About 80% of adults have experienced low back pain at least once in their lives. It affects both men and women equally.
The pain manifests in different ways: from dull and constant, to sudden, but very intense, which becomes temporarily disabling.
Sudden pain in the lower back occurs after an injury or lifting a heavy object. If we consider chronic pain, it often appears due to age-related changes in the spine.
In this article, we will look at the top causes of low back pain.
What is the lower back made of?
The lumbar spine consists of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5) that support most of the upper body weight. The space between the vertebrae is filled with round elastic pads - intervertebral discs. They act as shock absorbers. , absorb loads and soften their impact on the spine.
Ligaments hold vertebrae in place and tendons connect muscles to them. Inside the spinal column are 31 pairs of nerves that control our movements and transmit signals from all parts of the body to the brain.
Why does lower back pain occur?
In most cases, the pain is of a mechanical origin. Next, we will consider the most common causes of it:
- sprains or tears in ligaments, tendons, and musclesThe most common causes of acute low back pain. They appear after twisting the spine, lifting objects improperly, lifting too heavy or excessive stress on the ligaments, tendons and muscles. All this is painful in the back muscles. Also provokes convulsions.
- degeneration (wearing out) of the intervertebral discsOne of the most common causes of low back pain. It occurs when the elastic discs lose their integrity as the body ages. In healthy people, the intervertebral discs allow the trunk to bend and twist normallyAs the discs fail, they lose their ability to absorb the load.
- Disc protrusion or hernia.This occurs when the intervertebral disc is strongly compressed, bulging outwards (protrusion), or ruptures (hernia).
- Radiculopathy.This is a condition caused by compression, inflammation, and/or trauma to the spinal cord. Pressure on the nerve can cause pain in the lower back and a numbness or tingling sensation. These symptoms tend to spread to areas of the body that are affected. In addition, radiculopathy is caused by compression of the nerve root with stenosis, protrusion or rupture of the intervertebral disc, of the spinal canal.
- sciatica- One of the forms of radiculopathy, which develops due to compression of the sciatic nerve. This is a large vein that runs through the buttocks and runs from the back of the leg to the heel. Compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower backpain or burning in the buttocks and in one legWeakness also occurs. This is due to a violation of the transmission of nerve signals. In rare cases, a nerve or its root is pinched due to the formation of a cyst or tumor.
- degenerative spondylolisthesis- This is a condition in which the vertebrae "fall" out of place and compress the nerves that exit the spinal column.
- shockFor example due to sports activities, car accidents or falls. Injuries are a source of sprains or tears of ligaments, muscles and tendons. They cause excessive compression of the spinal cord, which in turn causes protrusion or herniated discsIs.
- spinal stenosis- This is a narrowing of the lumen, causing increased pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. As a result, pain or numbness occurs when walking. Over time, stenosis leads to weakness and numbness in the legs.
- Scoliosis and other skeletal imbalances.Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine that does not usually cause pain until middle age. Another common disorder is hyperlordosis, in which there is excessive deflection of the spine in the lower back.
Who is most at risk of getting back pain?
Several factors increase the chances of encountering this problem. Among them:
- Age- The first pain occurs at the age of 30-50 years. Due to osteoporosis, bone strength is lost with age, leading to fractures, as well as loss of muscle tone and elasticity. Intervertebral disc fluid andThey tend to lose flexibility, which in turn reduces their ability to absorb stress. The risk of developing spinal stenosis also increases with age.
- low level of physical activity- Weak abdominal and back muscles do not support the spine properly. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of muscle-strengthening workouts are to blame. Particularly affected are those who spend a full week without movingand on weekends they try to catch up and train very hard. People who exercise with moderate intensity, but most days of the week, have much less lower back pain. Research showsthat low-intensity aerobic exercise is beneficial for maintaining the integrity of the intervertebral discs.
- pregnancy- Very often, back pain appears in expectant mothers. It is all to blame - structural changes and redistribution of weight in the pelvic region. One good thing is that after childbirth the pain goes away for almost everyone.
- weight gainThe presence of overweight, obesity, or a sharp increase in kilograms puts stress on the back and leads to lower back pain.
- Hereditary tendency.One type of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, is often inherited. In this disease the joints of the vertebrae grow together, causing pain, as well as decreased mobility of the spine.
- Work specifics.If your work involves lifting, pushing or pulling a weight, you run the risk of lower back injury or pain. Particularly dangerous is the movement of the load, in which the spine twists or vibrates. Passive workThere is also an increased risk of experiencing pain from arthritis. Particularly affected are those who do not follow their posture or sit in a chair with an inappropriate backrest all day.
The problem of overloading is different for schoolchildren with textbooks and items that they carry in their backpack. Experts from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons note that the maximum weight of the backpack should not exceed 15-20% of the child's weight.
back pain treatment
The treatment strategy will depend on what type of pain is bothering you - short-term acute or chronic. The most commonly used pain management techniques include:
hot or cold compress
Compresses are used to relieve pain and reduce swelling. They can be used for any back pain, both acute and chronic. Compresses do not treat the underlying cause, but instead reduce the painAnd helps in improving mobility of joints.
maintaining physical activity
Bed rest should be kept to a minimum. Stretching should be done and normal motor activity should be maintained, movements that aggravate pain should be avoided. Research shows that the onset of low back pain is followed by activeStaying helps maintain flexibility. Not only this, bed rest can make the pain worse and lead to other complications. These include depression, loss of muscle tone, and blood clots in the legs.
Strength training (other than general physical activity) is not recommended for acute pain. They can be seen as an effective remedy for quick recovery from chronic low back pain.
Maintaining and increasing the strength of the back and abdominal muscles is especially important for those who suffer from musculoskeletal imbalances (scoliosis, hyperlordosis). To correct posture and muscle imbalances, you should see an orthopedic specialist. Should contact. The doctor will develop a set of exercises that will help to cure these disorders.
By the way, research shows that doing yoga can also relieve pain.
back pain medicine
Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors prescribe one or more medicines:
- Pain relievers - to relieve pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - to relieve pain and swelling.
- Anticonvulsants prescribed to treat seizures may be helpful for people with radiculopathy.
- Tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are prescribed for chronic pain. However their effectiveness in treating low back pain has never been proven.
- Creams and sprays - for cooling or heating.
Surgery is only recommended if progressive nerve damage or structural changes are found in the spinal cord.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor immediately if the pain is severe and:
- Appearing after a fall, injury, or back injury
- It gets worse during rest or at night.
- gets worse when coughing or urinating
- spreads to one or both legs,
- Weakness in one or both legs is accompanied by numbness or tingling
- is accompanied by fever or unexplained weight loss
- is accompanied by pain in the abdomen or a throbbing sensation
- This is accompanied by an inability to control the act of urination or defecation.
Do not wait until your low back pain becomes so bad that you are ready to do anything. It is better to consult an Orthopedist.