What is lumbago
Lumbago (lumbodynia) is a very severe pain (lumbago in the lower back) that accompanies excessively active physical activity, sudden bending or other movements of the body, lifting too heavy objects.
In this case, the back muscles and ligaments are strained too much, in some cases the spinal disc prolapses. The disease can develop in people of all age groups; its development is largely influenced by a person’s lifestyle, diet and the amount of daily physical activity.
Causes of lumbago in the lower back
Pain syndrome in the lumbar spine most often indicates problems with the musculoskeletal system. Pain usually occurs when there is too much stress, which falls mainly on the spine and lower back. This causes stretching and deformation of the spinal discs.
The main cause of lumbago in the lower back is irritation of the fibrous ring and spinal ligaments; it is quite difficult to accurately determine the causes even for specialists, since all pathologies of this area of the spine show similar symptoms.
In some cases, the disease is associated with aging of the body, since over time the intervertebral discs wear out and become less stable. The appearance of voids between the discs can provoke the development of an intervertebral hernia.
Quite often, the cause of an attack is simple hypothermia , spending a long time or sleeping in an uncomfortable position, and regular exercise in certain sports. Sometimes an attack can even be triggered by psychosomatic factors, such as severe stress or depression.
Development mechanism and stages
The incubation period of the disease can be quite long, even several years, and no symptoms of the disease appear, although it is actively progressing. When the development of the disease reaches a critical point, patients begin to feel discomfort in the lumbar region, problems with spinal mobility, and sharp pain during heavy physical exertion.
Medical professionals distinguish 2 stages:
- During the active stage , pain manifests itself sharply after heavy exercise; during the acute period, pain accompanies almost any movement; even minimal physical activity significantly worsens the patient’s general condition.
- The passive stage of the disease develops extremely slowly, pain occurs rarely, only with excessive physical activity. At this stage, it is very difficult for a doctor to recognize the disease, since no symptoms appear. The patient may complain of fatigue and nagging pain, however, they do not reduce performance and physical activity. The passive stage can persist throughout life without showing any symptoms.
In any case, it is necessary to contact a specialist to make a correct diagnosis, classify the disease and determine the exact cause of its occurrence.
Diagnostics
Diagnostics is essential to identify lumbago disease; only a specialist doctor can determine the symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment in each individual case. Diagnosing lumbago syndrome is possible only after a thorough examination.
When communicating with your doctor, be extremely precise, describing the location, duration, degree of pain - based on your complaints, external examination and palpation, as well as the results of clinical studies, the doctor will make an appropriate diagnosis, prescribe treatment and tell you in detail what needs to be done. shot in the lower back. An important role is played by assessing the psychological state of the patient, since it is stress that can cause an attack.
Reviews
Victor : “Forty years ago my spine shot. The pain was so bad that I had to go to the doctor. He diagnosed lumbago and prescribed a course of treatment. To be honest, it only helped to temporarily eliminate the pain, which from time to time manifested itself as acute. They advised me to do exercises every morning. I started doing physical exercises and I’m living peacefully for now. I advise everyone! While lying in bed, try to raise your pelvis as high as possible and stay in this position. Then alternately reach your heels with your hands.”
Silva : “I tried the exercises, it started to go away right away! Great! Thank you"!
Maria : “In order to relieve the pain, I use horseradish compresses or pepper tincture.”
Zinaida : “I, too, my husband’s back, when it shoots, I rub it with horseradish, it goes away for a while, and when the pain is unbearable, he takes Ibuprofen, the lumbago started shooting up recently, I probably need to go to the doctor or sign up for massages.”
What to do if you have a lumbago in the lower back and how to treat it?
A patient needs emergency medical care only if the pain is too severe and the patient is unable to bear it.
In any case, you need to consult a specialist doctor as soon as possible to establish a diagnosis. After the research, individual treatment is prescribed. The generally accepted treatment system for such diseases includes a set of physical exercises combined with a course of medication. Gymnastic exercises will help normalize the functioning of the spine in the lumbar region; medications are prescribed to relieve pain.
Treatment of lumbago at home is carried out only strictly under the supervision of a doctor.
