Lumbar pain is one of the worst conditions imaginable because the lumbar spine has the greatest load compared to the rest of the spine, so the lower back is the most susceptible to injury. The most common symptoms of back pain are osteochondrosis as well as radiculitis and other serious illnesses.
Why does my lower back hurt?
Most often, lower back pain occurs after intense training and when you are in a position for a long time or due to uncomfortable movement. The main risk factors that can cause lower back pain are:
- working on a computer due to constant driving or a sedentary lifestyle;
- if the work involves constant strain on the lower back, stress;
- too intense workouts in the gym;
- low back pain due to pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- heavy weight.
Low back pain usually goes away on its own if left alone. If, nevertheless, the lower back is constantly aching or it hurts regularly, then these may already be signs of the disease. Without proper treatment, back pain can lead to quite serious consequences - including spinal surgery.
What diseases can cause back pain
Low back pain is primary and secondary. Primary pain syndrome directly causes spinal disease:
- in most cases it may be osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (one third of the cases);
- it can also be an intervertebral hernia;
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc;
- spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis.
Secondary pain syndrome usually does not occur because of the spine, but because of other problems in the body that cause low back pain:
- fractures caused by osteoporosis;
- tumors in the lumen of the spinal cord;
- spine fracture;
- long stay in one position and constant muscle load;
- anatomically narrow spinal canal;
- scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- it may also be rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis or osteoarthritis;
- osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- urolithiasis can also hurt;
- pyelonephritis;
- pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- ovarian cancer, ovarian cyst, endometriosis.
What to do against back pain
What to do in case of severe back pain, we recommend:
- lie on your back or on a hard mattress on a surface that supports your back;
- lift your legs and bend your knees, you can put a pillow under your legs to lie down much more easily;
- take any painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs;
- try not to make sudden movements;
- call a doctor at home;
- you must stay in bed for several days;
- it is worth giving up spicy and smoked foods and adhering to proper nutrition.
Prophylaxis
In order to avoid such problems, the following must be constantly prevented:
- less sedentary lifestyle;
- if you still have sedentary work, try to do a little exercise every hour - tilt your head and torso to the side, rotate your shoulders forward-backwards, spread your legs shoulder-width apart and breathe in and out;
- if you are lifting weights, do it right - keep your back straight, do not make sudden movements, gradually lift weights;
- do more exercises for the spine and abdominal muscles;
- observe your posture, keep your back straight, do not bend over, sit and preferably carry a book on your head;
- give up the soft bed and mattresses - choose not the softest, but not the hardest mattress to support the lower back well;
- stand close to the wall several times a day so that the heel, buttocks, shoulder blades and back of the head also touch, so stand for a few minutes;
- practice more sports that keep your back muscles in good shape, be it swimming, walking, skiing, yoga and the like;
Therapeutic gymnastics for the treatment of the lower back of men and women
If your low back pain is small, do the following exercises to prevent it:
- Lie on your back, stretch your arms along your torso, bend your legs slightly at your knees. Bend your legs to the left and turn your head and torso slightly to the right. Hold this for a few seconds. Then return to the starting position and repeat the exercise while tilting your leg to the other side. Perform this exercise 10 times.
- Kneel down. Put your hand on the chair in front of you. In this position, bend your back and then bend it as far as it will go. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Then raise your right leg 20 inches off the ground. Continue like this until you feel tired. Do the same exercise with the other leg. Repeat this exercise five times on each leg.