Back pain: causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

According to statistics, 80% of people know firsthand about back pain.More than a third of all sick leaves issued are related to this problem.The reason for this is the weakness and rapid growth of fragile muscles.To identify the problem, in addition to the visual examination, hardware diagnostics (x-ray, myography, CT, etc.) and laboratory blood tests are also performed.Treatment is prescribed only after the diagnosis is made.

Why does my back hurt?

Pain in the spine can appear immediately after injuries, pathologies of vertebrae, ligaments and discs, or damage to soft tissues.This depends on the position of the body and the level of physical activity, but it can also manifest itself, for example, in diseases of the internal organs.To some extent, the back itself is also vulnerable due to its structure.

It is based on the spine, which performs supporting, protective, motor and shock-absorbing functions.The reason for this is the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments, which, in addition to an incorrect lifestyle, wear out over time and cause degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The spinal cord is located inside the spinal column, its paired roots innervate almost all organs and tissues.Any disturbance in this complex system can cause pain.Most often, the neck and lumbar region suffer due to the greatest load and mobility.

What to do if you have back pain?

A medical examination is necessary to determine the cause, especially if the pain has become frequent.Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.You cannot self-diagnose.

First, you can contact a therapist who will identify the symptoms and refer you to the appropriate specialist.If the cause is known and obvious, you can continue with the prescribed therapy.Neurologists, orthopedists and vertebrologists treat back problems.

Causes of back pain

Back pain is a non-specific symptom that can be caused by a variety of causes.

Physiological (common) causes:

• increased weight;
• recent childbirth or pregnancy;
• hypodynamic work - in the office, at the computer, driving a car;
• stationary work - hairdressers, waiters and salesmen, street advertisers, surgeons, teachers;
• heavy physical activity combined with sudden turns of the body;
• overload during training;
• postmenopausal, prone to osteoporosis.

Pathological causes:

• diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis, tumors, arthritis, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome) and the spinal cord;
• growth disorders - scoliosis and kyphosis;
• infectious lesions of the spine;
• osteoporosis, osteomalacia;
• diseases of internal organs - kidney, pancreas, stomach, spleen, liver;
• atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta.

Acute pain may occur in disc herniation, spondyloarthritis, spinal epiduritis, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, atypical appendicitis and intestinal obstruction, kidney stones, fracture and sprain, spinal cord stroke, appendicitis in women and prostate cancer in men.

Types of diseases based on the nature of back pain

Causes of aching pain:

• hypothermia;
• muscle tension;
• myositis;
• prolonged uncomfortable posture while sleeping or working;
• Lumbago (caused by labor);
• osteochondrosis;
• intervertebral hernia or displacement of intervertebral discs due to sudden lifting of weights or sudden turning of the body;
• kidney diseases - cause back pain due to the location of the kidneys close to the lower back;
• stomach diseases.

Causes of shooting pains:

• intervertebral hernia - with them the condition worsens in case of any physical stress;
• radiculitis - this type of back pain often occurs on one side, radiates to the thigh or buttocks, causes numbness in the legs, and also depends on physical effort;
• osteochondrosis - the patient may experience nagging pain, which radiates to the legs and intensifies when coughing, sneezing, straining, walking, bending.

Etiology of throbbing pain:

• osteochondrosis;
• intervertebral hernia;
• lumbago;
• spondylosis - acute and cannot be relieved with painkillers.

Bursting back pain:

• ischemia;
• heart attack;
• TELE;
• inflammation of the gallbladder;
• a sharp increase in pressure;
• arteriosclerosis.

Why does my back hurt after sleeping?

Most people often feel back pain in the morning after sleep, the reasons for this can be:

• overload the day before, if you lifted weights and moved sharply;
• weak back muscles;
• hypothermia;
• vertebral hernia or osteochondrosis;
• scoliosis - curvature of the spine leads to uneven muscle contraction;
• pregnancy - when the center of the body shifts;
• obesity - the load on the spine is also uneven.

Sleeping conditions are also important.The bed should not be too hard or too soft - in any case, a person is forced to assume an uncomfortable, non-physiological body position during sleep, which causes the muscles to overstretch and not rest at night.Posture is so important that even an orthopedic mattress cannot help.We recommend sleeping on your back with your legs up.

In addition, the causes of pain after sleep can be diseases of the spine and internal organs (urological, gastrointestinal tract, including oncology).

