Severe back pain in the lower back: causes, symptoms, doctor's advice and treatment

It is impossible to independently determine the cause of pain in the lower back.Pain in the back and lower back is medically known as low back pain.It is felt in the lumbar region, accompanied by muscle spasms and other unpleasant symptoms.Acute back pain is felt for many reasons and can last from a few minutes to several months.As a result, a person begins to get used to sharp pain in the lower back and back.But if you do not seek timely help from a doctor, the person's health condition will greatly worsen and the chances of recovery will decrease.It is important to consider the cause of lower back pain and its treatment.

Description of damage

Severe back and lower back pain, a feeling of tightness and stiffness in the joints are common conditions that sooner or later appear in many people.

In most cases, pain syndrome appears in the lower back, since the lumbar spine is characterized by high mobility and accounts for half of the weight of the human body.Lumbar back pain can occur from lifting heavy objects or turning suddenly.

In some cases, symptoms of lumbar discomfort appear over time due to frequent exercise or incorrect posture.In some cases, the cause of the pain syndrome cannot be determined.The pain is most intense at night, when there is a load on the lower back, or after being in an uncomfortable position for a long time, such as after a long car trip.In most cases, back pain in the lumbar region goes away if a person lies for a while on a hard surface.

Usually, the pain lasts for several days or weeks, after which the person's general health improves and the condition of the lower back is restored.You can speed up recovery by taking pain relievers and optimizing daily physical activity: rest only for the first few days, then gradually return to normal.But in some cases, discomfort and discomfort in the lower back indicate the onset of a chronic disease that requires complex treatment.

A person's mood also plays a special role in this process.Due to pain, the patient's general condition can greatly worsen, but according to statistics, a person who comes in a happy mood will recover faster than a depressed person.

Main cause of the syndrome

The condition of the back directly depends on the functioning of bones, nerves, muscles and joints.Often, finding the exact cause of the pain is quite difficult.Severe illness or injury to the spine occurs in rare cases.

In most cases, back pain in the lumbar region appears due to minor injuries, strains, sprains and muscle strains, pinched nerves and at the beginning of the inflammatory process.Symptoms of back discomfort can occur suddenly or develop gradually and become more intense.Causes of back pain and lower back pain:

• movements that are too sudden: tilting or turning to the side;
• lifting and carrying heavy objects, bending for long periods of time;
• improper posture when walking or working at a desk;
• severe muscle strain in the back;
• ride long distances without resting.

In some cases, pain in this area appears for no specific reason, for example, in the morning after waking up.

Key factors

There are factors that can cause severe back pain and low back pain.Experts identify a large number of them;they can negatively affect the condition of the back.The main ones include:

• Heavy weight - in this case, the spine is overstretched.To determine whether body weight affects the spine, it is necessary to calculate the total body mass index.
• Smoking – it can negatively affect the tissues in the back, leading to pain.
• Pregnancy - in this condition, the woman's spine is subjected to severe pressure, which only becomes stronger as the size of the abdomen increases.
• Long-term use of medications that reduce bone density, such as corticosteroids.
• Psychological - emotional stress, tension - constant anxiety lead to severe tension in the neck and back muscles, causing pain.

Main diseases

Conditions that can lead to back pain and back pain include:

1. Osteonecrosis and its complications, such as spondylosis, is a degenerative process in which the cartilage between the vertebrae is destroyed, causing pain.Such diseases appear in older people, especially in people with severe back stress.
2. Sprained ligaments and muscles - most often occur after prolonged physical activity or sudden movements.
3. Some types of arthritis are an inflammatory arthritis where, in addition to pain, people also feel stiffness and difficulty moving in the morning.
4. Kidney diseases, such as pyelonephritis, can cause back pain on the right side of the lower back or the left side.

Perform diagnostic activities

Severe back pain and low back pain can be controlled at home using special medications that can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.In-office treatment is usually not necessary.

If back pain spreads to the lumbar area and causes severe discomfort, the patient should definitely see a doctor.He will conduct an examination and prescribe treatment.

