Symptoms and treatment of lumbago. Standard and alternative methods. Acute pain in the lumbar spine or lumbago: symptoms and treatment at home, ways to relieve pain

Middle-aged and older people are often bothered by attacks of lumbago; symptoms and treatment of this disease, the causes of sudden acute pain, ways to alleviate the situation during the next attack are exciting topics for many patients with lumbago.

Lumbago is a disease also called. It is caused by various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, in particular damage to the fibrous rings and sprain of the ligament system.

There are many causes of lumbago:

• spinal disc dysfunction;
• intervertebral hernia;
• malignant tumors of the spine and spinal cord;
• inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• metabolic disorders and salt deposition, causing various pathologies spine;
• oxygen starvation of the body;
• congenital anomalies of the pelvis and lower extremities;
• injuries of the spine and musculoskeletal system;
• sudden changes in temperature;
• nervous tension;
• excessive physical activity.

How does lumbago manifest?

An attack of lumbago begins suddenly. The main symptom is acute severe pain that occurs in the lumbar region. sacral region spine. The pain spreads to the buttocks and lower limbs.

The patient loses mobility during an attack of lumbago. The following symptoms are also noted:

• spasmodic tension muscular system;
• exacerbation pain during night sleep;
• loss of mobility in the lumbar region;
• some reduction in the severity of pain when bending forward.

Severe pain caused by an attack of lumbago lasts from 2-3 days to several months. The manifestation of lumbago can be a variety of symptoms, and treatment must be comprehensive and multifaceted.

Diagnosis of disease

You need to see a doctor after the 1st attack of lumbago, treatment started on early stages diseases, will quickly bring relief to the patient’s condition. The specialist will examine the patient’s condition, his symptoms, and treatment will be prescribed according to one of the existing regimens.

For precise setting To make a diagnosis, the doctor needs the following measures:

• anamnestic conversation;
• general examination of the patient;
• palpation of the spine;
• X-ray of the lumbosacral region;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• studying the medical history to identify concomitant diseases.

Therapy methods

Treatment of lumbago is prescribed according to clinical picture disease in a particular patient. Key points when drawing up a treatment regimen:

• drug treatment;
• mode correction;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• physiotherapy;
• some change in your usual lifestyle;
• reduction in physical activity.

Treatment of lumbago involves the use of such medicines, How:

• anti-inflammatory non-steroids;
• analgesics;
• sedatives;
• muscle relaxants;
• diuretics;
• antispasmodics;
• cardiovascular drugs;
• B vitamins;
• multivitamins.

For external use are prescribed various ointments, patches, creams, gels, suppositories, etc. means of a warming effect. With their help it is removed muscle spasm. For very severe pain, novocaine blockade is prescribed. During this procedure, drugs from the group of glucocorticosteroids are additionally used. Physiotherapeutic treatment of lumbago involves the use of procedures such as:

• acupuncture;
• paraffin application;
• laser therapy;
• magnetic therapy;
• microcurrents;
• ultra-high frequencies - UHF;
• pharmacopuncture;
• electrophoresis;
• VNS therapy - electrical stimulation.

Correction of daily routine

The legs must be bent at a right angle (90°), placing a stand (for example, a stool) under the shins. Periodically you need to roll over onto your stomach, placing pillows under you. This will help avoid bedsores.

After some time, the restriction of mobility is lifted. The patient is prescribed to wear an orthopedic corset. Massage and course are prescribed physical therapy- Exercise therapy.

There are several sets of exercise therapy exercises for patients with lumbago. The main goal of the classes is to restore the mobility of the spinal discs, stretch spinal column, giving elasticity to muscles. First, the patient studies with an instructor. Then you can conduct classes on your own, periodically undergoing examination by a doctor. During classes, the main thing is not to do sudden movements and avoid overload.

Diet food

During the treatment of lumbago, the patient needs to follow a diet. The diet is based on the following products:

• lean beef or chicken;
• low-fat fish;
• low-fat dairy products;
• various cereals;
• vegetables and fresh herbs;
• fruits, berries, natural juices.

You should completely avoid fatty and irritating foods: smoked meats, pickles, marinades, spices and spices, fatty meat or lard. Floury and sweet dishes can be consumed in moderate amount. Avoid alcohol completely.

Treatment at home

Hospitalization for lumbago is indicated only in special cases. severe cases. Treatment is mainly carried out at home. In this case, the patient can undergo a complex of physiotherapeutic procedures on an outpatient basis. Home treatment lumbago involves taking necessary medications, compliance with the regime and various procedures to warm the lumbar region, improve blood circulation, etc. To treat lumbago at home, remedies are used traditional medicine:

• decoctions and tinctures;
• baths;
• rubbing;
• compresses;
• warming applications.

In this case, it is necessary to constantly keep the lower back warm, avoiding drafts and hypothermia. Wearing a warming belt or a thick scarf made of natural wool has a good effect. Your doctor will tell you in detail how to treat lumbago at home.

