What to do if your back hurts?

Back pain can make life difficult and has many possible causes. Timely prevention and diagnosis of back pain will help avoid complications. Eliminate back painphysiotherapists and neurologists will help you.

Back pain is a common occurrence in today's society. This is due to a number of factors: people lead a sedentary lifestyle, their daily diet lacks valuable vitamins and minerals, suffer from pathologies of internal organs, experience increased physical activity, get hurt as a result of activity professional sports, ignore the signs of cancer, etc. All this causes pain in various areas of the back and deprives a person of a full life.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the problem of back pain and present the most effective ways to eliminate it. We hope this material will be useful to you!

Backache

Back pain is called dorsopathy. Many modern residents suffer from the disease, but the causes of its occurrence can be very different. In 80% of cases, the pathology is caused by primary (non-specific) factors, and in 20% of situations the disease manifests itself against the background of secondary (specific) signs.

Pain of a specific nature can be provoked by damage to internal organs, in other cases the pathological process progresses due to degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine.

Among the specific risk factors, the most dangerous are oncological processes accompanied by metastases to the spine. For the purpose of prevention, patients are recommended to undergo regular fluorography and mammography, as well as PSA analysis. This makes it possible to detect the presence of tumors in the initial stage, when the malignant cells have not yet had time to move with the bloodstream to other organs.

If your back hurts and you do not know what to do and how to cure an ailment of unknown origin, you should first of all make an appointment with an experienced specialist and find out the cause of the discomfort.

You will be dealing with neurologists, physiotherapists and surgeons. After a thorough diagnosis, they will draw an accurate conclusion about your disease and give an unequivocal answer to the question: "What to do if your back hurts? ".

Causes of back pain

The most frequently asked question in Internet search engines is: "What should I do if my spine hurts in the middle of my back? ". Today, this pain syndrome worries more than 80% of the people in the world. The main sources of its occurrence are the following pathologies in the region of the spine:

• A disease accompanied by the appearance of a purulent inflammatory process in the bone marrow, due to the activity of pathogens;
• The presence of malignant neoplasms, as evidenced by the onset of pain in the lower back;
• Slipped disc;
• Spinal injuries (fractures);
• Curvature of the spine;
• Pain of a chronic nature in the area of muscle structures;
• Pathological process, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the area of all components of the spinal movement segment;
• Damage to the cartilage.

In some situations, the manifestations of pain in the back area can be triggered by other reasons:

• Inflammatory processes in the joints;
• Cardiovascular disease;
• Bleeding in the pelvic area
• Violations in the work of the female reproductive system. At the same time, women notice that the back hurts in the lumbar region. Only a competent gynecologist can draw up a treatment plan and clarify what to do in such a situation;
• Intercostal neuralgia. Contributes to difficulty in breathing;
• Ulcerative disease, characterized by discomfort in the scapular area;
• Malfunctions of the kidneys;
• Inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by a one-sided pain syndrome;
• The presence of malignant neoplasms in the respiratory organs;
• Acute inflammation of the inner lining of the appendix;
• Infectious processes in the internal organs.

Types of back pain

To identify the cause of the pathology, the nature of the discomfort is taken into account. There are the following types of pain:

Back pain shot

It is noted when:

• Pathologies of the internal organs;
• Physical injuries resulting from a fall;
• Pinched nerve roots and spondylolisthesis;
• Curvature of the spine and violation of posture.

If the excruciating pain becomes acute, a visit to a medical clinic is a prerequisite for recovery.

Back pain from dagger

If the patient asks a question about what to do if the back hurts in the lower back and the discomfort is of a sharp dagger character, this indicates dangerous pathological processes such as:

• The presence of malignant neoplasms;
• Acute inflammation after exposure to thermal factors;
• Spasm of the piriformis muscle.

Sometimes the need to do something if the back is very sore goes away on its own, as such discomfort occurs in women in the last weeks of pregnancy and is considered normal.

Pain syndrome of a pulling nature

Patients often complain: "If my lower back hurts because I lifted weights and tore my back, what should I do in this situation? ". Of course, excessive physical activity can provoke pain of a pulling nature, but most often the following factors cause such discomfort:

• Old back injuries
• Degenerative-dystrophic changes of the lumbar spine;
• Extended stay in one location.

Back pain after exercise

It is observed in people involved in sporting activities on a professional level. As a rule, the pain syndrome occurs against the background of excessive muscle tension. What to do exactly if the back hurts in this case, only a qualified specialist will answer you. First of all, you should give the body a break and complete relaxation.

Back pain for coronavirus or SARS?

If the back muscles along the spine hurt, what to do exactly in this situation will receive an answer from the doctor after an examination for the presence of acute respiratory viral infections. They often cause severe pain in the area of muscle tissue, aching joints and general weakness, which is a consequence of intoxication of the body.

When the back hurts with a simultaneous increase in temperature, what to do in this case is quite obvious. First of all, you should take painkillers and antipyretic drugs. Only an experienced doctor can prescribe antiviral agents and special antibiotics after a thorough examination.

It should be noted that with coronavirus infection, increased back pain is due to pleurisy, and is also associated with increased tension in muscle structures, which occurs against the background of frequent debilitating cough. In addition, lactic acid forms in the back muscles, causing considerable discomfort.

When is a visit to the doctor urgent?

If the manifestations of pain do not subside within a few days, but intensify, a visit to a medical institution is a prerequisite for improving well-being.

