Acute back pain: causes, treatment, prevention. What to do if your back hurts, and why can it hurt? What causes back pain

Back pain is an extremely common occurrence. Paleontologists and biologists believe that this is a consequence of such an evolutionary acquisition as bipedalism.

The load during walking is not distributed evenly over all departments, as in most animals, but almost completely falls on the lumbar region.

Lower back pain occurs for a number of reasons and may indicate a complex of ailments of a different nature.

Diseases of the spine and internal organs

Pain can occur as a result of congenital or acquired diseases.

So, congenital defects in particular include:

  • changes and cleft vertebrae;
  • irregular shape of the processes of the vertebrae, their shortening or lengthening.

Cleft vertebrae: 1.2-posterior, 3.4-lateral, 5-7-anterior

These problems can be completely asymptomatic or accompanied by acute pain when performing certain types of inclinations, difficulty in moving, problems with urination, mental retardation.

The causes of back pain can also be of a neuralgic nature with:

  • pinched nerves in the spine (such pain can be described as severe and sudden);
  • lumbar osteochondrosis, which develops as a result of a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and causes pulling pain due to muscle strain;
  • lumboischialgia, characterized by atrophic changes sciatic nerve(most often, the pain in this disease goes to the buttock, occurs abruptly and suddenly).
  • multiple sclerosis (this chronic autoimmune disease affects the sheath of the nerve fibers of the spinal cord and brain, provokes pain of different localization, severity and is difficult to cure).

In addition, sharp pains of a similar nature can also cause:

  • degenerative sacroiliitis - serious disease, which is a purulent-inflammatory process on the surface of the sacroiliac joint;
  • the cause of which is a lack of calcium in the body or a violation of its metabolism (in the initial stages, the disease is characterized by chronic aching pains, cramps, changes in posture).

Figure: osteoporosis

Another type of pain in the lumbar region is pain that has a reflected character.

They can be a characteristic symptom of a number of diseases of various organs and systems:

  • infections of the genitourinary system (chlamydia, ureaplasmosis);
  • unstable bowel function and tumor diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • hemorrhoids arising from sedentary work;
  • tumors and polyps in the uterus;
  • complications after colds (after a sore throat, flu, SARS);
  • radiculitis (provoke lumbar pain, radiating to the leg).

In some cases, the reason may be:

  • physiological changes (pregnancy, childbirth, menstruation);
  • excessive physical activity (in particular, heavy lifting);
  • a sharp weight gain;
  • epidural anesthesia.

Figure: How to lift weights

Provoking factors

In addition to internal diseases, lumbar pain can be triggered by the following factors:

hypothermia

The most common consequence of hypothermia is sciatica.

This is an inflammatory process that affects the roots of the nerves.

Infectious processes occur against the background of reduced immunity. Periodic or prolonged exposure to cold, as well as humid air, significantly impair the body's resistance.

Irregular physical activity

Often after a long stay in a sitting position, back pain occurs when walking.

Lack of exercise and physical activity causes blood stasis and can lead to irreversible changes in cartilage.

However, any loads should be dosed, their strength should be increased gradually.

Excessive tension provokes injuries and sprains of muscles, fractures, cracks in bones.

With a sharp transition to complex exercises, painful displacements may occur. internal organs.

Professional sports

Dangerous sports include:

  • body-building;
  • body-building;
  • Weightlifting.

They suggest excessive stress on the muscles of the lower back.

An alarming symptom is pain after squats with a barbell, sharp turns and bends.

If it is painful for the athlete to walk, it is necessary to immediately stop training and consult a doctor.

Improper nutrition

The diet must contain a sufficient amount of calcium, phosphorus and fluorine, which are important components bone tissue.

Particular attention to the intake of calcium, fluorine and phosphorus should be paid by women during pregnancy, lactation and menopause.

In addition, frequent constipation and excess fatty and high-calorie foods in the diet have a traumatic effect on the rectum and large intestine.

This leads to radiating back pain.

Vomiting and frequent nausea indicate gastritis or an ulcer, in which it can strongly pull the lower back.

Rachiocampsis

Another name for the pathology is scoliosis. It can be congenital and acquired.

In a mild form, it can be easily cured with a set of exercises, in a severe one, it requires surgical intervention.

With a curvature, it becomes difficult for the patient to stand for a long time, to sit without support.

Stress

Strong nervous tension, frequent worries and a long absence of rest affect negatively all body systems. Psychologists have found that a person who is under the load of problems begins to involuntarily slouch, "bending" under their weight.

Many chronic diseases can be exacerbated by nerves and stress.

If depression and loss of strength continue for a month, specialist help is needed.

What diseases and conditions cause lower back pain?

Causes of pain in men

Lumbar pain in men can have different etiologies and are characterized by their distinctive features.

Age and hormonal changes have little effect on the male spine, but often problems with the prostate gland can cause characteristic deep, mild pain.

The main causes of back pain in men include:

Crick

Often people who are not engaged in physical labor by the nature of their activities have weak back muscles, especially the latissimus dorsi.

The ability to properly distribute physical activity must be developed.

When lifting weights, an untrained person transfers all the weight to the lower back, and not to the biceps, triceps or chest muscles. The consequence of this is the stretching of the latissimus dorsi muscle.

When stretching, the pain then appears, then arises, decreasing with hot compresses, warming ointments.

It can make itself felt if you stand for a long time, and pass in the supine position.

fracture

The cause of a fracture can be both a serious injury and a banal bruise.

When the intervertebral disc subsides, a lumbar spine fracture can even cause an unsuccessful step or loss of balance.

The symptom of a fracture is sharp pain at the bottom of the lower back or in the coccyx area.

Sometimes the pain may radiate to the top or lower limbs, intensify with a change in body position.

