Modern man, over the age of 25, periodically begins to experience pain in the lower back, varying in frequency and intensity. Over time, the frequency of unpleasant symptoms increases, the sensations of pain increase. The period of exacerbation is getting longer. This is a clinical picture of the development of lumbar osteochondrosis - a disease in which there is a gradual destruction of cartilage in the intervertebral discs. They become thinner, deformed, their protrusion is compacted. In advanced cases, in the absence of appropriate treatment, low back pain becomes unbearable and interferes with normal movements. At this stage, as a rule, lumbar disc herniation is diagnosed.
This is a kind of retribution for a person for upright posture and upright body position. During the transition to an upright position, the center of gravity shifted, which we have in the lumbar region. This means that the entire weight of the body when walking, running, jumping, bending the trunk and other movements puts pressure on the vertebrae of the lumbar spine. Insufficiently developed muscular framework of the back and abdominal press causes destruction of the intervertebral discs, the appearance of osteophytes and other pathological formations. And these are common causes of back pain.
Other causes of back pain
In addition to osteochondrosis and its complications, there are other causes of lower back pain. First of all, various injuries must be ruled out, as a result of which both the integrity of the cartilage and the vertebral body may be affected. These can be vertebral fractures, spinal fractures, compression fractures of the spine with displacement of the structures of the spinal cord.
Lumbar injuries can be caused by frontal and tangential impacts, falls from heights and traffic accidents. Athletes who are professionally engaged in weightlifting often apply for a meeting with injuries.
In women, low back pain can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease. Leading among them is adnexitis. In second place is cystic ovarian disease, which causes pulling and low back pain, exacerbated during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. After the age of 45, low back pain in women is often caused by tumor processes - uterine fibroids, cancers of the ovaries and cervix.
In both sexes there are causes of lower back pain such as inguinal hernia and kidney disease: pyelonephritis, polycystosis, amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis. To rule out renal pathology, it is necessary to consult a nephrologist and undergo urine tests according to Nechiporenko, according to Zimnitsky. Helps to differentiate the diagnosis of ultrasound of the kidneys.
In some cases, the cause of upper lumbar pain is intercostal neuralgia or shingles. The first condition can be distinguished by palpation of the intercostal spaces. Usually in intercostal neuralgia this causes a sharp increase in pain and is characterized by unilateral localization. In shingles, visible rashes on the skin in the form of small blisters filled with clear fluid.
Tuberculosis and sarcoma can be more dangerous causes of back pain. These diseases leave little chance of recovery. Sometimes they are disguised in the initial stage as ankylosing spondylitis, which also has stiffness and severe low back pain in the morning. Then all the symptoms disappear.
Low back pain: what to do?
If your lower back hurts - what should I do in this case, which doctor should I seek help from? You can make an appointment with a therapist who, upon careful examination, will make the initial diagnosis and schedule additional tests. Mandatory: general analysis of urine, general blood test, ultrasound of the kidneys and urinary tract, exclusion of tumor processes in the abdominal cavity. A consultation with a neurologist, gynecologist (for women) and a TB doctor can then be made. X-ray and tomographic examination methods can be used to clarify the location of the destructive process in the spine.
Prescribing treatment depends on the diagnosis. In osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, complete treatment is possible only with manual therapeutic methods. In the initial stage, the pain is relieved with the help of traction traction, osteopathy and therapeutic massage. Then doctors make an effort to restore the structure of cartilage. Reflexology, acupuncture and the introduction of minimal doses of drugs in the biologically active points of the human body can be used to enhance the regenerative processes.
After the restoration of physiological mobility, the complex of rehabilitation treatment should continue. Includes physiotherapy and massage. You should also listen to the recommendations of experts on the organization of diet, work and rest, the organization of your work and place to sleep. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily use a spinal support bracket.