Back pain - symptoms and treatment.

Back pain is a symptom of disease often of the muscles of the back and spine. In this article, we'll look at why back pain.

The problem in the lower back can be the result of diseases of the bone tissue of the spine, the lumbar discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area. The upper back may be sore as a result of diseases of the aorta, breast tumors or inflammation of the spine.

A sudden short pain in the lower back also called lumbago, and gradually evolved into a chronic lumbalgia. If it hurts your lower back (the coccyx) is coccygodynia.

The causes of back pain

In most cases, back pain is due to musculoskeletal diseases (microdamages joints and ligaments of the spine, when a heavy load of them, tension or spasms of the muscles). A few less common cause of pain will become more pronounced changes in the spine, such as herniated discs or displacement of the vertebrae (spondylolisthesis). Finally, in rare cases, back pain can be associated with serious diseases (tumors and inflammatory processes of the spine and spinal cord diseases of internal organs — kidneys, heart, pancreas, pelvic organs, etc.).

Possible causes of back pain

• Muscle spasms;
• Sprain (ligament damage );
• Muscle;
• Pregnancy;
• Scoliosis;
• Bleeding pelvic;
• Dissection of the aorta;
• Infection of the spine and pelvis;
• Lumbar spinal stenosis;
• Metastases in the spine (cancer that has spread to the spine from other organs);
• Viral infections, like the flu.

Disease with back pain

• Osteochondrosis;
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm;
• Ankylosing spondylitis;
• Bone cancer;
• Coccygodynia;
• Degenerative diseases of the vertebral discs;
• Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis;
• Endometriosis;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Fracture;
• Kidney stones;
• Arthritis;
• Paget's disease;
• Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer (girdle pain);
• Psoriatic arthritis;
• Reactive arthritis;
• Sciatica;
• Herpes zoster (pain and a characteristic rash on the skin).

What is the danger of back pain

Typically, back pain is of a permanent nature, aggravated by movement and physical exertion and are accompanied by limited mobility of the spine and the feeling of stiffness in the back. In most cases, which is characterized by a recurrent course, with episodes of exacerbations, usually caused by intense physical activity, long-term presence in an awkward position, or hypothermia, has been replaced by a more or less long periods of time, when the pain is absent or minimally expressed.

In most cases of back pain do not represent a direct threat to the life and health of a person, and often to transfer their own (without treatment). However, sometimes back pain can be due to serious diseases of the spine or internal organs.

The following are the features of back pain that can be associated with serious pathology. If you have any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately, and in any case not to self-medicate.

• Back pain is constant and localized in one place.
• Back pain is not reduced in the supine position, or occurs at night.
• Back pain accompanied by fever.
• Back pain associated with muscle tension in the limbs, or combined long-term stiffness in the morning.

Diagnosis back pain

• Examination by a neurologist to assess the condition of the nervous system, muscles and the spine.
• The general analysis of blood and urine tests to rule out inflammation in the kidney.
• Spine x-ray of the left osteomyelitis, fractures and other diseases. Clarification to identify the x-rays changes, the doctor may also request a CT scan or MRI of the spine (the first to give us the opportunity to assess the condition of the bone structures, the second — the spine and intervertebral discs).

Very often, when these studies show degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs and vertebrae and makes the diagnosis "osteochondrosis". It should be noted that the degenerative disc disease itself is not a disease, and reflects age-related changes in the spine. Certain changes in the intervertebral discs (including hernia) reveal almost all people of Mature age, including never experienced back pain. In other words, identify the signs of osteoarthritis on x-rays or disc herniation mri does not give us reason to believe that back pain is associated with them (such a decision can be made only by the doctor based on the results of clinical research).

For the treatment of back pain

To fully recover from back pain is not often, however, you can reduce the frequency of relapses through proper lifestyle and medication. Treatment of back pain depends on the cause of their appearance. Choose the treatment that suits You can be a doctor.

Impact management measures can take time, so you need patience and endurance. The main goal of treatment is not only to relieve the acute pain, but also to prevent worsening of the disease in the future.

How to relieve back pain

Bed rest can contribute to the transition from acute back pain chronic. In this sense, when moderate pain is not necessary, the bed, and when intense pains should be possible to limit its duration (1-3 days).