Decoctions and tinctures are used.

For internal use you can make a tincture herbal collection. Its composition includes equal quantities includes:

• sweet clover;
• calendula;
• plantain;
• horsetail.

All of these herbs need to be mixed and ground. Then pour 4 tbsp into a thermos. l. dry composition and brew with boiling water (1 l). Leave for 12 hours. Strain through cheesecloth and bring boiling water to the original volume (1 l). Take 100 ml three times a day after meals. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

An infusion from the following collection is prepared in the same way:

• lingonberry (leaf);
• angelica (root);
• nettle;
• mint;
• hops (cones).

Take 100 ml half an hour before meals.

Thyme is used to relieve inflammation. Dry crushed raw materials (3 tablespoons) need to be brewed with boiling water (500 ml). Leave for 60 minutes. Then strain and add a little boiling water. Take 1 tbsp. l. 20 minutes before meals at least 4 times a day. The herb remaining after straining the infusion can be used as a compress while it is still warm. An infusion of herbs and lingonberry leaves is prepared in a similar way (1 tsp per 500 ml of boiling water). Take 100 ml 4 times a day.

A decoction of herbal tea, which includes:

• valerian (root);
• lavender (herb);
• dandelion (root);
• plantain (leaf);
• yarrow (herb);
• celandine (herb);
• eucalyptus (leaf).

All components, taken in equal parts, must be mixed and ground. Then pour boiling water and simmer over low heat for half an hour. Cool, strain, lightly squeezing the raw material. Add boiling water to the initial volume. Take 100 ml after meals.

Baths and rubbing also help with illness.

In the warm season, you can take baths with eggshell and fresh beet tops. 10 fresh shells raw eggs and beet tops (250 g) must be chopped and mixed. Pour into the bath and fill as much as possible hot water(no more than 50 l). When the water has cooled down a little, you need to lie in the bath for 30 minutes. A bath with a decoction of pine needles is prepared in the same way. After the procedure, you need to rub your back with a towel and warm it with a belt or scarf.

For rubbing, you can use ready-made plum tincture (200 ml). You need to add kernels to it plum pits(30 g). Leave in a warm place for 7 days.

You can rub your lower back with animal fat. Particularly effective badger fat. After rubbing, the lower back must be insulated.

A healing ointment for rubbing the lower back is prepared from dandelion root, mint leaf, birch and poplar buds. All ingredients must be taken in equal parts, mixed and ground. Brew the finished mixture (3 tablespoons) with boiling water (100 ml) and put on low heat. Boil while stirring for half an hour. Strain while hot and add pork fat or butter without salt (75 g) and stir. Rub your lower back with the resulting product up to 5 times a day and immediately wrap it in a warm belt or scarf.

Compresses and applications are effective.

A compress for the lower back with lumbago is prepared as follows. Must be mixed in equal quantities table salt, wholemeal wheat flour, vinegar and horseradish root (grated). Place the resulting mixture on a napkin suitable size made of soft fabric or a small towel. Apply over the affected area for about 3 hours. The resulting redness can be eliminated by wrapping the lower back with a cloth soaked in bran decoction.

You can make a compress from burdock. You need to cover the sore spot with fresh leaves, laying them with the rough side down. Secure with a bandage. At the beginning of treatment, the compress should be worn constantly, periodically changing the leaves.

Apply over the affected area fresh leaves birch trees Cover with compress paper or polyethylene and wrap. Leaves are changed every 2 hours.

A compress of valerian tincture purchased at a pharmacy helps well. Moisten a soft cloth with the tincture, apply it to the sore spot, cover it with polyethylene and insulate it.

You can use horseradish or black radish, grated on a fine grater. It is applied to a linen cloth, which is used to cover the area where the pain is localized. The skin must be lubricated first vegetable oil to avoid burns. Polyethylene and an insulating bandage are placed on top of the napkin.

Red clay applications are very helpful in treating lumbago. To cure this disease, the clay must be moistened, mixed with turpentine and heated. Gently spread a warm clay pillow over the affected area and cover with a soft cloth. After cooling, remove the clay, wipe your back and wrap it up.

Possible complications

The main complications of lumbago pathology. It could be inflammatory process(sciatica), pinching or injury sciatic nerve. The pain spreads to the thighs and legs and noticeably intensifies while walking. In this state it is also possible:

• cramps of the calf muscles;
• partial numbness of the lower extremities;
• hyperthermia;
• decreased tactile sensitivity.

As the pathology develops, blood circulation in the lower extremities is disrupted, blood circulation deteriorates, and the muscular system gradually degrades. In addition, it is observed general weakness, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary organs. This type of lumbago is much more difficult to treat.

Preventive actions

To protect yourself from lumbago, you need to exercise regularly. physical exercise, eat right, avoid overeating and excess weight, walk more fresh air, control the level of physical activity, be sure to treat scoliosis and other diseases of the spine, avoid hypothermia and injuries, refuse bad habits. Be healthy!

