Back pain: causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

According to statistics, 80% of people know back pain firsthand.More than a third of all sick notes are related to this problem.The reason can be considered the weakness of fragile muscles and their rapid growth.To identify the problem, in addition to a visual examination, hardware diagnostics (X-ray, myography, CT, etc.) and laboratory blood tests are carried out.Treatment is prescribed only after the diagnosis is established.

Why does my back hurt?

Pain in the spine can occur immediately after injuries, diseases of the vertebrae, ligaments and discs, or damage to soft tissues.It depends on posture, the level of physical activity, but can also be reflected, for example, in diseases of the internal organs.The back itself is vulnerable to a certain extent due to its structure.

Its basis is the spine, which provides supporting, protective, motor and shock-absorbing functions.This is due to the cartilage of the intervertebral discs, muscles and ligaments, which wear out over time and cause degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system if the lifestyle is incorrect.

Inside the spine is the spinal cord, whose paired roots innervate almost all organs and tissues.Any disruption in this complex system can cause pain.The cervical and lumbar spines most often suffer from the greatest strain and mobility.

What to do if you have back pain?

Particularly if the pain occurs more frequently, a medical examination is necessary to determine the cause.Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.You cannot self-diagnose.

First, you can contact a therapist who will identify a number of symptoms and refer you to the right specialist.If the cause is known and obvious, you can continue the prescribed therapy.Neurologists, orthopedists and vertebral doctors treat back problems.

Causes of back pain

Back pain is a non-specific symptom that can have various causes.

Physiological (common) causes:

• increased weight;
• recent birth or pregnancy;
• hypodynamic work – in the office, at the computer, while driving;
• standing work – hairdressers, waiters and salespeople, street touts, surgeons, teachers;
• heavy physical activity associated with sudden body turns;
• overload during training;
• postmenopausal with a tendency to osteoporosis.

Pathological reasons:

• Diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis, tumors, arthritis, osteomyelitis, Reiter's syndrome) and the spinal cord;
• Growth diseases – scoliosis and kyphosis;
• infectious lesions of the spine;
• osteoporosis, osteomalacia;
• Diseases of internal organs – kidneys, pancreas, stomach, spleen, liver;
• Arteriosclerosis of the abdominal aorta.

Acute pain can occur with disc herniation, spondyloarthritis, epiduritis of the spinal cord, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, atypical appendicitis and intestinal obstruction, kidney stones, fractures and sprains, spinal cord infarctions, inflammation of the limbs in women, and prostate cancer in men.

Types of diseases based on the type of back pain

Causes of aching pain:

• hypothermia;
• muscle strain;
• myositis;
• prolonged uncomfortable posture when sleeping or working;
• lumbago (caused by contractions);
• osteochondrosis;
• Intervertebral hernia or displacement of the intervertebral discs due to sudden lifting of weights or sudden turning of the body;
• Kidney disease – causes back pain due to the proximity of the kidneys to the lower back;
• Stomach diseases.

Causes of stabbing pain:

• Intervertebral hernia – the condition worsens with any physical exertion;
• Radiculitis – this type of back pain often occurs on one side, radiates to the thigh or buttocks, causes numbness in the legs and is also dependent on physical exertion;
• Osteochondrosis – The patient may experience stabbing pain that radiates down the leg and increases when coughing, sneezing, straining, walking, and bending.

Etiology of throbbing pain:

• osteochondrosis;
• intervertebral hernia;
• Lumbago;
• Spondylosis – are acute and cannot be relieved by analgesics.

Bursting back pain:

• ischemia;
• Heart attack;
• TELA;
• inflammation of the gallbladder;
• a sharp increase in pressure;
• Arteriosclerosis.

Why does my back hurt after sleeping?

Most people often feel back pain in the morning after sleeping, the reasons may be:

• Overexertion the day before when you lifted weights and exercised vigorously;
• weak back muscles;
• hypothermia;
• vertebral hernia or osteochondrosis;
• Scoliosis – a curvature of the spine causes uneven muscle contraction;
• Pregnancy – when the center of the body shifts;
• Obesity – the load on the spine is also uneven.

Sleeping conditions are also important.The bed should not be too hard or too soft - in any case, the person is forced to assume an uncomfortable, unphysiological position while sleeping, which leads to the muscles being overstrained and unable to rest at night.Posture is so important that even an orthopedic mattress cannot help.It is recommended to sleep on your back with your legs elevated.

Causes of pain after sleeping can also be diseases of the spine and internal organs (urological, gastrointestinal tract, including oncological).

