Causes and treatments of low back pain

Low back pain is most commonly caused by degenerative and dystrophic changes in the spine.Intervertebral discs can be injured when lifting heavy objects, overloading during rest and exercise, or when falling.The annulus fibrosus protrudes through tears and fissures in the nucleus pulposus, forming a hernia.Instability of the spine leads to the formation of osteophytes (spondylosis), damage to intervertebral joints and ligaments (spondyloarthropathy), osteochondrosis, accompanied by pathological processes in the sacroiliac joints.

In addition to changes in pressure, pain is caused by reflex stimulation of receptors whose impulses are transmitted to motor neurons in the spinal cord.Muscle tone increases, and over time, lesions appear in the muscle tissue.The presence of tumors, multiple myeloma, and systemic autoimmune diseases may cause spinal pain.

Causes and types of pain

Pain can be dull, sharp, aching, burning, and throbbing.They can be spread over the entire back, radiate to adjacent areas, or be localized in nature.Unpleasant feelings arise in different ways; they can appear suddenly or develop over a long period of time.

The symptom is also classified based on why it occurs:

• Primary pain is the result of degeneration of the musculoskeletal system and its pathologies;
• The secondary type occurs during pathological processes in the body that are not related to the lower back.

There are two types of pain:

• Periods are characterized by high physical exertion, acute illness, and physiological characteristics; they can radiate to another part of the body or spread beyond the affected area.After eliminating the cause of its occurrence, they no longer bother the person.
• Ongoing pain is the result of deep damage to joints, tissues and muscles.With the help of medications, symptoms temporarily disappear, but they return again.

Indications for advanced diagnostics

In order to determine ways to relieve pain, additional tests are needed to determine the true cause of the syndrome.Testing is necessary if:

• Atypical manifestations of pain (discomfort does not increase or decrease when moving the body), abnormal localization (for example, discomfort radiates from the back to the perineum, abdomen, rectum, anus, vagina);
• Symptoms during pumping decrease while standing and lying down;
• Changes in the nature of back pain related to going to the toilet, eating, or having sex;
• Previous injury to the spine or hip joint;
• Pain accompanied by vomiting and increased body temperature;
• Diagnose tumors;
• There is a mental behavioral disorder.

Other studies are performed in the hospital setting when the patient is admitted to the Department of Neurology or other departments that provide laboratories for diagnosing suspected diseases.

Several projection X-rays of the spine are taken, general blood tests are checked, and an advanced biochemical analysis is performed that shows levels of creatinine, calcium, glucose, phosphate, and other substances in the blood.Computer diagnostics and magnetic resonance imaging methods are widely used.Bone scintigraphy is used to examine bone tissue.

Musculoskeletal system diseases

Back discomfort can occur for several reasons:

• Intervertebral osteochondrosis includes several pathological types characterized by dystrophy or degeneration.Due to this disease, joint cartilage and bones are loosened and destroyed, and nerve endings are also involved in the disease.Osteochondrosis can cause hernias, lumbar radiculitis, sciatica, and herniations (bulging discs without rupture of the annulus fibrosus).
• Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine with an asymmetrical shoulder line.It is accompanied by symptoms such as bone deformation, poor posture, and protruding hump on the right or left side of the intercostal space.Divided into congenital or acquired.
• Spondylosis occurs due to the natural aging of the vertebrae and joints in the lower back; over time, pain worsens as the joints wear down and mobility is lost.
• Low back pain is characterized by acute discomfort in the lumbar region due to destructive disorders of the vertebrae.Pain occurs when lifting weights incorrectly and is more common in men.In low back pain, the movement of the lower back is restricted; lack of treatment is dangerous, since the destructive process can advance to an irreversible stage.
• Ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew's disease) is characterized by loss of lumbar joint mobility and is a chronic inflammation accompanied by significant proliferation of connective tissue.
• Osteomyelitis is a purulent, necrotizing inflammation of the bone marrow, bones, and surrounding soft tissues.The disease occurs due to infection with Mycobacterium pyogenes and pyogenic (pyogenic) bacteria.
• Osteoporosis is caused by impaired phosphorus and calcium supply, poor bone tissue development, and reduced bone density, leading to frequent injuries.
• Congenital or acquired difference in leg length (more than 3 cm).

These diseases require a visit to a clinic for examination and careful treatment.Sometimes treatment only provides temporary relief, and surgery is needed for complete cure.

