Back pain in the lumbar region can appear for a variety of reasons. The most common and widespread of these is lumbar osteochondrosis. Knowing the exact diagnosis, you can treat your back at home after consulting a specialist.
Cause of back pain
Back pain in women can be the cause of certain gynecological problems - fibroids, adnexitis, tumors of various etiologies, sometimes during pregnancy. It can be accompanied by heaviness in the lower abdomen and occur on both the left side and the right side. If we are talking about chondrosis, among other possible causes of low back pain, we note both in men and women:
- overweight;
- long-term sitting - behind the wheel or at the computer;
- excessive exercise;
- sudden weight lifting;
- stress, regular nervous tension;
- exposure to drafts, hypothermia.
Home treatment for acute lower back pain should start with addressing the cause of the inflammation. If the pain is consistently treated with medication, it is likely to come back periodically. The aim of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing process. The choice of treatment depends on the degree of pain symptom.
First aid for acute pain
The spine is the support of the skeleton and of the whole organism. Pain in any part is accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms. A person is limited in his movements, often he cannot walk on his own, the condition of other organs and systems worsens. The kidney is the most vulnerable part of the spine. Since a person moves straight, unlike animals, and his lower back is the center of gravity, a huge load is directed precisely at this department.
Osteochondrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system begin to develop at a fairly young age. Due to the fact that for many people the type of activity is associated with a sitting position, and there is no prevention of back diseases, sooner or later the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and become the cause ofdevelopment of many diseases which, in acute form, can cause severe pain. These diseases include:
- inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- spondylosis;
- intervertebral hernia;
- sprains and injuries;
- radiculitis;
- lumbago.
Sudden sharp pain disrupts a person's lifestyle. It appears with any load on the spine, it can start abruptly even at rest. The risk group includes athletes, drivers, people whose work is associated with weight lifting and those who lead sedentary lives.
In the event of severe back pain, it is important to provide the victim with correct first aid. Take a horizontal position on a hard surface. This will help the muscles and intervertebral discs to relax as much as possible, while the spasm will subside slightly. Then the affected area should be lubricated with an ointment with a warming and analgesic effect. If the pain does not subside after this and movement is still limited, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be taken. They are generally quite effective. It is not recommended to take these drugs in large amounts. If the pain does not subside after these manipulations, then you should call an ambulance.
After giving first aid, in the absence of inflammation, you need to tighten the lower back with a warm handkerchief, fixing it in one position.
When you need specialist help
You should see a doctor immediately if, in addition to pain, the following symptoms are present:
- the pain intensifies;
- besides the spine, it hurts in several other places;
- altered sensitivity.
It is also necessary to see a doctor if the spine has already been injured.
Therapy methods
Medicines can be used during the home treatment of acute low back pain, but only the attending physician should prescribe them. The following means are usually used:
- Pain medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs provide good pain relief, but you shouldn't take them all the time, as they have a number of contraindications and often cause side effects.
- Some narcotics are allowed to be used for a short time and only under the supervision of a specialist.
- Local analgesics. These include ointments, gels, creams. They are rubbed into the affected area.
- Often times, doctors will prescribe muscle relaxants for their patients. Taking such drugs is accompanied by drowsiness and dizziness.
One of the listed drugs should be agreed with a specialist, since only he can prescribe the appropriate treatment regimen.
In some cases, when none of the drugs listed have been able to help, cortisol injections are prescribed, which are given into the space around the spinal cord. Cortisol helps relieve inflammation in the nerve root area, but it may take several months for the pain syndrome to be completely gone.
Physiotherapy and exercise therapy
In some situations, drug therapy is contraindicated. For example, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, patients with diseases for which drugs should not be taken. In such cases, many doctors recommend non-drug treatments to their patients.
Gymnastics are good pain relief. It can quickly relieve back pain at home, relieve muscle tension, eliminate pain and strengthen the muscle corset. The positive effect of exercise on sleep, the whole body and the nervous system of the patient is noted. The duration of the main workout is about 5 minutes, but the effect can already be felt during the performance.
One of the most useful exercises is the "cat" exercise. You need to get on all fours, bend the spine down, and then bend it up, forming an arch. You must stay in each position for 7 seconds.
The twist has a positive effect on the entire spine. To perform them, you need to sit on a hard surface, on your back. Turn the bent legs at the knees to one side and the body to the other. At the same time, it is important to feel how all the muscles are stretched.
Standing on all fours, place your head and shoulders on a chair. Slowly pull the lumbar spine, first in one direction, then in the other direction.
Massage and self-massage
The benefits of massage are obvious:
- reduces pain;
- stimulates blood circulation;
- improves lymphatic flow;
- restores the conductivity of nerve fibers;
- eliminates puffiness;
- stops inflammatory processes in the body.
However, massage should only be performed by a specialist, otherwise it can make the situation worse.
Massage is contraindicated in the acute period of the disease, high temperatures, tumor diseases, thrombosis, hypertension, displacement of discs, tuberculosis and some pathologies of the heart organs.
It is a good idea to learn basic self-massage techniques. Before playing, you need to warm up your back, take a lying position and stretch your head. After that, sit down and pull your hands behind your head, trying to secure them in the lock. Then with the right hand you need to wash the muscles along the spine, repeat the same with the left hand. Then the sides are kneaded with both hands. After the massage, you need to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and lie down in a calm environment.
Paraffin therapy
Paraffin treatment is good for acute back pain. The aim of the procedure is to increase blood and lymphatic flow to tissues with insufficient blood supply. During the procedure, hot melted paraffin is applied to the affected area. In this case, the average width of the layers should be at least 15 mm. Paraffin wax is covered with a film and a warm blanket over it for a relaxing effect. The course of treatment is 7-20 days.
Folk remedies
Traditional methods of treatment include rubbing, the use of tinctures, compresses, and baths. A compress prepared with honey and vinegar has proven itself. Relieve pain in the lumbar region very quickly by warming up with lukewarm salt in a canvas bag. The mustard bath relaxes and relieves muscle tension. After any of these procedures, you need to dress warmly and secure your back with a warm sling.
Prevention of back pain
After relieving the pain and inflammation, you need to make sure that such an attack will not happen again. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle - give up bad habits, balance your diet, choose the right mattress for sleeping and resting. Light exercises for the back muscles should be performed daily, and a massage course should be taken every six months. It is important to understand the importance of water treatments for a healthy back. Swimming in the pool, circular shower, shower - all this contributes to the health of the back and the body as a whole.
It is very important to balance your diet, to add more vitamins and minerals to it. It is necessary to consider your need for BZHU and comply with it. It helps build muscle mass which will help support the spine and lose weight.