Diseases of the joints and spine

All pathologies that cause back pain have a common basis - uneven load on the spine.This includes:

1. Ankylosing spondylitis – Persistent inflammation of the ligaments and joints leads to chronic spasms of the surrounding muscles.The process is autoimmune;Over time, the vertebrae begin to fuse together, dramatically affecting the function of the spine.
2. Spondylolisthesis – the vertebrae are in an abnormal position.They are displaced and affect the brain or roots.
3. Osteochondrosis – Intervertebral discs become thinner, rupture and are replaced by bone tissue.Depreciation becomes impossible.
4. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammation of the joints.The cervical spine is most commonly affected.
5. Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of the bone marrow and surrounding soft tissue.Causes severe pain.
6. Reiter's disease is a rheumatic simultaneous damage to the genitourinary tract, joints and the conjunctiva of the eyes.The small back muscles are affected.It is more often typical of young people and develops gradually.The pain is severe in the morning and subsides in the evening.
7. Spinal canal stenosis – the cause can be a herniated disc or a protrusion (bulging into the spinal canal).More often, the process affects the lowest roots of the spinal cord, which innervate the legs.The pain is felt from the lower back to the foot and increases both at rest and when walking.
8. Facet syndrome is damage to the intervertebral joints (facet joints).The pain may be local or radiate to the groin, tailbone, or thigh.Physically dependent.The condition worsens in the evening and improves after rest.Occurs more often in older people.

Muscle-related diseases

Muscle tissue is secondarily affected against the background of pathology of bone tissue or joints. Painful cramps and tension occur in the muscles and mobility is impaired:

1. Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome from the neck to the lower back.Neurological symptoms may occur: increased sensitivity when pressing certain points on the back, stiffness and stiffness.
2. Polymyositis – occurs due to hypothermia, injuries, sprains or severe physical exertion.Muscle weakness occurs, making turning to the side painful and problematic.
3. Dermatomyositis is a chronic disease of the muscles, organs and skin that is often autoimmune in nature.
4. Charcot disease is an inflammation of the peripheral nerves that run along the spine.This leads to gait changes, muscle weakness and increased sensitivity of the nerve roots.
5. Polymyalgia rheumatica is the negativity of the environment in the form of hypothermia, overwork, uncomfortable posture, etc. Leads to spasms of individual muscles and the appearance of pain.So-called trigger points arise, to the pressure of which the muscle reacts with acute pain.Neurologists know about this.Pain of this type can be eliminated with warming ointments and a needle applicator.

Spinal cord pathologies

This involves injury to the spinal cord, which consists of 31 paired branches, with each nerve responsible for innervating its area. This condition occurs when:

• Injuries (spinal fracture);
• tumors;
• osteochondrosis or herniated disc;
• Inflammation as a result of an abscess, hematoma;
• cerebral hemorrhage;
• myositis;
• lack of minerals and vitamins;
• complications of HIV or neurosyphilis;
• Sclerosis.

Back pain caused by psychosomatics

In recent years, back pain has become increasingly common due to psychosomatics.In this case, if there are complaints of back pain, no pathology can be detected during the examination.This condition occurs with chronic stress, depression and lack of libido.The result can be not only pain, but also a change in gait, aggravation of lumbago and sensory disturbances.

Causes of back pain by location

Pain can occur in various places in the back.Then they talk about its localization.

Pain on the right side

The right side of the back may hurt due to spinal curvature, kyphosis, lordosis, myositis, disc displacement and obesity.

Somatic pathologies can also cause pain in this area:

• Formation of stones in the organs of the urinary system;
• Inflammation of the appendix of the appendix (appendix);
• inflammation of the gallbladder;
• Nephritis;
• inflammation of the ovaries;
• Salpingitis.

Pain on the left side

This area of the back may hurt in the following cases:

• splenitis;
• ICD;
• root clamps;
• duodenitis;
• Oophoritis.

Pain localized above the lower back may be associated with inflammation of the serous membranes covering the lungs, damage to the bronchi, intercostal neuralgia, and ischemia.

Pain in the lumbar region

The lower back often suffers because it is exposed to enormous stress.This section becomes inflamed when there is damage to the nerve roots, osteochondrosis or hernia bulging.Less commonly, the cause can be spinal tuberculosis, arthritis, lumboischialgia, reduced density and structural disorder of bone tissue, Reiter's syndrome - a combination of urethritis and prostatitis.

Pain in the lumbar region is usually chronic.

In the lumbar area on the right

Pain in the lumbar region occurs with scoliosis, tuberculosis, myositis, neuralgia, tumor, osteomyelitis, spondylitis.An acute attack can be caused by urolithiasis or pyelonephritis.

Shooting is typical of diseases of the lower back with frequent involvement of the spinal roots (radiculitis).Constant dull and monotonous pain is more typical of an organ like the liver.

Left lumbar area

Most often, the left side begins to hurt after physical activity.The condition improves after rest.Pain can also occur with diabetes or root entrapment. If it doesn't go away in sleep mode, it may be due to the following reasons:

• scoliosis;
• osteochondrosis (with a sedentary lifestyle or poor posture);
• vertebral infections;
• Circulatory disorders.

Pinched nerve

The sciatic nerve is most often pinched – sciatica.His myelin sheath is not damaged.This is usually a consequence of osteochondrosis.When pinched, there is a sharp and acute pain that radiates to the leg, sacrum and lower back.

In compression radiculopathy, the roots of the spinal nerves are also compressed due to a herniated disc or a reduction in their height and therefore the distance between the vertebral bodies.Such pain is perceived as “superficial” and increases greatly when coughing, exerting yourself or sneezing.

