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Lower back pain
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Lower back pain is perhaps one of the most common health problems caused by technological progress and computerization. A characteristic feature of modern patients is their age: it is not so much older people who complain of back pain, but teenagers and people aged 30-50 who spend a lot of time sitting at the computer. So, what kind of pain can such pain acquire, why does it occur and how to treat it?
[ Why does lower back pain occur?
There is no specific cause for lower back pain, as it can be caused by a variety of diseases, however, they are often associated with musculoskeletal diseases. Thus, the most common causes of pain are:
- Osteochondrosis,
- spondylosis,
- spondyloarthrosis.
The factors that cause these diseases are varied, but they can be reduced to the following groups:
- A sedentary lifestyle, spending a lot of time at the computer, improper organization of the workplace;
- Heavy loads, heavy lifting;
- Lack of regular physical exercise;
- The presence of bad habits (excessive alcohol consumption, smoking), addiction to “unhealthy” food with a lot of salt, seasonings and spices, as well as chronic overeating.
What are the characteristics of lower back pain?
Painful sensations can arise sharply, suddenly. This is the so-called radicular, "shooting" nature of pain, it occurs with careless movements, bending of the body. In this case, a person can remain in a bent position in which the pain overtook him, without being able to straighten up.
The local nature of pain is characterized by its direction and concentration in a certain area. The intensity and strength of such pain may change in cases of a change in body position. In addition to local pain, pain may have an irradiating nature, spreading to internal organs and throughout the spine.
Muscular, reflex pain in the lower back, accompanied by familiar restrictions of movement of a certain part of the spine, called spasms. Spasms can be caused by hypothermia, excessive load, insufficiently comfortable body position.
Diagnosis of lower back diseases
A general practitioner will help you determine the cause of the pain. The most commonly used diagnostic methods are MRI of the spine, X-ray, and computed tomography of the spine. Do not use folk rubs in treatment - they will not rid you of the disease!
How to get rid of lower back pain?
The treatment prescribed by doctors when such pain occurs is almost the same and includes the following aspects:
- Compliance with bed rest;
- Physiotherapy procedures;
- Drug treatment: use of painkillers, muscle relaxants;
- Massage, therapeutic exercises.
How to Prevent Lower Back Pain?
Once you have gotten rid of back pain, it is unlikely that you will want the unpleasant sensations to recur. In order to rid yourself of them, you need to follow a few tips:
- You need to sleep on a fairly firm bed;
- Do sports: do exercises, sign up for a swimming pool;
- Take walks during breaks from work;
- Watch your diet: don’t eat a lot of sweet, salty and spicy foods;
- Do not carry heavy objects;
- Don't smoke a lot!
Although lower back pain is quite common, it is quite easy to avoid. You just need to take care of your health and not work 24 hours a day!