Few people know what to do if your lower back hurts a lot how to treat a problem area at home. Most people refuse to visit a doctor because of expensive medical services, others prefer traditional, proven methods.
Self-medication is possible, provided the diagnosis is reliably known. Temporary relief of acute symptoms will not solve the problem, and prolonged development of the disease will cause the transition to a chronic form. It is advisable to consult on this topic with an expert who can give practical recommendations.
Causes of back pain
Both chronic illness and an accidental event can cause lower back pain. In women, a similar problem is the complication of gynecological diseases (fibroids, adnexitis, malignant neoplasm). In men, lower back pain occurs mainly in the background of difficult working conditions and lifting heavy objects.
The most common causes of this problem are:
- phase 2 and 3 obesity;
- excessive sitting;
- excessive loads during sports activities;
- lifting and carrying weights;
- chondrosis, osteochondrosis, kyphosis;
- unstable psycho-emotional state;
- influence of drafts, hypothermia.
Determining the cause of pain is very important, because it is forbidden to start a therapeutic course without an accurate diagnosis. Temporary relief of symptoms will not bring the expected results, as the underlying cause will remain untreated.
Even if symptomatic treatment helps, lower back pain will keep coming back.
When to visit specialists
Self-medication at home is possible if the nature of the discomfort remains unchanged, the local area of the lesion does not spread and there are no additional manifestations.
In certain situations, self-medication cannot be performed, but specialist intervention is required. A few examples:
- intense increase in pain;
- the local area of the lesion began to spread or move;
- there is no sensitivity in the lower extremities.
With low mobility of the fingers, there is a possibility of damage to the spine. Urgent specialist intervention is needed.
Home treatment methods
A huge range of pharmaceutical products can be used to treat lower back pain. The patient is offered painkillers, various gels and ointments, as well as suppositories. But it is impossible to buy drugs on their own, a mistake in the choice can lead to an increase in symptomatic manifestations.
Prior consultation with a traumatologist or therapist will be required. Medications are prescribed only with the recommendation of a specialist of a narrow profile. Some strong medicines are available in pharmacies only with a prescription, you cannot buy them yourself.
The duration of treatment is from 1 to 6 months, depending on the area of the lesion, the intensity of pain manifestations, the frequency of occurrence of unpleasant symptoms. The course of therapy must be completed, otherwise the pain will return after a short period of time.
Ointments and gels
For back pain, regardless of the 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 the ease of use.
When applying the ointment, it is necessary to follow a number of rules:
- mandatory adherence to instructions for use;
- it takes a little medicine to squeeze on the arm and start rubbing into the lower back, it is necessary to apply the ointment once a day, preferably before bedtime;
- if side effects occur, you should stop using this medicine.
There are different groups of ointments for lower back pain:
- Chondroprotectors. They help strengthen the articular cartilage, suppress inflammatory reactions in it.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. They are used for any inflammatory reactions, restore the activity of the musculoskeletal system. Read the contraindications before use.
- Painkillers. They are used mainly for acute forms of pain, helping to facilitate the transmission of severe symptoms.
There is also a combined group of fats that combines all of the above properties.
Oral and injectable drugs
Oral or injectable drugs are similar to the action of ointments, but have enhanced side effects and a large list of contraindications. You must read the instructions for use carefully before starting the therapy course.
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. Registration is possible only with the permission of an expert.
- Muscle relaxants. This group of drugs helps to relieve muscle tension, relieve cramps and suppress painful manifestations. It is worth noting that when using muscle relaxants, drowsiness or jumps in blood pressure occur.
- Corticosteroids. Hormonal drugs suppress inflammatory reactions and have an analgesic effect.
- Narcotic analgesics. Prescribed exclusively by a physician in case of uncontrolled pain syndrome or surgical intervention.
- Vitamin B. Stimulates 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 reliably promoted in the pharmaceutical industry and are actively used for severe back pain for the following reasons:
- dissolves quickly, the result of application is felt in 10-15 minutes;
- no adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract;
- minimal side effects.
Patch
If you have lower back pain due to lesions of the musculoskeletal system, how to treat it at home with a band-aid? Very simple.
Treatment pads block pain, relieve inflammation, warm the affected area, which allows to alleviate the patient's condition. Each patch has a unique effect, you have to choose the right medicine to achieve the result.
