Up to 80% of people suffer from low back pain.For some, it can be one or several episodes in life, while for others the pain becomes chronic.There are many reasons that cause pain, so for an accurate diagnosis you should definitely consult a doctor.Each condition must be considered individually to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
What causes pain
The likelihood of developing low back pain increases due to several factors.
Age and poor physical fitness
The first problems in the lower back are felt between the ages of 25 and 45.With age, pain tends to intensify and become chronic due to the aging of the spine.
If the muscles that support the spine are not sufficiently developed and strengthened, this can lead to spinal diseases.Lower back pain often occurs in physically unprepared people who have lifted a heavy object.
Excess weight and heredity
Obesity places additional stress on the lower back.
There is a genetic predisposition to diseases.For example, if one of your relatives has a history of spondylosis or radiculitis, you may be subject to the same pathologies.
Working conditions
If your job involves lifting heavy objects, you could hurt your back.Additionally, sitting for a long time can cause lower back pain, especially in people with poor posture.
Backpack
Try weighing your child's backpack.If it weighs more than 20% of the baby's weight, using it causes muscle strain and lower back pain.
Other domestic reasons
Low back pain can occur while carrying out everyday activities:
- lifting a heavy box, carrying heavy bags of groceries;
- rearranging furniture;
- lifting weights at the gym;
- turn your back when playing sports (golf, tennis, contact sports);
- during agricultural and construction work.
Back problems, radicular pain and herniated discs
A common cause of back pain is disease or injury to the muscles, bones and/or nerves of the spine.
Radicular pain appears due to pinching, hernias, when direct irritation of the nerve occurs.For example, in sciatica, the pain syndrome is acute, accompanied by numbness in the leg area, which is innervated by the affected nerve.
Hernias develop as the spine degenerates or becomes thinner.The gelatinous central portion of the disc protrudes from the central cavity and extends away from the nerve root.Intervertebral discs begin to degenerate around the 3rd decade of life.Herniated discs occur in one-third of people over 20 years of age.However, only 3% of them cause discomfort in the lower back.
Spondylosis and narrowing of the spinal canal
It occurs when the intervertebral discs lose moisture and volume with age, causing the disc height to decrease.Even minor trauma to spondylosis can cause inflammation and damage to the nerve root.This can lead to classic sciatica without a ruptured disc.
Spinal disc degeneration combined with joint disease in the lower back can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal.These changes cause pain.The narrowing of the canal is clearly visible on the x-ray.A person with spinal stenosis may have lower back pain that radiates to both lower extremities.Symptoms may worsen after standing for a long time or walking short distances.
Cauda equina syndrome and musculoskeletal pain syndromes
This is an emergency condition 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, intestinal or bladder dysfunction.This can lead to an inability to control urination: there may be urinary incontinence or an inability to start urinating.
Musculoskeletal pain syndromes cause significant symptoms and include myofascial syndromes and fibromyalgia:
- Myofascial pain is characterized by sensitivity in localized areas (trigger points).The range of motion in the involved muscle groups decreases.Relief usually occurs when the muscle group involved can be relaxed.
- Fibromyalgia results in diffusely widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body.Patients are concerned about general tension, fatigue and muscle stiffness.
Muscle or ligament strain, bulging or ruptured discs
Repeatedly lifting heavy objects or making sudden, awkward movements can strain the muscles in your back and spine.If a person is in poor physical condition, constant stress on the back can cause painful muscle spasms.
Discs act as cushions between the bones of the spine.The soft core of the disc may swell or rupture and press on the nerve.But it is possible to have a bulging or ruptured disc without back pain.The disease is often discovered by chance, when an x-ray of the spine is taken for some other reason.
Arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back.In some cases, arthritis in the spine can narrow the space around the spinal cord.This condition is called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis in the spine can cause compression fractures if the bones become porous and brittle.
Spondylolisthesis and skeletal disorders
Condition in which a bone in the spine falls or moves out of its normal position.This can cause pain and stiffness in the lower back, as well as numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Skeletal disorders, a condition in which the spine curves to one side (scoliosis), can also cause back pain.It usually occurs before middle age.
Infectious inflammatory processes
Bone infections (osteomyelitis) of the spine are a rare cause of low back pain.Inflammation of the spinal nerves can occur when the nerves are infected by the herpes zoster virus, which causes shingles.It can occur in the thoracic region, causing symptoms in the upper back, or in the lower back, 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 people during adolescence and young adulthood.
Tumors and other causes
Benign and malignant tumors (as well as metastases) can cause low back pain.
Pain that occurs due to abnormalities in organs within the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back.For example, appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney disease, kidney infections, pelvic and bladder infections, and ovarian disease can cause lower back pain.This pain is not associated with physical activity and occurs suddenly.If it appears, you must urgently contact a medical facility or call an ambulance at home.Normal pregnancy can also cause back pain.When carrying a baby, you may experience pelvic tension, nerve irritation, and tension in the lower back.
Preventing back pain
For prevention, experts recommend the following methods:
- Exercise regularly.Moderate exercise is adequate: walking, swimming or cycling 30 minutes a day.Yoga helps to remove muscle tension, strengthen muscles and improve posture.
- Before working out, exercising at home, or working in the garden, warm up briefly by stretching.
- Do not arch your lumbar spine or relax when standing or sitting.Poor posture increases stress on the lower back.
- At home or work, make sure work surfaces at home or work are at a comfortable height for you.The chair should support your back well.Don't sit for too long, take periodic breaks to walk around.
- Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
- Sleeping on your side with your knees slightly bent can help open the spinal joints and relieve pressure, reducing spinal curvature.
- Try not to lift very heavy objects.If you have to carry weights, you will need to lift them by pushing with your feet.You cannot bend or unfold the back - it must remain straight.
- Don't overeat to maintain your ideal weight.To support the skeletal system, there must be adequate intake of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
- Stop smoking.Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can contribute to the development of degenerative processes.
When to see a doctor
If you associate the occurrence of lower back pain, for example, with lifting heavy objects, after rest your health will be restored.You can take a pain reliever.
You need to see a doctor if:
- the pain does not go away for several days or becomes more intense;
- there is irradiation to the abdomen or legs;
- increased body temperature;
- there was severe lethargy and weakness;
- if you have recently experienced serious weight loss for no apparent reason;
- defecation and urination became uncontrollable and spontaneous;
- a sporting, automobile or domestic injury has occurred.
As you can see, the list of reasons for back pain in the lower back is extensive.In less than 1% of people, the cause of low back pain is a tumor, infectious processes or problems with internal organs.