If back pain on the left side of the lumbar region prevents the patient from resting and moving normally, you should call a doctor at home.

When checking the condition, the doctor will ask the patient to sit, stand, walk, alternately raise both legs, and determine the overall range of motion in the back.He will also request information about possible recent illnesses or injuries, learn about lifestyle, work characteristics, and also ask the following questions:

1. When did the pain start?
2. Where is pain common?
3. Has your back hurt before?
4. How does pain syndrome manifest?
5. For what reason does the pain become stronger or weaker?

During the examination, the doctor will try to rule out the possibility of infection and fracture, since such manifestations occur in rare cases.If there are problems with the diagnosis, the doctor may send the patient for additional diagnostic measures: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-ray of the spine.Urine tests are done to rule out kidney disease.

In many cases, pain in the spine is gone by the third day of treatment.If therapy does not improve the condition and the pain continues for six weeks (chronic process) or a serious illness results in damage, the doctor will refer the person to a specialist.In most cases, the treatment of back pain and lower back pain is prescribed by a neurologist.In addition, other doctors may participate in examining the patient's condition: osteopaths, orthopedists and acupressure doctors.

Basic treatment methods

Treatment of pain syndrome will depend on its duration and severity, as well as the individual characteristics of the person.In most cases, pain can be relieved with simple home remedies.

Main treatment methods:

• Portability.Previously, doctors believed that when there is pain in the lumbar region, it is important to ensure peace.It is now established that in patients who start moving earlier, the pain disappears faster.Complete rest and bed rest should only be given during the first days of acute pain, when the pain becomes severe and interferes with normal movement.In this case, the patient should lie on a hard and flat bed.Once your condition returns to normal, you should gradually return to your normal lifestyle and previous strenuous activities, becoming more and more active each day.Over time, the person will be able to move normally around the house or to public places.But he will have to endure some discomfort and try to avoid anything that could lead to pain again.After a few days, a person can return to work without waiting for severe pain in the back and lower back to completely disappear (of course, if the person's work does not put stress on the lumbar region).Early mobilization will help restore the condition and reduce the severity of the pain.
• Are taking pain relievers.When faced with severe back pain above the lower back or directly into it, doctors will prescribe pain relievers.The product helps eliminate pain and inflammation.Depending on the severity of the damage, the specialist may prescribe different forms of medication: injections, pills, local preparations - ointments, gels and creams against back pain.Usually, initial treatment includes injections.After the pain syndrome passes, medication is stopped and, if necessary, special tablets or ointments are started.Such drugs have a number of contraindications, so before starting to take them, you must consult your doctor and study the instructions.Pain relievers are best taken after meals with milk.
• Muscle relaxants- the drug helps eliminate muscle spasms and relax muscles.They are prescribed when severe tension in the spinal muscles increases pain syndrome, for example, in the acute phase of osteonecrosis or herniated disc.Muscle relaxants also have different side effects;for example, they are prohibited from being carried while driving a car.It is important to consult your doctor first.
• Treatment is with warm and cold compresses.In some cases, pain can be eliminated by taking a hot bath or applying a hot compress to the painful area of the body.You can also improve your general condition with cold water or a bag of frozen vegetables.But you should remember that you should not apply ice to your skin because this can lead to frostbite.A cold object should previously be wrapped in a towel and then applied to the affected area of the body.You can also alternate treatments with cold and hot compresses, applying ice or heat to your body.
• Choose a sleeping position.Changing your sleeping position will help eliminate stress and pain.If the patient is used to sleeping on his side, he should pull his legs up to his chest and put a pillow between his legs.If the child sleeps on his back, he should put a pillow under his knees, this will ensure the natural curvature of the spine in the lower back.
• Relax your body– this is a very important component in the fight against severe back pain on the left side above the lower back, since with severe anxiety and excessive physical exertion, the pain syndrome only worsens.In fact, people in a good mood recover much faster and their pain does not become chronic.There are special techniques that help a person relax and forget about back discomfort for a while.To do this, it is recommended to perform special breathing exercises and perform a set of simple exercises with alternating tension and relaxation of the muscles of the body.
• Be physically active, follow a healthy lifestyle.It is important to eliminate the root cause of severe back pain and low back pain to avoid recurrence.The most common causes of pain in this area include excess weight in a person, poor posture and frequent emotional outbursts.In this case, you can achieve a positive effect if you start leading an active and healthy lifestyle, such as walking more or going to the pool.The main thing is to choose the activity that you like the most.In some cases, classes are conducted under the guidance of a trainer.Typically, sets of exercises are used to help strengthen back muscles and ensure straight posture and stretching.
• If the pain syndrome does not disappear within 6 weeks of treatment, it will automatically enter the chronic stage.In addition to painkillers and muscle relaxants, in this case you need to start complex treatment.

