Back pain in the lumbar region can appear for various reasons. The most frequent and widespread of them 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 it occurs during pregnancy. It can be accompanied by heaviness in the lower abdomen and occur on both the left and right sides. If we talk about chondrosis, among other possible causes of low back pain, both men and women notice:
- overweight;
- sitting for a long time: behind the wheel or in front of the computer;
- excessive exercise;
- sudden lifting of weights;
- stress, regular nervous tension;
- exposure to drafts, hypothermia.
Treatment of acute low back pain at home should begin by addressing the cause of the inflammation. If the pain is constantly treated with medication, it is likely to return periodically. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process. The choice of therapy depends on the degree of pain symptom.
First aid for acute pain.
The vertebral column is the support of the skeleton and of the entire organism. Pain in any part is accompanied by quite unpleasant symptoms. A person is constrained in movement, he is often unable to 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 straight, unlike animals, and his lower back is the center of gravity, a large load is directed precisely to this department.
Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system begin to develop at a fairly 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 cases acute form, can cause severe pain. Such diseases include:
- inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- spondylosis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- sprains and injuries;
- radiculitis;
- lumbago.
Sudden, sharp pain disrupts a person's lifestyle. It appears with any load on the column, it can 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 provide first aid to the victim correctly. Take a horizontal position on a hard surface. This will help the muscles and intervertebral discs to relax as much as possible, while the spasm will decrease slightly. Then the affected area should be lubricated with an ointment with a warming and analgesic effect. If the pain does not go away after this and movement is still limited, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken. They are generally quite effective. Taking these drugs in large quantities is not recommended. If the pain does not go away after these manipulations, you need to call an ambulance.
After providing first aid, in the absence of inflammation, you need to squeeze the lower back with a warm handkerchief, fixing it in one position.
When you need specialized help
You should immediately consult a doctor if, in addition to pain, the following symptoms are present:
- the pain intensifies;
- Besides the spine, it hurts in several other places;
- altered sensitivity.
It is also necessary to consult a doctor if the spine was previously injured.
Therapy methods
Medications can be used during home treatment for acute low back pain, but should only be prescribed by the treating physician. The following means are commonly used:
- Analgesics. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain well, but you should not take them all the time, because they have a number of contraindications and often cause side effects.
- The use of some narcotic drugs is allowed for a short period of time and only under the supervision of a specialist.
- Local pain relievers. These include ointments, gels, creams. They are rubbed into the affected area.
- Doctors often prescribe muscle relaxants for their patients. Taking such drugs is accompanied by drowsiness and dizziness.
Any of the listed drugs should be agreed with a specialist, as only he can prescribe the correct treatment regimen.
In some cases, when none of the listed medications have been able to help, cortisol injections are prescribed, which are inserted into the space around the spinal cord. Cortisol helps relieve inflammation in the nerve root area, but it may take several months for the pain syndrome to clear completely.
Physical therapy and exercise therapy.
In some situations, drug treatment is contraindicated. For example, pregnant women, lactating women, patients with diseases for which drugs should not be taken. In such 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 the muscle corset. The positive effect of exercise on sleep, the whole body and the nervous system of the patient is noted. The duration of the main workout is approximately 5 minutes, but the effect can already be felt during the execution.
One of the most useful exercises is the "cat" exercise. You need to get on all fours, bend your spine down, and then bend it up in an arc. You must stay in each position for 7 seconds.
Twisting has a positive effect on the entire spine. To perform them, you must sit on a hard surface, face up. Turn the legs bent at the knees to one side and the body to the other. At the same time, it is important to feel all the muscles stretch.
Standing on all fours, 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 the conductivity of nerve fibers;
- removes puffiness;
- stops inflammatory processes in the body.
However, massage should only be performed by a specialist, otherwise it may aggravate the situation.
Massage is contraindicated in the acute period of the disease, at elevated temperatures, tumor diseases, thrombosis, hypertension, displacement of disks, tuberculosis and some pathologies of the heart organs.
It's a good idea to learn basic self-massage techniques. Before performing the performance, it is necessary to warm up the back, take a prone position and stretch the head up. After that, sit down and place your hands behind your head, trying to hold them in the lock. Then with your right hand you need to wash the muscles along the spine, repeat the same with your left hand. The sides are then 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 the flow of blood and lymph in tissues with impaired blood supply. During the procedure, warm molten paraffin is applied to the affected area. In this case, the average width of the layer should be at least 15 mm. The paraffin wax is covered with a film and a warm blanket on top for a relaxing effect. The course of treatment is 7-20 days.
Home remedies
Traditional methods of treatment include rubbing, using tinctures, compresses, baths. A compress, which is made from honey and vinegar, has proven its worth. Very quickly relieve pain in the lower back by warming with warm salt in a duffel bag. The mustard bath relaxes and relieves muscle tension. After any of these procedures, you should dress warmly and dress your back with a warm scarf.
Back pain prevention.
After relieving pain and inflammation, you need to make sure that such an attack does not happen again. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle: abandon 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 massage course should be performed every six months. It is important to understand the importance of water treatments for a healthy back. Swimming in the pool, circular shower, vaginal douche - all of these contribute to the health of the back and the body in general.
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 maintain your spine and lose weight.