Why does lower back pain occur and what to do about it

How to tell if lower back pain is dangerous

See your doctor as soon as possible for Back Pain if your back pain persists or persists regularly and is accompanied by any of the following conditions:

you have a high fever;
you have recently been hit or fallen heavily;
the pain gets worse when you eat or go to the toilet;
due to discomfort in the lower back, you cannot sleep at night;
the pain does not go away, even if you lie in the most comfortable position;
you have weakness or numbness in your arms and legs;
you have osteoporosis;
you notice that you are losing weight;
you have previously been treated for cancer of any kind;
you use steroids, alcohol or drugs;
you are over 50 years old.

Why can lower back hurt?

Here are the common Causes of Back Pain causes that cause discomfort in this part of the back. Try not to miss the really dangerous ones.

1. Muscle strain

This is perhaps the most common cause of back pain, not just in the lumbar region. You turned unsuccessfully, lifted something heavy, stretched your body too vigorously (for example, for a volleyball), and this is the result: overextension of the lumbar muscles or sprain causes painful sensations.

What to do about it

Wait out. As a rule, such pains go away on their own within a few hours, sometimes - days. No treatment required, and no need to go to bed. Physicians recommend Treatment. Back Pain to continue an active lifestyle. Well, if the pain is uncomfortable, you can take a one-time pain reliever - for example, based on ibuprofen.

2. Poor posture, sedentary lifestyle

Muscle overstrain is not only dynamic, due to sudden movements, but also static. When you slouch, the muscles in the lower back are loaded more than usual. They build up fatigue and hurt. The same happens if you sit for too long or lie in an uncomfortable position. For example, sleep on a narrow train shelf.

What to do about it

As in the previous case, wait and do not reduce activity. For the future, remember to keep your posture and stretch regularly.

3. Weak core muscles

To keep your spine upright, your core (core) muscles tense. This is a natural load, and a healthy, moderately trained person tolerates it without discomfort. However, if the muscles are weak, it is difficult for them to support the weight of the upper body - especially when you have gained extra pounds in the shoulder girdle.

What to do about it

Train your back. We have provided effective and accessible exercises for everyone here.

4. Herniated disc

Excessive stress on the spine, resulting from a sedentary lifestyle or poor posture, over time can lead to damage to the soft intervertebral discs. They are compressed, flattened and begin to bulge out of the spinal column. The discs themselves do not hurt, but sometimes they put pressure on the nerve endings located nearby. This is what causes pain.

What to do about it

Most often, a hernia of the spine is not dangerous. But if lower back pain - aching or shooting - haunt you on a regular basis, see a therapist or neurologist. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe painkillers and prescribe a course of exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises), where you will be helped to strengthen your back muscles and teach you to respect the spine. Surgery is rarely required.

5. Myalgia

This is the general name for aching and sharp pain in the muscles, including the lumbar. There are dozens of reasons for myalgia - from hypothermia caused by a banal draft to prolonged stress. If you have a nervous, sedentary job in a ruthlessly air-conditioned office, your risk of myalgia increases.

What to do about it

Be sure to consult with a therapist or neurologist. The doctor will try with you to establish the cause of myalgia and exclude more serious disorders. Treatment consists primarily in eliminating the factors that caused the disease. You may be prescribed pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise therapy, massage or psychotherapy.

6. Damage to joints

Lesions of the joints of the spine (arthrosis, arthritis) are often associated with age. Due to the long load, they become inflamed, the cartilaginous layer between them becomes thinner, friction provokes pain. Exercise is not the only cause of arthrosis and arthritis, but what exactly led to joint damage can only be found out by a qualified doctor.

What to do about it

See a therapist. He will examine you and give you a referral to a specialized specialist: surgeon, rheumatologist, neurologist. In the initial stages, you can alleviate the condition if you just change your lifestyle - add physical activity, normalize nutrition, lose weight. However, whether this is enough in your case, the doctor decides.

7. Menstruation, endometriosis or pregnancy in women

The swollen, enlarged uterus can press on the nerve endings, causing pain in the lower back. During pregnancy, among other things, weight increases and the center of gravity of the body changes. The muscles of the back, including the lower back, are forced to strain additionally in order to maintain the vertical position of the spine.

What to do about it

Wait out. To reduce discomfort, try to sit less and do not wear high-heeled shoes: they increase the load on the muscles of the lower back. If the pain continues for more than a few days, be sure to consult with your gynecologist.

8. Problems with the kidneys and bladder

This option should be suspected if the lower back aches on the sides - approximately in the places where the palms fit, if they rest on the back. Another hint of kidney is pain on one side only.

What to do about it

A visit to the therapist is required! The doctor will ask you for tests and prescribe the necessary treatment.

9. Prostatitis in men

This, too, often makes itself felt with lower back pain.

What to do about it

If discomfort in the lumbar region is accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen and in the perineum, be sure to consult a urologist.

10. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract

For example, when it comes to ulcers, lower back pain will be associated with food intake.

What to do about it

Do not tolerate or rely on pain relievers. At the slightest suspicion of a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, contact a therapist or gastroenterologist.

11. Shingles

It is a relative of the common herpes virus that everyone has. Often this disease is a complication of the once transferred chickenpox: the virus hides in cells and, as long as the immune system is strong, behaves decently. But as soon as the body's defenses weaken, it manifests itself.

One of the first symptoms of this lichen is aching, at first glance, causeless pain in the lower back, which is accompanied by severe weakness. After him, sometimes after a few days, rashes appear.

See What Shingles Looks Like Close

What to do about it

Do not self-medicate! At the first suspicion of shingles, you should contact a therapist. The disease will be easier and less dangerous if Shingles treatment is started within the first three days after the rash appears.