Causes and treatment of back pain in the lumbar region: what to do if it radiates to the leg

It turns out that back pain in the lumbar region is very common.

According to biologists, such a symptom is a consequence of our upright posture, in which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region, and is not distributed evenly throughout the spine.Pain in the lower back can signal very serious problems not only with the spine, but also with the internal organs.

If the pain is sharp and accompanied by a fever, call an ambulance.

If such symptoms are not observed, then you should consult a therapist for an accurate diagnosis.Let's find out why such symptoms appear, how they can be dealt with and prevented.

The main causes of pain in the lumbar region

First, let's understand the causes of such unpleasant symptoms.The pain can be primary in pathologies of the spine or secondary in diseases of the internal organs.

Along with the causes, it is important to identify the factors that increase the pain syndrome.

Here they are:

1. Features of the profession: heavy physical work for builders and loaders and heavy lifting for athletes.
2. Prolonged sitting.
3. Overweight and a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Poor nutrition and lack of proteins, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habits: alcohol and spirits.

Even if you reduce the impact of these factors, you will significantly improve your condition and the health of your spine.

Primary factors

Primary factors are associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine.

These include:

1. Osteochondrosis represents changes in the cartilage and intervertebral discs leading to herniation or deformation of the discs.
2. Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bone spurs on the vertebrae.With this growth, the muscles around the spine spasm, which limits its mobility.The occurrence of injuries in the lower back.
3. Spondyloarthrosis is degeneration of the articular surfaces of the vertebrae, as well as their involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles.In this case, deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs and the mobility of the spine is limited.
4. Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
5. Herniated intervertebral discs.
6. Radiculopathy is nerve root damage.

Secondary factors

Secondary ones occur with concomitant pathologies:

1. Metabolism problems.
2. Spinal curvature.
3. When malignant tumors are located near the spine.
4. Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
5. Spinal injuries.
6. Autoimmune diseases.
7. Painful symptoms of a psychogenic nature.
8. Diseases of the digestive system.
9. Diseases of the pelvic organs.
10. Menstrual pains.

Also, problems with the spine can be affected by flat feet, that is, a flattening of the arch of the foot.

Pregnancy can also cause pain.In the early stages, they appear when progesterone affects the ligaments and muscles, also when there is a threat of miscarriage or during an ectopic pregnancy.

After childbirth, the pain may appear as a result of stretching the pelvic muscles or with an increased load on the spine, with frequent carrying of the child in the arms.

What diseases does such pain signal?

Localization of pain is also important.

So let's look at each case:

• aching pain on the right and above the lower back may indicate lung pathology.These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and fever.Also for gallbladder or liver problems.At the same time, the nature of the pain is piercing;
• if discomfort is felt above the lower back on the left, this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left-sided pleurisy;
• symptoms of pain in the lumbar region indicate osteochondrosis in this region, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures;
• a symptom of pain under the lower back that spreads to the lower abdomen is a sign of diseases of the pelvic organs.Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathologies, diseases of the colon and infectious gynecological diseases.It can also mean that the kidneys are not in order.

Which doctor will help?

Most often, pain in the lower back appears temporarily.Only in rare cases, such symptoms signal complex diseases.

In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation.Acute pain often occurs with increased physical activity.

In other cases, you can seek help from a surgeon, urologist or even a chiropractor, who will make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe how to treat such a problem.

In addition, for such pain, you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.

Features of treatment

Depending on the causes of your back pain, your doctor will prescribe the following treatment options:

• drug treatment with analgesics and hormones;
• blockades, which are injections into the intervertebral joints;
• manual techniques;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• therapeutic exercises;
• acupuncture.

If conservative treatment does not help, surgery is resorted to.

In the treatment of disc herniation due to osteochondrosis, in addition to the main treatment, physiotherapeutic methods are used.

Therapeutic blockades are used when other methods do not give the desired effect.Most often, for this purpose, anesthetics are injected into the lumen of the affected joint.

Acupuncture is recommended for disc protrusions, osteochondrosis or hernia.If the pain radiates to the leg, then physiotherapy is also used.

Wearing a special corset allows you to limit movements in the lumbar region.This helps reduce pain in the area of joint inflammation.

For back pain, your doctor may give the following recommendations:

1. Bed rest on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
2. Wearing a special bandage.
3. The use of anti-inflammatory and pain relievers.
4. To get rid of muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed.Special drugs are also used to relax the muscles.
5. Vascular and diuretic drugs are used to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.
6. All types of gels and ointments are used as local therapy.
7. In order to consolidate the positive result, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.It can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.

Therapeutic exercises and special massage help to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and eliminate the inflammatory process.

If pain in the lumbar region is not associated with complex diseases, then yoga classes will help alleviate the condition.

You can do similar exercises at home and they won't take much time.

Pain due to hypothermia

Did you know that a common cause of back pain is hypothermia?At the same time, you don't even need to freeze, but just sweat and go under the air conditioner.

In this case, the hot surface of the body will come into contact with a stream of cold air.And the very next day it will be difficult to stand up or get up.

In such a situation, the pain becomes constant and painful.

First of all, you need to warm up your back.A warming ointment is suitable for this.If there is no medicine, then ordinary alcohol will also be useful.After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped with something warm.

A similar procedure is carried out every day.If the pain is severe, you should seek help from a doctor.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

If you often get hypothermia, buy a belt made of dog or sheep wool.

What to do with lower back pain?

This pain occurs during intense physical exertion.When carrying weights, there is a sharp pain that extends to the leg.

A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis, which is called lumbago or lumbago.In such a situation, you should lie down on a hard surface.

To relieve the pain, take a pain reliever.

Remember, if you have these symptoms, you should not take a hot bath or steam in a sauna.In this case, dry heat will help more.

For example, a special ointment.It is also worth limiting your intake of salt and liquids for a few days.

What will help with a hernia?

With a hernia, there is a sharp and constant pain that increases with every movement.Relief occurs only when lying down.

You may also feel tingling in your lower back.To reduce pain, you should ensure bed rest and take painkillers.Then you should call a doctor.

In the acute period, serious and qualified treatment is necessary.

What should we do for prevention?

Don't wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking preventive measures.

Here they are:

1. Identifying and treating co-morbidities that may cause lower back pain.
2. Proper nutrition with a sufficient amount of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided.In this case, the load must be distributed evenly.Do not make sudden movements.
4. Lead an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming or yoga.
5. Periodically conduct therapeutic massage courses.
6. When you are sedentary, take a break every hour and do some exercise.
7. The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.

For prevention, you can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages.

Such devices are recommended during pregnancy and heavy physical exertion.

It is important to control your weight, as heavy body weight increases the load on the spine.Get rid of bad habits and undergo a preventive examination every year.

Therapeutic gymnastics

To strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain, exercise at home.Exercise should be done regularly.

A well-developed set of exercises will help improve posture, increase muscle tone and also activate blood circulation.

In such a complex, you can use the following movements:

• body tilts in different directions.First left and right, then forward and backward;
• turning the body to the side;
• in the position of the knee - in the position of the elbow you need to bend your back up and down;
• lie on your back with bent knees, lift the pelvis up;
• from a lying position, the straight legs should be bent at the knees and pulled to the chest.

Perform each exercise 8-10 times.

Do not ignore the symptoms of pain in the lumbar region, go to the doctor and take preventive measures that will help you normalize your well-being and improve your health.