Back pain and lower back

Most often a sore lower back because the lower back is the largest of the movement and bears the weight of the upper part of the body. Pain in the lumbar region is a separate name — lumbago, if he gives leg — sciatica. Rarely, pain occurs in the thoracic spine. If the pain is acute and extends to the () side or arm, it is called "lumbago" or "sciatica". This type of pain is usually associated with compression of the spinal nerve.

lower back pain

Back pain and lower back pain can appear suddenly after heavy lifting, if difficult to translate. Sometimes discomfort in the back develop gradually by exertion or improper posture. Rarely the cause of pain cannot be determined. The pain may worsen at night, under load or long find it difficult, cause, for example, when on a long trip in the car. Often the pain will go away, lie on a flat hard surface.

In most cases, back pain a few days or weeks and then feel better, and mobility is restored. Speeds healing helps with pain medicines and a special mode of physical activity: the rest of only the first 1-2 days of special intense pain and then gradually return to an active lifestyle. However, in some cases, back or lower back pain lasts more than 6 weeks. Then we talk about the development of chronic back pain and prescribe additional treatment.

An important role in mood. Because the pain can be difficult to maintain a good mood, but studies show that positive thinking people usually recover faster than those who are depression.

The causes of back pain

Back to health depends on the proper functioning of the complex mechanism of bones, muscles, nerves and joints. Often to accurately determine the cause of the pain can be difficult. Fortunately, serious illness or back injury are rare. Most often back pain or back caused a minor injury, a muscle strain, stretching the muscles and ligaments, breaking and inflammation of the nerves. Discomfort can occur suddenly or develop gradually increase. Possible causes of back pain and lower back:

  • tricky business: the tilt or rotation of the housing;
  • lifting or carrying heavy objects, prolonged bending of the frame;
  • incorrect posture when walking or sitting;
  • excessive stretching of the back muscles;
  • prolonged driving without stopping.

Sometimes the beginning of the disease without any apparent reason, for example, in the morning, after sleep.

Risk factors of back pain

Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of back pain or lower back:

  • Overweight when the spine bears more load. To understand whether your weight is normal, calculate your body mass index.
  • Smoking — it can harm the tissues of the back, and smokers are generally less likely to lead to a healthy lifestyle.
  • Pregnancy — women of the spine are subject to additional load, which increases the volume of the stomach.
  • Long-term intake of drugs that reduce bone density, for example corticosteroids.
  • Stress — it is believed that the constant anxiety raises muscle tension back and neck, which can cause pain.

Diseases that can cause back pain and lower back:

  • Osteochondrosis and its complications, such as disc herniation, spinal degenerative disease, in which collapse of the intervertebral cartilage, resulting in pain. These diseases often develop with age, especially for those people who are experiencing heavy load on the back.
  • Stretching the ligaments and muscles — which often occurs after excessive physical exertion or awkward movement.
  • Different types of arthritis — an inflammatory disease of the joints. In this case, in addition to pain, marked morning stiffness of joints, impaired movement.
  • Kidney disease, such as pyelonephritis can cause pain in the lower back.

It is also more dangerous, but very rare causes of back pain. For example, cancer, tuberculosis of the spine, aortic aneurysm (separation of the walls of large blood vessels), etc. they are usually diagnosed during examination by a doctor.

Diagnosis of pain in the back and hips

diagnosis

Back pain and lower back, you can often cope with home medicines sold in a pharmacy without a prescription. Hospital treatment is usually not required. If the pain is severe, seek help from a doctor doctor. If the pain does not let you move, you can call the doctor at home.

During the investigation, the doctor ask you to sit, stand, walk, alternately lift the legs and also to check the range of motion back. He may ask about previous illnesses or injuries in your way of life and the nature of the work, as well as:

  • When the pain started?
  • Where it hurts?
  • Bothered back in the past?
  • Can you describe the pain?
  • Where the pain is not getting worse or goes?

Research and study, the doctor will try to rule out the possibility of infection and fracture, although they are very rare. If a controversial diagnosis, you may be referred to additional research: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or x-ray of the spine. To avoid kidney disease, the doctor will prescribe the urine.

In most cases, back pain will fail to remove in a few days. If treatment does not help, back pain lasts more than 6 weeks (the so-called chronic back pain), or cause disease is a serious illness, the therapist refer you to a specialist. Most often for the treatment of back pain and low back pain deals with the neurologist. In addition, the treatment can be connected with a doctor, like an osteopath, reflexologist, chiropractor.