Lumbago is commonly called lumbago and has a number of very unpleasant symptoms associated with acute pain and difficulty moving. Its treatment is carried out both in a hospital and at home.

general characteristics

Lumbago syndrome is a disorder associated with a whole range of reasons, as a result of which the patient experiences severe pain in the lower back and becomes partially or completely disabled.

The main prerequisite for the disease is pinching of the sciatic nerve, as a result of which the described pain syndrome develops.

Of course, how and with what to treat lumbago is decided directly by the doctor. Treatment of lumbago disease is carried out taking into account its symptoms and manifestations. Treatment of lumbago is carried out exclusively after accurate diagnosis, since it should be aimed at eliminating the immediate cause of the disease.

However, taking into account the fact that the patient has to make a decision on how to treat lumbago of the lower back even before visiting a doctor, methods for its treatment at home have been developed, which in no case cancel or replace the orders of the attending physician.

First aid for an attack

If it is necessary to treat an attack of lumbago at home, a number of measures must be taken.

1. Take a lying position. In order to relieve pain, you should lie on a hard surface, for example, the floor, after laying a blanket on it so that it is not too hard or cold. To relax the back muscles, your legs should be placed on a low chair, a bench, or on a cushion rolled up from pillows so that your thighs are perpendicular to the floor.
2. Call a doctor.
3. Take a non-hormonal drug, for example, Diclofenac. Drug treatment of lumbago at home is possible only as prescribed by a doctor.
4. Take a painkiller such as Nurofen or Nise, but only if the pain is very severe and cannot be tolerated.
5. The ointment, which can be used for an acute attack of lumbago, is gently rubbed into the lower back. External medications that can be used to treat symptoms of lumbago at home include Fastum Gel, Ketoprofen, Voltaren.
6. Until the doctor arrives, or until the pain subsides, you should remain at rest and, if possible, not move.
7. Heat is what is used to treat lumbago in the lumbar region in everyday life. As a rule, the patient strives to wrap his lower back as warmly as possible. IN in this case universal recipe No. Doctors recommend ensuring that your back area is as comfortable as possible, which is not always associated with exposure to heat. General opinion According to experts, for symptoms of lumbago, treatment is rather to avoid hypothermia.

What to do to avoid new attacks

When the acute phase of the disease is over, and the doctor prescribes drug treatment for this particular case of lumbago, taking into account its symptoms, it will be necessary to follow the following regimen in order to avoid the occurrence of new attacks.

1. Refusal of foods that retain fluid in the tissues, namely spicy, salty, sweet, alcohol and coffee.
2. Make it a rule to follow simple exercises to strengthen the back muscles, diaphragm and abdominals. Of course, these exercises are performed after treatment of sciatica, which manifests itself in lumbago, complete elimination of the pain syndrome and restoration of spinal mobility.

In order to get rid of the disease, you need to know how to treat lumbago at home using medications.

Medications for lumbago

Developed universal methods how to treat lumbago of the lower back at home. These include internal and external agents.

Internal funds

A number of general medications are taken internally.

1. Non-steroidal medications that relieve swelling, pain and inflammation. These include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclolfenac.
2. Sedatives for withdrawal nervous tension and normalization of sleep, which include, for example, Spasmolitin.
3. B vitamins that promote tissue regeneration and strengthen local and general immunity.

External means

External preparations include the ointments presented above that are effective for lumbago, as well as preparations for compresses that have a warming, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effect.

These drugs include Dimexide, which is very effective for use in the form of compresses, as it penetrates through the pores to the source of inflammation and successfully relieves it. Compresses with Dimexide for treating symptoms and manifestations of lumbago at home are prepared as follows:

• dilute Dimexide with water in a 1:1 ratio;
• moisten a cotton napkin with the solution;
• apply a napkin to the lower back, cover with a blanket for half an hour.

This procedure can be performed every day at night. The method works great as a component complex therapy.

Massage and self-massage

For symptoms and manifestations of lumbago, treatment at home using massage and self-massage helps achieve the following effects:

• increased blood flow;
• lymphatic drainage;
• pain relief;
• reduction of inflammation;
• removal of swelling.

Treatment of lumbago with non-professional massage involves the use of exclusively soft, shallow techniques that do not cause discomfort to the patient, which include:

• kneading;
• stroking;
• light rubbing.

Treatment with massage and self-massage is indicated only after relief acute manifestations diseases.

Treatment using traditional medicine methods

Traditional medicine methods give big number Treatment options for lumbago at home. These include internal funds in the form of decoctions and external remedies in the form of compresses and rubbing.

Internal funds

The following fees apply to drugs taken orally:

• calendula, plantain, melilot, horsetail in equal parts;
• oak and birch bark in equal proportions;
• aloe juice, honey, Cahors, infused in equal proportions.

