Up to 80% of people suffer from lower back pain.For some, it may be one or more life episodes, while for others, the pain becomes chronic.There are many reasons that cause pain.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 lower back pain increases due to a number of factors.
Age and poor physical fitness
The first problems in the lower back are felt between 25-45 years old.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 lumbar region.
There is a genetic predisposition to diseases.For example, if one of your loved ones has a history of spondylosis or radiculitis, then you could be subject to the same pathologies.
Working conditions
If your job involves lifting heavy objects, you could injure your back.Additionally, prolonged sitting can lead to lower back pain, especially in a person with poor posture.
Backpack
Try weighing your child's backpack.If it weighs more than 20% of the baby's weight, carrying it causes muscle tension and lower back pain.
Other domestic reasons
Lower back pain can occur when performing daily activities:
- lifting a heavy box, carrying heavy bags of groceries;
- rearrangement of furniture;
- lifting weights in the gym;
- turn your back during sporting activities (golf, tennis, contact sports);
- during agricultural and construction work.
Spinal 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, hernia, in case of direct irritation of the nerve.For example, in sciatica, the pain syndrome is acute, accompanied by numbness in the area of the leg innervated by the affected nerve.
Hernias develop as the spine degenerates or thins.The central gelatinous portion of the disc protrudes from the central cavity and extends away from the nerve root.The intervertebral discs begin to degenerate around the 3rd decade of life.Herniated discs occur in a third of people over the age of 20.However, only 3% of them cause lower back discomfort.
Spondylosis and narrowing of the spinal canal
Occurs when the intervertebral discs lose moisture and volume with age, leading to a decrease in disc height.Even minor osteoarthritis-related trauma can cause inflammation and damage to the nerve root.This can lead to classic sciatica without a ruptured disc.
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 suffer from lower back pain that radiates to both lower limbs.Symptoms may worsen after standing for a long time or after 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 tenderness in localized areas (trigger points).The range of motion of the muscle groups involved decreases.Relief often occurs when the affected muscle group can be relaxed.
- Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body.Patients worry about general tension, fatigue and muscle stiffness.
Muscle or ligament tension, bulging or ruptured discs
Repeatedly lifting 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 it is possible to have a bulging or ruptured disc without back pain.The condition is often discovered by chance when a spinal x-ray is taken for another reason.
Arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back.In some cases, arthritis of the spine can cause the space around the spinal cord to narrow.This condition is called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis of 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 your lower back, as well as numbness and tingling in your extremities.
Skeletal disorders, a condition in which the spine curves to the side (scoliosis), can also lead to back pain.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 become infected with the herpes zoster virus, which causes shingles.It can occur in the thoracic region, causing upper back symptoms, or in the lumbar region, causing lower back pain.
Spondyloarthritis can cause stiffness and pain in the spine, which is particularly worse in the morning.Ankylosing spondylitis usually begins in people during adolescence and early adulthood.
Tumors and other causes
Benign and malignant tumors (as well as metastases) can cause lower back pain.
Pain due to organ abnormalities inside the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back.For example, appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney disease, kidney infections, bladder and pelvic infections, and ovarian diseases can cause lower back pain.This pain is not associated with physical activity and occurs suddenly.If this appears, you should urgently contact a medical institution or call an ambulance to your home.A normal pregnancy can also cause back pain.When carrying a baby, you may experience pelvic tension, nerve irritation, and tension in your lower back.
Preventing back pain
For prevention, experts recommend the following methods:
- Exercise regularly.Moderate exercise is suitable: walking, swimming or cycling 30 minutes a day.Yoga helps eliminate muscle tension, strengthen muscles and improve posture.
- Before working out, exercising at home, or working in the yard, 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 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, periodically take a break to walk around.
- Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes.
- Sleeping on your side with your knees slightly drawn in can help open the joints in your spine and relieve pressure, thereby reducing spinal curvature.
- Try not to lift too heavy objects.If you must carry weights, you must lift them by pushing with your feet.You cannot bend or unbend your back, it must remain straight.
- Don't overeat to maintain your optimal weight.To support the skeletal system, there must be an 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 appearance of pain in the lower back, for example, with lifting heavy objects, your health will be restored after rest.You can take a pain reliever.
You should see a doctor if:
- the pain does not go away for several days or becomes more intense;
- there is radiation in the abdomen or radiates to the legs;
- increased body temperature;
- there was severe lethargy and weakness;
- if you have recently experienced significant weight loss for no apparent reason;
- defecation and urination have become uncontrollable and spontaneous;
- a sports, automobile, or household injury has occurred.
As you can see, the list of reasons for back pain in the lumbar region is long.In less than 1% of people, the cause of lower back pain is a tumor, infectious processes or problems with internal organs.