Genital tumor metastases

The pain from metastasis of the bone tissue of the spine is the strongest, sometimes turning into unbearable.

A visit to an oncologist should not be postponed when the lower back and testicles or penis hurt.

Such pain can be removed only with potent drugs, the process of necrotic tissue changes will most likely not be stopped.

kidney disease

Approximately one third of male patients with low back pain suffer from kidney problems.

Pain in the kidney area is aggravated during movements and prolonged standing in an upright position. At rest, the pain subsides.

If you stand for a long time, the pain may gradually increase.

This is due to the fact that the fluid rushes to the kidneys and creates excess pressure on the spine.

After alcohol, lower back pain can also increase.

Prostatitis

This disease causes lumbar pain on the right and back. Sometimes the pain radiates to the groin.

Other symptoms of prostatitis are burning sensation when urinating, erection problems.

The main cause of the disease is stagnation of blood in the capillaries or a bacterial infection.

Causes of pain in women

The female body is constantly subject to changes and hormonal shocks.

Certain types of pain female body occur normally and are not an alarm.

Pain associated with the menstrual cycle

Pain that occurs at different times menstrual cycle, do not necessarily indicate some kind of pathology:

  • During menstruation, the enlarged uterus presses on the muscles of the back, causing discomfort;
  • If pain occurs before menstruation for 7-8 days and is given to the stomach, then this indicates the need to revise the diet. It is better to include in the diet more foods rich in fiber and fruit acids.
  • Pain in the middle of the cycle may be associated with the release of the egg from the ovary;
  • Pain after menstruation indicates problems in the reproductive system, in which case a visit to a specialist is necessary.

Pain caused by pregnancy

In the first weeks, when a woman is not yet aware of her position, her lower back and lower abdomen may hurt. Such pains are similar in nature to premenstrual pains and often coincide with them in terms.

A delay in menstruation in this case may indicate pregnancy or an infectious process.

Sometimes there are small bleeding, they are associated with the introduction gestational sac into the wall of the uterus.

If the lower abdomen and lower back hurt, and there is no menstruation, the first thing to do is a pregnancy test.

Often, such pain will accompany a woman for several months, in such cases, the doctor suggests taking magnesium supplements.

During pregnancy, especially in the last stages, most women experience pain below or above the waist.

This is due to the fact that a growing belly puts a lot of stress on the back muscles.

If the pain is constant and associated with vigorous activity, expectant mother a supporting bandage is needed, which will distribute the load between different muscle groups.

If the lower back hurts during sleep and in the morning, most likely the woman sleeps in an uncomfortable position.

Special pillows for sleeping can help, which support the body and prevent muscle tension. Lower back pain at night should go away.

By the end of the term, the pain may be concentrated in the lower back on the right or left: this does not indicate the position of the fetus, but a curvature of the posture.

Pain can pass in a pregnant woman when she sits, completely leaning on a support.

After abortion

Women who decide to terminate their pregnancy or do it for medical reasons, in almost 100% of cases complain of pain after an abortion.

Causes of pain can be:

  • inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometritis);
  • stressful condition of a woman;
  • contraction of the uterus after an abortion.

In this case, the pain can be given to the leg or concentrated in the lower back.

Pain associated with childbirth

After childbirth, women often experience back pain. Sometimes the pain is localized where the coccyx or where the sacrum is. This is due to injuries and sprains received during childbirth.

Pain can be prevented by doing special exercises during pregnancy or by visiting the pool.

Nursing mothers can also perform a set of exercises, paying special attention to their posture.

If the pain is accompanied by a rise in temperature to 37 degrees and above, the woman suddenly throws herself into a fever, a doctor's consultation is necessary.

Perhaps this is an infectious process.

Pain caused by diseases of the female reproductive system

Typical female ailments, the symptom of which is back pain, include:

Cystitis

It's inflammation Bladder more characteristic of women. Cystitis is easily treated and diagnosed.

It is worth passing urine tests for the presence of this disease, if there is a burning sensation during urination, pulls the lower back when leaning forward, body temperature is elevated.

Fig.: cystitis

Infectious processes in the vagina

A number of inflammations in women cause pain in the supine position.

It can be candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis or a viral disease.

Similar pains can also be a symptom of kidney damage.

Inflammation of the appendages

If a woman has pain in her lower back and ovaries, there is a burning sensation during urination, the temperature has risen above 38 degrees, ultrasound diagnostics and treatment under the supervision of a specialist (a course of injections or taking oral medications) is necessary.

Pain associated with diseases of the internal organs

Diseases of the intestines or stomach can provoke pain in the spine.

Sometimes pain in these disorders can radiate strongly - give to the leg or give to the stomach.

Similar clinical picture due to the fact that the brain incorrectly interprets the signal that the organs give it.

If the lower back and right side hurt, this indicates problems with the liver or pancreas. Pain on the left side indicates appendicitis or intestinal colic.

In the left side, pain may occur during running or other physical exercises. It passes quickly and does not pose a health risk.

In the region of the coccyx, tingling and pulling pains are possible.

In children

The most common cause of back pain in children is poor posture.

In the process of learning, if a chair and a table for classes are incorrectly selected for a child, the development of a curvature of the spine is possible.

Scoliosis can lead to:

  • improperly selected shoes;
  • flat feet;
  • uncomfortable bag.

At the initial stages of the disease, the curvature can be easily corrected with the help of physiotherapy exercises prescribed by a doctor.

Moderate pain that manifests itself in a child in the morning, after hard work or a long stay in one position, may also be the first sign of a spinal hernia.

Hernia can be caused by:

  • rachiocampsis;
  • too much physical activity;
  • excessive sports.