These formulations are taken one third of a glass twice a day. A mixture of aloe juice, Cahors and honey is taken on an empty stomach, one at a time. dessert spoon twice a day. Taking the presented products helps strengthen the immune system, restore tissue, and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

External means

External products made from natural ingredients also represent effective options How can you treat lumbago in the lumbar region?

It must be remembered that folk remedies Treatments for lumbago are not the main type of therapy.

Prevention measures

During treatment acute symptoms and manifestations of lumbago, there are a number of procedures that are absolutely contraindicated. These include the following:

• visiting the sauna;
• hot or warm baths;
• applying heating pads;
• use of mustard plasters.

The procedures listed above can bring temporary relief, however, they can subsequently provide adverse effect on the body, increasing the inflammatory process.

With lumbago, symptoms and treatment must correspond exactly to each other. Treatment of lumbago at home is possible only as part of complex therapy and is carried out exclusively under the supervision of the attending physician. Don't know which doctor to see? Just click on the button below and we will select a specialist for you.

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The causes of the inflammatory process in the sacral lumbar region may be different:

• Infectious diseases acute or chronic, such as acute respiratory infections or ARVI, rheumatism, syphilis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, tonsillitis and influenza, contributing to the development of spondylitis (inflammation of the spine).
• Foci of toxic infection in the oral cavity (oral sepsis) or ears, diseases of the female genital organs and kidneys, also leading to spondylitis.
• Changes in bone tissue caused by: sacralization (reduction of the lumbar vertebrae to 4 and the appearance of an additional sacral vertebra); spondylolisthesis (displacement of any lumbar vertebra in relation to the underlying one); , spondylitis, ; spina bifida; lumbarization (increase in the number of lumbar vertebrae to 6, due to the appearance of an additional one); (in this case, the load on the areas of the spine located in the lumbar region is distributed unevenly).
• Injury sacral spine, .
• Pathologies of the lumbar spine, such as changes in the shape and size of the vertebrae, splitting of their arches.
• Often, lumbago is caused by increased weightlifting during training or heavy work associated with sudden turns of the body.
• Sometimes lumbago occurs during pregnancy. The reason for its appearance is a shift in the center of gravity associated with the development of the fetus.

Symptoms

In the lumbar region, a muscle spasm (lumbago) occurs, which is accompanied by a sharp sensation.

As a rule, it occurs suddenly, and sometimes finds a person in a bent position. He seems to freeze.

In this case, all attempts to straighten up end in failure.

Pain syndrome

Pain may be present different character. They can pulsate, pierce or shoot. For some, they are noted only during movement or physical activity. For others, acute pain haunts them even when lying down.

Pain syndrome occurs when changing position, laughing, sneezing, etc. Often the pain becomes worse during bowel movements. At the same time, the person tries to keep the body in a curved, “antalgic” position. He has difficulty getting in and out of bed. In bed, relief usually occurs when the patient tries to lie on his stomach (on his back), with one leg bent. Relief in this position occurs due to a decrease in the tension of the sciatic nerve.

Depending on the cause of the “lumbago,” the pain syndrome may last only a few minutes. But more often it drags on for a week or more.

Diagnostics

Lumbago is diagnosed by several methods, including the following:

To determine the nature of the pain, the doctor presses on pain points Vale (there are 9 of them), which are located along the sciatic nerve and around its roots:

• above the pelvic bone between the first sacral and last lumbar vertebrae;
• in the middle part of the lower back, between the greater trochanter of the femur and the ischial tuberosity;
• in the fold between the buttocks;
• in the middle part of the back of the thigh;
• in the hole under the knee;
• between the calf muscles;
• on the fibula (under its head);
• on the ankle of the lower leg (with inside);
• in the middle of the sole.

In this case, there arises sharp pain, radiating to the lower back. Pronounced, caused by bending the body to find a comfortable position.

To better understand where the pain is localized and the extent of the damage, the doctor asks the patient to perform several test exercises.

To prescribe the correct treatment during diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude diseases, the course of which is also accompanied by pain in the lumbar region. When lumbago occurs, the pain is muscular in nature. They are localized mainly in the lumbar region and intensify during body movements.

X-ray examination

The doctor sends the patient for an x-ray. This is necessary to:

• determine whether an inflammatory process is developing in the spine (its lumbar region);
• identify pathological destruction of the vertebrae (osteoporosis), the presence of displacement intervertebral discs, injuries and tumors.

This type of examination allows you to get a more accurate picture of the nature of the disease.

This type of diagnosis demonstrates high-quality images:

• sections of the spine in the transverse direction on different levels;
• spinal column in three dimensions.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging makes it possible to examine soft fabrics intervertebral discs, nerve roots, spinal cord.

This diagnostic method is based on the ability of an isotope (safe for the body) to accumulate in the vertebrae.

An isotope (a special radiopharmaceutical) is administered to the patient intravenously.

Pictures are then taken using a gamma camera.

The degree of accumulation of the isotope determines the nature of the inflammatory process. Areas where there is an increased accumulation of the isotope are called “hot”. They indicate an acute inflammatory process, such as osteomyelitis.

