Low back pain: causes, symptoms, treatment

back pain in the lumbar region

With age, discomfort gradually manifests itself in different departments and systems. After 25 years, patients often experience low back pain of varying intensity. If you ignore this symptom, you can lose the ability to do the usual movements. The removal of the pain syndrome with the help of analgesics is the way to nowhere, more precisely to the chronic course of the disease. Only timely diagnosis and treatment will lead to long-term remission or complete recovery.

Over time, the periods of exacerbation lengthen. Sharp pain begins to bother even during the rest period and not just during physical activity. This image is typical of lumbar osteochondrosis. This disease is characterized by the destruction of the cartilage located between the vertebral discs. The thinning of the tissue and its deformation lead to protrusion, lumbar hernia. In the clinic, the patient can undergo a diagnosis, as well as a course of treatment, regardless of the etiology of the pain syndrome.

Causes of back pain

Stiffness and discomfort in the lumbosacral region impair the ability to work. A person cannot move straight, the patient often loses the skills of self-service in everyday life. One of the most common causes of the disease is pinching of the roots extending from the spinal cord. At the time of strong muscle tension, with a sharp turn of the body, a "low back pain" or low back pain occurs. A sharp pain accompanies the patient for several hours. The patient describes her character as "burning", "exploding".

The cause of the discomfort in the lumbar spine is a herniated disc. With trauma or with age, the nucleus pulposus loses its firmness and elasticity. If the problem is aggravated by osteoporosis, by being overweight, the fibrous ring of the disc becomes thinner. Through these weak points, the nucleus pulposus protrudes. Its displacement leads to acute pain. Chronic conditions that cause discomfort in the lumbosacral region include:

  • osteomyelitis;
  • spondylosis;
  • scoliosis;
  • ankylosing spondylitis;
  • spinal tuberculosis;
  • rheumatoid arthritis;
  • malignant neoplasms.

Back pain is also caused by diseases of the internal organs, soft tissue damage. A very common cause of pathology is inflammation of the uterine appendages, endometriosis (in women), adenoma and prostatitis (in men). Diseases of the intestines, stomach and kidneys can also provoke an acute attack.

Treatment for low back pain

Which doctor should I go to for help? If you experience even slight, but constant discomfort in your lower back, you need to see a therapist. The initial examination and the collection of anamnesis becomes a good reason for the appointment of an additional examination. In the clinic, blood and urine tests are prescribed, an ultrasound of the kidneys is performed, and the presence of malignant neoplasms in the abdominal cavity is excluded.

In some situations, further consultation with a neurologist, a phthisiatra, a gynecologist will be required. Tomography and X-rays will help clarify the diagnosis and determine the location of the destructive process of the spine or soft tissues. The composition of the diagnostic screening procedures for each patient may vary. It all depends on the specific clinical picture. Depending on the cause of the pathology, various methods of treatment are used.

Manual therapy

This method is often used for osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. It allows you to achieve full recovery or long-term remission. The effects on the joints and bones are done exclusively with the help of the hands of a chiropractor. At the initial stage, the traction-by-traction method is used, thanks to which the pain syndrome is relieved. In addition, all the efforts of the doctor are aimed at restoring the cartilage structure. All manual techniques are performed with care, in a gentle way. As soon as the patient feels severe discomfort, he informs the specialist. The doctor stops all manipulations until physical well-being normalizes. After that, the correction continues until the pronounced causes of the disease are eliminated.

Osteopathy

This technique is a whole philosophy, which is based on the desire for freedom of each movement. An osteopathic doctor works on the skeletal system and surrounding soft tissues. Muscle clamps can cause pain and limit joint movement. Once the specialist is able to achieve complete relaxation, half the road to recovery is passed. The technique does not cause painful sensations, does not improve the syndrome. The patient's condition improves considerably after the first session. The master's work is delicate and accurate. The work is done based on the patient's well-being.

Kinesio taping

Low back pain treatment is popular with athletes and people who consistently experience significant physical activity. In the place where the destructive process is located, a special elastic tape is glued - the kinesio tape. It does not cause discomfort, does not hinder movement during daytime wakefulness.

At the diagnostic stage, the specialist determines the cause of the violation, as well as the exact place of its deployment. Light muscle support contributes to the formation of the correct muscle corset. The tape literally "makes" your back straighten when walking, prevents a bend from forming. Optimal joint support prevents acute disease from becoming chronic.

Tense muscles are completely relaxed, while remaining toned for active, pain-free movement. Improved blood microcirculation in soft tissues allows cartilage tissue to receive adequate nutrition. Kinesio taping for back pain is used as the primary method of treatment for dislocations, injuries or low back pain. The movements become fluid and the gait becomes light.

UHT

Shock wave therapy is a modern method of treating osteochondrosis of the spine, trauma to the lumbosacral region, ankylosing spondylitis and other pathologies. No additional drug treatment is used. The action of the acoustic waves is produced with a non-invasive method without violating the integrity of the skin. This is an additional safety measure to prevent infection.

Di-Tazin Therapy

This method of treating acute pain in the lumbar spine involves applying an application with the drug Photoditazine. Also, through the installation of the LED, the drug is activated, which penetrates into the deep layers of the skin. It can be used successfully in the treatment of herniated disc. The increase in blood circulation ensures the continuous supply of nutrients to the bones.