Especially dangerous in childhood jumping with a coup over the head, lifting weights, twisting, squats.

If a child periodically complains of back pain after a workout, then he needs the help of a specialist.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most accurate diagnostic methods various diseases. About what pathologies with the help of MRI can be detected in the neck, read the article about.

What is coccygodynia and how is it treated? Information about this syndrome can be found.

For what reasons does such a serious disease as humeroscapular periarthritis develop? Find out .

What to do?

The use of ointments

This type of medicine is very effective if you need to quickly improve your health at home.

The ointment helps relieve inflammation, stretching, and has a warming effect if the lower back has a cold.

The following groups of ointments are distinguished:

  • anti-inflammatory analgesics (which include medicinal substances cooling effect, relieving irritation - menthol, lavender, and painkillers - nurofen, iboprofen,);
  • combined medicines (used for sprains and injuries, along with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, they have a healing effect due to their constituent heparin, demethyl sulfoxide);
  • irritating drugs (the effect is based on vasodilation and blood flow to the source of pain);
  • chondroprotectors (one of the active components of such drugs is chondroitin sulfate, used in pathological processes in cartilage tissue, which contributes to the active restoration of cartilage surfaces of the joints).

Injections

The action that is achieved with the help of injections is similar to taking the corresponding ointments or oral preparations.

The salient features of this type of therapy are:

  • Speed. Rapid relief of severe pain is possible only by getting the drug into the blood or muscle.
  • Efficiency. Injections allow you to deliver the active ingredient exactly to the target. The active substance is not destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • The need for the presence of a specialist. It is difficult to give yourself injections on your own, so you need to either visit the clinic daily or call a nurse at home.
  • Can only be used as directed by a doctor. How to treat malaise and severe pain with injections can only be advised by a doctor and prescribe the necessary drug. Most of them can only be purchased with a prescription.

warming up

This method of getting rid of pain is more of a means traditional medicine.

Warming well helps with pain of a non-inflammatory nature - sprains, hernias, curvatures, osteochondrosis.

In an infectious process, warming causes blood flow to the affected tissue area and increases pain.

Exercises

Therapeutic exercise is an excellent prevention and treatment of lower back pain.

The purpose of the classes is to strengthen the muscular corset of the spine and correct posture.

  1. From a prone position, it is necessary to alternately raise the legs by 10-15 cm and hold them on weight for a while.
  2. Lying on your back, you need to bend your knees at an angle of 90-100 degrees and raise to the maximum height. After performing, bent legs must be tilted to the right and left, until they touch the floor.
  3. Slow and smooth tilts performed in various directions. During the exercise, you should try not to bend your back in the thoracic region, keeping it as even as possible.
  4. Standing on all fours, you need to perform swings simultaneously with your right hand and left foot and vice versa.
  5. Bridge exercise. First, it must be performed, leaning against the wall, or with the help of another person.

Massage

Massage is a great help in getting rid of pain in the lumbar spine.

It can be entrusted to a specialist in a clinic or carried out at home, in any case, the benefits from it will be invaluable.

The positive therapeutic effects of massage include the following:

  • improving the blood supply to the diseased part of the body;
  • kneading the muscles, which makes them and ligaments more flexible and elastic;
  • removal of acute pain;
  • getting rid of toxins accumulated in the muscles and subcutaneous tissue;
  • pleasant sensations due to stimulation of the nerve endings of the skin;
  • positive emotions.

It is good when massage is combined with taking a bath or sauna.

It is especially useful to bathe with birch or oak brooms, they perfectly stimulate all vital processes and increase the overall tone of the body.

Which doctor should I contact?

For back pain, the cause of which is not known, first of all, you should consult a therapist. It will help to identify the disease by the totality of symptoms.

If the reason is obvious: the pain was preceded by an injury, the pain arose against the background of pregnancy, the menstrual cycle or a chronic disease, it makes sense to immediately contact a narrower specialist.

Self-medication is permissible only in cases where the cause of the pain is precisely known.

Video: first aid

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent pain include the following:

Regular physical exercise

Physical education should be general strengthening, giving equal loads on all muscle groups.

Every day, exercise should be given 20-30 minutes of time.

It can be morning exercises, jogging, swimming in the pool, walking at a brisk pace.

Video: gymnastics to strengthen the muscles of the back and spine

Maintenance of water-salt balance

A person should consume up to 3 liters of fluid per day. The best liquid to consume is mineral water.

Coffee, tea (including green), carbonated drinks create an additional burden on the kidneys, but do not fill the body's need for fluid.

More water should be consumed in the morning, and after 20.00 do not drink at all. Otherwise, swelling, pain in the kidney area are possible.

Proper nutrition

In the diet, it is worth reducing the content of fatty, fried and smoked foods or completely eliminating them.

by the most useful products are boiled or steamed.

The daily menu should include the whole complex of microelements, vitamins and minerals necessary for the body.

  • Preventive examinations by specialists

Women should visit a gynecologist every year, men - a urologist, the health of children as part of a routine examination is usually monitored at educational institutions.

This allows early detection of the disease and start its treatment.

The main condition for maintaining a healthy back is the right lifestyle and a positive attitude.

It is never too late to start monitoring your posture, to perform a set of exercises. Many serious illness of the spine allow you to lead a full life, subject to the rules and prescriptions of doctors.

If you have ever felt discomfort in the back or an attack of pain, then you are not alone in this matter. According to research National Institute Health 8 out of 10 people suffer from such problems.

When your back hurts, it can be a sign of a serious illness, so you should not let the situation take its course. The malaise manifests itself most often in the lumbar region or shoulder blades, gives in chest, stomach, legs and even genitals.