Where isotopes accumulate less than normal, they also develop pathological changes. But they are chronic and are called “cold”.

Most often, metastases of vertebral tumors, cysts, etc. develop in such areas.

Electroneuromyography

This method is based on the effect of an electrical impulse on peripheral nerve in order to stimulate it. It innervates the muscle. After this, based on the response of the muscle, disturbances in the innervation process that occur when the nerve roots are pinched are recorded.

Blood and urine tests (general)

They are prescribed to identify the degree of the inflammatory process.

Standard Treatments

When lumbago occurs, a person must be laid on a flat, hard surface, giving him the correct posture.

He should be laid on his back, his legs raised, and an elevation should be arranged under them.

These could be pillows, a box, a stool.

Before the doctor's examination and appointment treatment course prohibited:

• Do massage,
• try to relieve muscle spasms with physical exercise;
• warm up the affected area.

It is better to provide the patient with complete rest for two to three days, eliminating any stress.

Kyphosis of the lumbar spine

Treatment consists of giving the patient medical situation which is called kyphosis of the spinal column and drug therapy. Thanks to kyphosis, pain is quickly eliminated. It is carried out as follows:

• The sick person lies on his back.
• His legs are raised. Most effective posture It is considered that they are raised at an angle of 90°, the shins are located on a stool (or chair).

Some patients prefer the prone position. It also contributes complete relaxation muscles and spasm relief. You need to place several pillows under your stomach.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy includes two stages.

The first stage - pain relief

• Effectively eliminate painful muscle spasm medications, promoting muscle relaxation: tetrazepam, tizanidine, pentoxifylline, antispasmodic. These drugs also have a vasodilating effect.
• Novocaine blockade with the use of corticosteroid hormones (hydrocortisone, triamcinolone) has a good effect. An increased dose of novocaine is injected into the soft tissues around the lumbar spine. Hormones are added to it to eliminate the inflammatory process. If lumbago is caused by physical activity or a cold, the blockade has an immediate effect. But it is recommended to use it a maximum of three times. Frequent use This potent method can lead to ligament atrophy and cause more complex pathology.
• Medicines for good pain relief local impact: rubbing, ointments, compresses that increase blood circulation. The best remedy is Diclofenac ointment (Rapten Rapid, Voltaren, Diclogen, Ortofen). This drug is also available in the form of tablets, injections for intravenous or intramuscular administration.
• The drug Dimexide is prescribed for rubbing and compress. To do this, a napkin is soaked in Dimexide solution (50%) and placed on the affected area, covered with a towel or sheet. The duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. Performed two to three times a day.
• At the same time, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed: Ibuprofen (Nurofen), Piroxicam, Indomethacin.

The second stage - the main treatment is carried out related to the elimination of the causes of the disease

• In case of displacement of intervertebral discs or other pathologies of the spine, chondoprotective drugs are prescribed to promote the restoration of cartilage tissue. They do not relieve pain, so their use is advisable after the acute phase of the disease has been eliminated or when chronic forms diseases.
• B vitamins are also used in treatment.
• At nervous disorders caused by lumbago, tranquilizers or sleeping pills may be prescribed.

If conservative treatment turned out to be ineffective, is being carried out surgery, through which foci of inflammation and pathology are eliminated vertebral region lower back. Indications for its implementation are weakness in the legs and disruption of the excretory systems (urinary and intestinal).

Alternative therapy

At the second stage, the following therapeutic measures can be additionally used:

Physiotherapeutic treatment

• Applications with ozokerite or ceresin (hard paraffin);
• Ultraviolet irradiation;
• Treatment with diametric currents;
• Cold compresses.

Acupuncture course (acupuncture)

If it is carried out by a specialist who is fluent in the technique, the result can be as effective as possible and the person will forget about back pain for a long time. This method only works if lumbago is caused by neurological reasons.

Massage treatments

Whenever acute attack the patient must be provided with complete rest. Proceed to therapeutic exercises permitted at the second stage of treatment, when the disease enters the phase chronic course. It is recommended to perform them under the guidance of a doctor.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation measures aimed at reducing compression of the sciatic nerve roots and strengthening the natural corset of muscles will help to consolidate the treatment.

To do this, you need to regularly perform physical therapy exercises. Periodically visit a massage room, perform mud therapy or take salt baths.

When performing heavy physical activity, it is recommended to wear a special or.

Whenever possible, spend your holidays in balneological sanatoriums.

Prevention

Prevention is best treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to do the following:

• When performing heavy physical work(especially at the dacha) change position more often.
• Exercises on the horizontal bar and swimming are very useful.
• When lifting weights, it is recommended to first squat down and then rise with the weight, directing the load to the arm muscles.
• If attacks of lumbago are caused by problems with the spine, it is necessary to make a hard bed by placing a sheet of plywood or fiberboard under the mattress.

