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 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 different types.
strong pain
Back pain is very severe and comes on suddenly. From intense pain in a person, darkens in the eyes, dizzy. After an attack, discomfort appears in the affected area. It occurs as a result of sudden loads on the vertebrae, because even the strongest muscles overwork, resulting in muscle spasm. During an attack, the patient should try to relax and then assume the lying body position so that the legs are higher than the head. To avoid repeated attacks, it is necessary to seek qualified help from a specialist as soon as possible. After all, the reason why the back hurts may be in vertebral hernia, osteochondrosis.
Acute pain
A painful syndrome of a short-term nature that occurs for no apparent reason or develops gradually. It can be weak, 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 attack of acute pain 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. Spinal curvature 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 come to the doctor. Chronic back pain is usually divided into periodic and permanent. They differ from each other in duration. The nature of its 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 doing nothing to solve it. But his condition worsens, because of which the standard of living decreases. Quality of life and physical activity are reduced.
displaced pains
The peculiarity of this type is entanglement. The opposite can happen when pain in the lower back radiates to the leg. When they appear, a person thinks that the cause is related to spinal problems. But not that. They appear due to diseases of Organs internal organs, they give to different parts of the back. For example, diseases of the genitourinary system or kidneys are manifested in the lower back. Pain in the upper lower back indicates problems with the liver. In this case, patients may experience discomfort in the hypochondrium. The danger 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.
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 often have back pain. The rest of the 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 wound healing. The complexity of diagnosing back pain is related to the fact. that they 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 triggering factors are: a 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.
Diagnosis
Examination of the patient depends on the condition and its history. Research is carried out using various methods depending on the cause of the pain - vertebrogenic (spinal cause) or non-spinal. Most often, the disease is associated with the spine.
During the initial examination, the physician will perform a visual examination of the patient, perform palpation, and listen carefully to the patient's complaints. Then, clinical and instrumental examinations are performed. 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.
You can get detailed information using the following diagnostic methods:
- Computed tomography. Assign to the study of soft tissue injuries.
- X-ray. It is used to assess bone tissue, assess the condition of the spine. It allows understanding the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system.
- MRI image. It gives a visual picture of changes in soft tissue, cartilage and nerve fibers.
- ultrasound. Helps 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.
- 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 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 you need to consult a specialist as soon as possible.
This must be done if:
- Worried about irrational pain;
- pain lasts more than 3 days;
- pain gradually increases;
- there is a rise in temperature;
- weakness and malaise appear;
- weight loss without cause.
In matters of health, one should not be frivolous. So it's best to play it safe and go through a medical examination. Timely assistance will help to avoid negative consequences.
How to properly treat back pain
Proper therapy is an important component of patient recovery. But, before starting a full treatment, a person needs to provide first aid. It is placed on a flat, hard surface, on its side. When the attack passes, the person is helped 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 fix the back pain with a corset, take an anesthetic. Then they 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. Different forms of these drugs (injections, pills, 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 a doctor.
Physical exercises and exercises
Active sports are considered the most effective in fighting this disease. The therapeutic exercise complex is selected individually by the attending physician, guided in his choice by the patient's general physical condition and age. Provides effective help to lengthen the spine. Manipulation reduces pain, eliminates muscle hypertonicity. But it is absolutely impossible to carry out it 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 helpful for patients with back ailments. The procedure has a relaxing effect on the entire body. Regular massage sessions improve blood flow, strengthen back muscles, improve general well-being and back condition. It can be performed 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.
Warming and cryotherapy
After the period of exacerbation, patients may receive heating or cryotherapy. Heating is done with the help of special ointments, heating pads, blue lamp, mustard plasters, applications of paraffin and ozokerite. These procedures activate tissue regeneration and nutrition processes. 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 the disease. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, swelling subsides, blood circulation is stimulated, and oxygen supply improves.
Prevention
The best way to fight the disease is to prevent it. For this, it is necessary to monitor your gait, as well as ensure that your back is always straight. It is important to properly distribute the load. Distribute heavy bags so that each hand is approximately the same weight. If you have to stand a lot, it is recommended to change your position every 10 minutes. Backbends help relax your back muscles. Active physical activity should become part of the lives of all people who want to have a healthy spine.
While sitting in a chair, the body should be positioned straight, firmly pressed against 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 warm up every 20 minutes. It is important to choose the right height of the chair, in which, while you are sitting, your knees will be below the level of your 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 column will be in the wrong position. The ideal option is considered a medical orthopedic bed, intended to relax the muscles. It is best to choose a medium-sized pillow. Every morning, after sleeping, take sips.
People who are overweight are more likely to have back pain than others. They must eat right, try to reduce body weight. For the health of the musculoskeletal system are useful: fresh fruits, Jerusalem artichoke, grapes, hazelnuts. Consumption of spicy foods should be 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 carried out by specialists. Early identification of the cause of the problem and timely therapy will help maintain good health.