Back pain in the lumbar region can occur for several reasons. The most common and common of these is lumbar osteochondrosis. You can treat your back at home after consulting a specialist with an accurate diagnosis.
The cause of back pain
Back pain in women can be the cause of certain gynecological problems - fibroids, adnexitis, tumors of various etiologies - and sometimes occurs during pregnancy. It may be accompanied by heaviness in the lower abdomen and may occur on both the left and right sides. When it comes to chondrosis, among other possible causes of lower back pain, both men and women note:
- overweight;
- long-distance seating - behind the wheel or in front of a computer;
- excessive exercise;
- sharp weights;
- stress, regular nervous tension;
- exposure to drafts, hypothermia.
Treatment of acute lumbar pain at home should begin with the cause of the inflammation. If the pain is treated continuously with medication, it is likely to return from time to time. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and speed up the healing process. The choice of therapy depends on the severity of the pain symptom.
First aid for acute pain
The spine is the support of the skeleton and the whole body. There are quite unpleasant symptoms in any part of the pain. Human mobility is limited, he is often unable to walk on his own, and the condition of other organs and systems deteriorates. The groin is the most vulnerable part of the spine. Because man, unlike animals, moves straight and the lower back is the center of gravity, a huge load is directed at exactly this class.
Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system begin to develop at a fairly young age. Given that for many people the type of activity involves a sedentary position and there is no way to prevent back disease, intervertebral discs will sooner or later lose their elasticity and become the cause of many diseases that are acute. may 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. Whatever the load on the spine, it can start suddenly, even at rest. The risk group includes athletes, drivers, people whose work is related to weight lifting, and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
In case of severe back pain, it is important to provide adequate first aid to the victim. Take a horizontal position on a hard surface. This helps the muscles and intervertebral discs to relax as much as possible while the spasm is slightly reduced. The affected area should then be lubricated with a warming and analgesic ointment. If the pain still does not go away and movement is still restricted, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be taken. They are usually quite effective. It is not recommended to take large amounts of these medicines. If the pain does not go away after these manipulations, you should call an ambulance.
After first aid, in the absence of inflammation, pull the lower back with a warm handkerchief, securing it in one position.
When you need professional help
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following symptoms in addition to pain:
- the pain increases;
- it hurts in even more places outside the spine;
- impaired sensitivity.
You should also see a doctor if your spine is previously damaged.
Therapeutic methods
Medications can also be used to treat acute low back pain at home, but these should only be prescribed by your doctor. The following tools are commonly used:
- Analgesics. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain well, but should not be taken regularly because they have many contraindications and often cause side effects.
- Some drugs can be used for a short time and only under the supervision of a specialist.
- Local analgesics. These include ointments, gels, creams. Rub the affected area.
- Doctors often prescribe muscle relaxants to their patients. Taking such medications is accompanied by drowsiness and dizziness.
Any of the medicines listed should be discussed with a specialist, as only he or she can prescribe the appropriate treatment regimen.
In some cases, when none of the drugs listed can help, an injection of cortisol is prescribed, which is made into the space around the spinal cord. Cortisol helps relieve inflammation in the nerve roots, but it can take several months for the pain syndrome to go away completely.
Physiotherapy and gymnastics
In some cases, medication is contraindicated. For example, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, patients with diseases for which medication should not be taken. In such cases, many doctors recommend non-medication to their patients.
Exercise relieves pain well. It allows you to quickly relieve back pain at home, relieve muscle tension, relieve pain and strengthen the muscle band. The positive effects of exercise on sleep, the whole body, and the patient's nervous system can be observed. The duration of the main workout is about 5 minutes, but the effect is already felt during the execution.
One of the most useful exercises is the "cat" exercise. You should stand on all fours, bend your spine, and then bend it upward in an arc. You must stay in each position for 7 seconds.
Twisting has a positive effect on the entire spine. To do these, you need to sit on a hard surface on your back. Turn your legs bent at one knee to one side and your body to the other. However, it is important to feel that all the muscles are tense.
Standing on all fours, place your head and shoulders on a chair. Slowly pull the lumbar spine first in one direction and then the other.
Massage and self-massage
The benefits of massage are obvious:
- reduces pain;
- stimulates blood circulation;
- improves lymph flow;
- restores the conductivity of nerve fibers;
- eliminates bloating;
- stops inflammatory processes in the body.
However, the massage should only be performed by a specialist, otherwise it may aggravate the situation.
Massage is contraindicated in the acute period of the disease, high fever, cancer, thrombosis, hypertension, disc displacement, tuberculosis, and certain pathologies of the heart organs.
It is advisable to learn the basic self-massage techniques. Before performing, you should warm your back, lie on your back, and stretch your head. Then sit down and pull your hands behind your head and try to secure them in the lock. Then wash the muscles along the spine with the right hand, repeat the same with the left hand. The pages are then kneaded with both hands. After the massage, you should wrap yourself in a warm blanket and lie down in a calm environment.
Paraffin therapy
Paraffin treatment is good for acute back pain. The aim of the procedure is to increase the flow of blood and lymph in the tissues with damaged blood supply. During the process, warm molten 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 foil and a warm blanket on top for a relaxing effect. The duration of treatment is 7-20 days.
Folk remedies
Traditional treatment methods include rubbing, tinctures, compresses, baths. A compress based on honey and vinegar has worked well. It relieves pain in the lumbar region very quickly by warming it with warm salt in a linen bag. The mustard bath relaxes and relieves muscle tension. After any of these procedures, you should dress warmly and secure your back with a warm scarf.
Prevention of back pain
After relieving pain and inflammation, you need to make sure that such an attack does not recur. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle - you need to give up bad habits, balance your diet, choose the right mattress for sleeping and resting. Easy exercises for the back muscles should be done daily and a massage course should be given every six months. It is important to understand the importance of water treatments for a healthy back. Swimming in the pool, circular shower, shower - all contribute to the health of the back and body as a whole.
It is very important to balance your diet and add more vitamins and minerals. Your need for BZHU must be considered and adhered to. It helps build muscle mass, which helps support the spine and lose weight.