The lower back (lumbago) enables movement and supports our body, but it often surprises us with unpleasant pain. It occurs equally in athletes and in people who sit for long periods and move little. Although lower back pain has become an everyday occurrence for most people, in certain cases it can indicate serious diseases of other organs, even cancer. This happens because all organs in the lesser pelvis, including the colon, prostate and the uterus with the ovaries, can reflect pain into this very part of the back. When the pain is accompanied by a disorder in bladder or bowel function, you should seek medical advice urgently.
Lumbago refers to back pain, that is, pain in the small of the back. First the muscles begin to hurt, then degenerative changes occur and the pain spreads around the waist. In some cases the pain can travel down the leg or block movement.
If pain in the lumbar spine lasts up to a month and a half it is acute pain, and if it lasts longer than three months it is chronic pain. When a physiatric or orthopedic examination diagnoses chronic pain, which is most often lumbar syndrome - lumbago, an appropriate therapy is defined. However, using medication or applying a suitable therapy will only relieve the pain temporarily if work is not done on eliminating the cause of the pain. What are the causes of the pain?
The lower back supports the weight of the upper body, provides rotation of the hips and support for the spinal column. Since the lower back usually has only five vertebrae they bear a heavy load. Due to a lot of movement, pressure and stress, they wear out, tear and become injured.
The essential reason for the onset of back pain is muscle imbalance which increases muscle tone, so the muscles push the bones and shift them out of their natural position. In this way the bones and joints, as well as the muscles themselves, endure a great and constant strain. As a consequence of this process and muscle weakness, poor posture develops.
Lower back pain can really have many causes, and sometimes they are not even easy to detect. The most common causes of back pain are described below.
There are really many classifications of the types of lower back pain, and one of them divides it into mechanical, discal and radicular pain.
Mechanical (axial) pain is focused on a single spot or area, and its intensity can increase while sitting or standing. It can be intense or transient, sharp or dull. It is produced by certain movements of the spine such as a sprain of the ligaments, muscle tension, curvature of the spine, but also by internal friction when sciatica, a herniated disc and the like occur. It appears in the muscles, ligaments, bones, joints, around the spine or in the spine itself.
Discal pain is often a dull, deep pain that spreads, moves and varies in intensity. For example, degenerative disc disease can manifest as pain that spreads to the hips. So-called radicular pain can occur if the root of a spinal nerve becomes inflamed. The pain is sharp and is accompanied by a sensation of tingling, numbness or weakness (sciatica). It usually appears only on one side of the body.
Pain that is caused by other organs in the body but is transferred to the lower back we call organic pain. It can be caused by:
As we have already mentioned, lower back pain can occur without a definitive cause, when we speak of idiopathic pain.
Depending on when it occurs, in whom it occurs, in what way and how it spreads, lower back pain can be:
Pain that is worse after waking up can occur for numerous reasons, ranging from an inadequate mattress, through reduced blood flow, to stress.
Lower back pain that worsens after prolonged sitting. Although walking and stretching the muscles can help the pain disappear, returning to a sitting position can bring the pain back.
Pain when changing position can help in discovering the cause of the pain because, with certain diseases, a particular position can be more or less (un)pleasant.
Pain that spreads down the legs and feet (sciatica). A sharp sensation of tingling and numbness appears that descends down the thighs, calves and feet. It arises from irritation of the sciatic nerve and is usually felt only on one side of the body.
Lower back pain in men. If the pain occurs in the lower back and abdomen, it can indicate torsion (twisting) of the testicle, which can further block the blood supply to the testicle. If, along with the pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in the semen and swelling appear, urgent medical attention is needed.
Lower back pain in women can occur during pregnancy, but can also indicate gynecological problems. The most common are endometriosis, fibroids and similar problems that will be discussed in more detail below.
Lower back pain on the right side can be caused by a sprain and tearing of tendons, but it can also indicate diseases that require treatment. One of them is spinal stenosis, that is, narrowing or compression of the spinal canal. Also, lower back pain on the right side can be a sign of a kidney stone, inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis), a bacterial or viral infection of the urinary tract, gynecological problems...
Lower back pain on the left side can indicate gynecological problems, testicular torsion, a kidney stone or various kidney infections, etc. Whether the pain occurs on the right or the left side, it should not be ignored.
Lower back and buttock pain can occur due to strain or sprain, but can be a sign of spinal stenosis, when a pulsating pain appears that radiates toward the buttocks.
When a ligament, as connective tissue, is stretched or torn, a sprain occurs, while excessive strain can cause tearing of muscles or tendons. Besides deformations, sprains are one of the leading reasons for the onset of acute back pain. A sprain or strain can occur during a fall, improper lifting of heavy objects, clumsy sudden movements and jerks, excessive or improper stretching during exercise.
Lower back and buttock pain can vary from mild to severe. Besides the pain felt in the lower right part of the back and the buttocks, cramps, difficulty getting up, stiffness and tenderness can occur. The recovery time depends on the severity of the symptoms and the cause.
Another reason for lower back and buttock pain is spinal stenosis, that is, narrowing of the spinal canal. This is a region within the spine where the spinal cord is located. The narrowing presses on the spinal cord, which can create numbness and a pulsating pain that radiates into the lower back, buttocks and legs. Treatment includes the use of certain medications, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. In more severe cases, surgical intervention is needed.
In short, when lower back and buttock pain appears together with groin pain or abdominal pain, do not ignore it. Pay particular attention to whether it is accompanied by painful urination, the appearance of blood in the urine and stool, fever, nausea, vomiting or irregular menstruation.
