Back pain - symptoms and treatment.

Back pain is a symptom of disease often of the muscles of the back and spine. In this article, we are going to see why the back pain.

The problem in the lower part of the back can be the result of diseases of the bone tissue of the spine, the discs lumbar region between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen and the skin covering the lumbar area. The upper part of the back can be bad as a result of diseases of the aorta, breast tumors or inflammation of the spine.

A sudden short pain in the lower back also called lumbago, and gradually developed chronic lbp. If it hurts the lower back (the coccyx) is coccygodynia.

The causes of back pain

In the majority of cases, back pain due to musculoskeletal disorders (microdamages of joints and ligaments of the spine after heavy loads on them, tension or spasm of muscles). A few less common cause of pain to become more pronounced changes in the spine, such as herniated discs or displacement of the vertebrae (spondylolisthesis). Finally, in rare cases, back pain may be associated with serious diseases (tumors and inflammatory processes in the vertebral column and spinal cord, diseases of internal organs — kidneys, heart, pancreas, pelvis, organs, etc.).

Possible causes of back pain

• Muscle spasms;
• A sprain (ligament injury );
• Muscle injuries;
• Pregnancy;
• Scoliosis;
• Bleeding in the pelvis;
• Dissection of the aorta;
• Infection of the spine and the pelvis;
• Lumbar spine stenosis;
• Metastasis in the spine (cancer that has spread to the spine from other organs);
• Viral infections, including the flu.

A disease in which back pain

• Osteochondrosis;
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm;
• Ankylosing spondylitis;
• Bone cancer;
• Coccygodynia;
• Degenerative diseases of the vertebral disks;
• Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis;
• The endometriosis;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Fracture;
• Kidney stones;
• Arthritis;
• The disease Paget;
• Pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer (girdle pain);
• Psoriatic arthritis;
• Reactive arthritis;
• Sciatica;
• Herpes zoster (pain and a characteristic rash in the skin).

What is the danger of back pain

Normally, back pain is of a permanent nature, aggravated by movement and physical exertion and are accompanied by the limitation of the mobility of the spine and a sensation of stiffness in the back. In the majority of cases, is characterized by relapsing course, in which episodes of exacerbations, usually caused by intense physical activity, long-term presence in an awkward position or hypothermia, are replaced by others of more or less long periods of time during which the pain is absent or minimally expressed.

In the majority of cases of back pain do not represent a direct threat to the life and health of a person, and often pass on their own (without treatment). However, sometimes, back pain can be due to serious diseases of the spine or internal organs.

Below are the features of back pain that can be associated with a disease serious. If you have any of these symptoms you should consult to the doctor immediately and, in any case, do not self-medicate.

• The back pain is constant and localized in a single place.
• Back pain is not reduced to the position of supine, or occurs at night.
• Back pain accompanied by fever.
• Back pain accompanied by muscular tension of the extremities or combined with prolonged stiffness in the morning.

Diagnosis of back pain

• Examination by a neurologist to assess the condition of the nervous system, the muscles and the spine.
• General analysis of blood and urine tests to exclude inflammation in the kidneys.
• Spinal x-ray to exclude osteomyelitis, fractures and other diseases. For clarification identified from the x-ray changes, the doctor may, in addition, ask for a CT or MRI of the spine (the first allows us to assess the state of the bone structures, the second — of the spinal cord and intervertebral discs).

Very often, when these studies reveal degenerative changes in intervertebral discs and bodies vertebral and makes the diagnosis "osteochondrosis". It should be noted that the degenerative disc disease by itself is not a disease, and reflects age-related changes of the spine. Certain changes in intervertebral discs (including hernia) reveal almost all people of Mature age, including never experienced back pain. In other words, identify the signs of osteoarthritis on x-ray or disc herniation on mri does not give us reason to believe that the back pain associated with them (for example, a decision can only be made with the doctor on the basis of the results of the clinical examination).

The treatment of back pain

To fully recover from back pain often fails, however, you can minimize the frequency of exacerbations through our own style of life and consumption of drugs in the therapy. The treatment of back pain depends on the cause of their appearance. Choose the treatment that's right for You can be a doctor.

The effect of therapeutic interventions can take time, so you need patience and stamina. The main aim of the treatment is not only the relief of acute pain, but also in the prevention of the exacerbation of the disease in the future.

How to relieve back pain

Resting can contribute to the transition from acute pain to chronic back. With this in mind, when moderate pain is not necessary in the bed, and when intense pains should be possible to limit its duration (1-3 days).