Diseases related to the joints and spine

All pathologies that cause back pain have a common basis - uneven loading of the spinal column.These are:

1. Spondylitis ankylopoetica - persistent inflammation of the ligaments and joints causes chronic spasm of the surrounding muscles.The process is autoimmune;over time, the vertebrae fuse together, dramatically disrupting spinal function.
2. Spondylolisthesis - the vertebrae are in an abnormal position.They move and affect the brain or roots.
3. Osteochondrosis - the intervertebral discs thin, crack and are replaced by bone tissue.Depreciation becomes impossible.
4. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammation of the joints.It most often affects the cervical spine.
5. Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone marrow and surrounding soft tissues.It causes severe pain.
6. Reiter's disease is a simultaneous rheumatic lesion of the urogenital tract, joints and conjunctiva of the eyes.The small muscles of the back are affected.It is more common in young people and develops gradually.The pain is strong in the morning and decreases in the evening.
7. Narrowing of the spinal canal - the cause can be a herniated disc or protrusion (protrusion into the spinal canal).More often, the process affects the lowest roots of the spinal cord, which innervate the legs.The pain can be felt from the lower back to the feet, and it gets worse at rest and when walking.
8. Facet syndrome is a disorder of the intervertebral (facet) joints.The pain may be localized or radiate to the groin, tailbone, or thigh.Physically dependent.The condition worsens in the evening and improves after rest.It occurs more often in the elderly.

Diseases related to muscles

Muscle tissue is affected secondarily, against the background of bone tissue or joint pathology. Painful spasms and tension occur in the muscles, mobility is impaired:

1. Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome from the neck to the lower back.Neurological symptoms may appear: increased sensitivity to pressure on certain points of the back, stiffness and stiffness.
2. Polymyositis - occurs due to hypothermia, injury, sprain or severe physical exertion.Muscle weakness occurs, in which even turning to the side is painful and problematic.
3. Dermatomyositis is a chronic disease of the muscles, organs and skin, often of an autoimmune nature.
4. Charcot disease is an inflammation of the peripheral nerves running along the spine.This leads to a change in gait, muscle weakness and increased sensitivity of the nerve roots.
5. Polymyalgia rheumatica is the negativity of the environment hypothermia, overload, uncomfortable posture, etc.in the form ofIt leads to spasms of individual muscles and the appearance of pain.So-called trigger points appear when the muscle reacts with acute pain when pressed.Neurologists know this.This type of pain can be eliminated with warming ointments and a needle applicator.

Pathologies of the spinal cord

These include damage to the spinal cord, which has 31 paired branches, where each nerve is responsible for innervating its own area. This condition occurs when:

• injuries (spinal fracture);
• tumors;
• osteochondrosis or disc herniation;
• inflammation, hematoma caused by an abscess;
• cerebral hemorrhage;
• myositis;
• lack of minerals and vitamins;
• Complications of HIV or neurosyphilis;
• sclerosis.

Back pain caused by psychosomatics

In recent years, back pain has started to appear due to psychosomatics.In such cases, in the case of complaints of back pain, the examination does not reveal any pathology.This condition is associated with chronic stress, depression and lack of libido.The result is not only pain, but also a change in gait, worsening of lumbago and sensory disturbances.

Causes of back pain by location

The pain can appear in different places on the back.Then they talk about its localization.

Pain on the right side

The right side of the back can hurt due to spinal curvature, kyphosis, lordosis, myositis, disc displacement and obesity.

Somatic pathologies can also cause pain in this area:

• formation of stones in the organs of the urinary system;
• inflammation of the vermiform appendix of the appendix (appendix);
• inflammation of the gallbladder;
• nephritis;
• inflammation of the ovaries;
• salpingitis.

Pain in the left side

This part of the back can hurt in the following cases:

• splenitis;
• ICD;
• root pinch;
• duodenitis;
• oophoritis.

Pain localized in the lower back can be associated with inflammation of the serous membranes covering the lungs, damage to the bronchi, intercostal neuralgia and ischemia.

Pain in the lumbar region

The lower back suffers very often, as it carries a huge load.This section becomes inflamed when the nerve roots are damaged, osteochondrosis or hernia protrusion.Less often, the cause can be spinal tuberculosis, arthritis, lumboischialgia, reduced density and disruption of the structure of bone tissue, Reiter's syndrome - a combination of urethritis and prostatitis.

Pain in the lumbar region is usually chronic.

On the right side in the lumbar area

Pain in the lumbar region occurs with scoliosis, tuberculosis, myositis, neuralgia, tumor, osteomyelitis, spondylitis.An acute attack can be caused by urolithiasis or pyelonephritis.

The shot is typical of diseases of the lower back, which are associated with frequent involvement of the spinal roots (radiculitis).Constant dull and monotonous pain is more typical of an organ like the liver.

Left lumbar region

Most often, the left side starts to hurt after physical activity.The condition improves after rest.Pain can also occur with diabetes or a root bite. If it does not go away in peace, there may be reasons for it:

• scoliosis;
• osteochondrosis (with a sedentary lifestyle or bad posture);
• vertebral infections;
• circulatory disorders.

A pinched nerve

Most often, the sciatic nerve is pinched - sciatica.His myelin sheath is not damaged.This is usually a consequence of osteochondrosis.When stung, there is a sharp and acute pain that radiates to the leg, sacrum and lower back.

In compression radiculopathy, the roots of the spinal nerves are also compressed due to a herniated disc or a decrease in its height and, as a result, a decrease in the distance between the vertebral bodies.Such pain is felt as "superficial" and is sharply intensified when coughing, straining or sneezing.