If a sharp pain suddenly pierces your back, do not rush to immediately take a painkiller without determining what caused it. The best thing to do is to take a position that helps relieve muscle spasm. Remember that self-medication or advanced disease ( untimely treatment) and can cause severe complications, which may require much more to eliminate Money, effort and time.

You may not know what lumbago is, but you are very familiar with the pain in the back. Sudden sharp pain that occurs when you bend over or lift a heavy object, such as a bag of groceries. Every movement is accompanied by shooting pain in the lower back, chest or cervical spine. Difficulty bending, turning, lifting weights, or playing sports.

Lumbago is not a disease; it is the name given to pain syndrome of any origin that occurs in the back area. In everyday life, lumbago is called a lumbago in the lower back.

What are the causes of lumbago and what causes the disease:

• Muscle spasm caused by physical activity or uncomfortable posture;
• Colds and prolonged exposure to cold;
• Spinal diseases: hernias, tumors, displacement of intervertebral discs;
• Back injuries, weakened muscles, loss of flexibility and elasticity of the spine;
• Poor nutrition in combination with other back pathologies aggravates the patient’s condition.

Lumbago is a symptom of diseases such as osteochondrosis and spinal hernia.

With osteochondrosis, lumbago becomes a symptom, the causes of which are associated with degenerative disorders in the intervertebral discs. With osteochondrosis, the discs become so close to each other that the nerve becomes pinched. Not only the spine suffers, but also the nearby muscles, which do not receive sufficient nutrition due to poor blood supply.

Due to osteochondrosis, it develops intervertebral hernia. Its cause is displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the disc. Nerve roots whose function is impaired due to pressure affect the condition internal organs and body parts. If you are shot in the lower back, then the lower extremities are the first to suffer.

Prolonged course of the disease leads to incontinence feces and urine, as well as weakness in the legs, severe exhaustion and patient fatigue due to incessant pain.

Types of pain syndrome

One of the symptoms of lumbago is discomfort when bending slightly to the right or left side. The type of pain syndrome differs in quality and intensity: from throbbing pain to cutting pain. Further movements are difficult, and only a static body position helps to avoid a new outbreak.

The doctor can make a diagnosis based on the characteristics of the pain and its duration. There is a distinction between lumbago and lumbodynia.

- This chronic syndrome, and with lumbago it shoots in the back periodically, back pain occurs sharply and unexpectedly, and is of a shooting nature. With lumbodynia, a person permanently suffers from nagging pain in the back, occur sporadically severe attacks. Exacerbations can last 3-7 days, during this period a person does not experience suffering only in horizontal position bodies, i.e. lying down.

Absence medical intervention with lumbodynia threatens muscle atrophy and listhesis.

Lumbago is often accompanied by neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. A person suffers from pain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Similar condition called lumboischialgia, the typical symptoms are:

• Pain occurs from the slightest movement, for example, when coughing;
• Acute pain lasts from one hour to a week.

With lumbago discomfort can be in the lower back on the left, in the lower back on the right, they also distinguish between lumbago diffuse and. Lumbar lumbago often occurs with prolapse intervertebral disc, this phenomenon is typical for osteochondrosis. Prolonged attacks, during which a person has to change his usual lifestyle, indicate serious problems with health.

How to treat lumbago

A visit to the doctor will help you decide how to properly treat a lumbago in the lower back. The specialist can make a diagnosis after the patient describes in detail the nature of the pain experienced. The neurologist must be aware of chronic diseases suffered spinal injuries. The patient is sent for an MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging will help identify the severity of the disease and prescribe correct treatment lumbago syndrome.

Occurs under the supervision of a neurologist. Even if you yourself know how to treat lumbago in the lower back, the doctor will advise you not to self-medicate.

Problems in the spine and back are extremely dangerous, so it is better to trust professional medicine. Therapy must be comprehensive; all instructions of the neurologist and orthopedist must be followed. For lumbago, treatment should be carried out according to the following recommendations.

• If you have a shot in the lower back, you need to stay in bed

You cannot make any movements while overcoming the pain. It is advisable to lie on a hard surface, for example, on a special orthopedic mattress located on the floor. If a person is forced to move, then it will be suitable orthopedic corset for the lower back. Supportive canes, walkers and crutches make walking easier.

• The patient should take a body position that helps relax muscles and reduce pain

For example, lie on your back with your legs bent, your shins supported by a roller bedding. In this case, the body should be elevated 45 degrees. Sometimes lying on your stomach with your legs extended forward helps; you need to put a large pillow under your stomach.

• ? I'll go take some painkillers

Indeed, pain is eliminated by taking analgesics, for example, baralgin. But they are not always effective, and then the patient is prescribed more strong drugs such as solpadeine. Under no circumstances should you take medications containing paracetamol, more than three days. For greater effectiveness, it is recommended to combine painkillers with antispasmodics. Muscle relaxants are used only on the recommendation of the attending physician, as they have severe side effects. Pinched nerve roots are an inflammatory process that can be reduced by taking anti-inflammatory drugs taken orally or rectally.