The group of diseases associated with the back includes many traumatic, degenerative diseases associated with the skin, subcutaneous tissue, ligaments, muscles, cartilage and bone structures.

The back can hurt for various reasons, which the patient himself will not be able to identify without examination, so you need to undergo an examination and understand the prerequisites for the disease. At home, it is possible to alleviate the patient's condition, but only a doctor should make a diagnosis. What causes an attack, why the spine can hurt:

  • neuralgic disease;
  • osteocondritis of the spine;
  • spondylosis;
  • herniated discs;
  • kyphosis, scoliosis (curvature of the spine);
  • diseases associated with endocrine system eg osteoporosis;
  • respiratory diseases;
  • kidney disease;
  • tumor formations.

These are just a few of the main reasons. The list consists of far from harmless diseases, so do not interfere and complicate the work of professional medical workers and immediately seek help if you have pain in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe spine. My patients use a proven remedy, thanks to which you can get rid of pain in 2 weeks without much effort.

Pain syndromes in the lumbar region

Discomfort in the back is a concept that clearly defines a person's condition caused by painful sensations. It seems that it doesn’t hurt yet, it interferes and worries not to live fully.

The lower back signals both many pathologies, internal organs, and tuberculosis of the spine. Signs and osteochondrosis will be stable pain. As the intervertebral discs are destroyed, intermittent moderate pain will be felt.

Pulsation in the back is characteristic of an acute attack caused by a pinched lumbar nerve. The spine can hurt so pronouncedly that it is possible to localize discomfort only in a hospital setting.

If the lumbosacral joint hurts and bothers, then it is worth checking for the presence of spondylolisthesis (displacement of the vertebrae). In this case, the fifth lumbar vertebra is displaced from the sacral base. Diseases hip joint also cause similar symptoms.

Pain above the lumbar region is chronic or intermittent, intermittent. If the back hurts again with a sharp turn or tilt, this may be due to poor posture, an improperly equipped workplace, sciatica, osteochondrosis, and myosfacial syndrome.

When the part below the lower back hurts, it is often felt in the legs, it can occur after hypothermia or strong physical exertion. Also, the reason why this area hurts may be:

  • herniated discs;
  • Bechterew's disease;
  • radiculitis.

The reason is musculoskeletal. Bones, muscles, ligaments, joint capsules - thanks to all this, we can make movements. Due to spatial pain sensitivity, excessive loads, displacement of processes in the joints, and inflammatory reactions that occur lead to the fact that the spine begins to hurt.

The upper back can hurt if there is a disorder in the aorta, problems with the chest, the formation of tumors, or inflammation of the spine. Few adults have not experienced back problems at least once. Anatomical structure and the structure of the spine makes our back vulnerable to injury and pain.

Other reasons:

  • excess weight;
  • incorrect posture;
  • weight lifting;
  • infectious diseases.

What to do?

The best remedy is moderate exercise. A hot bath or compress will help reduce discomfort. When resting, it is recommended to put a pillow under your knees.

The further success of the treatment depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis made by the doctor, understanding why the spine hurts. It is important to notice serious diseases in time or exclude them.

The therapist sends the patient to an orthopedist, rheumatologist, surgeon or neuropathologist. On the recommendation of a doctor, medical and pain medications are prescribed.

Prevention of back problems

Good posture is not only beautiful, but also a great help to the spine. Don't lift heavy things. If this is not possible, keep your back straight and bend your knees. If you have to sit in one place for a long time, then it is important to use a comfortable chair or a chair that supports your back so that it does not hurt. Excess weight- this is an unnecessary load on the spine - it is important to monitor your diet.

What to do to reduce the risk of back injury and other troubles?

  • sleep on a hard mattress;
  • when sitting or driving a car for a long time, you need to take breaks and warm up;
  • it is not recommended to stay in one place for a long time;
  • do not wear high-heeled shoes for more than two hours;
  • avoid sharp torso bends;
  • go in for sports, fitness or swimming.

Unfortunately, only acute, unbearable pain makes a person see a doctor. In other cases, everyone hopes for a chance that the spine will stop hurting on its own. However, it is worth paying more attention to pain, which gives a signal that something is going wrong in the body and an examination is needed.

The reasons why there is discomfort in the shoulder blades may indicate many diseases, regarding which side it is localized.

Pain on the left side:

  • stomach ulcer;
  • psychological problems;
  • myocardial infarction.

Why does it hurt on the right side:

  • bile;
  • liver failure;
  • subphrenic abscess;
  • cholelithiasis.

Why does it hurt between the shoulder blades:

  • osteochondrosis in the cervical and thoracic spine;
  • disc herniation;
  • curvature of the spine;
  • intercostal neuralgia;
  • humeroscapular periarthrosis;
  • protrusion;
  • scoliosis;
  • angina;
  • spondylarthrosis;
  • cholecystitis;
  • dyskinesia;
  • hepatitis;
  • lung diseases.

Pain does not always occur between the shoulder blades; the bone tissue itself can also hurt, for example, after an injury. delivers a characteristic crunch, osteomyelitis of the scapula, tuberculosis of the scapula, swelling of the scapula.

Compression fracture

Excessive flexion or compression of the spine can cause a compression fracture. Often such a diagnosis is made in older people with fragile bones and a patient suffering from osteoporosis.

Bones that are less dense can break at any time simply under their own weight. The patient in this case does not notice how the vertebra breaks, but he learns about it from the sharp painful and not passing sensations when the back hurts.

The fracture is sacral, cervical, thoracic or lumbar, the most common thoracic and lumbar.

It is important to understand and remember that if the back hurts continuously for one or two days, urgent medical advice and assistance is required, possibly even urgent surgical intervention. Because we can talk about very serious diseases.

Related videos

site figured out possible reasons back pain.

