Few people know what to do if the lower back hurts badly how to treat the problem area at home. Most people refuse to see a doctor because of expensive medical services, others prefer traditional, proven methods.
Self-medication is possible provided the diagnosis is well known. Temporary relief of acute symptoms will not solve the problem, and long-term development of the disease will provoke a transition to a chronic form. It is advisable to consult a specialist on this topic, who can give practical recommendations.
Causes of back pain
Both chronic disease and an accidental event can provoke lower back pain. In women, a similar problem is a complication of gynecological diseases (fibroids, adnexitis, malignant neoplasms). In men, low back pain occurs mainly against the background of difficult working conditions and lifting heavy objects.
The most common causes of this problem are:
- obesity stages 2 and 3;
- excessive sitting;
- excessive loads during sports activities;
- lifting and carrying weights;
- chondrosis, osteochondrosis, kyphosis;
- unstable psycho-emotional state;
- the influence of currents, hypothermia.
Identifying the cause of the pain is very important, as it is forbidden to start a course of therapy without an accurate diagnosis. Temporary relief of symptoms will not lead to the expected results, as the underlying cause will remain untreated.
Even if symptomatic treatment helps, low back pain will return continuously.
When to visit a specialist
Self-medication at home is possible if the nature of the discomfort remains unchanged, the local area of the lesions does not expand and there are no additional manifestations.
In certain situations, self-medication cannot be performed, but specialist intervention is required. Some examples:
- intense increase in pain;
- the local area of the lesions began to expand or displace;
- there is no sensitivity in the lower limbs.
With low mobility of the toes there is a possibility of damage to the spine. Immediate specialist intervention is required.
Methods of home treatment
A huge range of pharmaceutical products can be used to treat low back pain. The patient is offered painkillers, various gels and ointments, as well as suppositories. But it is impossible to buy drugs yourself, a mistake in the choice can lead to an increase in symptomatic manifestations.
Prior consultation with a traumatologist or therapist will be required. Medicines are prescribed only with the presentation of a specialist with a narrow profile. Some powerful drugs are available in pharmacies exclusively by prescription, you can not buy them yourself.
The duration of treatment is from 1 to 6 months, depending on the area of the lesion, the intensity of the painful manifestations, the frequency of the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. The therapeutic course must be completed, otherwise the pain will return after a short period of time.
Ointments and gels
For back pain, regardless of the root cause, ointments or gels are always prescribed. These agents act locally, suppress discomfort and facilitate movement.
The advantage of this method is the minimal number of side effects and contraindications, as well as ease of use.
When applying ointments, a number of rules must be followed:
- mandatory compliance with the instructions for use;
- it is necessary to squeeze a little medicine on the hand and start rubbing in the lower back, it is necessary to apply the ointment once a day, preferably at bedtime;
- if side effects occur, it is necessary to stop using this medicine.
There are different groups of ointments for low back pain:
- Chondroprotectors. They help strengthen the articular cartilage, suppress inflammatory reactions in it.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. They are used for all kinds of inflammatory reactions, restore the activity of the musculoskeletal system. Read the contraindications before use.
- Painkillers. They are mainly used for acute forms of pain, help to relieve the transfer of severe symptoms.
There is also a combined group of ointments that combine all the above properties.
Oral and injectable drugs
Oral drugs or injectable drugs are similar in action to ointments, but have enhanced side effects and a large list of contraindications. Before starting a course of therapy, you should carefully read the instructions for use.
The following groups are selected for the patient, depending on the nature and duration of the pain:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They perfectly relieve pain, help to suppress the inflammatory process in the lower back. The application is possible only with the permission of a specialist.
- Muscle relaxants. This group of drugs helps to relieve muscle tension, relieve spasms and suppress painful symptoms. It is worth noting that when using muscle relaxants, there is drowsiness or jumps in blood pressure.
- Corticosteroids. Hormonal drugs suppress inflammatory reactions and have an analgesic effect.
- Narcotic analgesics. It is prescribed exclusively by the attending physician in case of uncontrolled pain syndrome or surgery.
- Vitamin B. Promotes the normalization of blood circulation, oxygen saturation, restores metabolic processes.
Note:most drugs have a strong therapeutic effect, before use it is necessary to read the instructions for use.
Rectal suppositories
These drugs are confidently promoted in the pharmaceutical industry and are actively used for severe back pain for the following reasons:
- dissolves quickly, the result of the application is felt in 10-15 minutes;
- no harmful effects on the gastrointestinal tract;
- minimal side effects.
Patch
If, due to lesions of the musculoskeletal system, hurts the lower back, how to treat at home with plaster? Quite simple.
The treatment plates block the pain, relieve the inflammation, heat the affected area, which makes it possible to alleviate the patient's condition. Each patch has a unique effect, you need to choose the right medicine to achieve the result.
Exercise
Therapeutic exercises are extremely effective in lumbar lesions. It allows you to:
- develop back muscles;
- restoring the distance between the vertebrae and releasing pinched nerves;
- improving blood circulation;
- suppress pain.
