Why does my back hurt and what to do about it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In most cases, the pain is not dangerous. But there are symptoms that cannot be ignored.

When you need to call an ambulance for back pain

Call Back pain for emergency medical attention if:

1. The back hurts a lot, and this condition is accompanied by a high fever.
2. You suspect that acute back pain is related to a recent fall, bump, or other injury.
3. Back pain gets worse after eating or going to the bathroom.

Any of these symptoms can be associated with serious, life-threatening internal organ damage. So don't be afraid to overshoot.

When with back pain you need to go to the doctor quickly

If there are no threatening signs, analyze the nature, duration of pain, and also check them with your age and lifestyle. Be sure to complain about the discomfort to the therapist if:

• It hurts even when you lie down and take the most comfortable position.
• The back does not allow you to get enough sleep at night.
• In addition to pain, you notice weakness and / or numbness in your legs or arms.
• Unpleasant sensations last for weeks.
• The pain is accompanied by weight loss.
• You are over 50 years old.
• You have osteoporosis.
• You have previously been treated for cancer of any kind.
• You are using steroids.
• You are drinking or taking drugs.

These signs, both together in any combination or separately, indicate that there may be problems with your spine or internal organs.

The most common pathologies Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review - a malignant tumor, fracture, cauda equina syndrome (the so-called damage to the nerve bundle extending from the lower spinal cord) or an infection, and not necessarily the spine, but, for example, kidney or urinary tract.

The doctor will prescribe additional examinations and, if necessary, will treat the underlying disease.

Why does my back hurt?

Suppose you have no dangerous symptoms, but your back still hurts - pricks, shoots, whines, hurts. Doctors honestly admit that they cannot always determine exactly what exactly leads to pain. Here are five common reasons.

1. Muscle load

The most obvious case: you lifted something heavy, the muscles of the back (most often the lower back) overextended, there was a spasm.

A less obvious case, but just as popular: you just sat too much. When you sit, for example, in front of a computer, it is the back muscles that hold the bulk of the body. And if the seat is dragged on, they can overexert themselves.

By the way, this is why physiologists recommend sitting as deeply as possible in the chair, leaning on its back, so as not to allow rounding of the spine.

2. Herniated discs

This is another scourge of those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Often, when we sit in a chair or chair, we slouch. Due to the rounding of the lower back, the load on the intervertebral discs increases by a factor of 10–11.

Over time, the vertebrae are increasingly pressed against each other, and the discs between them flatten out and begin to bulge out of the spinal column. This is how a hernia occurs.

Its side effect is nerve compression and back pain.

3. Colds

You cough and / or sneeze, and these movements are quite abrupt and can also cause overexertion or stretching of the back muscles.

4. Myalgia

This is the general name for muscle pain, including back pain. Dozens of Muscle pain factors can cause muscle pain, including hypothermia and prolonged stress.

If you have a stressful job, plus you're busy in an office chair and under an air conditioner, your chances of getting back pain go up.

5. Scoliosis

Curvature of the spine to either side also puts more stress on the muscles in the back and can lead to pain.

What to do if your back hurts

In any case, it is worth consulting with a therapist: suddenly you are missing an important symptom. But in general, modern medicine suggests that back pain can be treated with simple home treatments. Back pain.

1. Don't stop moving

It used to be thought that bed rest would help with back pain. But it is now known that people who remain active recover faster.

2. Do simple back exercises

For example, these. Among other things, training like this will strengthen your muscles and help them withstand stress. This will reduce the risk of future back pain.

3. Take pain reliever

Advice for those who find the pain too exhausting. Ibuprofen will help reduce discomfort.

4. Be optimistic

This will help you relax and distract yourself from thoughts of pain. Plus, being optimistic can help you fight stress. This means that you will quickly get rid of the muscle spasms caused by it.