You can independently use painkillers, do warm-ups, conduct acupuncture sessions, daily massage - such measures do not help treat the disease, but relieve pain and improve the general condition of the patient. The doctor will recommend special poses that will help relieve pain in the lumbar region, for example, lying down with your knees slightly raised. It is recommended to spend a significant part of the time in such positions, as they contribute to the rapid rehabilitation of the patient.
Another prerequisite for treatment is a very strict diet : the patient must give up spicy, fatty, salty and fried foods. A nutritionist will develop a special diet and daily menu with the necessary products and the correct doses - such a diet helps avoid recurrence of pain and promotes a speedy recovery.
How many days does the syndrome last for treatment?
Drug treatment of the syndrome begins with intramuscular injections, which are given for about ten days, after which they switch to weekly painkillers. NSAIDs are used for two weeks, but no more, to avoid side effects. Taking muscle relaxants lasts one month. Traditional medicine is used as an adjuvant course of treatment until the symptoms of lumbago begin to disappear. There were no side effects from long-term use of medicinal herbs or other folk remedies.
Additional treatments
How else can you treat a lumbago in the lower back:
- Gymnastics is considered a preventive measure; it consists of a set of physical exercises, the purpose of which is to strengthen the muscular corset of the back. Gymnastic exercises contribute to the restoration of the lumbar vertebrae and the normal functioning of nerve endings. The doctor will advise you which exercises to use and in what quantity, so as not to worsen the situation, especially at the beginning of rehabilitation. Physical exercises are allowed only when the pain syndrome completely disappears; during the period of acute pain, the patient must adhere to bed rest, completely excluding physical activity.
- Acupuncture is not an official treatment for lumbago. There are no serious studies or proven results on this matter. However, some medical clinics, mainly private ones, offer to use this technique. It is difficult to predict in advance what the effect will be. You can only check in practice how effective this therapy is.
- Manual therapy allows you to put diseased vertebrae in place. The effectiveness of this method has been confirmed by numerous applications. A qualified specialist carefully examines the diseased area, finds the knocked out vertebra and inserts it into place. In this case, pain and discomfort disappear almost immediately. Sometimes treatment requires several sessions. Most doctors agree that manual therapy is very effective for treating lumbago.
- Massage for such a disease should be very gentle and soft, the session time should not exceed a quarter of an hour. Typically, a relaxing massage of the back and lower back muscles is used; rubbing in this area can be combined with warming. The main purpose of massage is to relieve pain and inflammation. Only a qualified specialist knows exactly how to perform a massage so as not to worsen the patient’s condition.
- Traditional methods of treatment can be used at home, but it is necessary to discuss in detail all the methods used with your doctor. For lower back diseases, it is suggested to purchase a special warming belt made of a special material, for example, natural wool: constant warmth in this area relieves pain and reduces inflammation. As a warming drug, you can use turpentine, which is rubbed in the spine area. Then you need to insulate the lower back and wait about an hour, then remove the remaining ointment. If the burning sensation is severe, it is better to interrupt treatment and wait a few days. There are many traditional recipes for treating back problems; be sure to consult your doctor before using any of them.
First aid
It is necessary to be able to orient yourself in time and provide first aid. To eliminate the painful symptoms of lumbago, you should immediately lie down in the position that will be most relaxing and you will feel a gradual subsidence of the pain. Even if the patient is on the street, you should not pay attention to others, but immediately lie down on your back.
Note ! A horizontal position will not always completely relax your back muscles.
If the patient observes a gradual subsidence of pain, it is recommended to take one of two positions:
- Belly down position . For some patients, it is in this position that complete relaxation of the spinal muscles can be achieved. When lying on your stomach, you need to put a couple of pillows under it.
- Kyphosis of the spine . The big one lies down in a horizontal position with his stomach up, raises his legs, which are bent at the knees and hip joint, and places them on any elevation, it is best if it is a bolster, but you can use a box and, in extreme cases, a pillow.
Spasm only increases the pain when lumbago occurs, and the above positions will help get rid of it and, accordingly, reduce the feeling of pain. The patient should take a painkiller in the form of a tablet and rub with anti-inflammatory ointments. After which the sore lumbar area should be fixed with an orthopedic bandage , if it is missing, then you can use a warm scarf or scarf.
During the period of manifestation of the syndrome, do not lift anything heavy and avoid sudden movements - all this can lead to acute painful shooting.