For the treatment of back and lumbar

Treatment of back pain may depend on its duration and severity, as well as personal preference and needs. In most cases, the pain can be removed by using non-prescription medicines and treatment at home.

The engine room

In previous years it was believed that when back pain need to rest. It is now accepted that people who wake up early to move faster to cope with back pain and lower back pain. Complete quiet and bed rest is shown only for 1-2 days in the acute stage, when pain is very strong and does not move. In this case, it is recommended to have a hard and smooth surface. As soon as the condition is slightly improved, you should gradually return to your mobile life, expand the range of motion a little bit every day.

Gradually you can move around the house or go shopping. You have to tolerate the discomfort and learn to avoid everything, which causes severe pain. A few days later, you can return to work without waiting for the moment when the pain in the back or lower back will be completely (of course, if your work does not involve excessive load on the spine). Early activation will take you back to normal daily routine and distract from the pain.

Muscle relaxants

It is drugs that relieve the spasm of the muscles, relax the muscles. They are appointed in cases where excessive muscle tension of the spine increasing pain, which can, for example, when aggravation of degenerative disc disease or disc herniation. Muscle relaxants side effects, many of them can take the wheel. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Treatment of heat and cold

heat treatment

Some of the pain to help the heat, for example, a warm bath or a heating pad to the sore spot. Also relieves the conditions can be cold, if, for example, is applied to the lower back ice or package of frozen vegetables. Do not use ice directly on the skin because it can cause frostbite. Wrap it in a damp towel and apply to the affected area. You can also alternative heat treatment cold, applying alternating ice and a heating pad.

Position for sleeping

Change position to sleep to relieve the tension from the back and relieve pain. If you sleep on your side, slightly pull the leg to your chest and place a pillow between your legs. If you do not return back, put a pillow under the knees to support the natural curve of the spine in the lumbar region.

Relaxation

This is a very important part of dealing with pain, because if you worry too much, it causes muscle tension, which can aggravate the pain. Studies show that positive thinking people tend to recover more quickly. The pain of them goes a long, chronic. There are a variety of relaxation techniques. As a rule, it is recommended to learn breathing exercises and simple exercises to alternate tension and relaxation of different muscles of the body.

Exercise and a healthy lifestyle

Try to remove the cause back pain to prevent it from returning in the future. The most common causes of back pain — being overweight, bad posture and stress. Regular exercise and active lifestyle will help you recover strong and healthy. Most people want to do this walking, swimming and yoga. Most importantly — choose what you want and don't cause pain. Sometimes classes are conducted in groups under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Usually the class will perform exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve posture, as well as aerobic exercise and stretching exercises.

Treatment of chronic back pain

If back pain lasts more than 6 weeks (the so-called chronic back pain), in addition to pain medications and muscle relaxants are used the methods described below deal with the pain. These treatments can help those who back pain prevent you from doing the usual routine and alarming.

Prevention of back pain

Strong and flexible back is the best way to avoid the pain. Therefore, the most effective prevention is regular exercise, correct posture and safety when lifting and carrying heavy loads.

If you periodically back hurts, try the following:

  • To lose weight, if obese. Too much body weight can put more lower back stress.
  • Wearing orthopedic shoes with a small heel, which reduces the load on the spine during walking.
  • Avoid sudden movements that may cause stretching of the muscles.
  • You can learn to cope with stress, fears and worries, which can improve back pain.

Correct posture and good sleep back pain

Posture significantly affects the health of your back. Standing always try to keep the body straight, head straight, not the idea. Distribute the weight evenly on both feet, do not bend them. Sit up straight, especially in the lower back. Knees and hips should be at the same level and the legs stand on the floor (if necessary, use a footstool). It is sometimes convenient to below the waist a small pillow or rolled towel. If you type on the keyboard, forearms should be horizontal, your elbows should be bent at an angle.

If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, make sure that the chair is the emphasis on the waist. If you adjust the side view mirrors, you don't need to bend back. The pedals should be directly in front of the foot. A long trip make regular stops to stretch your back.

Sleep should be a place to relax the whole body, including the back. This requires quite a hard mattress, so it does not bend under the weight of the body from the shoulders to the buttocks, as in a hammock. If the bed is too soft, place a firm Board or the Management board (ideally 2cm thick) under the mattress. The head will be a pillow, but the neck should be bent at a large angle.