Back pain is such a “popular” problem that no one needs to talk about it. However, it is worth talking about what will have to be checked before it can be said with certainty that the back really hurts.

female organs

Fans of warming a sore back should know that their pain in reality can have a completely different origin and warming something in this case is not only useless, but sometimes dangerous. Back pain can be caused by problems in the pelvic organs. For example, in women, it can be associated with both painful menstruation (which have their own reasons) and adhesions, as well as ovarian cysts, inflammation of the appendages, endometriosis, and even ectopic pregnancy, which already requires emergency care. Warming up in all these cases is strictly prohibited.

You can find out if everything is in order in the pelvic organs with the help of ultrasound.

Where to go with back pain?

Traditionally, with back pain in our country, it is customary to go to a neurologist. This is not always correct and not necessary: ​​pain in the spine can be "showed" to any of these specialists - physical therapy doctor, trauma surgeon, vertebrologist or chiropractor.

Prostate

Men with the appearance of back pain should remember how long ago they checked the condition of the prostate gland. The point is that the symptoms chronic prostatitis there may be pain not only in the lower abdomen and in the perineum, but also in the lower back - and often this happens simultaneously.

If the lower back hurts in an older man and the condition of the prostate gland is unknown, it is worth visiting a urologist.

kidneys

Lower back pain may well have nothing to do with the back - kidney pain is often mistaken for it. This reason should be suspected if the back hurts on the sides, approximately in those places where the palms lie down, if they rest against the back. Moreover, it is worth thinking about the kidneys if the lower back hurts on one side. But whatever the nature of the pain - it is pulling or, conversely, cutting - if it appears in the lumbar region, the kidneys must be checked in any case.

Whether the kidneys are in order will be shown by a urinalysis and ultrasound.

Don't brush it off!

You definitely need to see a doctor if:

Back pain doesn't go away when you lie down and your back hurts at night

When you are in pain, your body temperature is elevated

Pain in any part of the spine arose after an injury

You are under 18 and over 60 years old

You have recently had an infection

In addition to back pain, you note numbness of the limbs

Are you taking hormonal drugs?

You used to be treated for cancer

A heart

Pain in the thoracic spine (what people usually describe as "pain between the shoulder blades") can be associated with abnormalities in the work of the heart - up to a myocardial infarction. Especially alarm symptom: Pain accompanied by cough or any breathing problems. However, it does not increase, as in the case of intercostal neuralgia. An ambulance is also needed if the pain is diffuse and it is impossible to accurately show the most “painful” place, if its nature does not depend on the posture (pain in the spine usually reacts to the posture, it can subside or intensify with a change in body position), if it does not changes with rubbing or massage if the pain feels more like pain in the chest than in the back. All this speaks "in favor" of a heart attack.

At least in such cases, you need to do an ECG and a number of other cardiological tests, if the situation is not an emergency.

gastrointestinal tract

The back can also hurt due to problems with the digestive system. For example, a symptom of acute pancreatitis is the so-called girdle pain, when not only the stomach hurts, but also the back approximately under the shoulder blades - as if the body in this place was tied with an iron hoop. Pains can also be given under the shoulder blade, which are actually associated with stones in gallbladder. Pain in the lower back sometimes gives and intestines. However, in such cases, in addition to pain, there are other symptoms - those by which you can guess where it really hurts. For example, with an ulcer, pain is always somehow tied to food intake - either occurs on an empty stomach, or after food enters it. Cholecystitis is often bitterness in the mouth. And it's the same with any other gastrointestinal disease: in addition to pain, there is usually something else specific.

To clarify whether back pain is actually a sign of gastrointestinal pathology, you can use the same methods that are used to diagnose digestive diseases - ultrasound, gastroscopy, blood tests, feces, etc.

How to understand what is wrong with the spine

Back pain has a universal explanation, which many calm down: it is osteochondrosis. In fact, this is not a disease and does not explain everything, but simply a statement of fact: degenerative processes occur in the spine, which with age can be found in almost any person. In reality, pain, even if not associated with damage to internal organs, can be explained by a lot of reasons: it can be problems with the vertebrae, with intervertebral discs, muscles, intervertebral nerves, spinal cord, etc. As a rule, MRI can give exhaustive information here, however Doctors do not recommend that everyone without exception undergo this study - especially without a referral, trying to “check everything at once” for their own money. MRI is performed for each section of the spine - cervical, thoracic or lumbar, and only the doctor knows what exactly needs to be looked at (and whether it is necessary at all).

However, it should be borne in mind that it is not always possible to clarify the cause of back pain - sometimes the question of why it hurts remains unanswered.

It can lead to back pain

Lifting and carrying weights

Hours of car driving

Uncomfortable bed

Long standing and sitting work

Obesity

Stress and depression

And this is prevention.

✔ Back and abdominal muscle training

✔ Comfortable chair with lumbar support

✔ Ability to customize the seat in the car

✔ Proper weight lifting

(with support on legs)

✔ Quality mattress and good pillow

✔ Normal weight

Back pain has haunted mankind since the beginning of bipedalism.

Especially often they appear in people whose lifestyle and professions are associated with a long stay in one position.

In these cases, there is wandering back pain, which baffles the person himself and the attending physician, because it is very difficult to determine the cause and source of the problem.

However, the diagnosis must be passed in any case, since quite serious pathologies can be the cause of painful sensations.

What kind of diseases are discussed can be found further in this article.

Classification and nature of pain

The term "wandering back pain" refers to painful sensations that "walk" throughout the body, giving to the chest, back, jaw.

Pain can vary:

  • acute;
  • dull;
  • aching;
  • paroxysmal;
  • encircling;
  • stabbing.