Kidney pathology

Due to impaired kidney function, there will be lower back discomfort, pain on the left and right sides, and sometimes even pain in the center of the back.The cause of this symptom can be the following pathologies:

• Kidney prolapse.This is a situation in which the organ moves beyond the permissible standards (displacement from the renal bed is specified as 2 cm above and below).In nephroptosis, if the kidney can deviate by 10 centimeters, it is called wandering.
• Kidney failure is a condition in which urine cannot be formed.The patient noted severe pain in his lower back and that his health was rapidly deteriorating.
• Pyelonephritis is inflammation of the renal pelvis and affects tissues near the genitourinary system.With this disease, urinary diversion may not be compromised, and pain in the left and right lower back is caused by the intensity of the inflammatory process.
• Gout causes discomfort when standing up from a sitting position or performing other movements.When the disease occurs, the natural metabolism of uric acid is disrupted; it accumulates in the lumbar joints, limiting their mobility.
• Renal colic is a common pathology.Along with it, pain can occur due to various reasons.Most commonly, the ureters are damaged by stones, kinks, or the upper urinary tract is blocked by blood clots, formations, pus, or mucus.Low back pain from renal colic is characterized by acute onset at any time of day, during exercise, or at rest.
• Diabetic nephropathy is more common in patients with diabetes (75%) and is a complex disorder of arteries, glomeruli, and tubules due to changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in renal tissue.Pain from this pathology can radiate to any part of the back, as well as to the groin and lower abdomen.
• Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli (the glomeruli of the kidneys) that can lead to kidney failure.Rapidly progressive and chronic forms are noted.
• Kidney stone disease is not always associated with lower back pain; determining its location can be difficult.
• Hydronephrosis is characterized by renal pelvic dilatation and discomfort.Additional diagnosis is needed.

Gynecological diseases

Women experience pain syndrome due to:

• Discomfort caused by uterine fibroids, vulvitis, adnexitis, reproductive organ tumors, etc. mostly occurs in the lower abdomen, but pain can also occur in the left and right waists.
• During pregnancy, there is pain in the waist and pain when walking, but this symptom is caused by natural causes and is caused by the load on the musculoskeletal system caused by the growth of the fetus, so it does not require treatment.
• Menopause is accompanied by pain caused by impaired blood supply to the internal organs of the small pelvis, which in turn is the result of hormonal imbalances during this period.
• Unpleasant feelings keep coming due to psychosomatic problems.In this case, the woman needs to see a psychotherapist and psychologist.
• The consequences of surgery, such as miscarriage, may be accompanied by lower abdominal discomfort that spreads to the lumbar spine due to involuntary contractions of the uterus or inflammation.
• Hormonal disturbances during the menstrual cycle, the release of follicles from the ovaries and their movement through the fallopian tubes, and the enlargement of the uterus during menstruation can cause lower back and lower back pain.

Other causes of low back pain

Waist discomfort may be caused by human system diseases:

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that most commonly affects women.This is a chronic inflammation that occurs in the lower back joints and involves nearby cartilage and muscles.The disease occurs due to autoimmune diseases in the body.
• Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis develop due to partial or complete cessation of blood flow in deep veins.You may experience lower back discomfort after walking or standing for a long time.This pain can radiate into the buttocks and legs.
• The final stages of atherosclerosis can cause lower back discomfort.

Treats pain caused by musculoskeletal problems

To eliminate lower back discomfort caused by impaired function of the musculoskeletal system, various medications are used depending on the underlying cause and the stage of the underlying disease.

They are available in a variety of forms, from tablets to intramuscular injections.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce pain.These medicines can lower your body temperature and relieve inflammation and fever.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs derived from phenylacetic acid derivatives are popular in the treatment of low back pain.These drugs are safe and effective and have an advantage over other painkillers in that they do not negatively affect the metabolic processes of the disc.A therapeutic dose sufficient to relieve severe discomfort is 75 to 150 mg per day, usually taken in divided doses.To speed up the analgesic effect, rectal suppositories or intramuscular injections of the drug may be used.

muscle relaxants

If NSAIDs do not have a positive effect in treating pain, muscle relaxants may be used.These drugs reduce the tone of skeletal muscles and reduce their movement—sometimes to the point of complete cessation of function.Start treatment at standard dosage and maintain for several weeks.The addition of muscle relaxants to complex pain management has been shown to provide lasting relief of discomfort and improved joint mobility.Do not use different types of combinations of these drugs.

Analgesics and corticosteroids

To relieve back pain if your back pain is very painful, you can use narcotic analgesics, which have been around in medicine for a long time.They are opioid-based and therefore provide pain relief.These medications are prescribed by a doctor (and sold at pharmacies with a prescription only); you cannot use these medications to treat pain yourself.

To eliminate this syndrome, corticosteroids are used in cases of degenerative diseases of joint tissue.

Medications can partially restore cartilage and prevent further damage.

injection

Injections are used if previous medications did not have the desired effect.For direct blockade of the lumbar area, esters and amides are used.

Blockade is a procedure to relieve muscle spasm in the painful area; the injection is given through a catheter into the nerve plexus, including the paravertebral area.Its effects are short-lived but can help relieve severe attacks.

Use ointments, creams and patches

With the help of gels and creams, uncomfortable situations are also eliminated.They are applied directly to the painful area.You can use NSAID-based products.Combination products have even more enhanced effects.

