Probably, each of us has experienced back pain at least once in our life.And if it seems possible to determine the cause of painful sensations, for example, in the throat, then everything is much more complicated here.
Back pain: cause and effect
When back or lower back pain occurs, many people immediately start rubbing various ointments.But it doesn't have the desired effect.And all because the problem may be hiding in a completely different place than where it hurts.For example, pain in the lumbar region may appear if it was preceded by an injury to the coccygeal-sacral spine.The man had long forgotten about her, but she took it and reminded him of himself in such an unpleasant way.Therefore, in this case, influencing the pain zone is absolutely useless.Therefore, you must look for the real cause of the pain.
The human body is a very complex mechanism in which all organs and systems - from muscles and spine to nerves and ligaments - are interconnected.Therefore, many factors can affect the health of your back, including the proper distribution of the load on the spine and the presence of injuries in the past.The body has the ability to self-heal and adapt, and the task of the spine is to compensate for the consequences of damage.If necessary, it can be slightly twisted and bent, all in order to give the body as vertical a position as possible.This alone can cause negative changes in the spine itself.One of them is a bulging intervertebral disc.In this way, the spine tries to adapt to some mechanical damage in the body - it creates additional support for itself.Most often, such disorders occur in the sacrum and coccyx.In this regard, in the case of a herniated disc, the healing effect on the spine or tense muscles helps relieve back pain only for a while.After all, its main cause has not been removed!
Another of the most common causes of back pain is excessive muscle and ligament tension.In most cases, this occurs as a result of overload associated with the need to maintain an upright body position during scoliosis or after an injury.In addition, back pain can occur due to stress, excessive physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.
In some cases, back pain is not related to muscle spasms or problems with the spine, but to diseases of internal organs.This type of pain is called referred pain.For example, with cholelithiasis, the pain will radiate to the area between the shoulder blades.And pain in the thoracic spine can appear as a result of the development of myocardial infarction.A sign of referred pain is the absence of muscle stiffness during physical activity and the constant nature of the pain, regardless of body position.
The best option to get rid of the pain is to see a doctor.But if for some reason this is not possible, you can try to help yourself (if the pain is not reflected).We'll tell you how to do it later.
Treatment and prevention of back pain
The first thing to do when back pain or lower back pain occurs is to rest it for at least three days.You should not strain your back and move through the pain.In some cases, such precautions are sufficient, and after a few days the back pain disappears.
Due to the fact that sharp pain in most cases occurs due to muscle strain, to get rid of it, try to relax the muscles that are spasming.In this case, warm-up procedures can help.It is not necessary to heat only the back, although that also gives a good effect.It is better to fully warm up the body, then the pain will disappear faster.A good option is a bath or sauna, but in case of acute pain at high temperatures, as well as sudden temperature changes, it is better to avoid it.You will have to postpone pouring cold water for at least a couple of months.
Another good option is a warm sea salt bath.10-15 minutes of this procedure every evening will only be beneficial.
A very important condition for getting rid of pain is not to miss the heat after the warming procedures.Therefore, after finishing them, you must put on warm pajamas and cover yourself with a blanket.You can also drink warm tea, it will help to warm the body not only from the outside, but also from the inside.It is recommended to repeat the procedure for three days.If the cause of the pain is not pinched nerve endings, the feeling of discomfort will soon disappear.
At the end of the exacerbation period, it is recommended that, as a rule, daily exercises are performed to relax the muscles of the spine.It will last no more than 15 minutes, while improved blood circulation as a result of such heating will help relieve pain.
A good way to prevent back pain is to walk every day.This enables the gentle involvement of every muscle, joint and ligament in the work, as a result of which the process of self-massage is initiated in the human body.
Doctor's help: what type of pain should you call an ambulance for?
An ambulance should be called if:
- back pain caused by a fall or a strong blow;
- the pain is very strong, accompanied by a high temperature or loss of consciousness.
In addition, you should not self-medicate, and even less prescribe medication during pregnancy.You should call 911 if your child has back pain.
In other cases, if you have managed to stop an attack of severe pain and there is no need for emergency medical help, it is still advisable to visit a doctor.You should not hope that the problem will resolve itself.So maybe it's better not to wait for another attack?
If the pain is not very strong, it makes sense to consult a therapist.If necessary, this doctor will refer the patient to specialists for examination and prescription of appropriate treatment.
In case of intense pain, the therapist will refer the patient to specialized specialists specializing in the treatment of spinal diseases, for example, a neurologist.In some cases, the help of a neurosurgeon may be needed.