The following types of pain are divided by time:

  • short-term;
  • long;
  • constant;
  • periodic;
  • passing;
  • wavy.

Pain is also divided into acute and chronic.. Acute occurs suddenly, it is piercing, restricting movement. Gives to the arms or thighs. chronic pain has a constant or paroxysmal character, a dim manifestation. Often accompanied by muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs. The patient may experience a violation of posture, forced lameness, asymmetry of the spine.

Often, examinations do not reveal any problems in certain organs., but the person's health and quality of life is deteriorating. It becomes more difficult to work and exercise. Prolonged sitting causes suffering. Sleep and appetite may also be disturbed, which will eventually lead to depression.

Causes

The causes of wandering pains lie in diseases of the back and diseases of the internal organs. There are also psychological triggers.

Diseases of the spine

Various pathologies of the spine cause wandering pains. In this case, the symptoms appear in the lower back, cervical region.

Among the diseases are:

  • Inflammatory diseases of the spine(osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, kyphosis). Especially with a compression fracture caused by bone fragility.
  • Hernias, protrusions. Such pains are acute, paroxysmal in nature, accompanied by weakness and partial loss of sensation in the limbs.

  • Bechterew's disease. There is inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the back. The pain is localized in the lumbar region, accompanied by a feeling of tension. It usually starts at night and gets worse in the morning.

  • Malignant tumors spine or metastatic cancer of other organs. Pain usually appears in the later stages of the disease.
  • infectious diseases: osteomyelitis, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis of the spine. Often the pain appears with the flu.
  • cervical artery syndrome. This is a pinched nerve root, which causes paroxysmal pain, often accompanied by dizziness, fainting.

  • Stress and overwork. It causes nervous and muscular tension, which then manifests itself pain syndrome unknown genesis.

Also, pain syndrome can be triggered by muscle tension due to excessive physical activity or prolonged stay in one position. Usually such pains overtake a person at night and have a aching character.

Video: "What is the danger of vertebral artery syndrome?"

Diseases of the internal organs

Sometimes back pain has nothing to do with spinal problems, but is a consequence of pathologies of other organs. Among these diseases:

  • Pyelonephritis, or inflammation of the kidneys. The disease is accompanied by back pain.
  • Stones in the kidneys, the gallbladder can provoke paroxysmal sharp or dull pains that radiate to the back, shoulder.
  • Bowel obstruction. The pain is girdle in nature, accompanied by bloating.
  • ovarian cysts, endometriosis, inflammation of the appendages in a woman. Here, the focus of pain is located in the lumbar region. The intensity of manifestations depends on the severity of the disease.
  • Pancreatitis, pancreatic necrosis. In this case, there is a strong girdle pain, aggravated in the supine position.
  • Pneumonia or bronchitis. Pain in the thoracic spine appears when coughing.

Pregnancy can often be the cause of the pain. Firstly, during this period, the load on the spine increases, and secondly, the child puts pressure on the vessels, compresses the nerve endings. Usually in pregnant women, pain is localized in the lumbar region. If a woman has neurological problems, then the pain can shoot into the leg.

Diagnostics

The vagueness of symptoms makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. The doctor should conduct a detailed survey of the patient about the nature, location, time period of pain, the presence of chronic diseases or spinal injury.

Diagnosis requires consultation of a neurologist, surgeon, cardiologist, gastroenterologist. Each doctor decides on the necessary research methods.

For the diagnosis of diseases of the spine prescribed:

  • X-ray.
  • CT or MRI.

If there are suspicions of diseases of the internal organs, then an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, small pelvis is done.

You can identify inflammation using a blood test, urine test, which will show an increase in white blood cells. A blood test for tumor markers will rule out or confirm a malignant process in the body.

If there is a suspicion of tuberculosis, pneumonia, then an x-ray of the lungs is performed. Cardiogram and ultrasound of the heart reveals pathologies in the cardiovascular system.

Treatment

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Next fact

The choice of treatments for back pain depends on the underlying cause. It is necessary to eliminate or remove the symptoms of the underlying disease, and then treat the consequence.

Medical treatment of diseases of the spine

If the cause of back pain is osteochondrosis, sciatica, kyphosis, then it is quite possible to get by with conservative therapy. Conservative treatment provides for the reception non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the relief of pain. Assign in the form of injections, tablets and ointments, patches.

Usually a combination of several types is used. These drugs include: Nurofen, Diclofenac, Nise. It is preferable to use ointments and patches, as tablets have a negative effect on digestive system, heart, kidneys.

Muscle relaxants are prescribed to weaken muscles: Mydocalm, Sirdalud, Baklosan. With severe pain, the doctor conducts a blockade with glucocorticosteroid hormones with anesthetics (lidocaine, novocaine). To improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue take chondroprotectors(Chondrolon, Chondrex, Teraflex), vitamins.

If the cause of pain in the spine is stress, it is possible to prescribe antidepressants that regulate chemical processes in nerve cells, thereby relieving pain.

Treatment of diseases of internal organs with the help of drugs

The choice of drugs and treatment regimen is carried out by the doctor in accordance with the disease that caused the pain syndrome.

So pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, inflammation of the appendages involves taking antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. For the treatment of ovarian cysts, endometriosis is prescribed hormonal agents. Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.

Surgery

In some cases, pain cannot be eliminated with conservative methods. In these situations, they resort to a prompt solution to the problem.

Operation is indicated in the following cases:

  • Large vertebral hernia with complications.
  • Stones in the kidneys, gallbladder of considerable size, accompanied by inflammation.
  • Pancreatic necrosis.
  • Complicated ovarian tumor, advanced endometriosis.
  • Oncological neoplasms.

