Back pain in the lumbar region can have a number of causes. The most common and widespread of these is lumbar osteochondrosis. Knowing the exact diagnosis, after consulting a specialist, you can treat your back at home.
Cause of back pain
Back pain in women can be the cause of some gynecological problems - fibroids, adnexitis, tumors of various origins, sometimes they appear during pregnancy. It can be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and appear on both the left and right sides. If we talk about chondrosis, among other possible causes of lower back pain, both men and women are noted:
- Obesity;
- long periods of sitting - behind the wheel or at the computer;
- excessive exercise;
- sharp lifting of weights;
- Stress, regular nervous tension;
- Draft exposure, hypothermia.
Treatment of acute loin pain at home should begin by addressing the cause of the inflammation. If the pain is consistently managed with medication, it is likely to recur on a regular basis. The aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process. The choice of therapy depends on the degree of pain symptoms.
First aid for acute pain
The spine is the support for the skeleton and the entire organism. Pain in any part of it is accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms. A person is restricted in movement, often he cannot walk alone, the condition of other organs and systems deteriorates. The loin is the most vulnerable part of the spine. Since humans, unlike animals, move straight and their lower back is the center of gravity, an enormous load is placed precisely on this department.
Osteochondrosis and other musculoskeletal disorders begin to develop at a young age. Due to the fact that the type of activity for many people is associated with a sitting position and back problems cannot be prevented, sooner or later the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and become the cause of the development of many diseases, which, in acute form, can be severeCause pain. These diseases include:
- Inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- Spondylosis;
- Intervertebral hernia;
- Sprains and injuries;
- Radiculitis;
- Lumbago.
Sudden severe pain disrupts the person's lifestyle. It occurs with every load on the spine, it can start abruptly even at rest. The risk group includes athletes, motorists, people whose work involves lifting weights, and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
If the back pain is severe, it is important to properly provide first aid to the victim. Take a horizontal position on a hard surface. This will help the muscles and discs relax as much as possible while the spasm subsides slightly. Then the affected area should be lubricated with an ointment with a warming and analgesic effect. If the pain does not subside afterwards and movement is still restricted, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken. They are generally quite effective. It is not recommended to take these drugs in large amounts. If after these manipulations the pain does not subside, you need to call an ambulance.
After giving first aid, without inflammation, you need to tighten the lower back with a warm handkerchief and fix it in one position.
When you need professional help
You should see a doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms in addition to pain:
- Pain intensifies;
- in addition to the spine, it hurts in several other places;
- impaired sensitivity.
It is also necessary to see a doctor if the spine has previously been injured.
Therapy methods
Medicines can be used during home treatment for acute low back pain, but only the attending physician should prescribe them. The following funds are usually used:
- Painkiller. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are good at relieving pain, but should not be taken constantly as they have a number of contraindications and often cause side effects.
- Some narcotics may only be used for a short time and only under the supervision of a specialist.
- Local pain relievers. These include ointments, gels, creams. They are rubbed into the affected area.
- Often times, doctors prescribe muscle relaxants for their patients. Taking such drugs is accompanied by drowsiness and dizziness.
Each of the listed drugs must be coordinated with a specialist, since only he can prescribe the correct treatment regimen.
In some cases, when none of the listed medications could help, cortisol injections are prescribed to be given into the space around the spinal cord. Cortisol helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots, but it can take several months to completely clear up the pain syndrome.
Physiotherapy and exercise therapy
In some situations, drug treatment is contraindicated. For example, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, patients with diseases for which drugs should not be taken. In such cases, many doctors recommend non-drug treatments to their patients.
Gymnastics relieve pain well. It allows you to quickly relieve back pain at home, relieve muscle tension, relieve pain and strengthen the muscle corset. The beneficial effect of exercise on sleep, the patient's entire body and nervous system is noted. The duration of the main training is approx. 5 minutes, but the effect can already be felt during the execution.
One of the most useful exercises is the "cat" exercise. You must stand on all fours, bend your spine down, and then bend up in an arc. You must remain in each position for 7 seconds.
Twisting has a positive effect on the entire spine. To do them, you need to sit on your back on a hard surface. Rotate your legs bent at the knees to one side and your body to the other. At the same time, it is important to feel how all muscles are being stretched.
Stand on all fours with your head and shoulders on a chair. Slowly pull your lumbar spine, first in one direction, then in the other direction.
Massage and self-massage
The advantages of massage are obvious:
- relieves pain;
- stimulates blood circulation;
- improves lymph flow;
- restores the conductivity of the nerve fibers;
- eliminates puffiness;
- stops inflammatory processes in the body.
However, massage should only be done by a specialist, otherwise it can worsen the situation.
Massage is contraindicated in the acute phase of the disease, at elevated temperatures, tumor diseases, thrombosis, high blood pressure, disc displacement, tuberculosis and some diseases of the heart organs.
It is a good idea to learn basic self massage techniques. Before performing, you need to warm up your back, take a prone position and straighten your head up. After that, sit down and pull your hands behind your head and try to secure them in the lock. Then with your right hand you need to wash the muscles along the spine and repeat the same thing with your left hand. Next, knead the sides with both hands. After the massage, you need to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and lie down in a quiet environment.
Paraffin therapy
For acute back pain, treatment with paraffin is good. The purpose of the procedure is to increase blood and lymph flow in tissues with restricted blood supply. During the procedure, warm molten paraffin is applied to the affected area. In this case, the average layer width must be at least 15 mm. The paraffin wax is covered with a foil and over it with a warm blanket for a relaxing effect. The duration of treatment is 7 to 20 days.
Home remedies
Traditional treatments include rubbing, tinctures, compresses, and baths. A compress that is prepared on the basis of honey and vinegar has proven itself. Relieve pain in the lumbar region very quickly by warming up with warm salt in a canvas bag. The mustard bath relaxes and relieves muscle tension. After each of these procedures, you need to dress warmly and fix your back with a warm scarf.
Back pain prevention
After relieving pain and inflammation, you need to make sure that such an attack does not occur again. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle - give up bad habits, balance your diet, choose the right mattress for sleeping and resting. Light exercises for the back muscles should be done daily and a massage course every six months. It is important to understand the importance of water treatments for a healthy back. Swimming in the pool, circular shower, showering - all of these contribute to the health of the back and the whole body.
It is very important to balance your diet and add more vitamins and minerals. It is necessary to consider and comply with your needs for BZHU. It helps build muscle mass that supports the spine and loses weight.