Note:Therapeutic gymnastics may not be performed for all groups of patients; there is a strict list of contraindications. An appropriate set of exercises can be selected only by a treating specialist.
Examples of popular and useful exercises:
- "Cat. "The patient should stand on all fours and bend the spine, then bend in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times, the duration of the stand is 5-7 seconds.
- Twisting. The person will have to take a horizontal position on a hard, flat surface. Bend your knees, start turning your legs to the right, your body to the left. Do 5-6 reps, then switch sides.
You should do gymnastics yourself every day, following medical prescriptions. If negative symptoms appear (headache, vomiting, disorientation in space), it is necessary to stop the exercises urgently.
Massage
Therapeutic massage is most effective for spinal lesions. It is better to perform the procedure under the supervision of a specialist, independent behavior can lead to a number of consequences due to improper movements.
Massage is prohibited for the following groups of patients:
- persons with malignant neoplasms;
- patients with active tuberculosis;
- women in each trimester of pregnancy;
- persons suffering from hypertension or arrhythmia;
- patients with skin lesions.
When you perform a massage on your own, without the services of an experienced specialist, you must first get a list of rules from the doctor for the correct procedure.
Paraffin therapy
Intense pain syndrome is well removed with paraffin. The procedure improves blood circulation in the lymph and soft tissues of the affected area. The melted paraffin heats the entire lower back, the effect of the application lasts several hours.
Performing such a procedure alone is problematic, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced specialist.
Traditional Medicine
The methods of traditional medicine have repeatedly proven their effectiveness, sometimes helping where pharmaceuticals fail. But it is not worth abusing such methods without medical advice, otherwise you can cause irreparable damage to the musculoskeletal system.
The most common methods are:
- Compresses.The procedure should be performed only in the evening so that the patient can relax physically and mentally. The gauze cloth should be impregnated with a pre-prepared composition (only medicinal herbs) and applied to the affected area. Spend at least an hour in this state. As ingredients of the mixture you can use radishes and horseradish, salt, honey, garlic, mustard.
- Friction.It is performed only in the evening, the human body must be in a relaxed state. Alcoholic tinctures of beaver, dandelion root, eucalyptus, paprika, etc. are used for rubbing. The product should be rubbed thoroughly into the affected area, after which the lower back is wrapped in a warm cloth or blanket. You should spend at least an hour in this state.
- Heating bath.An excellent method of relaxing not only the affected area, but also the whole body. The effect of the procedure can be enhanced by the use of medicinal herbs (mint, mustard powder). You need to stay in the water until it starts to cool.
There are other methods of traditional medicine, but the above methods are the simplest to implement, do not require large monetary costs and theoretical knowledge.
How to provide first aid? Lower back pain how to treat at home?
Low back pain does not always appear gradually. Osteochondrosis and other lesions of the spine can occur suddenly, accompanied by severe pain. Light load, cold air or heavy lifting - all this provokes a similar problem.
Acute sensations of pain must be stopped urgently. Manifestations can be so strong that one will lose consciousness. Before rendering assistance, it is necessary to bring the patient to consciousness with ammonia.
The victim should be placed horizontally on a hard, flat surface. It is forbidden to put a pillow, the spine must be in an upright position. Lying in a supine position will reduce the load on the intervertebral discs, spasms and pain will partially subside.
If you have topical ointments and gels in your home, you can treat the affected area. It is desirable that the funds have an anti-inflammatory or analgesic effect, such drugs quickly alleviate the unpleasant symptoms. After applying the ointment, you should leave the victim alone for 30-40 minutes.
If the medication works, you will need to pull on your lower back with a warm towel to secure it. In case of continued acute pain, the patient may be given anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, preferably potent. The tablets will take effect after 30-50 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain.
Important:you can not abuse painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in an emergency the maximum daily dose is allowed, but no more.
In case of prolonged pain, even after following all the above recommendations, you should call an ambulance.
Prevention of back pain
Once you find out why your lower back hurts, how to treat it at home, it is necessary to learn the prevention program. Special corrective measures are useful both after a therapeutic course and for prophylactic purposes to prevent the development of lower back problems.
Useful tips:
- Change your diet. Try to exclude junk and fatty foods from the menu, to minimize the consumption of such dishes. The diet should be dominated by enriched and healthy food that will saturate the body with the necessary trace elements.
- Control your body weight. Obesity in stages 2 and 3 imposes a colossal load not only on the internal organs but also on the spine. Under the influence of excess body weight there is displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilage damage.
- More activity. With a sedentary lifestyle (for example, due to work in the office) you should do warm-ups and walks every day.
- Reduce stress on the spine. It is not recommended to lift weights and carry them without good reason. Even a light load can deform the spine.
Getting rid of bad habits will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the lower back. Alcohol disrupts blood circulation, and the breakdown products of ethanol have a negative effect on the condition of cartilage and joints.