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 to 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 injured as a result of professional sports activities, ignore signs of cancer, etc. All this provokes 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 for you!

Backache

Pain in the back is called dorsopathy. Many modern residents suffer from the disease, but the causes of its occurrence can be very diverse. In 80% of cases, 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 metastasis 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 at the initial stage, when malignant cells have not yet had time to move with the blood flow to other organs.

If your back hurts and you do not know what to do and how to treat an ailment of unknown origin, you should first of all get 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 make an accurate conclusion regarding your illness and give an unambiguous 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 people in the world. The main sources of its occurrence are the following pathologies in the region of the spinal column:

• 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 occurrence of pain in the lower back;
• Herniated disc;
• Spinal injuries (fractures);
• Curvature of the spinal column;
• Pain of a chronic nature in the area of \u200b\u200bmuscle structures;
• Pathological process, characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the area of all components of the spinal motion segment;
• Cartilage damage.

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

• Inflammatory processes in the joints;
• Cardiovascular diseases;
• Bleeding in the pelvic area;
• Violations in the work of the female reproductive system. At the same time, women note that their 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 breathing;
• Ulcerative disease, characterized by discomfort in the scapular area;
• Malfunctions of the kidneys;
• Inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by a unilateral 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

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

Shooting back pain

Makes itself known when:

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

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

Dagger back pain

If the patient asks a question about what to do if the back hurts in the lower back, and the discomfort is of an acute dagger character, this indicates such dangerous pathological processes 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 disappears by itself, since such discomfort occurs in women in the last weeks of pregnancy and is considered normal.

Pain syndrome of a pulling nature

Often, patients 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 injuries in the back;
• Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the lumbar spine;
• Prolonged stay in one position.

Back pain after exercise

It is observed in people involved in sports activities at a professional level. As a rule, pain syndrome occurs against the background of excessive muscle tension. What exactly to do if your 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 due to coronavirus or SARS?

If the back muscles along the spine hurt, what exactly to do in this situation will be answered by the doctor after an examination for the presence of acute respiratory viral infections. Often they 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 rise 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 special antiviral agents and antibiotics after a thorough examination.

It should be noted that with coronavirus infection, increased pain in the back 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 is formed in the back muscles, causing significant discomfort.

When is a visit to the doctor urgent?

If the pain manifestations do not subside within a few days, but only 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;
• Recently there has been an injury to the back or spine;
• 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 does not even give non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• The patient complains of shooting pain in the lower leg.

Diagnosis of back pain

If your back starts to hurt, and you do not know what to do, you should first of all contact a neurologist and perform the necessary laboratory and hardware studies. This will allow you to accurately diagnose and prescribe effective treatment.

What does a blood test determine?

Due to a laboratory blood test, doctors are able to identify infectious processes and determine an important indicator of ESR, which allows you to confirm or exclude inflammation. With elevated values of leukocytes, one can also judge the presence of inflammatory processes. In addition, based on a blood test, one can conclude that hemoglobin synthesis is impaired due to iron deficiency, as well as the development of malignant neoplasms.

hardware research

• Duplex/triplex ultrasound scanning of neck and head vessels.It makes it possible 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 complaining of frequent dizziness, elevated blood pressure, pain in the head and signs of acute cerebrovascular accident;
• CT scan.Allows you to establish the nature of the fracture of the spine, as well as to detect even its smallest parts. Based on the results of the study, it is possible to recreate the damaged area in a three-dimensional format. CT is more informative than X-ray;
• Magnetic resonance imaging.The most accurate research method. It makes it possible to examine malignant neoplasms on the vertebrae, as well as pinched nerve roots, intervertebral hernia, a decrease in the lumen of the spinal foramen and inflammatory processes provoked by injury. Performing an MRI is considered a prerequisite before surgery and during the rehabilitation period after it;
• Radiography.Allows you to study the state of bone tissue in detail. It is performed for scoliosis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, fractures, displacement of the vertebrae. It is often carried out along with functional diagnostics, when the patient is asked to bend and straighten the spinal column. According to the indicators of staining of the vertebrae, their strength is judged;
• Electromyography.Allows you to assess the state of the nervous tissue. In the process of this study, electrical impulses generated by nerve structures are studied, as well as the response of muscle tissue to them. Thanks to EMG, it is possible to detect a pinched nerve that has arisen against the background of a herniated intervertebral disc and narrowing of the spinal foramen;
• Bone scintigraphy.It is considered a mandatory method for suspected compression fractures or oncological processes.

back pain treatment

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

Algorithm for relief of acute pain syndrome:

• Bed rest for the first 3-5 days. At the same time, the patient is recommended to undergo shock wave treatment and use special medications. Additionally, the patient is prescribed special orthopedic devices;
• Compliance with semi-bed rest for the next 8-9 days. During this period, SWT and the use of medications should be continued. Also, the patient is recommended to introduce special exercises with a small load and undergo electrophoresis with analgesics;
• Period of limited physical activity (12-20th day). At this stage, medication treatment, shock wave therapy and physiotherapy sessions continue. To obtain 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 physical therapy practice and sports training. This improves the quality of life.

The use of medications

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

1. For acute pain sensations, a drug blockade of the paravertebral muscles is used. If the pain cannot be relieved by the above method, anesthesia is performed in the epidural space of the spine.
2. The pain syndrome of moderate intensity is stopped by injections with 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 disorders 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 skeletal muscles.
4. Vitamins of group B. They enhance the analgesic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. These drugs are taken in the form of tablets or administered intramuscularly as injections.
5. With pain of a neuropathic nature, as part 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 attentive to your body. Only a careful attitude to your body, as well as the regular implementation of preventive measures will minimize the likelihood of pain in the back.

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

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

When carrying heavy objects, it is necessary to distribute the weight of the load in an optimal way.

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.