Up to 80% of people suffer from lower back pain.For some, it may 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 lower back pain increases due to a number of factors.
Age and poor physical fitness
The first problems with the lower back are felt between the ages of 25-45.With age, the pain intensifies and becomes chronic due to the aging of the spine.
If the muscles supporting the spine are not sufficiently developed and strengthened, this can lead to spine diseases.Pain in the lower back often occurs in physically unprepared people who have lifted a heavy object.
Obesity and heredity
Obesity puts extra strain on the lumbar region.
There is a genetic predisposition to diseases.For example, if one of your relatives has a history of spondylosis or radiculitis, then you may be prone to the same pathologies.
Working conditions
If your job involves lifting heavy objects, you can injure your back.Also, prolonged sitting can lead to lower back pain, especially in people with poor posture.
A backpack
Try weighing your child's backpack.If it weighs more than 20% of the baby's weight, then carrying it causes muscle tension and lower back pain.
Other household reasons
Lower back pain can occur when performing daily activities:
- lifting a heavy box, carrying heavy grocery bags;
- rearrangement of furniture;
- lifting weights in the gym;
- turning your back during sports (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 occurs due to pinching, herniation, when direct irritation of the nerve occurs.For example, with sciatica, the pain syndrome is acute, accompanied by numbness in the area of the leg, which is innervated by the affected nerve.
A herniated disc develops when the spine degenerates or thins.The jelly-like central part of the disc emerges from the central cavity and extends laterally from the nerve root.Intervertebral discs begin to degenerate by the 3rd decade of life.A herniated disc occurs in one third of people over the age of 20.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 with 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 lower back joint disease can cause 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 have low back pain that radiates down both lower limbs.Symptoms may worsen after standing for a long time or walking even 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 worried about pain, possible loss of sensitivity, bowel or bladder dysfunction.This can lead to an inability to control urination: there may be urinary incontinence or an inability to initiate urination.
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 in the affected muscle groups decreases.Relief often occurs when the affected muscle group can be relaxed.
- Fibromyalgia causes diffuse pain and tenderness throughout the body.Patients are concerned about general tension, fatigue and muscle stiffness.
Muscle or ligament sprains, bulging or ruptured discs
Repetitive lifting of 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 in 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.Often, the disease is discovered accidentally when an X-ray of the spine is taken for another reason.
Arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back.In some cases, arthritis of the spine can cause a narrowing of 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
A condition in which a bone in the spine falls out or moves out of its normal position.This can cause lower back pain and stiffness, as well as numbness and tingling in the extremities.
Skeletal disorders, a condition where the spine curves sideways (scoliosis), can also lead to back pain.It usually appears before middle age.
Infectious inflammatory processes
Bone infections (osteomyelitis) of the spine are a rare cause of low back pain.Inflammation of the nerves in the spine can occur when the nerves become infected with the herpes zoster virus that causes shingles.It can occur in the thoracic region, causing symptoms in the upper back, or in the lumbar region, causing pain in the lower back.
Spondylitis can cause stiffness and pain in the spine, which is especially worse in the morning.Ankylosing spondylitis usually starts in people during adolescence and young adulthood.
Tumors and other causes
Benign and malignant tumors (as well as metastases) can cause pain in the lower back.
Pain that occurs due to organ abnormalities in the abdomen, pelvis or chest can also be felt in the back.For example, appendicitis, aneurysm, kidney disease, kidney infection, bladder and pelvic infections, and ovarian disease can all cause lower back pain.This pain is not associated with physical activity and occurs suddenly.If it appears, you should urgently contact a medical facility or call an ambulance at home.Normal pregnancy can also cause back pain.While carrying a baby, you may experience pelvic tension, nerve irritation, and lower back tension.
Prevention of back pain
For prevention, experts recommend the following methods:
- Exercise regularly.Moderate exercise is suitable: walking, swimming or cycling for 30 minutes a day.Yoga helps to relieve muscle tension, strengthen muscles and improve posture.
- Before training, exercising at home or working in the garden, do a short warm-up with stretching.
- Do not arch the 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.Do not sit for too long, take breaks periodically to walk.
- Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
- Sleeping on your side with your knees slightly tucked in can help open up the spinal joints and relieve tension, reducing spinal curvature.
- Try not to lift too heavy objects.If you have to carry weights, you should lift them by pushing off with your legs.You cannot bend or unbend your back - it must remain straight.
- Do not overeat to maintain your optimal weight.To maintain the skeletal system, there must be sufficient intake of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.
- Give up 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, then after rest your health will recover.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 radiating to the legs;
- increased body temperature;
- had severe lethargy and weakness;
- if you have recently experienced severe 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 causes of back pain in the lumbar region is extensive.In less than 1% of people, the cause of low back pain is a tumor, infectious processes or problems with internal organs.