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Low back pain
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[What is the pain in the lower back?
When stretching is limited to the motor activity of the lumbar region, pain can be given to the buttock area. With the neuro-radicular syndrome, the pain senses are irradiated to the legs, accompanied by a feeling of crawling, a numbness, usually increases if the patient coughs, sneezes, stays in a sitting or lying position for a long time. The pain in the lower lumbar of the pulling character, accompanied by discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, is characteristic of the premenstrual period and the onset of menstruation in women, and this type of pain can be felt during pregnancy and, depending on the accompanying symptoms, may indicate the presence of any pathologies . If the cause of low back pain is osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, painful sensations can be given to the legs and buttocks, accompanied by stiffness of movements, lumbago, inability to straighten the leg.
Diagnostics
To diagnose the disease using the following methods of examination:
- X-ray examination. It is mainly prescribed for trauma, osteoporosis, steroid use.
- Myelogram. This method of diagnosis is based on the introduction of a contrast agent in the dorsal channel, often carried out along with computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging is performed using magnets to display information. Usually, the MRI method is prescribed for suspected serious pathologies (horse tail syndrome, tumors, fractures).
- Electromyogram. The method consists in placing special needles in the muscles to check electrical activity and to identify the differences between diseases of the muscles and the nerve root.
- At internal examination the doctor checks reflexes, strength of muscles, compression of sciatic nerve.
Treatment of low back pain
Treatment depends on the nature of the disease and the associated symptoms. When osteochondrosis, balanced nutrition, massage procedures, manual therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic gymnastics are shown.
With a lumbar hernia it is necessary to provide the patient absolute rest and bed rest, it is advisable to take anesthetic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If the back pain is caused by a lumbago, it is necessary to urgently place the patient on a hard surface, to reduce pain, you can take analgin or spasmalgon, the patient can apply a dry hot water bottle, you can also rub induvizin, fastumgel, finalgon, finalgel into the affected area. The patient should limit fluid and salt intake. In the presence of sharp and sharp pains, call the doctor immediately.
When supercooling, the back should be grinded with a warming ointment (apizartron, viprosal) or alcohol, top with a downy shawl. Going out into the street, warmly dress. If you often have to be in drafts, it is recommended to wear a special warming wool belt for the waist (sheep or dog). With severe pain, intramuscular injections (movalis, diclofenac, etc.) can be prescribed.
How to prevent lower back pain?
There is an opinion that to prevent the appearance of pain in the lower back, you need to regularly exercise, gymnastics. However, with excessive loads or too sharp and careless movements, on the contrary, you can provoke pain. Experts advise for the prevention of lumbar diseases to engage in swimming, walk more often, ride a bicycle, practice gymnastics every day, perform exercises for abdominal muscles, stretch marks, and slopes. Do not lift weights, evenly distribute loads.
The pain in the lower lumbar region, depending on additional signs, may indicate various diseases. It is strictly forbidden to engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication, so this can harm your health. Treatment in each case is selected by the doctor individually.