• To strengthen bone tissue, take vitamins

With lumbago, the nutrition of some parts of the spine is seriously affected. Such patients are prescribed vitamin-mineral complexes. The diet should include foods rich in B vitamins, it is recommended to take ascorbic acid. This will help speed up the treatment of lumbago and eliminate symptoms.

• Relieve the condition with diuretics (diuretics)

You can use either industrial production or make your own infusion from bearberry or pine. They can help reduce swelling nerve root and it doesn’t shoot in the lower back. But even folk diuretics, not to mention pharmaceutical ones, should be used only after consultation with a doctor, so as not to disrupt water-electrolyte metabolism in organism.

• Gels and ointments are used to eliminate the signs of lumbago through local anesthesia.

They have proven themselves well in eliminating pain. The pain goes away due to blood flow. Chondroprotectors restore well cartilage tissue. Cooling ointments, for example, Fastum gel, are a pain reliever local action, they contain menthol and ibuprofen. Regeneration of cartilage tissue is promoted homeopathic medicines. High efficiency show complex means, which relieve pain, inflammation, and eliminate swelling. Part pharmaceutical ointments include butadione, bee or snake venom, benzocaine and esculus.

Pregnant women who have shot in the back should be especially careful about the treatment method. Most medicines carry potential threat not only health expectant mother, but also for the baby.

Alternative Treatments

Paraffin-ozokerite applications are a local thermal procedure related to physiotherapeutic methods of treatment. It helps get rid of lower back pain. Natural hydrocarbon (ozokerite) is heated and then the fabric is impregnated with it. The compress is applied to the sore spot for half an hour. Treatment with paraffin works similarly.

With lumbago, the symptoms of lower back pain are eliminated by a fifteen-minute magnetic therapy procedure, which helps reduce swelling and relieve inflammation. One session of diadynamic therapy is enough to get rid of lumbago and forget about for a long time What is lumbago in the lower back? The effect is achieved through the influence of current. To consolidate the result you need to go through full course treatment.

Manual therapy has also proven itself well. A specially trained person will use his hands to influence the vertebrae, eliminating them further displacement. In no way inferior to this method and massotherapy. The healing process will be accelerated by improving blood and lymph flow. Stroking, kneading and rubbing should last about five minutes. In six procedures you can achieve a significant improvement in your well-being. These two methods are good for pain in thoracic region spine.

This method will help cure your back oriental medicine like acupuncture. Acupuncture improves the patient’s condition after the first procedure: the inflammatory process decreases, muscles relax, improve protective functions the whole body.

Spinal health affects general health to an extent that cannot be overestimated. Knowledge of anatomy human body How the disease begins, its symptoms, makes it possible to prevent violations and act correctly when they appear.

Most problems associated with the spine can be prevented by maintaining a healthy culture. This will preserve the freshness of youth for as long as possible.

The concept of the syndrome

If a sudden sharp pain occurs in the lumbar region, which makes the patient freeze so that it does not intensify, then specialists diagnose the patient with lumbago.

The pain may be short-lived or linger for several hours. In any case, this is a reason to pay attention to your health.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

The following symptoms are characteristic of lumbago:

1. The man bent over and when straightening up, he felt pain like a “knife in the back.” This pain signal has characteristic symptoms.
   There is a feeling in the lower back:
   • like a bolt of lightning,
   • push,
   • electric shock,
   • stabbing pain
   • brain,
   • cold,
   • burning,
   • swelling in the muscles,
   • or there seems to be a tightening of the lower back muscles,
   • running goosebumps.

   The pain is localized at a specific point. The patient can indicate where the “lumbago” occurs. Worsened by coughing. Stress can also cause increased pain.

2. The second sign of lumbago is the inability to change the position in which the person is in pain. Muscles react to a pain signal by creating tension in them. This limits the ability to move during an attack.
3. Due to muscle spasm, when examining the back by palpation, dense areas can be detected. When pressing on them, pain occurs.

Causes

Acute pain - visible part iceberg disease. It is important to determine the invisible part where the causes of lumbago lie. This:

1. – greatest number cases of the disease cause degenerative changes in the discs and vertebrae. The causes of disorders can be acquired or congenital. A provocation is often:
   • Sudden cooling after overheating, for example in a sauna.
   • Staying in one position for a long time, this may be due to the specifics of the work.
   • Finding long time in drafts.
   • Excessive stress on the spine.
   • – the consequences of osteochondrosis can be the cause of lumbago.
2. Tumors as a cause of lumbago are much less common.
3. Acute pain in the spine can be caused by infectious processes, causing spondylitis.

Diagnostics

Conducting research using gives comprehensive information, including the condition of soft tissues. Based on the results, the doctor can determine the reasons that led to acute lower back pain.

Accurate diagnosis will help avoid erroneous prescriptions. Early diagnosis allows us to hope for the complete elimination of the causes of the disease.

When does lumbago with sciatica occur?