For distraction and local irritation, a warm ointment with a restorative chondroprotective effect can be used, which dilates blood vessels, thereby improving the nutrition of vertebral tissue and cartilage and accelerating metabolic processes therein.

The use of patches is popular due to their ease of use and quick results.This product is impregnated with medication and applied to the painful area.In this way, overdose can be ruled out.

Other ways to affect the painful area

Physiotherapy can warm your muscles, improve blood supply, and enhance the therapeutic effects of alkaline medications.

Apply paraffin wax, which is very effective in relieving severe pain.The procedure involves applying wax or paraffin in layers to a total thickness of 1 cm on the skin, covering it with polyethylene and then covering it with a warm blanket.Duration is at least one hour, daily use, treatment period is one month.Physical therapy is effective when used during non-exacerbating periods of disease.Exercise can also reduce the risk of back pain returning.

Massage is not performed in all cases, as it may be harmful to the body in some conditions.In this case, the effect is not directed at the painful site, but at the surrounding area.This procedure should be performed by an experienced massage therapist; you should not do it on your own.

Mud therapy can also be used as a distraction method.

Relieve pain from gynecological problems

Use a combination of antimicrobials to eliminate the source of pain.Special medications are used to reduce vaginal bacterial infections.Use an antibiotic and antiseptic ointment on the vulva area.

Infectious gland inflammation with low back pain is treated with antibiotics, taking into account the susceptibility of the microorganisms, and with ultrasound as a physiotherapy effect.Abscesses in the reproductive organs, especially in the Bartholin glands, can be removed surgically.If the pain is moderate and the tumor does not bother the patient, hormonal drugs are prescribed and are considered only as a precaution before surgery.

GnRH antagonists reduce the amount of estrogen in the body.They are used in uterine fibroids, hyperplasia, and endometriosis.Hormonal medications are an effective way to reduce uterine size before surgery.However, their long-term use can lead to the development of osteoporosis.

In some cases, after treatment, the nodules begin to grow and cause back pain.Oral contraceptive pills can relieve unpleasant sensations.To relieve discomfort when experiencing lower back pain, antigonadotropin therapy may be used.These drugs have many side effects and are therefore used in rare cases.

If the growth of the tumor causes severe pain and threatens your health, surgery may be needed to remove it.During menopause, complete hysterectomy is recommended if a woman does not intend to have children.In other cases, only the fibroids are removed through laparoscopy (a small incision through the abdomen).

Popular hormonal medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Antispasmodics are also used.

Help relieve kidney pain

Acute pain in the kidneys can be relieved by taking antispasmodic drugs, which enlarge the lumen of the ureters and ensure diversion of urine.

Acute symptoms require the use of combination medications containing analgesics, antispasmodics, and anti-inflammatory ingredients.You can take 2 pills at a time; in severe cases, give intramuscular injection.Antipyretics based on metamizole can help relieve kidney pain.

traditional healing methods

Traditional folk remedies can help relieve waist pain, but before using them, you need to ensure that there are no diseases that endanger human life and health, and timely drug treatment or even surgery is required.The most popular methods:

• Apply a washcloth soaked in an infusion of St. John's wort, thyme, chamomile flowers, and black elderberries to the painful area.While cooking, take 1 tsp.Raw or dry ingredients, pour a cup of boiling water and leave for half an hour.Then remove the dressing and go to bed.
• Garlic ointment helps a lot.To prepare, take one head, grind it in a convenient way and mix it with a small part of petroleum jelly and lemon juice.Apply the prepared mixture on the sore areas of your back.
• Mustard baths can relieve pain.To do this, pour a cup of mustard powder into warm water.Shower until cool, then rinse skin with clean water and cover with blanket.
• Apply honey and vinegar (one tablespoon each) to relieve pain.Place the resulting mixture on a cabbage leaf and apply it to the problem areas.
• Grate radish or horseradish, mix with sour cream and place on a napkin made of natural materials.Secure the compress with a warm scarf or handkerchief.
• Steam dry burdock leaves in boiling water and apply to the painful area and keep warm.
• To improve blood flow in the tissues, rub your back with honey.There is no need to apply pressure during massage, but the movements should be vigorous.Again, use an alcohol-based tincture of eucalyptus purchased at a pharmacy.
• Make a compress from grated beets, squeeze out the clumps and mix a vegetable cake with 1 liter.kerosene.Use a napkin to transfer the composition to the painful area and secure and wrap it.Leave this compress overnight.
• Mix equal parts of grated laundry soap and white incense and add 2 beaten egg yolks.Apply the product to the back, place a napkin on top, and secure with a bandage.Keep it on for about 2-3 hours.

There are many treatments for back pain, but it is always necessary to diagnose the underlying condition that is causing the uncomfortable symptoms.