If the back pain should be restricted to this time of physical activity, in particular, to avoid heavy lifting and prolonged stay in one position, the important thing is to do the movement without increasing the load on the spine.

To download the spine and the rest, it is advisable to use a special belt or corset.

Cure back pain

The treatment depends on the cause of back pain and appoints his doctor after the exam.

For the relief of pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, manufactured in the form of tablets, bottle forms for injections, creams and gels and pain medications or combination of drugs. Drugs in both groups prescribed a short course (usually 3 to 5 days). In addition, to eliminate the pain, apply compresses with a solution of local anesthetics and pharmacological blockade (which may be carried out only by a doctor).

The pain associated with muscle tension and the use of drugs to eliminate muscle spasm (muscle relaxants of Central action in 1-2 weeks). Should take these drugs only with a prescription.

Currently, for the treatment of back pain associated with degenerative changes of the spine (osteochondrosis), I suggest use special drugs — drugs that stimulate the production of the main components of cartilage tissue and thus inhibiting its destruction. The efficacy of these drugs in diseases of the spine is not shown, the same can be said of many of the widely advertised supplements (usually containing medicinal plants, biological products, vitamins, etc.) and homeopathic remedies. Despite the fact that all these tools are freely dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription, do not take them without consulting a doctor.

Physiotherapy and exercise therapy for back pain

To reduce the severity of the pain can be applied dry heat (but not deep heat) and other treatments of physiotherapy, but only after consultation with your doctor.

After the end of the acute period of useful therapeutic exercise for special complexes (strengthening back muscles, and abdomen) and massage.

Chiropractic treatment for back pain

Manual therapy can be prescribed by a doctor after carrying out the x-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging that allow us to objectively evaluate the state of the spine and its surrounding tissues. With an appropriate application of manual therapy (impact on the joints of the spine, ligaments and muscles) allows you to adjust many of the disturbances local (for example, muscle tension, subluxations in the joints) which sometimes allows you to quickly and effectively eliminate back pain.

Manual therapy has contraindications and limitations:

• Hernia or destruction of intervertebral disc (displacement of the fragments may cause compression of the spinal cord and roots and the blood vessels).
• After the myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, tuberculosis of the spine, dysfunction of the endocrine system in cases of severe osteoporosis.
• In exacerbations of severe and is accompanied by a strong restriction of the mobility of the spine due to pain and muscle tension in the back (possibly increased symptoms).
• In diseases of the blood vessels and disorders of blood coagulation.

If improperly performed chiropractic can lead to serious complications, so it should only be performed by a qualified professional (doctor specialization). Absolutely unacceptable behavior therapy manual average of health care professionals and persons without medical education!

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (acupuncture) often has a positive effect in moderate back pain, especially caused by muscle tension and, combined with psycho-emotional disorders. Although, according to the ideas of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture can be used in any disease, it is considered that acupuncture is contraindicated in the following cases.

• In diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
• In the presence of benign and malignant tumors (including in the past).
• In diseases that require urgent surgical intervention.
• At infringement of function of kidneys and the liver.
• In the presence of a tendency to bleeding or taking drugs that violate the blood.
• In acute infectious diseases.
• During pregnancy.

Yoga for back pain

The yoga not only help relieve the pain, but also relieve the tension of the back muscles and reduce inflammation. In only 5 minutes per day to devote to exercise, and soon we will see the result.

Prevention of back pain

• Use comfortable bed with a firm and hard mattress.
• Try to maintain the correct body posture when walking.
• Observe the correct posture at the table, at the time of work with a computer. Please keep in mind that the forearms when I was in weight, and completely lying on the table. For continuous operation, use a chair with backrest, headrest and armrests for rest and relaxation.
• Avoid prolonged stay in one position (on a computer, drive a car). Try every half hour to stretch, to stretch, to move.
• During a long stay in a standing position, locate the fulcrum for the back, arm, or head (for example, lean against a vertical surface to the train station).
• If you use shoes with high heels, remember that you can walk without interruption for not more than 2 hours in a row.
• Avoid sharp bends and slopes of the body, always seek support for the Commission of these acts.
• If you need to pick up something from the floor, you should squat, but not lean.
• Do not lift or move the weights, carry them in front of you, avoid jerks and try to keep your back straight.
• Strengthen the back muscles through physical therapy, swimming, workout at the gym.
• Keep the body weight normal