80% of people suffer from lower back pain.For some, it may be one or more episodes in a lifetime, while for others, the pain becomes chronic.There can be many reasons for the pain, so you should definitely consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.Each condition must be considered individually to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
What causes pain
The likelihood of developing lower back pain increases due to many factors.
Age and poor physical fitness
The first problems of the lower back appear between the ages of 25 and 45.With advancing age, the pain intensifies and becomes chronic due to the aging of the spine.
If the muscles supporting the spine are not properly developed and strengthened, it can lead to spinal diseases.Lower back pain often occurs in physically unprepared people who have lifted a heavy object.
Overweight and heredity
Obesity puts additional stress on the lumbar region.
I have a genetic predisposition to diseases.For example, if one of your relatives has a history of spondylosis or radiculitis, you may be prone to the same pathology.
Working conditions
If your job involves lifting heavy objects, you may injure your back.Also, prolonged sitting can lead to lower back pain, especially in people with poor posture.
Backpack
Try to measure your child's backpack.If it weighs more than 20% of the baby's weight, wearing it will cause muscle strain and lower back pain.
Other household reasons
Low back pain can occur during everyday activities:
- lifting heavy boxes, carrying heavy grocery bags;
- rearrangement of furniture;
- lifting weights in the gym;
- turning your back while playing sports (golf, tennis, contact sports);
- during agricultural and construction work.
Spinal problems, radicular pain and disc herniation
A common cause of back pain is disease or injury to the muscles, bones and/or nerves of the spine.
Radicular pain occurs due to a pinch or hernia when the nerve is directly irritated.For example, in the case of sciatica, the pain syndrome is acute, accompanied by numbness in the area of the leg, which is irritated by the affected nerve.
A herniated disc occurs when the spine degenerates or thins.The jelly-like central portion of the disc protrudes from the central cavity and away from the nerve root.Intervertebral discs begin to degenerate in the 3rd decade of life.Disc herniation occurs in a third of people over the age of 20.However, only 3% of them cause discomfort in the lower back.
Spondylosis and spinal canal narrowing
It occurs when the intervertebral discs lose moisture and volume with age, causing the disc height to decrease.Even minor injuries in spondylosis can cause inflammation and damage to the nerve root.This can lead to classic sciatica without disc rupture.
Spinal disc degeneration combined with lower back joint disease can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal.These changes cause pain.The narrowing of the canal is clearly visible on an X-ray.A person with spinal stenosis may experience low back pain that radiates down both lower limbs.Symptoms may worsen when standing upright for long periods of time or even walking short distances.
Cauda equina syndrome and musculoskeletal pain syndromes
This is an emergency in which the spinal cord itself is compressed.The disc expands into the spinal canal, which compresses the nerves.The person is bothered by pain, possible loss of sensitivity, bowel or bladder dysfunction.This can lead to the inability to control urination: urinary incontinence or the inability to initiate urination.
Musculoskeletal pain syndromes cause significant symptoms, including myofascial syndromes and fibromyalgia:
- Myofascial pain is characterized by the sensitivity of localized areas (trigger points).The range of motion of the affected muscle groups decreases.Relief often occurs when the affected muscle group can be relaxed.
- Fibromyalgia causes diffuse widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body.Patients are concerned about general tension, fatigue and muscle stiffness.
Muscle or ligament strain, bulging or tearing of discs
Repeated lifting of heavy objects or sudden awkward movements can strain the muscles of the back and spine.If a person is in poor physical condition, constant stress on the back can cause painful muscle spasms.
The discs act as cushions between the bones of the spine.The soft core of the disc can bulge or rupture and put pressure on the nerve.But even without back pain, a bulging or ruptured disc can happen.The disease is often discovered accidentally when an X-ray is taken of the spine for another reason.
Arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back.In some cases, spinal arthritis can cause a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.This condition is called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis in the spine can cause compression fractures when the bones become porous and brittle.
Spondylolisthesis and skeletal diseases
A condition where a bone in the spine falls out or moves out of its normal position.This can cause lower back pain and stiffness, as well as numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Bone diseases in which the spine curves to the side (scoliosis) can also lead to back pain.It usually occurs before the Middle Ages.
Infectious inflammatory processes
Bone infections of the spine (osteomyelitis) are rare causes of low back pain.Inflammation of the spinal nerves can occur when the nerves become infected with the herpes zoster virus that causes shingles.It can occur in the chest region, causing symptoms in the upper back, or in the lumbar region, causing lower back pain.
Spondylitis can cause stiffness and pain in the spine, which is especially worse in the morning.Ankylosing spondylitis usually begins in adolescence and young adulthood.
Tumors and other causes
Benign and malignant tumors (as well as metastases) can cause lower back pain.
Pain due to organ abnormalities in the abdomen, pelvis or chest can also be felt in the back.For example, appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney disease, kidney infection, bladder and pelvic infections, and ovarian disease can cause lower back pain.This pain is not associated with physical activity and occurs suddenly.If it appears, contact a medical facility immediately or call an ambulance at home.Normal pregnancy can also cause back pain.While carrying a baby, you may experience pelvic strain, nerve irritation and tension in the lower back.
Prevention of back pain
For prevention, experts recommend the following methods:
- Exercise regularly.Moderate exercise is appropriate: walking, swimming or cycling for 30 minutes a day.Yoga helps remove muscle tension, strengthens muscles and improves posture.
- Before exercising, working out at home or working in the garden, do a short warm-up with stretching.
- Do not arch your lumbar spine or slouch when standing or sitting.Poor posture increases stress on the lower back.
- At home or at work, make sure that work surfaces at home or at work are at a comfortable height for you.The chair should support your back well.Don't sit for too long, take a break from time to time to walk.
- Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes.
- Sleeping on your side with your knees slightly tucked in can help open up the joints in your spine and relieve pressure, reducing the curvature of your spine.
- Try not to lift too heavy objects.If you have to carry weights, you should lift them by pushing with your feet.The back cannot be bent or arched - it must remain straight.
- Do not overeat to maintain your optimal weight.Adequate intake of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D is necessary to support the skeletal system.
- Stop smoking.Smoking reduces blood flow in the lower part of the spine, which can contribute to the development of degenerative processes.
When to see a doctor
If you associate lower back pain with, for example, lifting heavy objects, your health will recover after rest.You can take painkillers.
You should see a doctor if:
- the pain does not go away for several days or becomes more intense;
- irradiation occurs in the abdomen or radiates to the legs;
- increased body temperature;
- there was severe lethargy and weakness;
- if you have recently experienced severe weight loss for no apparent reason;
- defecation and urination became uncontrollable and spontaneous;
- a sports, car or household injury has occurred.
As you can see, the list of causes of back pain in the lumbar region is extensive.In less than 1% of people, the cause of low back pain is a tumor, infectious process or problems with internal organs.