How to treat lower back pain?

Lower back pain is the first symptom of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Sudden pain in the lower back can surprise anyone.Next, we will find out what and how to treat them.

Causes and diagnosis

The lower back is the part of the back most susceptible to injury in people with a sedentary lifestyle.After all, it bears the weight of the body during sedentary work.Causes of pain:

• osteoarthritis;
• injury;
• protrusion of the intervertebral disc;
• nerve compression;
• excessive physical activity (lifting heavy objects);
• sedentary work;
• overweight.

To begin with, it is necessary to exclude pathological causes - various diseases of the vertebrae.To do this, you need to visit a doctor and undergo an examination.

Severe pain in the lower back after an injury or heavy lifting is a reason to consult a specialist immediately.This symptom may indicate a protrusion or herniation of the disc.

For diagnosis, X-rays and examination are usually sufficient;In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an MRI scan.You can cope with non-pathological pain on your own.

Treatment methods

Treating low back pain requires a comprehensive approach.Pain itself is not a disease, but only its consequences, so therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause of discomfort.

A combination of the following methods is used for treatment:

• drug treatment;
• physical therapy;
• Therapeutic exercise and massage;
• wearing a fixed corset.

Each method has a number of features that depend on the correct diagnosis.It is difficult to independently come up with an effective treatment regimen without knowing the exact diagnosis, so consultation with a doctor is mandatory.

Drug treatment

Before starting treatment, you need to understand both the cause and nature of low back pain.The following are used in therapy:

• analgesic;
• warming ointment;
• chondroprotector;
• vitamin.

For quick pain relief, you can take painkillers.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve back pain.The therapeutic dose of the drug is chosen enough to eliminate pain of moderate intensity for about 3-4 hours.If the cause of the discomfort is not addressed, the pain will return.

Warming ointments help eliminate swelling because they stimulate local blood circulation.Some drugs in this group contain anesthetics, which effectively eliminate pain.

The ointment or gel is applied to the affected area with gentle movements, then gently rubbed in.

Chondroprotectors are drugs that restore the elasticity of cartilage tissue.Prescribed for osteonecrosis or for its prevention.Vitamin supplements can also be used to speed recovery.

Physical therapy and massage

In most cases, back pain is related to injury or due to poor circulation in the area.Physiotherapy is recommended to restore metabolism.

For lower back pain, the following are most commonly prescribed:

• magnetic therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• UHF;
• slurry application;
• heated with paraffin.

For muscle tension and degenerative-dystrophic processes in the vertebrae, electroporation with nicotinic acid or other vasodilators has had a good effect.

Manual therapy is another effective method to eliminate pain and prevent its recurrence.Massage is performed only by a specialist, the minimum course is 10 procedures.

Therapeutic exercises

Physical therapy and exercise are the best methods to eliminate pain and prevent its recurrence.Exercises can be performed only after determining the cause of discomfort.

Physical activity is prohibited during exacerbation of osteoarthritis, disc protrusion and disc herniation in the acute stage.In these cases, they turn to exercise therapy only after a course of medication.

You can perform exercises both in the rehabilitation room at the clinic and at home.At home, the following complex is recommended.

1. "Boat".You need to start your training with this exercise because it prepares the lower back for the next activity.You need to lie on the floor with your arms stretched forward.When exhaling, lift your chest and pelvis off the floor, stretch your arms and legs in different directions, and when inhaling, lower your body to the floor.
2. "Cat".Stand on all fours, placing your hands on the floor just below your chest.When exhaling, arch your back, while inhaling, relax, at the same time bending your lumbar region.
3. Raise your legs.Lie on your back, stretch your arms along the body, bend one leg at the knee.Slowly raise your bent leg as high as possible.Do 15 reps for each leg.
4. "Pendulum".Lie on your stomach, put your hands behind your back and hold your ankles.Arch your lower back as much as possible, swaying your body.
5. Lie on your back, bend your knees.Wrap your arms around your legs, pull them to your chest and hold in this position for 5 seconds.

Each exercise should be performed 15 times.Exercise therapy should be performed daily.When the exercises start to seem too easy, you can consult your doctor about going to the gym.Strengthening your back muscles will reduce the risk of pain recurring.

For severe diseases, it is recommended to attend special classes with a rehabilitation specialist - occupational therapy.

Non-traditional treatment methods

Once you understand what the official medicine has to offer, you can turn your attention to alternative treatments.These include:

• acupuncture - the action of needles on special points of the body;
• apitherapy - treatment with bee stings;
• hirud therapy - treatment with leeches.

At home, the needle applicator will come to the rescue.It is a spiked mat that you need to lie on with your lower back.The action of the needle stimulates local blood circulation and improves metabolic processes.The applicator is indicated for the treatment of muscle and joint pain, nerve pain and muscle tension.You can buy it at any medical supply store.

Folk remedies

For lumbar back pain, treatment can be supplemented with folk remedies.Traditionally, various compressions and rubbings are used.

1. Take a quarter glass of lilac flowers, pour 100 ml of vodka, leave for two weeks in a dark place.Use the product to rub the affected area.
2. Use your fingers to crush the white cabbage leaves, apply honey and apply it to the painful back area.Wrap a warm towel over it and leave for 4 hours.
3. Grind horseradish root, mix in equal proportions with honey and apply to the lower back.Leave the product on all night.
4. Apply peppermint alcohol to a towel and thoroughly rub the lower back, moving from bottom to top.Should be done before going to bed;After rubbing, the lower back must be warmed up.
5. Take a spoonful of mustard powder, add the same amount of water and 2 large spoons of vegetable oil.Apply the mixture to the lower back, secure with gauze or elastic bandage.After an hour, the composition must be washed off.

Compression should be done once a day, massage - in the morning and evening.The duration of treatment is at least 10 days.You should combine folk remedies with massage and physical therapy.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is indicated only in cases of progressive osteochondrosis, degeneration-dystrophy of the intervertebral disc, herniation and protrusion.Surgery is indicated when conservative therapy is ineffective.

Because of the high risk of complications, surgery is a treatment of last resort when nothing else has helped.

Belts and corsets

Belts made from dog hair will help complement home therapy.They will bring gentle warmth to the lumbar area.The belt should be worn after applying warming ointments or warm compresses.

A surgical corset will only work if you have back pain due to poor posture.This product will fix the lower back in the correct physiological position and ensure that body weight is distributed normally.

First aid when shooting

Acute back pain can force a person to be bedridden for several days.The most effective way to treat low back pain is novocaine blockade.Your doctor will inject the affected area to reduce the sensitivity of the nerves to pain for 3-14 days.

At home, you can try the following:

• taking NSAIDs;
• apply warming ointment to the affected area;
• wear a dog leash;
• Observe bed rest.

The pain will disappear after 30-40 minutes of taking the medicine.Bed rest must be observed during the day.

prevent

One thing to remember about prevention is:

• remove excess weight;
• regular physical activity;
• balanced diet;
• lack of stress;
• maintain correct posture.

Women are advised to avoid wearing high heels in everyday life and men should avoid carrying heavy loads.