Physical exercises
Therapeutic exercises are extremely effective for lumbar lesions. Allows you to:
- develop back muscles;
- restore the distance between the vertebrae and release the pinched nerves;
- improve blood circulation;
- suppress pain.
Note:Corrective gymnastics cannot be performed for all groups of patients; there is a strict list of contraindications. The appropriate set of exercises can only be chosen by a doctor.
Examples of popular and useful exercises:
- "Cat. "The patient must stand on all fours and bend the spine, and then bend in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times, the duration of the posture is 5-7 seconds.
- Twisting. The person will need to take a horizontal position on a hard, flat surface. Bend your knees, start turning your legs to the right, body to the left. Do 5-6 reps, then change sides.
You have to do gymnastics yourself every day, adhering to doctor’s prescriptions. If negative symptoms appear (headache, suffocation, disorientation in space), it is necessary to stop exercising immediately.
Massage
Therapeutic massage is most effective for spinal lesions. The procedure is better carried out under the supervision of a specialist, independent behavior can result in 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 any trimester of pregnancy;
- persons suffering from hypertension or arrhythmia;
- patients with skin lesions.
When performing a massage on your own, without the services of an experienced specialist, you must first obtain a list of rules from your 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. Melted paraffin heats the entire lower back, the effect of application lasts for several hours.
It is problematic to carry out such a procedure on your own, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced expert.
Traditional medicine
The methods of traditional medicine have repeatedly proven their effectiveness, sometimes helping where pharmacists have failed. But it is not worth abusing such methods without medical advice, because otherwise you can cause irreparable damage to the musculoskeletal system.
The most common methods are:
- Wraps.The procedure should be performed only in the evening in order for the patient to be physically and mentally relaxed. The gauze cloth must be impregnated with the already prepared composition (only medicinal herbs) and applied to the sore spot. Spend at least an hour in this state. As ingredients of the mixture you can use radishes and horseradish, salt, honey, garlic, mustard.
- Rubbing.Performed only in the evening, the human body should be in a relaxed state. Alcoholic tinctures from beaver stream, dandelion root, eucalyptus, red pepper, etc. are used for rubbing. The product must be thoroughly rubbed into the affected area, after which the lower back is wrapped in warm fabrics or blankets. You must spend at least an hour in this condition.
- Warm bath.A great method to relax not only the affected area, but also the whole body. The effect of the procedure can be improved by using medicinal herbs (mint, mustard powder). It is necessary to stay in the water until it starts to cool.
There are other methods of traditional medicine, but the above methods are the easiest to perform, do not require large monetary costs and theoretical knowledge.
How to provide first aid? Lower back pain how to treat at home?
Lower back pain does not always appear gradually. Osteochondrosis and other lesions of the spine can appear suddenly, accompanied by severe pain. Light loading, cold air or lifting heavy loads - all this causes a similar problem.
Acute pain should be stopped immediately. Manifestations can be so strong that a person will lose consciousness. Ammonia should be brought to mind before providing assistance.
The victim should be placed horizontally on a hard, flat surface. It is forbidden to put pillows, the spine must be in the correct position. Staying in a supine position will reduce the load on the intervertebral discs, cramps and pain will partially disappear.
If you have homemade ointments and gels in your home, you can treat the affected area. It is desirable that the agents have anti-inflammatory or analgesic effect, such drugs quickly alleviate the unpleasant manifestations. After applying the ointment, you must leave the victim alone for 30-40 minutes.
If the medication has an effect, you will need to pull your lower back with a warm cloth to fix it tightly. For continuous acute pain, the patient may be given anti-inflammatory and pain medications, preferably strong. The tablets will work after 30-50 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain.
Important:you can not abuse painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in emergencies the maximum daily dose is allowed, but no more.
With constant pain, even after you have made all the above recommendations, you must call an ambulance.
Prevention of back pain
Once it is determined why the lower back hurts as it is treated at home, it is necessary to learn a prevention program. Special corrective measures are useful both after the 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, minimize the consumption of such dishes. The diet should be dominated by fortified and healthy foods that will saturate the body with the necessary trace elements.
- Control your weight. Obesity stages 2 and 3 impose a huge burden not only on the internal organs but also on the spine. Under the influence of overweight there is a displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilage damage.
- More activities. With a sedentary lifestyle (for example, because of office work) you have to warm up and walk every day.
- Reduce stress on the spine. Lifting weights and carrying them for no good reason is not recommended. 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 ethanol half-life products negatively affect the condition of cartilage and joints.