Lower back pain in women usually occurs in the second part of pregnancy because of the pressure the lower back endures, which becomes greater as the baby grows. Lower back pain in pregnancy sometimes radiates to the thighs, and can worsen during walking or getting up. Treatment in pregnancy is specific because it excludes the use of certain medications. Therefore, physical procedures are mainly applied which, together with appropriate exercises, remove lower back pain in pregnancy.
Besides the appearance of pain in pregnancy, lower back pain in women can indicate serious gynecological problems. Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors of the ovaries can cause lower back pain. Besides changes in the menstrual cycle, pain during sexual intercourse, swelling or an upset stomach, constipation and a frequent need to urinate, pain can also appear. It is usually felt in the pelvis, abdomen and lower back.
Chronic lower back pain in women can also arise because of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium, that is, the lining of the uterus, grows on the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. Endometriosis is a common cause of chronic pain in the lower back or pelvis. The problem is that there is no cure for endometriosis; work is only done on preventing further complications and relieving symptoms.
Uterine fibroids are growths that develop in the wall of the uterus. Besides lower back pain, leg pain and pelvic pain can appear. Inflammatory conditions such as inflammation of the cervix, inflammation of the tissue around the uterus and inflammation of the ovaries can cause pain in the lower back and abdomen. Some of these inflammations are caused by bacteria and are sexually transmitted.
Although lower back pain is one of the most common problems of modern people, the good news is that this pain is treated successfully and that you will be able to lead an active life again. And in order to free yourself from back pain as soon as possible it is important that you yourself know how to remove lower back pain.
Rest and passive lying in bed are no longer advised, as was the case before. This approach has been abandoned because practice has shown that recovery is fastest with mild physical activity. Of course, it must be in accordance with the condition the patient is in and gradually increased. It is important to avoid prolonged standing or sitting and lifting heavier objects, and during sleep an adequate mattress should be provided.
For the purpose of recovery, cold or warm compresses placed on the affected area can help. For the same purpose, gels and creams that warm or cool the affected area can help. Cold compresses are used first, which you can apply yourself by wrapping a bag of ice or frozen vegetables in a cloth and placing it on the affected area. As the cloth you can use a towel or cotton gauze. Their purpose is to protect the skin from direct contact with the ice because damage or freezing of the skin can occur.
Only after a few days can warm compresses, a warm bath or warming creams and gels be applied. A gentle massage of the painful area can also help.
In relieving back pain, analgesics such as Paracetamol are effective, while muscle relaxants are usually used to relax the muscles. Medications for back pain are most effective if taken immediately after the onset of pain, and it is advisable to take them after a meal. If the pain does not go away with medication and compresses, be sure to seek medical help.
It is an interesting fact that our brain hardly distinguishes an injury of one structure of the spine from another that is nearby. In some cases the same nerve root can irritate the disc or the joint. That is why, for an accurate diagnosis of the cause of back pain, it is important to seek professional help.
Depending on the individual case, diagnostic tests may be needed in order to locate and confirm the underlying cause of the pain. For this purpose the following are used:
When lower back pain strikes you, we know how painful every movement can be, but it does not have to be that way. You do not have to get used to the pain, neither during recovery nor later. Recovery can and must be gradual and pleasant, without aggression and additional great pressure on the painful area. That is why kinesitherapy and physical therapy are irreplaceable. There is a wide range of physical procedures, and depending on the specific case the best possible combination of them is chosen.
In physical therapy various types of radiation are applied, from laser, magneto therapy, ultrasound, as well as currents of different frequency and modulation. It is important to note that different procedures can be used in people with a similar problem. It is important to maintain the continuity of the therapy, and the duration of the therapy depends on the specific case and the cause of the pain.
Physical therapy is only an introductory procedure to the systematic resolution of the problem of lumbar pain, and that is kinesitherapy. The exercise program should contain movement, dynamic exercises, loosening up and stretching exercises. Brisker walking, a daily walk and pilates are also recommended, while yoga is not recommended in this case.
A program of medical exercises or kinesitherapy cannot be performed without the supervision of a physiotherapist, whose expertise is of particular importance. Therefore be careful to whom you give your attention because improperly performed exercises can further complicate the situation.
Except in the case of a traumatic injury, back pain is not something that arises in an instant. For that reason it is important to act on the sources of the pain and change everyday bad habits. Physical and kinesitherapy give excellent results in removing the pain, but the exercises need to be continued so that the problem does not return. The evidence from systematic reviews is disheartening, stating that only one in 10 patients does the exercises regularly. The remaining nine claim that they have no time for physical activity.
In those people who did not continue with the exercises and who returned to the activities that led to the spine problem in the first place, lower back pain returned in most cases. Therefore sit up straight, adjust your work surface, get a quality mattress and pillow. Lift loads from a gentle squat, take care of a healthy diet and an optimal body weight, give up smoking, and introduce physical activity.
Do you feel lower back and buttock pain or stiffness? Cannot sit or lie down for long? Are you wondering how to remove lower back pain? Call us on the phone number 0601343303, schedule a free examination and return to a life without pain.
When it comes to assessment and the length of recovery, our team will determine and provide the necessary guidelines toward the fastest and best possible recovery. Still not sure? Just one click separates you from a free consultation.
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Related services: for back pain we recommend kinesitherapy, tecar therapy and electrotherapy. For an appointment schedule an examination.
