Causes and treatments of back pain in the lumbar region: what to do if it spreads to the legs

It turns out that lumbar back pain is a very common occurrence.

According to biologists, such a symptom is a consequence of our upright posture, in which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed throughout 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 fever, call an ambulance.

If such symptoms are not observed, then for an accurate diagnosis you should consult a therapist.Let's find out why such symptoms occur, how to treat and prevent them.

Main cause of lumbar pain

First let's find out what causes those unpleasant symptoms.Pain can be primary in diseases of the spine or secondary in diseases of internal organs.

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

Here they are:

1. Characteristics of the profession: heavy physical activity for construction workers and loaders and heavy lifting for athletes.
2. Stay for a long time in a sitting position.
3. Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Poor nutrition and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habit: alcohol and spirits.

Even by reducing the impact of these factors, you will significantly improve the condition and health of your spine.

Primary factor

The main factors involved in the degenerative-dystrophic process in the spine.

These include:

1. Cartilage degeneration is changes in the cartilage and disc, leading to herniation or deformity of the disc.
2. Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bone spurs on the vertebrae.With this development, the muscles surrounding the spine contract, limiting its mobility.The appearance of wounds in the lower back.
3. Spondyloarthrosis is the degeneration of articular surfaces in the vertebrae, as well as their participation in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles.In this case, the disc is deformed and the mobility of the spine is limited.
4. Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
5. Disc herniation.
6. Radiculopathy is damage to nerve roots.

Secondary factors

Secondary ones occur with concomitant pathologies:

1. Problems with metabolism.
2. Curvature of the spine.
3. When the malignant tumor is located near the spine.
4. Infectious diseases: osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
5. Spinal injury.
6. Autoimmune diseases.
7. Painful symptoms are psychological in nature.
8. Diseases of the digestive system.
9. Diseases of the pelvic organs.
10. Menstrual pain.

In addition, spinal problems can be affected by flat feet, i.e. flattening of the arch.

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

After childbirth, pain can appear due to tension in the pelvic muscles or due to increased load on the spine when you often carry the child in your arms.

What disease does such pain signal?

The location of the pain is also important.

So let's consider each case:

• Pain in the right side and upper lower back can be a sign of lung disease.These symptoms are accompanied by difficulty breathing, cough and fever.Also about gallbladder or liver problems.At the same time, the nature of the pain is stabbing;
• If you feel discomfort above the left lower back, this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left pleurisy;
• Painful symptoms in the lumbar region indicate osteoarthritis in this area, intervertebral herniation, as well as compression fractures;
• Symptoms of pain in the lower back spreading to the lower abdomen are signs of pelvic organ diseases.Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate diseases, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases.This can also indicate that the kidneys are not working well.

Which doctor will help?

Usually, lower back pain is temporary.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.The pain often occurs with increased physical activity.

In other cases, you can seek help from a surgeon, urologist or even an orthopedist who will provide a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment for such a problem.

Additionally, for such pain, you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.

Characteristics of treatment

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

• treatment with painkillers and hormones;
• blockade, which is an injection into the joints between the vertebrae;
• craft techniques;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• therapeutic exercises;
• acupuncture.

If conservative treatment does not help, surgery is used.

When treating disc herniation due to disc degeneration, physical therapy methods are used in addition to the main treatment method.

Therapeutic blockade is used when other methods do not bring the desired effect.Usually, for this purpose, anesthetic drugs are injected into the lumen of the affected joint.

Acupuncture is recommended for cases of disc protrusion, osteochondrosis or herniation.If the pain spreads down the leg, use physical therapy.

Wear a special corset that allows you to limit movements in the lumbar area.This helps reduce pain in inflamed joints.

For back pain, your doctor may make the following recommendations:

1. Bed rest on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
2. Wear a special bandage.
3. The use of anti-inflammatory and pain relievers.
4. To get rid of muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed.Special medications are also used to help relax muscles.
5. To improve blood circulation and reduce swelling, vasoactive drugs and diuretics are used.
6. All gels and ointments are used as topical treatments.
7. To consolidate positive results, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.This can be electrophoresis, phonology and magnetic therapy.

Special therapeutic exercises and massage help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and also eliminate the inflammatory process.

If the pain in the lumbar region is not associated with complex diseases, then yoga classes will help relieve this condition.

You can do the same exercises at home and it won't take much time.

Pain due to hypothermia

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

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

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

First of all, you need to warm your back.Warming ointments are suitable for this.If there is no remedy, regular alcohol will also help.After massage, the lower back should be wrapped with something warm.

A similar procedure is performed daily.If the pain is severe, you should seek help from your doctor.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

If you often get hypothermia, buy a belt made from dog or sheep wool.

What to do about back pain?

This pain occurs during intense physical exertion.A sharp pain extending to the leg appears when carrying any heavy object.

A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis, called lumbar or lumbar pain.In such a situation, you need to lie down on a hard surface.

To relieve pain, take pain relievers.

Remember that if you have these symptoms, you should not take hot baths or steam in a sauna.In this case, dry heat will help more.

For example, a special ointment.You should also limit your salt and fluid intake for a few days.

What will help hernia?

When there is a hernia, the pain is sharp and constant, increasing with any movement.Relief occurs only in the supine position.

You may also feel numbness in your lower back.To relieve pain, you need to make sure to rest in bed and take pain relievers.Then you need to call the doctor.

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

What to do to prevent?

Don't wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking preventive measures.

Here they are:

1. Identify and treat concurrent conditions that may cause lower back pain.
2. Proper nutrition with adequate amounts of phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided.In this case, the load must be evenly distributed.Don't make sudden movements.
4. Lead an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming or yoga.
5. Participate in regular massage therapy courses.
6. When working sedentarily, take a break every hour and exercise.
7. The bed should be comfortable, for example, have an orthopedic mattress.

For prevention, you can wear a special elastic belt, posture corrector or bandage.

Such devices are recommended during pregnancy and heavy physical activity.

It is important to control your weight, because a large body weight increases the load on the spine.Give up bad habits and also undergo an annual preventive examination.

Exercise therapy

To strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain, do your own exercises at home.Exercise 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:

• body tilts in different directions.First left and right, then forward and backward;
• rotate the body to the sides;
• in the knee position - in the elbow position you need to arch your back up and down;
• lie on your back, bend your knees, lift your pelvis upward;
• From a lying position, straightened legs should be bent at the knees and pulled towards the chest.

Do each exercise 8-10 times.

Don't ignore the symptoms of pain in the lumbar region, see your doctor and take preventative measures to help normalize your health and improve your health.