Many people are familiar with the problem of back pain. But most of them get rid of the pain syndrome with the help of painkillers and do not try to find out why the back hurts. Such a frivolous attitude to one's health can lead to the development of serious complications and lead to disability. Therefore, 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 several types.
intense pain
Back pain is very acute and comes on suddenly. From severe pain in a person, darkens in the eyes, with dizziness. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. It occurs due to sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles work too much, causing muscle spasms. During an attack, the patient should try to relax, then assume the position of the body lying down, so that the legs are higher than the head. In order to prevent repeated attacks, it is necessary to seek qualified help from a specialist as soon as possible. After all, the reason why the back hurts can be vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Sharp pain
A painful syndrome of a short-term nature that occurs for no apparent reason or develops gradually. It can be faint, 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 acute pain attack 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. 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 usually divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of their occurrence is associated with individual human physiology, regular stress on the spine, diseases of internal organs and poor posture. Many people get used to living with a problem and do nothing to fix it. But their condition worsens, as a result of which the standard of living decreases. The quality of life and physical activity is reduced.
Displaced pains
The peculiarity of this type is the entanglement. The reverse can happen when pain in the lower back radiates to the leg. When they appear, a person thinks the cause is related to spinal problems. But it isn't. They appear due to diseases of the internal organs, damage to different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys manifest themselves in the lower back. Pain in the upper lumbar region indicates liver problems. In this case, patients may experience discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger of pathology lies in the fact that the premature elimination of the cause of the problem can cause 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 most often 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 rehabilitation or wound healing period. The complexity of diagnosing painful back pain is related to the fact. which can be caused by many different reasons.
Because my back hurts
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 provoking factors are: a long stay of the spine in one position, muscle fatigue. Rarely, back problems occur due to severe ailments. It can be a pathology of the kidneys, gynecological diseases, tumors.
Diagnostics
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and his or her medical history. 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, carry out palpation and listen carefully to the patient's complaints. Subsequently, the clinical and instrumental examinations are carried out. Sometimes therapy can be prescribed without further examination. In these 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.
Detailed information can be obtained using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Grant for the study of soft tissue injuries.
- X-ray. It is used to assess bone tissue, assess the condition of the spine. Allows you to understand the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- Magnetic resonance. Provides a visual picture of changes in soft tissue, cartilage, and nerve fibers.
- Ultrasound. Helps to identify damage to ligaments, tendons, muscles, tendon-ligament apparatus.
- Electroneuromyography. Shows the degree of nerve damage, identifies damage to certain nerve fibers.
- arthroscopy. Surgical manipulation, which is performed with an arthroscope.
- Ultrasound. This diagnostic method is used to detect tendon pathologies.
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
Regardless of the causes of the problem, you cannot do without the help of a doctor. But there are cases when it is necessary to consult a specialist as quickly as possible.
This must be done if:
- Worried about unreasonable pain;
- pain lasts more than 3 days;
- pain gradually increases;
- there is an increase in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- causeless weight loss.
When it comes to health, don't be frivolous. Therefore, it is best to play it safe and undergo a medical examination. Timely assistance will help avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Proper therapy is an important component in patient recovery. But, before starting a full-fledged treatment, a person must provide first aid. It rests on a flat, hard surface, placed on its side. When the attack passes, the person is helped to stand up. 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. So they seek medical help to choose effective methods of treatment together with the doctor.
Treatment with drugs
Therapy is carried out with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They eliminate inflammation and pain. Different forms of these drugs (injections, tablets, patches and ointments) allow you to have a powerful simultaneous effect on the pathological process. All of them have a strong side effect, so they can only be used as directed by a doctor.
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 patient's general physical condition and his age. Provides effective help in stretching the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonus. But it is absolutely impossible to perform it in the presence of vertebral hernias and during the period of exacerbation. Yoga, swimming and post-isometric relaxation classes have a beneficial effect on back health.
Massage
The course of massage 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 overall well-being and condition of the back. It can be carried out only as an auxiliary treatment, in the absence of contraindications for its implementation. Manipulations should only be carried out by an experienced and qualified specialist. Massage therapists use Thai, classical and therapeutic massage for treatment.
Heating and cryotherapy
After the exacerbation period has elapsed, patients can be prescribed warming or cryotherapy. Warming is carried out with the help of special ointments, heating plates, a blue lamp, mustard plasters, paraffin and ozokerite applications. These procedures activate the processes of tissue regeneration and nutrition. It is not always possible to carry out the procedure. For pregnant women, patients with infectious diseases, tumors and tuberculosis, rewarming 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 diseases is to prevent them. To do this, you need to monitor your pace and make sure your back is always straight. It is important to distribute the load correctly. Distribute heavy bags so that each hand has approximately the same weight. If you have to stand a lot, it is recommended that you change your position every 10 minutes. The backbends help relax the back muscles. Active physical activity should become part of the life of every person who wishes to have a healthy back.
While sitting in a chair, your body should be positioned straight, pressed firmly 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, on which, when seated, the knees will be below the level of the hips.
Many people are of the opinion that you need 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 an orthopedic medical bed, aimed at relaxing the muscles. It is best to choose a medium-sized pillow. Take sips every morning after sleep.
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 fruit, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. The consumption of spicy foods is best minimized. Foods high in 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 identification of the cause of the problem and prompt therapy will help maintain good health.