Back pain in the lumbar region can appear for a variety of reasons. The most frequent and widespread 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 occurs on both the left and right sides. If we talk about chondrosis, among other possible causes of low back pain, both in men and women are noted:
- excess weight;
- long-term sitting - behind the wheel or at the computer;
- excessive exercise;
- sudden weight lifting;
- stress, regular nervous tension;
- exposure to drafts, hypothermia.
Acute low back pain treatment 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 the painful symptom.
First aid for acute pain
The spine is the support for the skeleton and for the whole organism. Pain in any part of it is accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms. A person is forced to move, often cannot walk alone, 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 huge load is directed precisely to this department.
Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system begin to develop at a young enough age. Due to the fact that for many people the type of activity is associated with sitting, and there is no prevention of back diseases, sooner or later the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and become the cause of the development of many diseases which, at the stage acute form, can cause severe pain. Such diseases include:
- inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- spondylosis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- sprains and injuries;
- radiculitis;
- lumbago.
Sudden acute pain disrupts the person's lifestyle. It appears with any load on the spine, it can begin 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 properly provide first aid to the victim. Take a horizontal position on a hard surface. This will help the muscles and intervertebral discs relax as much as possible, while the spasm will lessen slightly. Then the affected area must be lubricated with an ointment with a warming and analgesic effect. If the pain does not subside after this and movement is still limited, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken. They are generally quite effective. It is not recommended to take these drugs in large quantities. If the pain does not subside after these manipulations, it is necessary to call an ambulance.
After providing first aid, in the absence of inflammation, it is necessary to tighten the lower back with a warm handkerchief, fixing it in one position.
When you need specialist help
It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately if, in addition to pain, the following symptoms are present:
- pain intensifies;
- in addition to the spine, it hurts in many other places;
- impaired sensitivity.
It is also necessary to consult a doctor if the spine was previously injured.
Methods of therapy
Medicines can be used during home treatment for acute low back pain, but only the attending physician should prescribe them. Usually the following means are used:
- Pain medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain well, but you shouldn't always take them, because they have a number of contraindications and often cause side effects.
- Some narcotics can be used 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 to their patients. Taking such drugs is accompanied by drowsiness and dizziness.
Any of the listed drugs must be agreed with a specialist, since only he can prescribe the correct treatment regimen.
In some cases, when none of the listed drugs 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 nerve root area, but it may take several months for the pain syndrome to be completely eliminated.
Physiotherapy and physical therapy
In some situations, drug treatment is contraindicated. For example, pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, patients with diseases for which drugs 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 the muscle corset. The positive effect of exercise on sleep, on the whole body and on the nervous system of the patient is noted. The duration of the main training is about 5 minutes, but the effect is already 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, then bend it up in an arc. You have to stay in each position for 7 seconds.
Twisting has a positive effect on the entire spine. To perform them, you need to sit on a hard surface, on your back. Rotate the legs bent at the knees on one side and the body on the other. At the same time, it is important to feel how all the muscles are stretched.
Standing on all fours, rest your head and shoulders on a chair. Slowly pull the lumbar spine, first in one direction, then in 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;
- eliminates swelling;
- stops inflammatory processes in the body.
However, the massage should only be performed by a specialist, otherwise it can aggravate the situation.
Massage is contraindicated in the acute period of the disease, in high temperatures, tumor diseases, thrombosis, hypertension, displacement of the discs, tuberculosis and some pathologies of the heart organs.
It is a good idea to learn basic self-massage techniques. Before performing, you need to warm up your back, take a prone position and stretch your head. After that, sit down and pull your hands behind your head, trying to fasten 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. After that, the sides are kneaded with both hands. After the massage, you need to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and lie down in a quiet environment.
Paraffin therapy
Paraffin treatment is useful 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 over a warm blanket for a relaxing effect. The course of treatment is from 7 to 20 days.
Folk remedies
Traditional methods of treatment include rubbing, the use of dyes, compresses, baths. A compress, which is prepared on the basis of honey and vinegar, has proven itself well. Relieves pain in the lower back very quickly by heating with hot salt in a canvas bag. The mustard bath relaxes and releases muscle tension. After any of these procedures, you need to dress warmly and fix your back with a warm scarf.
Back pain prevention
After relieving pain and inflammation, it is necessary to ensure that such an attack does not recur. 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 every day, and a massage course should be followed 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 this 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. It is necessary to take into account your need for BZHU and respect it. It helps build muscle mass, which will help support the spine and lose weight.