief of pain, but after that the health condition will only worsen.If pain often occurs in the back area, it is important to do an MRI and seek help from a neurologist.