Few people know what to do when there is severe pain in the lower back, how to treat the problem area at home. Most people refuse to see a doctor because of expensive medical services; others prefer traditional, proven methods.
Self-medication is possible as long as the diagnosis is known for certain. Temporary relief of acute symptoms will not solve the problem, and long-term development of the disease will lead to a transition to a chronic form. It is advisable to consult with a specialist on this issue who can give practical recommendations.
Causes of Back Pain
Both a chronic illness and an accident can cause lower back pain. In women, a similar problem is a complication of gynecological diseases (fibroids, adnexitis, malignant neoplasm). In men, lower back pain occurs mainly against the background of difficult working conditions and lifting heavy objects.
The most common causes of this problem are:
- Obesity stages 2 and 3;
- excessive sitting position;
- excessive loads in sports activities;
- Lifting and carrying weights;
- Chondrosis, osteochondrosis, kyphosis;
- unstable psycho-emotional state;
- the influence of drafts, hypothermia.
Identifying the cause of the pain is very important, since it is forbidden to start a therapeutic course without an accurate diagnosis. Temporary relief from symptoms will not produce the expected results because the cause is left untreated.
Even if symptomatic treatment helps, the lower back pain keeps returning.
When should you see a specialist?
Self-treatment at home is possible if the nature of the discomfort remains unchanged, the local area of the lesions does not expand, and there are no additional manifestations.
In certain situations, self-medication cannot be performed, but specialist intervention is required. Some examples:
- sharp increase in pain;
- the local area of the lesions began to expand or shift;
- there is no sensitivity in the lower extremities.
With little mobility of the toes, there is a possibility of damage to the spine. Immediate specialist intervention is required.
Methods of treatment at home
A wide variety of pharmaceutical products can be used to treat low back pain. The patient is offered pain relievers, various gels and ointments, and suppositories. But it is impossible to buy drugs yourself, a mistake in the choice can lead to an increase in symptomatic manifestations.
A preliminary talk with a traumatologist or therapist is required. Medicines are prescribed only with the presentation of a close-knit specialist. Some potent drugs are only available on prescription in pharmacies; you cannot buy them yourself.
The duration of treatment is 1 to 6 months, depending on the area of the lesion, the intensity of the pain manifestations and the frequency of the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. The therapeutic course must be completed, otherwise the pain will return after a short time.
Ointments and gels
For back pain, regardless of the cause, ointments or gels are always prescribed. These active ingredients have a local effect, suppress symptoms and make movement easier.
The advantage of this method is the minimal number of side effects and contraindications, as well as its ease of use.
When applying ointments, it is necessary to follow a number of rules:
- mandatory observance of the instructions for use;
- a little medicine is required to press and rub into the lower back on the hand. The ointment must be applied once a day, preferably before bedtime.
- If side effects occur, it is necessary to stop using this drug.
There are different groups of ointments for lower back pain:
- Chondroprotectors. They help strengthen articular cartilage, suppress inflammatory reactions in it.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. They are used in inflammatory reactions, restore the activity of the musculoskeletal system. Read the contraindications before use.
- Painkiller. They are mainly used for acute forms of pain and help to facilitate the transmission of severe symptoms.
There is also a combined group of ointments that combine all of the above properties.
Oral and Injectable Medicines
Oral drugs or injectable drugs have a similar effect to ointments, but have increased side effects and a large list of contraindications. Before starting a therapeutic course, you should carefully read the instructions for use.
Depending on the type and duration of pain, the following groups are selected for the patient:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They perfectly relieve pain and help suppress the inflammatory process in the lower back. An application is only possible with the consent of a specialist.
- Muscle relaxants. This group of drugs helps relieve muscle tension, relieve cramps, and suppress painful manifestations. It is worth noting that the use of muscle relaxants may cause drowsiness or an increase in blood pressure.
- Corticosteroids. Hormonal drugs suppress inflammatory reactions and have an analgesic effect.
- Narcotic analgesics. Only prescribed by the attending physician in the event of uncontrolled pain syndrome or surgical intervention.
- Vitamin B. Promotes the normalization of blood circulation, oxygen saturation, restores metabolic processes.
Note:Most drugs have a powerful therapeutic effect, before using it is necessary to read the instructions for use.
Rectal suppositories
These drugs are confidently advertised in the pharmaceutical industry and are actively used for severe back pain for the following reasons:
- dissolve quickly, the result of the application can be felt in 10-15 minutes;
- there are no harmful effects on the gastrointestinal tract;
- minimal side effects.
Patch
If the lower back is painful from musculoskeletal injuries, how to use a plaster to treat it at home? Very easy.
Treatment plates block pain, relieve inflammation, warm the affected area, which can help alleviate the patient's condition. Each patch has a unique effect, you need to choose the right remedy to get the result.
Sports exercise
Therapeutic exercises are extremely effective for lumbar lesions. It enables you to:
- Develop back muscles;
- restore the space between the vertebrae and release pinched nerves;
- improve blood circulation;
- Suppress pain.