Intervertebral hernia

Herniation is the extrusion of the core of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal.More often, this is a consequence of untreated osteochondrosis.The central part extends towards the spinal cord, compressing it.In such cases, even a small load leads to a decrease in the height of the cartilage and an even greater protrusion of the hernia.The pain is sharp and sharp, radiating into the arm or leg.

In the area of the shoulder blades

The characteristics of the pain may indicate the diagnosis:

1. Stomach ulcer growing dull pain.Eliminated by medication.
2. Intercostal neuralgia is a disease characterized by acute pain with any physical effort.
3. Osteochondrosis - dizziness, pressure changes, numbness of hands.
4. Exacerbation of angina - the pain is localized in the area of the left shoulder blade, radiating to the chest and under the collarbone.

Pain along the spine and in the back

They occur more often when nerve endings are pinched.Exacerbations are associated with curvature of the spine.If the pain is not pronounced, then we can talk about protrusion.As the pain increases, you can think about osteochondrosis.Pain along the spine is characteristic of myositis, fractures, thinning and wear of intervertebral discs, and spondyloarthritis.They are always sharp and constant.

Causes of lower back pain

Such pain is often associated with osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis. Less often, such feelings may occur if:

• diseases of the genital organs in women (endometritis, adnexitis, vulvitis, cervicitis, oophoritis);
• pregnancy;
• menstruation;
• ulcerative colitis;
• appendicitis;
• diseases of the prostate or bladder - in men.

Associated symptoms

The manifestations of spinal pain vary depending on the location.If the cervical spine is affected, migraines and dizziness, weakness and numbness of the hands, increased pressure, spots and flashes in the eyes.If the chest region is affected, there is a burning sensation and stiffness in the chest, shortness of breath and pain in the shoulder blades.

Situations requiring urgent medical care

Urgent consultation with a doctor is required for back pain that occurs in the following cases:

• bruise;
• neurological symptoms in the form of tingling and numbness in the limbs;
• temperature is combined with back pain;
• numbness in arms and legs, weakness and tingling;
• gait changes or loss of legs;
• had cancer;
• weight loss for no apparent reason;
• urination and defecation are impaired - a person cannot control these processes;
• back pain radiates to the chest, jaw and neck;
• the mind is confused and dizzy;
• numbness in the genitals and weakness, "woolly" in the legs;
• leg cramps;
• problems with conception or erection;
• problems of the gastrointestinal tract, which are not helped by treatment by a gastroenterologist;
• pain in the coccyx and pelvic area, which increases with a change in body position;
• increased pain when sitting or standing for a long time.

Experts will help you find the cause of your pain.

Diagnostics

In order to identify the cause of back pain, the neurologist prescribes a comprehensive examination:

1. Blood tests.They help to identify the presence of infection and inflammation in the form of leukocytosis and increased ESR.A decrease in hemoglobin indicates anemia, which can have many causes, and one of the possible causes is oncology.
2. MRI. Visualize the condition of all components of the spine.It helps distinguish the type and nature of the tumor, determines the distance between the vertebrae and the degree of compression of the roots.
3. CT. It detects fractures and allows finding the smallest fragments after damage.All this in three dimensions.
4. Radiography.The cheapest way to diagnose back pain and identify the state of bone tissue.It is prescribed in case of suspicion of fracture, arthritis, scoliosis, osteoporosis, spondyloarthrosis.
5. Electromyography (EMG).It determines the indicators of the bioelectric activity of muscles and peripheral nerve endings.
6. Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and brain.In triplex or duplex mode, it is used to assess the patency of blood flow through arteries and veins.They check their condition - wall thickness, permeability, etc.

Treatment of back pain

There are many ways to treat back pain.A neurologist will select the optimal treatment for you, taking into account the patient's age, lifestyle, level of physical mobility and clinical manifestations.

Medications for back pain usually include NSAIDs, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and B vitamins.Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, IRT, massage, spinal stretching and muscle relaxation are also prescribed.

In case of back pain, it is advisable to consult a doctor for quality treatment.

Prevention

Preventive measures:

• they learn to maintain posture and stand correctly;
• don't slouch;
• keep your back straight while sitting, place a tripod under your feet;
• properly organize your sleeping place;
• after waking up, do not jump up suddenly - stretch slowly, do simple exercises with your arms and legs;
• distribute the weights on both hands - don't carry everything in one hand, don't put a bag on your shoulder - a backpack is better;
• do not carry the child in your arms leaning back;
• weight lifting squatting;
• do not wash the floor without a mop, bending forward or kneeling;
• balances the diet with the right amount of minerals and vitamins;
• stop smoking and alcohol;
• don't forget exercise - swimming, Nordic walking, yoga;
• take a contrast shower in the morning;
• take care of the liver, it produces collagen for spinal ligaments and vertebral bodies;
• strengthens immunity;
• control weight;
• It is advisable to perform manual therapy 5-10 times every 6 months (on the recommendation of a specialist);
• avoid stress;
• Don't forget about the medical examination.

If you experience back pain, see a doctor who can provide you with proper help.Remember that all diseases are easier to treat in the initial stages.