Back pain often appears after sudden movements or heavy lifting. If your back constantly hurts, this is a symptom of an illness. The cause of back pain is diagnosed and treated by a neurologist. Malaise is successfully treated with conservative methods.
What you need to know about back pain
Back pain is also called dorsalgia. Periodically bothers every second person. Most often, the pain is localized in the lower back. As a rule, it occurs against the background of existing changes in the spine. Depending on the type of illness, the pain may be temporary or permanent. Persistent pain is a sign of a serious illness and, without timely treatment, can lead to spinal surgery.
When to go to the doctor
Do not delay a visit to a neurologist if you notice the following symptoms:
- sharp back pain does not go away within 2 to 3 days;
- chronic pain lasts more than a week without improvement;
- the pain appears suddenly, for no obvious reason;
- pain occurs regularly after an injury;
- back pain radiates to the leg, knee, foot.
Medical consultation must be urgent, immediate, if the pain is accompanied by the following additional symptoms:
- elevated temperature;
- limited mobility of arms or legs;
- feeling of numbness in the limbs;
- serious changes in blood pressure;
- painkillers do not help relieve pain;
- loss of consciousness occurs;
- there are problems with the functioning of internal organs;
- there are signs of intoxication;
- the bleeding started.
But even without these symptoms, you should not delay contacting specialists - some back diseases are completely curable only in the initial stages. Its efficiency directly determines the quality of the treatment.
The risk factors are:
- computer-related work or driving a car, intense physical activity, stress;
- intensive training in the gym without trainer supervision;
- work in a forced sitting or standing position;
- overweight.
Why does my back hurt?
The causes of back pain are varied. They are caused by the following diseases:
- osteochondrosis, spondylosis, spondyloarthrosis;
- scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis;
- intervertebral disc protrusion or hernia;
- radiculitis or low back pain, inflammation of the sciatic nerve;
- spinal stenosis;
- spinal instability and fractures;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- excessive exertion, hypothermia or bruising of the back muscles;
- damage to spinal ligaments;
- myositis.
Pregnancy and back pain
Another common factor that influences the occurrence of back pain is pregnancy. As the abdomen grows and the lumbar curve increases, the load on the spine also increases. The intervertebral discs begin to wear out quickly and sometimes the nerves become compressed. You can prevent back pain and the conditions that cause it if you don't work too much during pregnancy. If necessary, you should wear a support brace and follow the advice of another doctor.
Even if there was no back pain during pregnancy, but the spine was subjected to severe stress, injuries that cause pain during childbirth can occur.
How to identify a disease by the type of pain
Different diseases cause different types of back pain. It can be acute, chronic, painful, penetrating, with or without conduction (irradiation).
| Type of pain | What disease does it cause |
|---|---|
| Acute with conduction (irradiation) and without conduction. | Osteochondrosis. Dull back pain sometimes radiates down the leg and intensifies when lifting heavy objects, coughing, or sneezing. Back pain can last for several minutes, hours or days. |
| Intervertebral hernia. Pain occurs when lifting heavy objects, bending over and turning to one side. Then pain and weakness appear in one of the legs. The back hurts when moving, coughing, sneezing. | |
| Radiculitis. The pain is sharp or dull, aching. Usually unilateral, radiating to the leg, buttock, thigh, lower leg. It intensifies with changes in body position and may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, burning, itching or a "pins and needles" sensation. | |
| Chronic and acute pain | Muscle strain, myositis, prolonged work in an uncomfortable position, heavy lifting, sudden movements, hypothermia. |
| Lumbago. It affects people involved in heavy physical work. Severe back pain usually stops after a few days, although it can last two to three weeks. | |
| Displacement of intervertebral discs. It is caused by osteochondrosis, heavy lifting and heavy physical work. | |
| Chronicle | Spondylosis. Severe pain may be accompanied by numbness and weakness in the legs. Cervical spondylosis causes pain in the back of the neck, shoulders and when turning the head. |
| Sore | Inflammation of the muscles of the back and lumbar spine. The disease occurs after hypothermia or muscle strain. The pain is not intense and lasts a long time. The muscles in the affected area become dense and hurt when tense. |
| Pain with conduction (radiation) to the leg | Inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Lumbar spine hernia. Back pain in the lumbar and sacral areas. Pain is felt in the buttocks, back of the thigh, lower leg, or foot. |
Diagnostic methods
The clinic's specialists will accurately determine the cause of back pain using the following diagnostic methods:
- MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Laboratory research
Methods for treating back pain
Doctors in the modern clinic use many non-surgical methods: from gentle massage techniques and osteopathy to laser and physiotherapy. To ensure that treatment is as effective as possible, we offer each patient an individual set of procedures using medication only to alleviate pain at the beginning of the course.
- UHF Resonance Wave Therapy
- Rehabilitation on the Thera-Band exercise machine
- Joint and spine blockage
- Drug treatment
- Shock wave therapy
Diagnostic methods
Experts will accurately determine the cause of back pain using the following diagnostic methods:
First, a basic survey of the patient is carried out to determine what exactly preceded the onset of pain, what is the nature of the pain, and so on. Next, a visual examination of the patient and physical palpation of the spine are performed. If the pain intensifies when pressing on the spine, this makes it possible to eliminate diseases of the internal organs. If necessary, the patient may be referred to a cardiologist, gynecologist, orthopedist or other specialized doctor.
Methods for treating back pain
Doctors in a modern clinic use many non-surgical methods: from gentle massage techniques and osteopathy to laser and physiotherapy. To ensure that treatment is as effective as possible, we offer each patient an individual set of procedures using medication only to alleviate pain at the beginning of the course.
The clinics will help you get rid of back pain, relieve swelling and inflammation in the affected area, normalize metabolic processes, strengthen the back muscles and restore the normal position of the spine. Freedom of movement will return to you, you will feel a surge of vigor.
As part of rehabilitation, for each patient, the clinic's specialist draws up a personal physical activity plan for independent exercises aimed at consolidating the results of treatment and preventing diseases.
What to do for back pain
If you have severe back pain, our doctors recommend the following:
- Lie down, choose a comfortable position where you feel less pain and your muscles stop straining. Spend at least 20 minutes in this position until the pain subsides.
- Don't sit forward, don't carry heavy objects and don't play sports until the pain disappears.
- Contact your doctor immediately.
Remember if you haveback pain, treatmentcannot be postponed. There is a risk of a serious worsening of the situation.
If the pain becomes unbearable and you need to wait for a doctor or ambulance to arrive, do the following:
- Lie down on the bed and try to minimize movement and ensure maximum peace. Stillness is your best friend.
- Place a soft pillow under your back to reduce stress on your spine.
- If you have adequate mild painkillers, you can take a pill to reduce the pain, but it is best not to do this. See the next paragraph to find out why.
- It is recommended not to consume any food or drink other than plain water, as this may interfere if emergency surgery is necessary (many procedures can only be performed on an empty stomach). It is also recommended not to administer any medication or heat the problem area, as this will distort the clinical picture and prevent the correct diagnosis of the problem and, consequently, the prescription of the correct treatment.
- It is allowed to apply cold to the painful area, even if the cause of the pain is unknown, it will not aggravate any of the common pathologies.