About 80 percent of adults experience low back pain, and if you have a problem, know that you are not alone. This can be improved. Understanding the origin of pain is key, but there can be many factors. We have compiled the main causes of low back pain that can cause back pain. How to relieve the disease? There are ways.
Back pain can occur at any age and in any physical condition. So there is dull, constant or intermittent pain and a sudden acute attack occurs after which the person has difficulty moving. The pain may appear suddenly due to heavy lifting, may develop as you age, as a result of changes in your spine or an accident. A sedentary lifestyle is also a major cause of low back pain. Especially if your daily routine is not diluted by physical activity (exercise, swimming pool, fitness, yoga).
In most cases, back pain is acute and short-lived or less severe, but lasts from a few days to a few weeks. At such times, one still does not lose activity, mobility, and service in daily life.
Subacute pain is pain that persists after an acute period and lasts for 4-12 weeks. If the pain persists after this period, it is called chronic. Sometimes treatment can help relieve chronic low back pain. But in some cases, the pain persists despite medical and surgical treatment.
So back pain, the causes of which are often age-related and associated with wear and tear on the joints, discs and bones of the spine or mechanical pain:
1. Sprains
This can lead to severe back pain. Stretching is caused by something not turning or lifting properly. And also because of heavy lifting or excessive stretching. These conditions can cause cramps in the muscles of the back, which also cause pain.
2. Intervertebral disc wear
One of the most common causes of back pain. The manifestation of this is the loss of the integrity of the plate, cracks appear. Young and healthy back discs allow the lower part to be bent, bent and twisted. But over the years, the flexibility of the discs decreases and they lose their shock-absorbing ability.
3. Hernia
From heavy lifting, poor posture, accidents, sports injuries, etc. There is fluid in the center of the lumbar disc; it can come out and irritate the nearby nerve root for a variety of reasons. There are many nerve fibers in the wall of the disc, and the cracked wall can cause severe pain.
4. Radiculopathy
This condition is caused by compression, inflammation, and / or damage to the spinal root. What’s more, pressure on the nerve roots results in pain, numbness, or tingling that spreads to other parts of the body connected to the nerve. The problem can occur when the central canal of the spine narrows or a hernia tightens the nerve root.
5. Ischias
Compression of the sciatic nerve that travels through the buttocks and extends down the back of the foot. This compression causes shock or burning pain in the lower back, combined with pain in the buttocks. And in exceptional cases, when the nerve is trapped between the disc and the adjacent bone, one may feel numbness and severe weakness in the legs. Otherwise, this condition is caused by a tumor or cyst that presses on the sciatic nerve or its roots.
6. Spinal stenosis
With this condition, a person may experience numbness or weakness in the legs while walking with lower back pain. And with loss of sensitivity.
7. Scoliosis and other skeletal disorders
People usually do not experience special problems with curvature of the spine until the Middle Ages.
Low back pain is not often associated with severe health conditions. But you still need to be aware of their existence to have time to see a doctor in time. The diseases listed below can only be overcome with medical help. This is:
1. Infections
These are not the causes of lower back pain, but can affect the vertebrae (osteomyelitis), intervertebral discs (discitis), or sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis).
2. Tumors
Sometimes a tumor appears in the back (and at certain stages, of course, pain and other symptoms occur), but most often these are metastases that have spread to other parts of the body due to the cancer.
3. Cauda equina syndrome
The disease is sometimes accompanied by a cracked disc. This is because the disc material is pushed into the spinal canal and the bundle of the roots of the lumbar and sacral nerves is compressed. In connection with this disease, a person may have problems with urine and intestines.
4. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
This occurs when the large blood vessels that carry blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs dilate abnormally. In addition, lower back pain may indicate that the aorta is enlarged and there is a risk of rupture.
5. Kidney stones
Stones can cause severe pain in the lower back (usually on one side).
Other factors and causes that can cause back pain:
- Inflammatory diseases of the joints.For example, arthritis, spondylitis, vertebral inflammation.
- Osteoporosis.This is a bone disease accompanied by a decrease in bone density and strength, which can lead to vertebral fractures.
- Endometriosis.A female disease that can cause pain in the pelvis and lower back.
- Fibromyalgia.Pain syndrome with muscle pain and fatigue. Chronic.
What to do with back pain?
You first need to understand the causes of pain. What can help in one condition does not cause (or perhaps aggravate) another. In some cases, urgent hospitalization is required. Therefore, be sure to listen for signs of the body and, if necessary, consult a doctor or take appropriate measures.
Ways to treat low back pain:
1. You can rest on your back after a while
Many back problems can be solved (or alleviated) by avoiding strenuous activities. However, resting for more than a few days is not recommended as too long inactivity may make treatment difficult.
2. Limited activity
This means staying active but avoiding pain-increasing actions and attitudes. For example, if the pain gets worse while sitting in the car or at the desk for a long time, set a timer that gets up every 20 minutes and walks or stretches gently. Minimizing activities and positions that aggravate pain will help prevent or alleviate painful cramps and speed up the healing process.
3. Cold / heat therapy
Hot bath, heating pads, body wrap are suitable for relaxing tense muscles and improving blood flow. If your back pain is due to inflammation, you can try reducing the swelling with ice or a cold compress. It is important to protect the skin during procedures to prevent tissue damage.
4. Painkillers
The most common over-the-counter medications are anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve back pain caused by swelling of nerves or muscles. And in some cases, painkillers can help. B vitamins, muscle relaxants, various gels and ointments are effective.
5. Physiotherapy
Usually part of the treatment of low back pain. Stretching is beneficial: the more agile your muscles are, the better your back can move without injury. We recommend that you start small - stretch your lower back, buttocks, thighs, leg muscles for 20-30 seconds, and if you hurt, stop stretching.
You also need to strengthen the muscles in your abdomen, thighs and buttocks that support your spine. Low-impact aerobic exercise increases blood flow and helps heal injuries without spinal shocks. For example, you can move on stationary bikes and elliptical trainers, walk and swim.
In fact, any exercise that will keep your heart cycle healthy for a long time is beneficial for your body. Regular exercise is essential to maintain the freedom of movement and flexibility of a healthy spine.