Lumbar spine pain is one of the worst medical conditions imaginable as it puts the most strain on the lumbar spine compared to the rest of the spine, making the lower back the most prone to injury. Most commonly, back pain is a symptom of osteochondrosis, as well as radiculitis and other serious medical conditions.
Why does the lower back hurt
Most commonly, low back pain occurs after intense exercise, after being in one position for long periods of time, or as a result of awkward movement. The main risk factors that can cause back pain to occur:
- Constant driving or, due to a sedentary lifestyle, working on the computer;
- if work is associated with a constant load on the lower back, stress;
- too intense training in the gym;
- also possible lower back pain due to pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- great weight.
Lower back pain usually goes away on its own if you leave it alone. If the lower back is still aching constantly or pain occurs periodically, these may already be signs of the disease. Without the right treatment, back pain can have serious consequences - up to and including surgical interventions on the spine.
What diseases can cause back pain?
Lower back pain is divided into primary and secondary. The primary pain syndrome directly causes a disease of the spine:
- in most cases it can be osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (one third of all cases);
- it can also be an intervertebral hernia;
- Protrusion of the intervertebral disc;
- Spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis.
Secondary pain syndrome usually occurs not because of the spine, but because of some other problems in the body that cause lower back pain:
- it can be fractures due to osteoporosis;
- tumors in the lumen of the spinal canal;
- Spinal fracture;
- prolonged stay in one position and constant muscle load;
- anatomically narrow spinal canal;
- Scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- it can also be rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis or osteoarthritis;
- Osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- injuries can also cause urolithiasis;
- Pyelonephritis;
- Pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- Ovarian cancer, ovarian cyst, endometriosis.
What to do with back pain
What to do with severe back pain, we recommend:
- Lie on your back or on a firm mattress, a surface that will support your lower back;
- lift your legs and bend your knees, you can put a pillow under your feet to make it easier for you to lie down;
- are taking pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs;
- try not to make sudden movements;
- call a doctor to your home;
- you need to stay in bed for several days;
- It is worthwhile to avoid spicy and smoked dishes and to pay attention to the right diet.
prophylaxis
To avoid such problems, you need to constantly prevent:
- less sedentary lifestyle;
- if you still have sedentary work, then try to do a little exercise every hour - tilt your head and trunk to one side, twist your shoulders back and forth, spread your legs shoulder-width apart, and breathe in and out;
- if you are lifting weights, then you are doing it right - keep your back straight, do not make sudden movements, lift the weights gradually;
- do more exercises for the spine and abdominal muscles;
- pay attention to your posture, keep your back straight, do not lean back, sit down and preferably walk with a book on your head;
- do without a soft bed and mattresses - do not choose the softest, but also not the hardest mattress so that it provides good lower back support;
- stand close to the wall several times a day so that your heels, buttocks, shoulder blades and the back of your head are touching them, stand like this for a few minutes;
- do more exercise that keeps your back muscles in shape. This can be swimming, walking, skiing, yoga, and the like;
Therapeutic gymnastics for the treatment of the lower back in men and women
If the lower back pain is minor, do the following exercises to prevent it:
- Lie on your back, straighten your arms along your torso, slightly bend your legs at the knees. Bend your legs to the left and turn your head and torso slightly to the right. Hold this for a few seconds. Then return to the starting position and repeat the exercise while tilting your legs to the other side. Do this exercise 10 times.
- Go on your knees. Put your hands on the chair in front of you. In this position, bend your back up and then as far as possible. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Then lift your right leg 8 inches off the floor. Keep doing this until you feel tired. Do the same exercise with the other leg. Repeat this exercise 5 times on each leg.