Note:Remedial gymnastics cannot be carried out in all patient groups, there is a strict list of contraindications. A suitable exercise set can only be selected by a treating specialist.
Examples of popular and useful exercises:
- "Cat". The patient must stand on all fours and flex their spine, and then bend in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times, the duration of the posture is 5-7 seconds.
- Twisting. The person must be in a horizontal position on a hard, level surface. Bend your knees, start turning your legs to the right, your body to the left. Do 5-6 reps, then switch sides.
You have to do gymnastics yourself every day and observe medical prescriptions. If negative symptoms occur (headache, choking, disorientation in the room), an urgent training stop is required.
massage
Therapeutic massage is most effective for injuries to the spine. It is better to carry out the procedure under the supervision of a specialist, independent behavior can lead to a number of consequences due to incorrect movements.
Massages are prohibited for the following patient groups:
- People with malignant neoplasms;
- Active tuberculosis patients;
- Women in each trimester of pregnancy;
- People who suffer from high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat;
- Patients with skin lesions.
When performing a massage on your own without the services of an experienced specialist, the first thing you need to do is obtain a list of rules for the correct procedure from the doctor.
Paraffin therapy
Intense pain syndrome is well eliminated with paraffin. The procedure improves blood flow to the lymph and soft tissues of the affected area. The melted paraffin heats the entire lower back, the effect of the application lasts for several hours.
It is problematic to carry out such a procedure yourself, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced specialist.
Traditional medicine
Traditional medical methods have proven their effectiveness time and time again, sometimes helping where medication failed. However, it is not worth misusing such methods without medical advice, otherwise you can cause irreparable damage to the musculoskeletal system.
The most common methods are:
- Compressed.It is necessary to perform the procedure only in the evening so that the patient is relaxed physically and mentally. The gauze fabric must be impregnated with a ready-made composition (medicinal herbs only) and applied to the sore area. Spend at least an hour in this state. As the ingredients of the mixture, you can use radish and horseradish, salt, honey, garlic and mustard.
- Rub.It is carried out only in the evening, the human body should be in a relaxed state. Alcoholic tinctures from a beaver stream, dandelion root, eucalyptus, red pepper, etc. are used for rubbing. The product must be thoroughly rubbed into the affected area, after which the lower back is wrapped in warm fabrics or a blanket. You need to spend at least an hour in this state.
- Warm bath.An excellent way to relax not just the affected area but the whole body. The effect of the procedure can be enhanced by using medicinal herbs (mint, mustard powder). It is necessary to stay in the water until it starts to cool.
There are other traditional medicine methods, but the methods above are the easiest to perform, do not require extensive cash expenses and theoretical knowledge.
How do you give first aid? Treating Lower Back Pain Like At Home?
Lower back pain doesn't always come on gradually. Osteochondrosis and other injuries to the spine can occur suddenly, accompanied by severe pain. Light load, cold air, or heavy lifting - all of these provoke a similar problem.
Acute pain sensations must be stopped urgently. The manifestations can be so strong that a person may lose consciousness. Before providing assistance, it is necessary to bring the patient to their senses with ammonia.
The victim should be positioned horizontally on a hard, flat surface. It is forbidden to put a pillow, the spine must be in a straight position. In the supine position, the load on the intervertebral discs is reduced, cramps and pain partially disappear.
Having topical ointments and gels at home will help treat the affected area. It is desirable that the agents have anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects, such drugs quickly relieve unpleasant manifestations. After applying the ointment, you need to leave the victim alone for 30-40 minutes.
If the drugs work, then you need to pull the lower back with a warm cloth to strictly fix it. If the acute pain persists, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, preferably potent ones, can be administered to the patient. The tablets take effect after 30-50 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain.
Important:You are not allowed to abuse painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in an emergency the maximum daily dose is allowed, but no more.
If the pain persists, even after following all of the above recommendations, you must call an ambulance.
Back pain prevention
After figuring out why the lower back hurts with home treatment, it is necessary to learn the prevention program. Special corrective measures are useful both after a therapeutic course and for prophylactic purposes to prevent the development of problems with the lower back.
Useful hints:
- Change your diet. Try to exclude junk and fatty foods from the menu and minimize your consumption of such dishes. The diet should be dominated by fortified and healthy foods that will saturate the body with the necessary microelements.
- Control body weight. Obesity stages 2 and 3 not only put an enormous strain on the internal organs, but also on the spine. Under the influence of excess weight, there is a displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs, damage to the cartilage.
- More activity. If you have a sedentary lifestyle (e. g. due to work in the office), you need to warm up and go for a walk every day.
- Reduce the stress on the spine. Lifting and carrying weights without a valid reason is not recommended. Even a slight load can deform the spine.
Getting rid of bad habits also has a positive effect on the condition of the lower back. Alcohol disrupts blood circulation and ethanol half-life products negatively affect the condition of cartilage and joints.