For each ailment, a different method of surgical intervention is chosen. Currently, minimally invasive operations are used, involving minimal incisions and a short recovery period. In the case of extensive organ damage and malignant tumors, the only way out is abdominal surgery. Sometimes a total resection of the diseased organ is performed.

Other treatments

Often, wandering pains can be relieved with the help of physiotherapy, massage or physiotherapy exercises.

Such methods are used in cases where pain is caused by:

  • muscle spasm;
  • osteochondrosis initial stage;
  • violation of posture;
  • stress or fatigue.

The purpose of the appointment of physiotherapy- removal of muscle tension, restoration of damaged tissues. Most often prescribed:

  • Electrophoresis. Under the influence of electricity through the skin into the affected area are introduced medicines.
  • Ultrasound. With the help of ultrasonic waves, drugs are delivered to a specific area. This restores blood flow, improves metabolic processes.
  • Acupuncture. Thin needles act on active points, nutrition and blood circulation of tissues improves.
  • Paraffin applications. Paraffin is heated to 55-60 degrees and applied to diseased areas. Relieves pain, reduces inflammation.
  • Darsonval. Affects the focus of pain with the help of high frequency alternating currents. As a result, blood circulation, tissue nutrition improves, inflammation foci resolve.
  • Physiotherapy. The doctor selects a set of exercises that relieve muscle spasms and strengthen the muscular corset. Classes are held under the supervision of a specialist.

After stopping the pain syndrome and relieving the acute course, the patient is prescribed a therapeutic massage to relieve muscle tension and improve nutrition in the tissues.

Video: "A set of exercises to restore mobility of the spine"

Folk remedies

Among folk remedies, it is possible to use anti-inflammatory herbs and fees.

Traditional medicine can only be used as an addition to the main treatment. As monotherapy, they have too little therapeutic effect.

The most widely used soothing and anti-inflammatory herbs:

  • valerian, motherwort,
  • chamomile,
  • plantain,
  • mother and stepmother.

With cholecystitis are prescribed choleretic herbs and fees that stimulate the outflow of bile and alleviate the patient's condition.

These are corn stigmas, highlander bird, calamus marsh. Application folk methods may cause unwanted side effects. Therefore, it should be prescribed by the attending physician. Self-use is prohibited.

Prevention

Taking into account the multifactorial nature of back pain, generalized recommendations can be made for the prevention of the problem.

  • Healthy lifestyle.
  • Rejection bad habits.
  • Sufficient physical activity.
  • Strengthening immunity.
  • The fight against excess weight.
  • Proper nutrition.
  • Regular preventive check-ups.

Compliance with the above rules will prevent a malfunction in the body, the appearance of chronic diseases. Therefore, a person will not face such a problem as wandering pain.

Conclusion

Wandering back pain This is not an independent disease, but a symptom of some disease in the body. Moreover, these are not only diseases of the spine, but also pathologies of other organs. Often the cause of pain can be a banal overexertion and stress.

To get rid of the problem, it is necessary to reliably diagnose and treat the root cause, while simultaneously stopping the pain syndrome. Treatment can be conservative and surgical, it all depends on the scale of the disease.

If the pain is caused by stress or overwork, a person just needs to relax, distract from difficulties, then the problem will disappear by itself.


It is unlikely that there will be at least one person who at least once in his life faced such a problem as lower back pain. Usually, pain comes on suddenly and can go unnoticed for a long time. But is it worth ignoring the signals of your own body?

The modern rhythm of life forces us to spend most of our time in a sitting position. As a result, on some muscles and a lack of load on others. Charging, long walks, swimming in the pool and other physical activities are an excellent prevention of various diseases, but it is far from always possible to find time for all this. Let's talk about the causes of girdle pain in the lumbar region and how what measures should be taken upon her appearance.

Reason one: diseases of the musculoskeletal system


The most common reason back pain is a disease of the spine. Among them are separately distinguished:

  • osteochondrosis;
  • scoliosis;
  • trauma;
  • radiculitis;
  • tuberculosis and syphilitic processes;
  • neoplasms (tumors).

We put osteochondrosis in the first place, because this disease is the most common and one of the most dangerous.

Initially, osteochondrosis may be asymptomatic. Unpleasant sensations can be felt only when the intervertebral discs have already thinned out quite a lot, and the nerves have begun to be infringed.

The next stage is the development of inflammation, which leads to swelling and even more infringement.

How does the disease manifest itself? Externally, osteochondrosis manifests itself as a curvature of the spine and restriction of movement. In this case, the spine in the lumbar region hurts quite strongly. Relief of the pain syndrome is observed in a horizontal position when taking a certain posture.

Which doctor should I go to?


Since osteochondrosis has a number of concomitant diseases (for example, gastrointestinal diseases), you need to contact a therapist to draw up a treatment plan. Based on the analyzes performed, he will be able to give a referral for a consultation with specialized specialists.

First aid

First aid is especially needed to the patient, if he has the so-called "lumbago". To alleviate the condition, it is necessary to lay the person on his back on a hard surface.

Treatment of osteochondrosis

First of all, it is necessary to observe strict bed rest. Treatment can be divided into several stages:

  1. Pain syndrome treatment. It can be done both at home and in a hospital. Compresses are applied to the patient, rubbing is done, painkillers are given.
  2. Therapy, which includes the use of vasodilators, dehydrating drugs, analgesic blockades.
  3. Carrying out neurological procedures (manual exposure, physiotherapy, the introduction of the necessary drugs)
  4. Recovery stage. It is carried out in a hospital, at home or in a sanatorium. This stage is aimed at restoring functions and rehabilitation of the body.

After a course of treatment preventive measures must be taken, namely: move more if the work is sedentary - take breaks every hour, sleep on a hard bed, go to the pool and monitor your weight.

