Lower back pain is the first symptom of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Sudden bouts of pain in the lower back region can surprise anyone.Next we will see what and how to treat them.
Causes and diagnosis
The lower back is the most vulnerable part of the back in people with a sedentary lifestyle.After all, it supports the weight of the body during sedentary work.Causes of pain:
- osteochondrosis;
- injuries;
- protrusion of intervertebral discs;
- nerve compression;
- excessive physical activity (carrying heavy objects);
- sedentary work;
- overweight.
To begin with, pathological causes should be excluded - various diseases of the vertebrae.To do this, you must consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
Excruciating, intense pain in the lower back after an injury or heavy lifting is a reason to immediately consult a specialist.This symptom may indicate protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral discs.
For diagnosis, x-rays and examination are most often sufficient;in severe cases, the doctor may order an MRI.You can cope with non-pathological pain yourself.
Therapy methods
The treatment of low back pain requires a global approach.Pain itself is not a disease, but only its consequence, therefore therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause of discomfort.
A combination of the following methods is used for treatment:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- Exercise therapy and massages;
- wearing a fixing corset.
Each method has a number of features that depend on the exact diagnosis.It is difficult to independently draw up an effective treatment regimen without knowing the exact diagnosis, therefore consultation with a doctor is mandatory.
Drug treatment
Before starting treatment, you need to understand both the causes and nature of lower back pain.The following are used in therapy:
- pain relievers;
- warming ointments;
- chondroprotectors;
- vitamins.
To quickly relieve pain, you can take painkillers.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve back pain.The therapeutic dose of the selected drug is sufficient to eliminate pain of moderate intensity for about 3-4 hours.If the cause of the discomfort is not treated, the pain will return.
Warming ointments help eliminate swelling because they stimulate local blood circulation.Some drugs in this group contain an anesthetic that effectively eliminates pain.
Ointments or gels are applied to the affected area with gentle movements and then gently rubbed.
Chondroprotectors are drugs that restore the elasticity of cartilage tissue.Prescribed for osteochondrosis or for its prevention.Vitamin supplements may also be used to speed recovery.
Physiotherapy and massage
In most cases, back pain is associated with either an injury or poor circulation in this area.Physiotherapy is recommended to restore metabolic processes.
For lower back pain, the following are most often prescribed:
- magnetic therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- Ultra-high frequency;
- mud applications;
- paraffin heating.
For muscle tension and degenerative-dystrophic processes in the vertebrae, electrophoresis with nicotinic acid or another vasodilator has shown good results.
Manual therapy is another effective method of getting rid of pain and preventing its reappearance.Massage is performed only by a specialist, the minimum course is 10 procedures.
Therapeutic exercises
Physiotherapy and exercise therapy are the best method to get rid of pain and prevent its reappearance.Exercises can only be performed after determining the cause of the discomfort.
Physical activity is prohibited during exacerbations of osteochondrosis, disc protrusion and intervertebral disc herniation in the acute phase.In these cases, they switch to exercise therapy only after drug treatment.
You can perform the exercises both in the rehabilitation room of the clinic and at home.At home, the following complex is recommended.
- "Boat".You should start training with this exercise, as it prepares the lower back for further work.You should lie on the floor with your arms extended forward.As you exhale, lift your chest and pelvis off the floor, stretch your arms and legs in different directions, and as you inhale, lower your body to the floor.
- "Cat".Get on all fours, place your hands on the floor directly under your chest.As you exhale, round your back, as you inhale, relax while bending in the lumbar region.
- Leg lift.Lie on your back, extend your arms along your body, bend one leg at the knee.Slowly raise your bent leg as high as possible.Perform 15 times for each leg.
- "Pendulum".Lie on your stomach, place your hands behind your back and grab your ankles.Bend your lower back as much as possible, swinging your body.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees.Wrap your arms around your legs, pull them toward your chest, and hold this position for 5 seconds.
Each exercise must be performed 15 times.It is recommended to do exercise therapy daily.When the exercises start to seem too easy for you, you can consult your doctor about hitting the gym.Strengthening your back muscles will reduce the risk of pain recurring.
For serious illnesses, special courses with a rehabilitation specialist are recommended - physiotherapy.
Non-traditional treatment methods
Having understood what official medicine has to offer, you can turn to alternative treatment methods.These include:
- acupuncture - the impact of needles on particular points of the body;
- apitherapy - treatment of bee stings;
- hirudotherapy - treatment with leeches.
At home, a needle applicator will come to the rescue.It is a mat with spikes on which you must lie with your lower back.The impact of the needles stimulates local blood circulation and improves metabolic processes.The applicator is indicated for muscle and joint pain, neuralgia and muscle tension.You can buy it at any medical supply store.
Folk remedies
For back pain in the lumbar region, treatment can be supplemented with folk remedies.Traditionally, various compresses and rubbings are used.
- Take a quarter of a glass of lilac flowers, pour 100 ml of vodka, leave for two weeks in a dark place.Use the product to rub the affected area.
- Crush a white cabbage leaf with your fingers, apply honey to it and apply it to your back pain.Wrap a warm scarf over it and leave for 4 hours.
- Grind horseradish root, mix in equal proportions with honey and apply to the lower back under a compress.Leave the product on overnight.
- Apply pepper tincture to a towel and carefully rub your lower back, working from bottom to top.It is recommended to do this before going to bed;after rubbing, the lower back should be warmed up.
- Take a tablespoon of mustard powder, add the same amount of water and 2 large tablespoons of vegetable oil.Apply the mixture to the lower back, secure with gauze or an elastic bandage.After an hour, the composition must be washed off.
Compresses should be done once a day, rubbing - morning and evening.The duration of treatment is at least 10 days.It is recommended to combine folk remedies with massage and physical therapy.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is indicated only in cases of advanced osteochondrosis, degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, herniation and protrusion.Surgery is prescribed when conservative treatment is ineffective.
Due to the high risk of complications, surgery is a treatment of last resort when nothing else helps.
Belts and corsets
Dog hair belts will help complement home therapy.They will ensure slight warming of the lumbar region.It is recommended to wear the belt after applying a warming ointment or hot compress.
A surgical corset will only help if your back pain is caused by poor posture.This product will fix the lower back in a physiologically correct position and ensure normal body weight distribution.
First aid for shooting
Acute lower back pain can force a person to stay in bed for several days.The most effective way to treat lumbago is novocaine blockade.The doctor gives an injection into the affected area, which reduces the sensitivity of the nerves to pain for 3 to 14 days.
At home you can try the following:
- take an NSAID;
- apply warming ointment to the affected area;
- wear a dog hair belt;
- observe bed rest.
The pain will disappear 30 to 40 minutes after taking the medicine.Bed rest should be observed during the day.
Prevention
One thing to remember when it comes to prevention is this:
- get rid of excess weight;
- regular physical activity;
- balanced diet;
- lack of stress;
- maintain correct posture.
Women are advised to avoid high-heeled dress shoes in daily life, and men are advised to avoid lifting heavy objects.