An independent visit to the clinic or calling a doctor at home is recommended in the following situations:

• The condition worsens at night;
• There has recently been a back or spine injury;
• The patient does not feel better even when the position of the body changes;
• The patient has a fever;
• The patient is at risk (age category over 55 years);
• Neurological discomfort intensifies: sensitivity in the limbs disappears, the patient begins to feel muscle weakness;
• Relief of the condition doesn't even provide non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• The patient complains of excruciating pain in the lower leg.

Back Pain Diagnosis

If your back starts to ache and you don't know what to do, you should first contact a neurologist and perform the necessary laboratory and hardware studies. This will allow you to accurately diagnose and prescribe effective treatment.

What determines a blood test?

Thanks to a laboratory blood test, doctors are able to identify infectious processes and determine an important indicator of ESR, which allows them to confirm or exclude inflammation. With high values of leukocytes one can also judge the presence of inflammatory processes. Also, on the basis of a blood test, it can be concluded that the synthesis of hemoglobin is impaired due to iron deficiency and the development of malignant neoplasms.

hardware research

• Duplex / triple ultrasound scan of the neck and head vessels.It allows to examine the state of blood vessels, to judge the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and blood clots and to study the quantitative parameters of blood flow. This research method is prescribed for patients who complain of frequent dizziness, elevated blood pressure, pain in the head and signs of acute cerebrovascular accident;
• CT scan.It allows you to establish the nature of the fracture of the spine, as well as to detect even the smallest parts. Based on the results of the study, it is possible to recreate the damaged area in three-dimensional format. CT is more informative than radiography;
• Magnetic resonance.The most accurate research method. It allows you to examine malignant neoplasms on the vertebrae, as well as pinched nerve roots, intervertebral hernia, decreased lumen of the spinal foramen and inflammatory processes caused by injuries. Performing an MRI scan is considered a prerequisite before surgery and during the subsequent rehabilitation period;
• X-ray.It allows to study in detail the state of the bone tissue. It is performed for scoliosis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, fractures, displacement of the vertebrae. It is often performed together with functional diagnostics, when the patient is asked to bend and straighten the spine. According to the indicators of coloring of the vertebrae, their strength is judged;
• Electromyography.Allows you to assess the state of the nervous tissue. In the process of this study, the electrical impulses generated by nerve structures and the response of muscle tissue to them are studied. Thanks to EMG, it is possible to detect a pinched nerve that has formed against the background of a herniated intervertebral disc and a narrowing of the spinal foramen;
• Bone scan.It is considered a mandatory method for suspected compression fractures or oncological processes.

back pain treatment

The main goal of therapeutic measures is to relieve pain and prevent the development of chronic pathologies. That is why the treatment involves the elimination of the signs of the underlying disease, as well as the use of drugs to relieve acute pain and the use of non-drug methods to restore the body.

Algorithm for the relief of acute pain syndrome:

• Rest in bed for the first 3-5 days. At the same time, the patient is recommended to undergo shock wave treatment and use special medications. In addition, the patient is prescribed special orthopedic devices;
• Compliance with bed rest for the next 8-9 days. During this period, SWT and drug use must be continued. In addition, the patient is recommended to introduce special exercises with a small load and to undergo electrophoresis with analgesics;
• Period of limited physical activity (12-20th day). In this phase the drug treatment, shock wave therapy and physiotherapy sessions continue. To achieve an additional positive effect, they resort to massage procedures;
• Unlimited physical activity (without increased loads) along with the implementation of physiotherapy exercises;
• Preventive actions. Regular practice of physiotherapy and sports training. This improves the quality of life.

The use of drugs

In the course of diagnostics, it is not always possible to establish the cause of the pain syndrome, therefore, when prescribing drugs, the nature of the discomfort is often taken into account:

1. For acute pain sensations, a pharmacological blockade of the paravertebral muscles is used. If the pain cannot be relieved with the above method, anesthesia is performed in the epidural space of the spine.
2. Pain syndrome of moderate intensity is stopped by injections of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most effective of these agents is considered to be a derivative of phenylacetic acid. However, this drug, with prolonged use, can disrupt the activity of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, for any gastric ailment in a patient, he is prescribed more benign drugs from this group.
3. To stop muscle spasms, they resort to the help of drugs that reduce the tone of the skeletal muscles.
4. Vitamins of group B. They increase the analgesic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. These drugs are taken in tablet form or administered intramuscularly as injections.
5. With pain of a neuropathic nature, in the context of complex therapy, they resort to the use of anticonvulsants or psychotropic drugs.

Preventive actions

In order for the question of what to do if the back hurts below, in the lumbar region or in the area of the shoulder blades, does not bother you for many years, you should be careful about your body. Only a careful attitude to your body, as well as the regular implementation of preventive measures, will minimize the likelihood of back pain.

There are several important rules, compliance with which will allow you to avoid discomfort in the back. So, when your back hurts and a person wonders what to do in this situation, the reviews indicate that first of all you should pay attention to the shoes. Since the greatest load falls on the spine during movement, it is advisable to avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes. Experts recommend giving preference to shoes with a small (1-3 cm) heel.

It is also important to pay attention to posture. If you work at the computer for a long time, try to periodically change your body position and sometimes walk around the room or office.

When transporting heavy objects, it is necessary to distribute the weight of the load optimally.

Another condition for maintaining a healthy back condition is the implementation of gymnastic exercises. Physical therapy and special exercises recommended by professional specialists will allow you to strengthen your muscles.