If back pain should be limited to currently physical activity, in particular, to avoid heavy lifting and prolonged stay in one position, it is important to do the movement without increasing the load on the spine.

Decompress the spine and the rest it is recommended to use a special belt or corset.

Cure back pain

Treatment depends on the cause of back pain and to appoint her to the doctor after the treatment.

Pain relief using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, manufactured in the form of tablets, ampoules forms injections, creams and gels and pain medication or combination of medications. Drugs in both groups prescribed a short course (usually 3-5 days). In addition, remove the pain, apply compresses with a solution of local anesthetics and pharmacological blockade (which can be performed only by a doctor).

The pain associated with muscle tension and use drugs to eliminate muscle spasm (muscle relaxants Central action 1-2 weeks). Take these drugs only on prescription.

Currently, for the treatment of back pain associated with degenerative changes in the spine (osteochondrosis), the proposal to use special drugs — drugs that stimulate the main components of cartilage tissue and thus prevent its destruction. The effectiveness of these drugs in diseases of the spine is not proven, the same can be said about many of the widely advertised supplements (usually containing medicinal plants, biological products, vitamins, etc.) and homeopathic. Despite the fact that all these tools are freely dispensed at the pharmacy without a prescription, do not take them without consulting a doctor.

Physiotherapy and exercise therapy for back pain

To relieve pain, you can apply dry heat (but not deep heat) and other physiotherapy treatments, but only after consultation with your doctor.

After the end of the acute period of useful therapeutic exercise for special complexes (to strengthen the back muscles and the abdomen) and massage.

Chiropractic back pain

The manual treatment can be prescribed only by a doctor after perform radiography and/or mri, which can be used to objectively assess the condition of the spine and its surrounding tissues. With proper implementation of manual therapy (impact the spinal joints, ligaments and muscles) allows you to adjust many of the local disturbances (e.g., muscle tension, subluxations in the joints), which sometimes allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate back pain.

Manual therapy is contra-indications and limitations:

• Hernia or destruction of intervertebral disc (displacement of the fragments may cause compression of the spinal cord, spinal roots and blood vessels).
• When myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, tuberculosis of the spine, dysfunction of the endocrine system cases, with severe osteoporosis.
• Severe exacerbations, accompanied by a sharp restriction of mobility of the spine, because of pain and muscle tension in the back (possibly increased symptoms).
• Diseases of the blood vessels and disorders of blood coagulation.

If improperly performed chiropractic care can lead to serious complications, so it must be performed only by a qualified professional (medical specialization). Perfectly acceptable to perform manual therapy average health care professionals and persons with no medical training!

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (acupuncture) often has a positive effect of moderate back pain, especially caused by muscle tension and combined psycho-emotional disorders. Although, according to the ideas of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture can be used in any disease, it is considered that acupuncture is contraindicated in the following cases.

• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
• The presence of benign and malignant tumors (including the past).
• Diseases that require urgent surgical intervention.
• This violation of the function of the kidney and liver.
• In the presence of a tendency to bleeding or taking drugs that violate the blood clotting.
• Acute infectious diseases.
• During pregnancy.

Yoga for back pain

Yoga not only relieve pain but also relieve tension in the back muscles and reduce inflammation. Just 5 minutes a day to devote to exercise, and soon see the result.

Prevention of back pain

• Use a comfortable bed, which is firm and hard mattress.
• Try to maintain correct posture while walking.
• Into account the correct position at the Desk, when working at the computer. Please note that the forearm, when I was weight, and completely lying on the table. Constant use, use a chair with a backrest, headrest and armrests rest and relaxation.
• Avoid prolonged stay in one position (computer, driving a car). Try every half hour to stretch, stretch, move.
• During a long-term stay in the upright position, locate the fulcrum back, arm, or head (for example, leaning back against the vertical surface of the train station).
• If shoes with high heels, remember that you can walk on it without interruption for a maximum of 2 hours.
• Avoid sharp turns and slopes of the body, always seek support from the Commission of such acts.
• If you want to pick up something from the floor, you should squat, but not skinny.
• Do not lift or move weights, carry them in front of you, avoid jerks and try to keep your back straight.
• Strengthen your back muscles through physical therapy, swimming, work out in the gym.
• Maintain a normal weight