Intervertebral hernia

A herniated disc is an extrusion of the nucleus of the disc into the spinal canal.More often it is a consequence of untreated osteochondrosis.The central part projects towards the spinal cord and compresses it.In such cases, even a slight load leads to a decrease in the height of the cartilage and an even greater hernia protrusion.The pain is sharp and sharp and radiates down the arm or leg.

In the shoulder blade area

Pain features may indicate a diagnosis:

1. A stomach ulcer is an increasing dull pain.Eliminated with medication.
2. Intercostal neuralgia is a condition characterized by acute pain with any physical exertion.
3. Osteochondrosis - dizziness, changes in pressure, numbness of the hands.
4. Worsening of angina pectoris - the pain is localized in the area of the left shoulder blade and radiates to the chest and under the collarbone.

Pain along the spine and in the back

They occur more often when nerve endings are pinched.Exacerbations are associated with spinal curvature.If the pain is not pronounced, it can be referred to as a bulge.If the pain increases, one may think of osteochondrosis.Pain along the spine is characteristic of myositis, fractures, thinning and wear of the intervertebral discs, and spondyloarthritis.They are always sharp and constant.

Causes of lower back pain

Such pain is often accompanied by osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis. Less commonly, such sensations can occur when:

• Diseases of the genital area in women (endometritis, adnexitis, vulvitis, cervicitis, oophoritis);
• Pregnancy;
• Menses;
• ulcerative colitis;
• Appendicitis;
• Diseases of the prostate or bladder – in men.

Accompanying symptoms

The severity of spinal pain varies depending on the location.When the cervical spine is affected, migraines and dizziness, weakness and numbness of the hands, pressure surges, spots and flashes in the eyes occur.If the thoracic region is affected, there is burning and stiffness in the chest, difficulty breathing and pain in the shoulder blades.

Situations requiring urgent medical attention

An urgent consultation of a doctor requires back pain that occurs in the following cases:

• Bruise;
• neurological symptoms in the form of tingling and numbness in the limbs;
• Temperature is accompanied by back pain;
• numbness in arms and legs, weakness and tingling;
• the gait has changed or the legs are lost;
• there is a history of cancer;
• weight loss for no apparent reason;
• Urination and defecation are impaired – a person cannot control these processes;
• Back pain radiates to the chest, jaw and neck;
• consciousness is confused and dizzy;
• Numbness in the genitals and weakness, “wooliness” in the legs;
• leg cramps;
• problems with conception or erection;
• Problems with the gastrointestinal tract, in which treatment by a gastroenterologist does not help;
• Pain in the coccyx and pelvic area, which increases with changes in posture;
• increased pain when sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Experts will help you find out the cause of the pain.

diagnosis

To determine the cause of back pain, the neurologist prescribes a comprehensive examination:

1. Blood tests.They help detect the presence of infection and inflammation in the form of leukocytosis and increased ESR.A decrease in hemoglobin indicates anemia, which can have many causes, and one of the possible reasons is oncology.
2. MRI. Visualizes the condition of all components of the spine.Helps to distinguish the type and nature of the tumor, determines the distance between the vertebrae and the degree of compression of the roots.
3. CT. Detects fractures and allows the smallest fragments to be found after injuries.All of this in three dimensions.
4. Radiography.The most affordable way to diagnose back pain and determine the condition of bone tissue.Prescribed for suspected fractures, arthritis, scoliosis, osteoporosis, spondyloarthrosis.
5. Electromyography (EMG).Determines indicators of bioelectric activity of muscles and peripheral nerve endings.
6. Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and brain.In triplex or duplex mode, it is used to assess the patency of blood flow through arteries and vessels.Their condition is checked – wall thickness, permeability, etc.

Treatment of back pain

There are various methods for treating back pain.A neurologist will select the optimal treatment for you, taking into account the patient's age, lifestyle, level of physical mobility and clinical symptoms.

When treating back pain with medication, NSAIDs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and B vitamins are usually used.Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, IRT, massage, spinal traction and muscle relaxation are also prescribed.

To ensure quality treatment, if you have back pain, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Prevention

Prevention measures:

• learn to maintain posture and stand correctly;
• don't slouch;
• When sitting, keep your back straight, place a stand under your feet;
• Organize your sleeping area properly;
• After waking up, do not suddenly jump up - stretch slowly, do simple exercises with your arms and legs;
• Distribute weights between both hands - don't carry everything in one hand, refuse a bag over your shoulder - a backpack is better;
• Do not carry the child in your arms by bending him backwards.
• lifting weights by squatting;
• Do not wash floors without a mop by bending over or kneeling.
• balance your diet with a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins;
• give up smoking and alcohol;
• Don't forget about physical activity – swimming, Nordic walking, yoga;
• take a contrast shower in the morning;
• Take care of the liver, it produces collagen for the spinal ligaments and vertebral bodies;
• strengthening immunity;
• control weight;
• It is advisable to undergo manual therapy for 5-10 sessions every 6 months (on the recommendation of a specialist);
• avoid stress;
• Don't forget about the medical examination.

If you suffer from back pain, consult a doctor who can provide you with appropriate assistance.Remember that any disease is easier to treat in its early stages.