Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them eliminate the pain syndrome with the help of sedatives and do not try to find out why the 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 so important to accurately determine the cause and start treatment on time.
Types of back pain
There are many types of back pain. They vary in nature, location and symptoms. Depending on these characteristics, they are divided into different types.
strong pain
Back pain is very sharp and appears suddenly. From severe pain to a person, darkening of the eyes, dizziness. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. Occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles work hard, leading to muscle spasms. During an attack, the patient should try to relax, and then assume the supine body position, so that the legs are higher than the head. To prevent recurrent 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 vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
A pain syndrome of a short-term nature that appears for no apparent reason, or develops gradually. It can be weak, spicy, intense and dull. It is characterized by the presence of muscle spasm. They occur with vertebral fractures, spinal injuries, lesions 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 appears in the process of inflammation of the genitourinary system, the internal organs of the small pelvis. Spinal curvature and congenital pathologies can cause acute pain. During an attack, the patient finds it difficult to move.
chronic pain
This is a common problem with which patients go to the doctor. Chronic back pain is usually divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of their occurrence is related to individual human physiology, regular stress on the spine, diseases of internal organs and poor posture. Many people are taught to live with a problem and do nothing to solve it. But their condition worsens, due to which the standard of living decreases. Reduces quality of life and physical activity.
Displaced pain
The peculiarity of this type is the confusion. It can happen the other way around, when the pain in the lumbar region radiates to the legs. When they appear, the person thinks that the cause is related to spinal problems. But it is not. They appear due to diseases of the internal organs, give different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys appear in the lower back. Pain in the upper back indicates liver problems. In this case, patients may feel discomfort in the hypochondrium. The risk of pathology lies in the fact that premature elimination of the cause of the problem can cause the development of complex pathologies and even lead to death.
Painful aches
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 are more likely to have back pain. The other 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 increase in the load on the spine. They can appear during the period of rehabilitation or healing of injuries. The complexity of diagnosing back pain pain is related to the fact. that they can be caused by many different reasons.
Why does my back hurt
A sedentary lifestyle and minimal physical activity have caused many people of different ages to have problems with the musculoskeletal system. Back pain for various reasons. The main one is the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal system. He is subject to regular stress, which leads to the appearance of pain in his various departments. Among the common provocative factors are: long stay of the spine in one position, muscle tension. Rarely, back problems occur due to serious illness. It can be a pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnosing
Examination of the patient depends on his condition and anamnesis. The research is performed using different 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 perform a visual examination of the patient, perform palpation, and listen carefully to the patient's complaints. Clinical and instrumental examinations are then performed. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without additional 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 the patient's blood, urine, solidification in the morning.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Schedule for the study of soft tissue lesions.
- Radiography. Used to assess bone tissue, to assess the condition of the spine. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Gives a visual view of changes in soft tissues, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligament apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Indicates the degree of nerve damage, identify damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical 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 diagnosis are chosen. Such a detailed study of the cause allows you to choose the most appropriate treatment.
When you see a doctor
Regardless of the causes of the problem, you can not do without the help of a doctor. But there are times when you need to turn to a specialist as soon as possible.
This should be done if:
- Concerned about unreasonable pain;
- the pain lasts more than 3 days;
- the pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and maltreatment appear;
- weight loss without cause.
In matters of 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 patient healing. But before starting a full treatment, a person should offer first aid. It is placed on a solid flat surface, in a sideways position. When the attack passes, the person is helped to stand up. This should be done very carefully and slowly so as not to provoke a new attack. Once 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 treatment methods together with the doctor.
Drug treatment
Therapy is performed with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. The various forms of these drugs (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a powerful simultaneous effect on the pathological process. They all have a strong side effect, so they can only be used as directed by your doctor.
Physical exercises and exercises
Active sports are considered the most effective in the fight against this disease. The complex of therapeutic exercises is chosen individually by the attending physician, guided in his choice by the general physical condition of the patient and his age. Provides effective help for spine alignment. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertension. But it is absolutely impossible to perform in the presence of vertebral hernias and during the period of exacerbation. Yoga classes, swimming and post-isometric 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 circulation, strengthen the back muscles, improve overall well-being and the condition of the back. It can be performed only as an adjunctive treatment, in the absence of contraindications to its implementation. Manipulations should only be performed by an experienced and qualified specialist. Massagers use Thai, classical and therapeutic massage for treatment.
Heat and cryotherapy
Once the deterioration period has passed, patients may be prescribed warm-up or cryotherapy. Heating is done with the help of special ointments, heating pads, blue lamp, mustard plaster, paraffin and ozocerite. 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, heat 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 the bloating is reduced, the blood circulation is stimulated and the oxygen supply is improved.
prevention
The best way to fight the disease is to prevent it. For this purpose, it is necessary to monitor your gait, as well as make sure that your back is always straight. It is important that the load is properly distributed. Distribute heavy bags so that each hand has approximately the same weight. If you have to stay long, then it is recommended to change position every 10 minutes. Bending the back helps relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become part of the life of every person who wants to have a healthy back.
While sitting in a chair, the body should be upright, pressed firmly behind the back of the chair. It is necessary to provide support under the neck and lower back. People who need to sit for a long time are advised to do a warm-up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right height of the chair, at which, while sitting, the knees will be below the level of the hips.
Many people are of the opinion that you should sleep on a firm surface. But this is wrong. Because in this case, the spine will take the wrong position. The ideal option is considered to be an orthopedic medical bed, aimed at muscle relaxation. It is better to choose a medium-sized pillow. Take sips every morning after bed.
Overweight people are more likely to have back pain than others. They need to eat properly, try to reduce body weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. Consumption of spicy foods is best kept to a minimum. Foods high in magnesium and calcium occupy an important place in the preventive diet.
Self-medication is very dangerous, so diagnosis and treatment should only be performed by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.