Treatment of chronic pain

In this condition, the doctor prescribes the patient the following measures:

• Manual therapy is performed by a chiropractor or osteopath and involves the use of a variety of therapeutic, massage and movement methods.
• Alexander technique - helps eliminate severe tension in the muscles, teaches a person how to correctly assume body position in various situations and movements.This technique will help you learn to maintain body balance and upright posture.
• Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment in which thin needles are inserted into different parts of the body, helping to relieve pain and normalize a person's condition.
• Take antidepressants.Such drugs are prescribed to patients when painkillers and other treatment techniques do not bring satisfactory results.Doctors recommend taking tricyclic antidepressants in small amounts.Such remedies were originally created to get rid of depression and nervous system problems, but they can also work to prevent certain types of pain.
• Session with a psychiatrist.A positive effect from such a procedure can be achieved when other treatments have not helped.Severe back pain in the lumbar region is a real condition.The way a person treats it can make it stronger or, on the contrary, significantly weaken it.Cognitive behavioral therapy can help eliminate back pain in the right or left lumbar region by changing your attitude toward it.According to statistics, people who have undergone psychotherapy sessions experience much less pain.In this case, a person is motivated to lead an active lifestyle and exercise regularly, which leads to pain relief.

Perform the operation

Typically, surgery is only used when all other treatments for back and low back pain have failed.Surgery is used when the pain syndrome is so strong or constant that it prevents the patient from working or even resting.The method of surgical intervention chosen will directly depend on the type of pain syndrome and the cause of its appearance.

For example, in the case of spinal herniation, the doctor prescribes surgery to remove the disc.Currently, doctors can perform surgery through a minimal incision using specialized microsurgical instruments.Such operations are very complicated, but they are characterized by minimal injuries.

Spinal fusion is a complex and fairly rare surgical intervention.Its results do not always meet expectations.For example, after surgery, a person may continue to have severe back pain in the lumbar region.

With spinal fusion, the overall mobility of the spine is significantly reduced, as during surgery, several painful vertebrae are fastened together in one position by implanting spinal tissue between them.At the end of the rehabilitation period, the bones are completely fused, and when a person moves, they do not affect the nerve endings located near them.It helps prevent severe back pain in the left and right lumbar region.Before deciding on surgery, the patient needs to receive information about all possible complications and the positive effects of therapy from the neurosurgeon.

Additional treatments

When dealing with acute and chronic back pain, other alternative methods of treatment can be used, the effectiveness of which has not been proven in medical practice.The main non-traditional treatments include:

• laser treatment - minimal power laser affects the inflamed area of the body and leads to tissue regeneration;
• interference current therapy - the lower back is exposed to medium and low frequency currents, this stimulates increased production of endorphins (pain-relieving hormones), as well as active recovery of damaged tissues;
• ultrasound treatment - in this case, ultrasound waves are used aimed at the surface of the back: it ensures tissue recovery and active healing, helping to eliminate pain;
• electrical stimulation of nerves through the skin - electrodes glued to the surface of the skin provide electrical impulses of a certain intensity, stimulate the active production of endorphins and help block the transmission of pain signals along the spine to the brain;
• lumbar brace - for this, pillows, cushions and special corsets are used to maintain the condition of the spine;
• Spinal traction using specialized equipment and exercise sets;
• special injection into the spine - the drug is injected into the space between the vertebrae.

