Low back pain: causes and treatment

People with back pain must learn to live anew: any awkward movements or careless steps will cause unbearable pain.

Back pain, osteochondrosis, disease prevention, small pelvis, lumbosacral area, digestive system disease, kidney disease

The lumbar spine bears the greatest pressure when walking, lifting weights, bending and turning the body. According to the biomechanics of the spine, simply raising the arms to a horizontal position will double the load on the lower back. If you pick up a bag that weighs 10 kg, the load on the lumbar spine will increase to 206 kg! Not surprisingly, in the rhythm of modern life, almost everyone feels back discomfort from time to time.

Lumbar back pain photo 1

Why does low back pain occur?

The most common cause of back pain is osteochondrosis, a degenerative disease of the spine. Over the years, the intervertebral discs, which are vertebral shock absorbers, wear out and become thinner. The intervertebral joints are loose, the vertebral body is overactive and may move slightly. At the edges of the vertebrae, bone spurs grow-osteophytes.

All these factors will cause the spinal nerves and blood vessels to pass through narrowing and deforming of the intervertebral fissures. In this case, any load on the spine will cause their compression, leading to the appearance of pain syndrome. The cartilage tissue that makes up the intervertebral disc loses water and elasticity and may rupture. As a result, a herniated intervertebral disc is formed. In some cases, the hernia can compress the spinal cord and aggravate the patient's condition.

How to improve the quality of life of patients with osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease and cannot be cured. However, there are some suggestions. By following these suggestions, you can significantly improve your quality of life and avoid recurring pain.

Yuzi

The correct posture is the position where the bones and joints of the spine are subjected to the least stress. Straighten your back, straighten your shoulders, and let our "core" rest. By walking correctly, the head, body, and pelvis are aligned.

Sedentary furniture should be rigid. The back of the chair must be pressed against the back of the chair. In the car, you can place a small cushion below your waist to maintain the natural curve of the lumbar spine and relieve muscle tension during long-term driving.

Lumbar back pain photo 2

Healthy Sleep

Even in the supine position, the lower back is under pressure. This is manifested as a heavy back after sleeping on a bed that is too soft or too hard. Therefore, it is very important for patients with low back pain to choose the right pillow and mattress.

Its stiffness should be compatible with the weight of the car body. In the lateral position, the shoulders and pelvis should push the mattress so that the spine forms a straight line. To further relieve the lower back, it is recommended to lie on your back and put a pillow under your knees.

If your back pain (lower back pain) worsens, it is important to sleep on a hard surface. If you don’t have a good mattress, you can lie on the floor or put a sturdy shield on the bed and twist the small rollers under your neck, lower back, and knees.

Bending and lifting

For people with low back pain, it is recommended to avoid prolonged flexion. For this reason, it is important to equip your life correctly. The height of all kitchen countertops must be correct. The bathroom can be equipped with special handrails to save the spine from unnecessary work. In the summer cabin, it is best to sit on a light bench or kneel to work, and put a heat insulation pad underneath.

During the holidays, when we pack our bags or take out the harvest from the villa, incorrect weight lifting is the main reason for the deterioration of osteochondrosis of the spine. To relieve your pain, try to carry the load with both hands and distribute the load evenly. When lifting weights, do not bend your back under any circumstances. All tilts must be replaced by squats, and the weight is lifted off the ground only because of the strength of the legs.

For patients with back pain, the maximum allowed baggage weight is 15 kg. If you need to carry more items, please buy a wheeled cart or suitcase. The backpack equipped with a waist belt and a reinforced frame perfectly distributes the load on the spine. It should be opened and closed with high support or assistance.

The most dangerous movement of the spine is to turn left and right, then bend over to turn right or left, bearing weight with both hands. Under such a load, the possibility of spinal nerve compression, blood vessels supplying the spinal cord, and intervertebral disc rupture is very high. All loaded turns must be done with legs.

Manual fixation

In order to eliminate pain and prevent the onset of low back pain, various braces have been developed: orthoses (corsets, posture braces), recliners, bandages, and waist belts. These devices keep the spine in the correct position, prevent pathological deformities, reduce the compression of intervertebral fissures, and improve venous outflow.

This type of funds is suitable for those who spend a long time in front of the computer, in transportation, or engaged in heavy physical labor due to work reasons. However, their use must be discussed with the plastic surgeon. Prolonged and uncontrolled use of the spinal brace can cause your own muscle atrophy and increased pain episodes.

Massage for back pain

Naturally fixed

The back muscles are the natural anchors of the spine. In order for them not to lose their tone, strength and flexibility, daily exercise is necessary: morning exercises, contrast showers, warm-up workdays.

For physical exercise, you need to pay attention to your own feelings-the most important thing here is not the result, but the process. It is important to maintain a moderate pace and physiological range of motion.

The best exercise for back pain is swimming. In the aquatic environment, the load on the spine will be reduced; in swimming, almost all muscles of the body are working, especially the back, arms and legs. In addition to deterioration, spinal stretching exercises that can be performed on the horizontal bar are useful. The important thing is to learn how to gradually relax the back muscles and tighten them again, gradually sinking to your feet.

For those suffering from spinal osteochondrosis, special physical therapy exercise complexes have been developed.

Drugs "for the waist"

Traditional medicine has a variety of treatments to alleviate the progress of spinal osteochondrosis. During the deterioration period, the regulations are as follows:

  • Strictly rest in bed;
  • Dry heat in the waist;
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of injections can reduce pain and inflammatory changes in the tissues;
  • B vitamins;
  • Drugs for relieving back inflammation and muscle spasms, relieving pressure on spinal nerves, and improving blood circulation;
  • A topical ointment with warming, distracting and anti-inflammatory effects.

Physiotherapy techniques have very good results: massage, electrophoresis of various drugs, acupuncture and so on. Exercise therapy systems have been developed. With the help of special exercises, patients learn to independently stop pain episodes and strengthen the body’s muscular framework on the simulator. Outside of the attack, the doctor may recommend taking chondroprotectants and vitamins, which can help improve the nutrition of the spinal cord tissue, accelerate the metabolism, and restore damage.

Low back pain may be the result of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, pelvic organs, and circulatory system. Therefore, the first step for back pain should be to see a doctor, who will make an accurate diagnosis.