Reason two: pregnancy


Many pregnant women note the occurrence of girdle pain. The waiting period for a baby is an exciting and difficult time when the expectant mother needs to pay great attention to her well-being.

There are two main causes of pain: the threat of miscarriage and increased load on the spine (especially at 5-6 months, when there is fast growth abdomen, legs and lower back hurt).

Other causes (eg, kidney disease, urogenital disease) are usually identified during a general examination. upon registration. Some pregnant women may complain that they have pain in the lower back and tailbone - such symptoms occur when preparing the pelvis for childbirth.

Which doctor should I go to?

It is best to contact the gynecologist leading the pregnancy. If the pain is tolerable, then you can visit a doctor on your own. In case of severe pain, it is recommended to call an ambulance.

Treatment

Treatment for a threatened miscarriage is performed in a hospital. In the second option, doctors recommend wear a bandage and do special gymnastics for pregnant. Knee-elbow poses are especially useful.

Prevention

If there are no contraindications, then an excellent prevention of lower back pain is a visit to the pool. Well strengthen muscles and daily walks in the fresh air (at least 1-2 hours). Please note that physical activity should increase gradually, otherwise the pain syndrome will not be long in coming.

Reason three: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract


To diseases gastrointestinal tract that can cause girdle pain in the lumbar region include:

  • pancreatitis;
  • appendicitis;
  • colitis and enteritis;
  • diseases of the duodenum;
  • ulcers and other diseases of the stomach.

sharp and strong pain It occurs precisely during attacks of pancreatitis, therefore, most often people with suspicion of this disease turn to doctors.

How does pancreatitis manifest itself? The pain occurs sharply, but in a sitting position or when the torso is tilted forward, it subsides. When the lower back hurts while lying down or the lower back hurts when you get up - you can say with sufficient confidence that this is pancreatitis.

Pain may be accompanied by fever, loss of appetite and nausea, bloating, hiccups, shortness of breath, discomfort in the epigastric region.

I would like to add that, like any other disease, pancreatitis does not appear suddenly, but may take years to develop. If you observe the occurrence of mild pain 15 minutes after eating, passing after a short time, it is better to consult a doctor.

Which doctor should I go to?


If pancreatitis is suspected, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. In acute pancreatitis, it is urgent to call an ambulance. Otherwise, this disease can develop into another, even more dangerous - pancreatic necrosis.

First aid for acute pancreatitis

There are situations when it is impossible to quickly call an ambulance or it may not arrive soon. To relieve an attack of acute pancreatitis the following measures must be taken:

  1. Have the patient sit down and tilt the torso slightly forward. Give him peace.
  2. Avoid eating food.
  3. Ensure fluid intake every half hour, but no more than ¼ cup.
  4. Give the patient 0.8 mg No-Shpa or Drotaverine. Medicines containing enzymes (Creon, Mezin, etc.) should be excluded.
  5. Apply something cold to the area of ​​the pancreas from the back.

Treatment

Acute pancreatitis is treated only in a hospital. At chronic pancreatitis specialists may prescribe antispasmodics (for example, No-Shpa) or a course of antisecretory ones.

It is also necessary to strictly adhere to the diet. With prolonged chronic pancreatitis, enzymes can be prescribed, for example, Festal, Pancreatin, Micrasim, Creon and others.

Reason four: kidney disease


Due to the increased popularity of kidney disease worth highlighting as a separate item. Despite their diversity, almost every one of them causes girdle pain in the lumbar region.

Symptoms can easily be confused with other diseases.

Most common:

  • pyelonephritis;
  • cystitis;
  • urolithiasis disease;
  • glomerulonephritis;
  • nephroptosis;
  • various types of tumors.

How is it manifested? By themselves kidneys are not sensitive to pain, so it is not always easy to notice the problem before the critical moment. Other symptoms are: increased urination, nausea and loss of appetite, chills.

Occasionally - an increase in temperature, but, as a rule, it rises in parallel with the pain syndrome or literally a few days before it. It often happens that when the lower back hurts, it radiates to the leg.

Sometimes patients complain: “The lower back hurts when I sit” - this symptom also has a place to be. Please note that with this disease, the pain does not go away with a change in body position.

Which doctor should I go to?

As a rule, kidney diseases make themselves felt quite clearly, so in most cases an ambulance is called to the patient.

If you only have suspicions, you can visit a therapist who will give you referral to a nephrologist or urologist(depending on the type of disease).

This video shows the causes of back pain
https://youtu.be/nJMLXCuwrZY

First aid

The patient must be put to bed and provided with a drink - ordinary water, fruit drinks from lingonberries or cranberries. The lumbar region can be wrapped with a warm blanket or a wool sweater and wait for a doctor's appointment.

Treatment

Almost all kidney diseases require long-term treatment. First, it is carried out in a hospital, after which a course of drugs for home use is prescribed.

The main danger lies in the risk of recurrence the same disease, so prevention is very important. First of all, it is necessary to avoid even slight hypothermia of the body. Secondly, try to drink more herbal teas or fruit drinks.

Reason five: the heart


No matter how paradoxical it may sound, sometimes girdle pain in the lower back can be a sign of heart disease, such as myocardial infarction.

The main symptoms are shift of pain from the left shoulder blade down. The pain may cover the chest and spread to the left arm (or the lower back hurts and left leg). In such cases, the only way out is to immediately call an ambulance.

Conclusion

It hurts much less often under the lower back during exacerbations of female diseases - basically the pain radiates to the sides. Similar situations are also observed in diseases of the peripheral nervous system or herpes zoster (for example, lower back pain and leg pulling).

But no matter what problem suits you in terms of symptoms, there is only one conclusion - need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Only this will avoid serious complications.