Back pain in the lower back can appear for several reasons. The most frequent and common one is lumbar osteochondrosis. Knowing the exact diagnosis, you can treat your back at home after consulting a specialist.
cause of back pain
Back pain in women can be the cause of some gynecological problems - fibroids, adnexitis, tumors of various etiologies, sometimes occur during pregnancy. It may be accompanied by heaviness in the lower abdomen and occur on the left and right sides. If we talk about chondrosis, among other possible causes of low back pain, both in men and women are observed:
- overweight;
- sitting for a long time - at the wheel or at the computer;
- excessive exercise;
- sudden lifting of weights;
- stress, regular nervous tension;
- exposure to drafts, hypothermia.
Home treatment of acute low back pain should begin by addressing the cause of the inflammation. If the pain is consistently treated with medication, it is likely to return periodically. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process. Choice of therapy depends on the degree of pain symptom.
First Aid for Acute Pain
The spine supports the skeleton and the entire organism. Pain in any part of it is accompanied by very unpleasant symptoms. A person has limited movement, often cannot walk on his own, the condition of other organs and systems worsens. The loin is the most vulnerable part of the spine. Since a person moves in a straight line, unlike animals, and their lower back is the center of gravity, a huge load is directed precisely into that department.
Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system begin to develop at a very young age. Because for many people the type of activity is associated with the sitting position, and there is no prevention of back diseases, sooner or later the intervertebral discs lose elasticity and become the cause of the development of many diseases that, in a way, acute form, can cause severe pain. These illnesses include:
- sciatic nerve inflammation;
- spondylosis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- sprains and injuries;
- radiculitis;
- lumbago.
A sudden sharp pain disrupts a person's lifestyle. Appears with any load on the column, may start abruptly even at rest. The risk group includes athletes, drivers, people whose work is associated with weight lifting and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
In case of severe back pain, it is important to correctly provide first aid to the victim. Position yourself horizontally on a hard surface. This will help the muscles and intervertebral discs to relax as much as possible, while the spasm will slightly lessen. Then, the affected area must be lubricated with an ointment with a warming and analgesic effect. If the pain does not subside after that and movement is still limited, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken. They are usually quite effective. It is not recommended to take these medications in large amounts. If the pain does not subside after these manipulations, you will need to call an ambulance.
After first aid, in the absence of inflammation, it is necessary to tense the lower back with a warm handkerchief, securing it in position.
When you need expert help
You should see a doctor immediately if, in addition to pain, the following symptoms are present:
- the pain intensifies;
- in addition to the spine, it hurts in several other places;
- impaired sensitivity.
It is also necessary to see a doctor if the spine has already been injured.
therapy methods
Medications can be used during home treatment for acute low back pain, but only the treating physician should prescribe them. The following means are commonly used:
- Pain medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very pain-relieving, but you shouldn't take them all the time, as they have a number of contraindications and often have side effects.
- Some narcotics can be used for a short period of time and only under specialist supervision.
- Local pain relievers. This includes ointments, gels, creams. They are rubbed into the affected area.
- Doctors often prescribe muscle relaxants to their patients. Intake of these drugs is accompanied by drowsiness and dizziness.
Any of the drugs listed must be agreed with a specialist, as only he or she can prescribe the correct treatment regimen.
In some cases, when none of the drugs listed have been able to help, cortisol injections are prescribed, which are given into the space around the spinal cord. Cortisol helps relieve inflammation in the area of the nerve roots, but it can take several months for the pain syndrome to completely clear up.
Physiotherapy and exercise therapy
In some situations, drug treatment is contraindicated. For example, pregnant women, nursing mothers, patients with illnesses for which medications should not be taken. In these cases, many doctors recommend non-drug treatments to their patients.
Gymnastics relieves pain well. It allows you to quickly relieve back pain at home, relieve muscle tension, eliminate pain and strengthen muscle corset. The positive effect of exercise on the patient's sleep, entire body and nervous system is noted. The duration of the main training is about 5 minutes, but the effect can be felt already during the execution.
One of the most useful exercises is the "cat" exercise. You need to get on all fours, bend the spine down, then bend it upward in an arc. You must remain in each position for 7 seconds.
The twist has a positive effect on the entire spine. To perform them, you need to sit on a hard surface, on your back. Turn your bent legs at the knees to one side and your body to the other. At the same time, it's important to feel how all the muscles are stretched.
Standing, place your head and shoulders on a chair. Slowly pull your lumbar spine, first in one direction, then the other.
Massage and self-massage
The benefits of massage are obvious:
- reduces pain;
- stimulates blood circulation;
- improves lymphatic flow;
- restores nerve fiber conductivity;
- eliminates swelling;
- interrupts inflammatory processes in the body.
However, massage should only be performed by a specialist, otherwise it can aggravate the condition.
Massage is contraindicated in the acute period of the disease, at high temperatures, tumor diseases, thrombosis, hypertension, disc displacement, tuberculosis and some pathologies of the heart organs.
It's a good idea to learn basic self-massage techniques. Before you introduce yourself, you need to warm up your back, lie face down, and stretch your head up. After that, sit down and put your hands behind your head, trying to get them into the lock. Then, with your right hand, you need to wash the muscles along the spine, repeat the same with your left hand. Then the sides are kneaded with both hands. After the massage, you need to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and lie down in a calm environment.
paraffin therapy
Paraffin treatment is good for acute back pain. The purpose of the procedure is to increase blood and lymph flow in tissues with impaired blood supply. During the procedure, hot melted paraffin is applied to the affected area. In this case, the average layer width must be at least 15 mm. The paraffin wax is covered with a film and a warm blanket over it for a relaxing effect. The course of treatment is 7 to 20 days.
folk remedies
Traditional methods of treatment include scrubbing, using dyes, compresses, baths. A compress made with honey and vinegar has proven to be good. Very quickly relieves pain in the lower back, warming with warm salt in a canvas bag. The mustard bath relaxes and relieves muscle tension. After any of these procedures, you will need to bundle up and secure your back with a warm scarf.
Back Pain Prevention
After alleviating the pain and inflammation, make sure this attack doesn't happen again. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle - give up bad habits, balance your diet, choose the right mattress for sleep and rest. Light exercises for the back muscles should be performed daily, and a course of massage should be done every six months. It is important to understand the importance of water treatments for a healthy spine. Swimming in the pool, circular shower, shower - everything contributes to the health of the back and the body as a whole.
It is very important to balance your diet, add more vitamins and minerals to it. It is necessary to take into account your need for BZHU and fulfill it. It helps build muscle mass, which will help support your spine and lose weight.