Lumbar pain is one of the worst conditions that can be imagined, since the lumbar spine has the greatest stress in comparison with the rest of the spine, which is why the lower back is the most susceptible to injury. Most often, back pain is a symptom of osteochondrosis, as well as radiculitis and other serious illnesses.
Why does the lower back hurt
Most often, lower back pain occurs after intense training, as well as if you are in one position for a long time or because of an awkward movement. The main risk factors due to which lower back pain may appear:
- constant driving or because of a sedentary lifestyle, working at a computer;
- if the work is associated with a constant load on the lower back, stress;
- overly intense workouts in the gym;
- also possible low back pain due to pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- great weight.
Low back pain usually goes away on its own when you leave it alone. If, nevertheless, the lower back hurts constantly or pains come periodically, then these may already be signs of the disease. Without proper treatment, back pain can lead to quite serious consequences - including surgical interventions in the spine.
What diseases can cause lower back pain
Low back pain is divided into primary and secondary. Primary pain syndrome directly causes a disease of the spine:
- in most cases it can be osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine (one third of all cases);
- it can also be an intervertebral hernia;
- protrusion of the intervertebral disc;
- spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis.
Secondary pain syndrome usually occurs not because of the spine, but because of some other problems in the body that cause lower back pain:
- it can be fractures due to osteoporosis;
- tumors in the lumen of the spinal canal;
- spinal fracture;
- prolonged stay in one position and constant muscle load;
- anatomically narrow spinal canal;
- scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis, Scheuermann-Mau disease;
- it can also be rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, or osteoarthritis;
- osteomyelitis, discitis, spinal tuberculosis;
- also hurts can cause urolithiasis;
- pyelonephritis;
- pregnancy or recent childbirth;
- ovarian cancer, ovarian cyst, endometriosis.
What to do for back pain
What to do if you have severe back pain, we recommend:
- lie on your back or on a hard mattress, a surface that would support your lower back;
- raise your legs and bend at the knees, you can put a pillow under your feet to make it much easier for you to lie down;
- take any pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs;
- try not to make sudden movements;
- call a doctor to your home;
- for several days you need to stay in bed;
- it is worth giving up spicy and smoked foods, as well as adhering to proper nutrition.
Prophylaxis
In order to avoid such problems, you need to constantly carry out prevention:
- less sedentary lifestyle;
- if you still have sedentary work, then try to do a little exercise every hour - tilt your head and torso to the sides, rotate your shoulders back and forth, spread your legs shoulder-width apart and breathe in and out;
- if you lift weights, then do it right - keep your back straight, do not make sudden movements, lift the weights gradually;
- do more exercises for the spine and abs;
- watch your posture, keep your back straight, do not slouch, sit and preferably walk with a book on your head;
- give up a soft bed and mattresses - choose not the softest but also not the hardest mattress, so that it supports the lower back well;
- several times a day, stand close to the wall so that the heels, buttocks, shoulder blades and also your back of the head touch it, stand this way for several minutes;
- do more sports that will keep your back muscles in good shape, it can be swimming, walking, skiing, yoga, and the like;
Therapeutic gymnastics for the treatment of the lower back in men and women
If low back pain is small, then to prevent them, do the following exercises:
- Lie on your back, stretch your arms along your torso, bend your legs slightly at the 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 legs to the other side. Do this exercise 10 times.
- Get on your knees. Place your hands on the chair in front of you. In this position, bend your back up, then bend as much as possible. Repeat the exercise 5-10 times.
- Lie on your back and straighten your legs. Then lift your right leg 20 centimeters from the floor. Keep it up that way until you feel tired. Do the same exercise with the other leg. Repeat this exercise 5 times on each leg.