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 mainly falls on the lumbar part, and is not evenly distributed along the spine.Pain in the lower back can signal very serious problems not only with the spine, but also with internal organs.

If the pain is acute and accompanied by an elevated temperature, call an ambulance.

If such symptoms are not observed, you should consult a therapist for an accurate diagnosis.Let's understand why such symptoms occur, how to deal with them and how to prevent them.

The main causes of pain in the lumbar region

First, let's find out the causes of such unpleasant symptoms.Pain can be primary in spinal pathologies or secondary in diseases of internal organs.

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

here they are:

1. Characteristics of the profession: heavy physical activity for builders and loaders and heavy lifting for athletes.
2. Prolonged stay in a sitting position.
3. Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Poor diet and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habits: alcohol and spirits.

Even by reducing the influence 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.

This includes:

1. Osteochondrosis is a change in the cartilage and intervertebral discs, which leads 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.Occurrence of injuries in the lower back.
3. Spondyloarthrosis is the degeneration of the articular surfaces in the vertebrae, as well as their involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles.In this case, the deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs, and the mobility of the spine is limited.
4. Spondylolisthesis is manifested by the movement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
5. Hernia of intervertebral discs.
6. Radiculopathy is nerve root damage.

Secondary factors

Secondary occur with accompanying pathologies:

1. Metabolic problems.
2. Curvature of the spinal column.
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 pain.

Also, problems with the spine can be affected by flat feet, i.e. flattening of the arch of the foot.

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

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

What diseases does such pain signal?

The location of the 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 about 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 side, then this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left pleurisy;
• symptoms of pain in the lumbar region indicate osteochondrosis in this area, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures;
• A painful symptom under the lower back that radiates to the lower abdomen is a sign of pelvic organ disease.Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathologies, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases.This can also indicate that the kidneys are not well.

Which doctor will help?

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

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

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

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

Features of treatment

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

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

If conservative treatment does not help, then surgery is used.

In the treatment of disc herniation due to osteochondrosis, along with 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. Laying on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
2. Wearing a special bandage.
3. Use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
4. To get rid of muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed.Special drugs are also used to help 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 a positive result, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.It can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.

Therapeutic exercise and special massage help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and also 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 it won't take much time.

Pain from hypothermia

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

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

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

First of all, you need to warm up your back.Warming grease is suitable for this.If there is no medicine, ordinary alcohol will do.After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.

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

If you are often hypothermic, then buy a belt made of dog or sheep wool.

What to do with lower back pain?

This pain occurs during intense physical exertion.A sharp pain extending down the leg appears when carrying any weight.

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

To relieve the pain, take a pain reliever.

Note that 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 grease.It is also worth limiting salt and liquid intake for a few days

What will help with a hernia?

A hernia causes sharp and constant pain, which increases with every movement.Relief occurs only in the lying position.

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

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

What to do for prevention?

Do not wait until severe pain appears, but start with preventive measures.

here they are:

1. Identification and treatment of concomitant diseases that can cause pain in the lower back.
2. Proper nutrition with sufficient amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Heavy physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided.In this case, the load should be evenly distributed.Do not make sudden movements.
4. Lead an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming or yoga.
5. Take therapeutic massage courses from time to time.
6. When you work sitting down, 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 activity.

It is important to control your weight, because 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.Physical exercises should be done regularly.

A well-designed 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:

• the body leans in different directions.First left and right, then forward and backward;
• turning the body to the sides;
• in the knee position - in the elbow position, you should bend your back up and down;
• lying on your back with bent knees, lift your pelvis up;
• from a lying position, straightened legs should be bent at the knees and pulled towards 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.