The specialist may also send the patient to a "pain school," in which people are taught how to cope with pain independently, perform special exercises, and lead an active and healthy life.Such organizations mainly deal with group therapy, relaxation and psychology.

Preventive measures

A healthy and strong back is the best solution to avoid any pain.It is for this reason that the most effective prevention will be regular physical activity in moderation, correct posture and avoiding heavy lifting.

If a person has temporary back pain that radiates to the lumbar region, the following precautions should be taken:

• remove excess weight, if any: a large amount of extra weight can negatively affect the condition of the lower back, causing additional stress;
• Use correct and comfortable shoes with a low heel, this will help evenly distribute the load on the feet and avoid excessive stress on the spine when moving;
• it is important to stop moving suddenly as this can cause muscle strain;
• learn to cope with stress, depression, nervous breakdowns, stop worrying too much, as all this can cause pain.

Types of exercises for the back

Exercise is a good way to prevent and relieve lower back pain, but if pain persists for more than 6 months it is important to consult your doctor before starting to exercise.

Walking and increased swimming will help improve muscle condition and support the spine without overloading the spine, helping to eliminate possible sprains.Pilates and yoga will help strengthen the back muscles and develop their flexibility, but they must be performed under the close supervision of a professional trainer.

The most common simple exercises for back pain that can be done at home:

1. Wall squats - to perform this movement, you need to stand straight, place your feet shoulder-width apart.Next, perform squats until your body is in a 90-degree bent position.
2. Raise your legs alternately.To perform the exercise, you need to lie on the floor and start lifting each leg without bending them.The exercise is repeated 5 times.
3. Raise the pelvis.The exercise is performed in a supine position.First, the knees bend, then the pelvis rises due to tension in the abdominal muscles.When performing the exercise, it is important to keep your back straight.Repeat 5 times.

At first, the exercises are performed several times a day, over time the number of approaches increases to six times, depending on how the person himself feels.This complex helps to warm and strengthen the back muscles.Often, people injure their lower back while performing everyday activities, such as when lifting heavy objects or cleaning the house.Warming up your muscles thoroughly before performing work will help prevent injury.

Pain due to bone necrosis

Osteonecrosis is a disease of the cartilage that connects the vertebrae.Due to this disease, the spinal cord roots are compressed, causing pain.People over the age of 30 are especially susceptible to this condition, which has recently been diagnosed in younger people.

The main cause of back and lower back pain is lifting heavy objects, monotonous work in an uncomfortable position (for example, gardening).Osteoarthritis can occur as a result of a long trip without stopping, when a person constantly sits.

No one is immune to such a disease.It can be identified by the following symptoms:

• back-ache;
• lumbar pain, right (or left) back pain, pain spreading down the legs;
• pain increases only with changes in position and load on the lower back;
• a person may feel burning and lower back pain;
• after a long stay in an uncomfortable position, it is difficult to change due to severe discomfort;
• The sensitivity of the buttocks and legs decreases, a feeling of goosebumps appears;
• There is a problem of sweating and cold lower limbs.

If a person is sure that the pain syndrome originates from the spine, then he or she should take the following treatment measures:

• use a special woolen belt or scarf, tied around the lower back;
• lie on a hard, flat surface;
• Start taking anti-inflammatory medication;
• Apply anti-inflammatory ointment to treat back pain in the lumbar area.

It is important to remember that painkillers should not be taken on an empty stomach because they irritate the mucous membrane and can cause ulcers and gastritis.If a person is not sure about the cause of pain in the back and lower back, then it is important for him to see a doctor - taking anti-inflammatory drugs for diseases of the stomach and pancreas is very dangerous, as they can only aggravate the general situation.

What is prohibited?

In any case, the patient should not try to "straighten" the back on his own - this can only aggravate the pain syndrome and also cause great harm.In case of acute osteoarthritis, you should not bathe in warm water or take a bath or sauna.

After warming up, a person may feel an improvement in his condition and pain relief, but then the health condition will only worsen.If pain occurs frequently in the back area, it is important to have an MRI scan and seek help from a neurologist.