Causes and treatment of back pain in the lumbar region: what to do if it radiates to the leg?

It turns out that back pain in the lumbar region is very common.

According to biologists, such a symptom is a consequence of our upright posture, in which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed throughout the spine.Lower back pain can indicate very serious problems not only with the spine, but also with internal organs.

If the pain is acute and accompanied by fever, call an ambulance.

If such symptoms are not observed, you should consult a therapist for an accurate diagnosis.Let's find out why such symptoms occur and how to treat and prevent them.

The main causes of pain in the lumbar region

First, let's find out the causes of such unpleasant symptoms.Pain can occur primarily in diseases of the spine or secondarily in diseases of the internal organs.

In addition to the causes, it is important to identify factors that increase the pain syndrome.

Here they are:

1. Characteristics of the profession: heavy physical activity for construction workers and loaders and heavy lifting for athletes.
2. Prolonged stay in a sitting position.
3. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Poor diet and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habits: alcohol and spirits.

Even if you reduce the impact of these factors, you will significantly improve your condition and the health of your spine.

Primary factors

Primary factors are associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine.

This includes:

1. Osteochondrosis refers to changes in the cartilage and intervertebral discs that lead to a herniated disc or deformation of the intervertebral discs.
2. Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bone spurs on the vertebrae.This growth causes the muscles around the spine to spasm, limiting its mobility.The occurrence of injuries in the lower back area.
3. Spondyloarthrosis refers to the degeneration of the articular surfaces of the vertebrae and their involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles.In this case, the intervertebral discs are deformed and the mobility of the spine is restricted.
4. Spondylolisthesis is manifested by a displacement of the vertebrae, which changes the lumen of the spinal canal.
5. Herniated disc.
6. Radiculopathy is damage to the nerve root.

Secondary factors

Secondary ones occur with accompanying pathologies:

1. Problems with metabolism.
2. Curvature of the spine.
3. If malignant tumors are located near the spine.
4. Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
5. Spinal injuries.
6. Autoimmune diseases.
7. Painful symptoms of a psychogenic nature.
8. Diseases of the digestive system.
9. Diseases of the pelvic organs.
10. Menstrual cramps.

Problems with the spine can also be affected by flat feet, i.e. a flattening of the arch of the foot.

Pregnancy can also cause pain.In the early stages, they occur when progesterone affects the ligaments and muscles, including when there is a threat of miscarriage or during an ectopic pregnancy.

After birth, pain can occur due to stretching of the pelvic muscles or due to increased strain on the spine due to frequent carrying of the child in the arm.

What diseases signal such pain?

The location of the pain is also important.

So let's look at each case:

• Pain on the right side and above the lower back may indicate lung disease.These symptoms include shortness of breath, cough and fever.Also about gallbladder or liver problems.At the same time, the nature of the pain is sharp;
• If discomfort occurs above the lower back on the left, it may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, or left-sided pleurisy;
• Symptoms of pain in the lumbar region indicate osteochondrosis in this area, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures;
• A pain symptom below the lower back, radiating to the lower abdomen, is a sign of diseases of the pelvic organs.These diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate diseases, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases.This can also be an indication that the kidneys are not working properly.

Which doctor will help?

Most often, lower back pain is temporary.Only in rare cases do such symptoms indicate complex illnesses.

In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation.Stabbing pain often occurs with increased physical activity.

In other cases, you can seek help from a surgeon, urologist or even a chiropractor who will make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment for such a problem.

In addition, with such pain, you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.

Features of treatment

Depending on the cause of your back pain, your doctor will prescribe the following treatment options:

• drug treatment with analgesics and hormones;
• Blockades, which are injections into the intervertebral joints;
• manual techniques;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• therapeutic exercises;
• Acupuncture.

If conservative treatment does not help, surgery is used.

When treating a herniated disc due to osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic methods are used in addition to the main treatment.

Therapeutic blockades are used when other methods do not achieve the desired effect.Most often, anesthetics are injected into the lumen of the affected joint for this purpose.

Acupuncture is recommended for bulging discs, osteochondrosis or hernias.If the pain radiates down to the leg, physiotherapy is also used.

By wearing a special corset, you can limit movements in the lumbar region.This relieves pain in the area of joint inflammation.

If you have back pain, your doctor may recommend the following:

1. Bed rest on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
2. Wearing a special bandage.
3. The use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
4. To get rid of muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed.Special medications are also used to relax the muscles.
5. To improve blood circulation and reduce swelling, vascular and diuretics are used.
6. All types of gels and ointments are used as local therapy.
7. To consolidate the positive result, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.These can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.

Therapeutic exercises and special massages help to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and eliminate the inflammatory process.

If pain in the lumbar region is not associated with complex diseases, yoga classes will help relieve the disease.

You can also do similar exercises at home and they won't take much time.

Pain due to hypothermia

Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain?You don't even have to freeze, just sweat and stand under the air conditioning.

In this case, the hot surface of the body comes into contact with a stream of cold air.And the very next day it will be difficult to sit up or get out of bed.

In such a situation, the pain becomes constant and painful.

First you need to warm your back.A warming ointment is suitable for this.If there is no remedy, regular alcohol can also help.After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped with something warm.

A similar process is carried out every day.If the pain is severe, you should consult a doctor.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

If you often get hypothermia, buy a belt made of dog or sheep wool.

What to do if you have pain in the lumbar region?

This pain occurs during intense physical exertion.When carrying weights there is a stabbing pain that extends down the leg.

A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis, which is called lumbago or lumbago.In such a situation, you need to lie down on a hard surface.

To relieve the pain, take a painkiller.

Remember that if you have these symptoms, you should not take a hot bath or steam in the sauna.In this case, dry heat helps more.

For example, a special ointment.It is also worth limiting your salt and fluid intake for several days.

What helps with an inguinal hernia?

An inguinal hernia causes sharp and persistent pain that increases with every movement.Relief only occurs when lying on your back.

You may also experience numbness in your lower back.To relieve the pain, you need to pay attention to bed rest and take painkillers.Then you need to call a doctor.

In the acute phase, serious and qualified treatment is required.

What can you do to prevent it?

Do not wait until severe pain occurs, take preventive measures.

Here they are:

1. Identification and treatment of comorbidities that may cause low back pain.
2. Proper nutrition with sufficient phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided.In this case, the load should be distributed evenly.Don't make any sudden movements.
4. Lead an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming, or yoga.
5. Take regular therapeutic massage classes.
6. If you work while sitting, take a break every hour and do some exercise.
7. The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.

For prevention, you can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages.

Such devices are recommended during pregnancy and during vigorous physical activity.

It is important to control your weight as large body weight increases stress on the spine.Get rid of bad habits and get a check-up every year.

Therapeutic gymnastics

To strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain, exercise at home.Physical activity should be done regularly.

A well-designed set of exercises will help improve posture, increase muscle tone, and also activate blood circulation.

In such a complex you can use the following movements:

• The body leans in different directions.First left and right and then forward and backward;
• turn the body to the side;
• in the kneeling position – in the elbow position you need to bend your back up and down;
• Lie on your back with your knees bent and lift your pelvis upwards.
• From the lying position, the stretched legs must be bent at the knees and pulled towards the chest.

Perform each exercise 8-10 times.

Do not ignore the symptoms of pain in the lumbar region, go to the doctor and take preventive measures that will help normalize your well-being and improve your health.