Traumatic effects on nerve endings that affect cause lumboischialgia. The radicular nerves may suffer from oppression of tissues deformed by disease or inflammatory processes. Compression of a nerve can also lead to inflammation in it.

Pain causes spasm in the back muscles, which further creates the preconditions for pain. Hardened muscles create additional pressure on the source of the problem.

The brain sends a signal to the muscles to increase the spasm. This vicious circle creates a stable source of the problem, where inflammation and swelling still occur in the compressed tissues.

The provocation for the appearance of this disease can be:

• awkward fast movement
• attempting to lift a heavy load from an inclined position,
• stay in uncomfortable position for a long time.

Symptoms

Developing osteochondrosis is often the background for the occurrence of lumbago with sciatica. This disease manifests itself through the following symptoms:

• A sudden onset of acute pain in the lower back that radiates to the lower extremities. The pain may radiate to one leg or both.
• The path of pain runs along the back of the leg, reaching the calf, and it begins from the buttocks.
• Lumbar stiffness.
• Forced position of the patient: bending forward.
• Changing body position causes pain.
• In painful areas you may feel:
  • heat,
  • itching,
  • goosebumps,
  • cold.
• When you step on the foot into which the pain radiates, the painful sensations become sharp and burning.
• The skin on the leg affected by lumboischialgia becomes pale and cold to the touch.
• With overwork and hypothermia, the pain syndrome intensifies.

How to treat lumbar lumbago at home?

• If you shackled sudden pain, then the very first action to alleviate the condition should be to take a lying position. Lay blankets on a solid base and lie on your back. To relax the large muscles of the back, the legs are placed on a pillow or rolled up blanket (this can be a chair) so that the thigh part is perpendicular to the floor, and the lower leg lies on a support parallel to it.
• You can take a non-steroidal drug tablet (Diclofenac).
• After this, a doctor is called. It is necessary to make a diagnosis and receive a prescription for treatment.
• Ointment is applied to the lower back:
  • Fastum gel.
• It is necessary to maintain peace.
• It is good to wear an elastic belt with a woolen inner side on your lower back.
• You should avoid eating foods that can cause fluid retention in the body:
  • coffee,
  • spicy,
  • salty,
  • sweet,
  • alcohol.
• When the acute pain goes away, do simple exercises to strengthen your back muscles without overloading yourself.

Medications

Developed by specialists standard methods help with lumbago. Among them in acute stage It is recommended to take medications.

• Non-steroidal drugs - help relieve painful sensations, edema and inflammatory process:
  • Aspirin.
• To reduce the patient's anxiety, the doctor may prescribe tranquilizers.
• Spasmolitin - relieves muscle spasms.
• Sleeping pills - so that the patient can fall asleep, despite acute pain.
• Dimexide - the drug is applied to the lumbar area, moistening napkins in it. It is able to penetrate the pores of the skin and have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
• Vitamin preparations containing group B.

After drug treatment the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy, acupuncture, manual therapy. These procedures can be prescribed in parallel with taking medications after the acute phase of the disease has ended.

Folk remedies

Common ways to help:

• Warming compress:
  • apply (5 g) to the lumbar area,
  • knead the dough using water from rye flour and apply it to the lower back,
  • cellophane layer,
  • insulation in the form of cotton wool.

  Remove the compress after an hour. Wipe off any remaining turpentine with a napkin. Do it three days in a row.

In the photo, turpentine ointment used for lumbago syndrome

• They put a special belt on the lower back, which contains dog hair. It has been verified that the heat from it has a healing effect.

Treatment of lumbagoischalgia

1. The first stage is an acute condition.
   • The patient is attributed bed rest.
   • It is recommended to reduce fluid intake to help reduce swelling.
   • The use of NSAIDs to improve the patient's condition. Nonsteroidal drugs relieve pain, have an anti-inflammatory effect, relieve swelling. These are drugs in the form of injections, ointments and tablets:
     • Nurofen,
     • Ketorol,
   • If in the muscles severe spasm, then the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants and antispasmodics.

   All drugs have serious contraindications. You should read the instructions and consult your doctor.

2. When the acute pain subsides, they move on to physiotherapy, be sure to do therapeutic exercises.

Prevention and prognosis

If lumbago arose due to negligence, but there is no serious violations, then by following the doctor’s instructions and bed rest, the patient will recover within two weeks.

You should find out the reasons that led to the disease and carry out a course of treatment to eliminate them.

To prevent the occurrence of acute lower back pain, you must:

• Strengthen your back muscles by doing exercises.
• Keep away from drafts.
• Avoid long stay in one pose.
• No smoking.
• Go swimming.
• Give yourself gentle physical activity.
• Lift weights with a straight spine. If necessary, bend your knees.
• When carrying loads, distribute the weight between two hands.
• Sleep on a semi-rigid or orthopedic mattress.
• Make sure your diet is balanced.
• If there is a disease, osteochondrosis, treat it in a timely manner.