Lumbago: the disease and its symptoms, treatment with medications and folk remedies

Hello my dear! Do you remember when I told you how my husband got a sore lower back at work? So, his lumbago has almost passed, or in scientific terms, lumbago, what it is - you’d better not know.

And she applied a heating pad to him, and smeared him with a warming ointment according to his grandmother’s signature recipe, and ensured peace - she didn’t drive him into the garden, and the chairman personally let him go from work for a few days.

And when he began to unbend and stand up, she showed him exercises for stretching the spine, and made him hang on the horizontal bar, and it seemed to be easier for him.

General information

What lumbago is is usually known only to narrow specialists - vertebrologists, orthopedists, neurosurgeons and people who have had to deal with this problem, which manifests itself in the form of acute pain in the back, namely in the lower back.
A sudden, severe pain like an attack makes a person helpless and does not allow him to move. Frozen in one position, you can no longer do without outside help; you need treatment, rest and bed rest.

The etiology of lumbago is different, but in no case should it be confused with radiculitis . For effective treatment, making a correct diagnosis is very important, because relieving symptoms does not solve the problem and can only aggravate the condition, leading to complications and disability.

What is lumbago

A sudden pain in the back can take anyone by surprise. What should you do if you are bent over and cannot turn around or return to your previous position?

Meanwhile, the pain does not stop, but only intensifies. In such a difficult situation, the first thing a person wants is to understand what is happening to him, and also to take some measures to resolve this problem. Most often, unexpected back pain means lumbar pain.

Lumbago is a special painful human condition, which many know under another name - lumbar lumbago. It is characterized by the sudden onset of pain in the back, most often in its lower part. In this case, a person involuntarily chooses a posture, a body position that allows him to feel the least pain.

There are situations when a person bends sharply immediately after the onset of pain, but after that he can no longer return to his original state. This happens on a physical level and is a specific protective reaction of the body to the source of pain.

When treating lumbago, doctors recommend applying a heating pad to the place that causes maximum pain, applying special warming ointments, etc.

But, before starting treatment for lumbar lumbago, it would be a good idea to once again make sure that your painful condition is lumbago. There are several symptoms to diagnose it:

Sudden onset of sharp back pain. The nature of the pain may be individual for each person, but it is similar in one thing - in its gradual increase. Most often, with lumbago, a person notices a tearing, throbbing pain that increases with every movement.
Fading. With lumbago, immediately after the onset of pain, a person chooses the most comfortable position. In such a situation, at first it will be difficult for him to move at all due to pain, but, nevertheless, the ability to move is not lost.

Lumbago can occur as a result of a spinal disease, for example, osteochondrosis. Therefore, if you have similar diseases, then you should move with caution, avoiding sudden lifting and bending.

As a consequence of osteochondrosis, lumbar lumbago occurs when metabolic changes begin to occur in the intervertebral discs of the lower back. The discs gradually begin to “dry out” and lose their ability to absorb shock.

Most often, lumbar lumbago is observed in men over thirty years of age. Of course, it also happens in women, but a little less often. It is worth noting that lumbago is also a consequence of hypothermia, drafts and serious physical activity, for example, weight lifting.

Pathogenesis

The pathological process is based on irritation of the endings of the sinuvertebral, sciatic nerve or receptors present in the fibrous rings, affected intervertebral discs or adjacent ligaments. It can be caused by disruption of the integrity and protrusion of the disc, subluxation of the intervertebral joints, rupture of the fibrous ring, displacement of the nucleus or infringement of its segments.

This leads to tonic reflex tension and muscle spasm.

The structure of intervertebral discs

Treatment

The most important therapeutic measure for lumbago is kyphosis of the spinal column - “bending” it outward in the lumbar region. This is achieved due to the fact that a person is in a certain position most of the time.

Your shins can be placed on a stool or chair; pillows and rolled blankets can serve as “support.”

Most patients report relief from lying on their back with their legs bent and elevated. The idea is to “round” the lumbar region, while the height of the legs will be different for each person. For some, it is enough to place a low cushion under their knees, while for others it will be more convenient to place their shins on a stool.

For some people, lying on their stomach with pillows placed under them is more physiological. In this position, the spine also becomes kyphotic, tending to curve outward.

REFERENCE: “position” treatment helps relax muscles and eliminate pain.

In the acute phase of lumbago, patients are prescribed strict bed rest. Any active movements that can intensify or maintain pain are excluded. You should lie on a moderately hard bed; it is unacceptable to use sagging mattresses or feather beds that are too soft. Sometimes people go to the other extreme and try to sleep on a wooden board. This will also not be beneficial and may provoke a new attack.

Since the main symptom of lumbago is pain, drug treatment is mandatory. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics - Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac and their derivatives - help relieve pain and inflammation.

If necessary, doctors prescribe antispasmodics to block nerve impulses and relieve muscle spasms - for example, Spasmolitin. To restore peace of mind, tranquilizers and sleeping pills are prescribed.

Local remedies have proven themselves well - ointments and applications with Dimexide.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy helps treat lumbago. In the acute period, ultraviolet irradiation (UVR) and a course of massage are effective. It is important to know that these procedures can only be carried out on the 2nd or 3rd day after the onset of the attack.

Treatment with ultraviolet irradiation is carried out daily for 4-5 days. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the immunobiological qualities of tissues change and recovery is accelerated. Magnetic therapy has a good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Sessions can be carried out not only in a physiotherapy room, but also at home. Portable devices are used for home treatment.

Physiotherapy can reduce the amount of medications you take

Diadynamic therapy - DDT - is one of the best ways to combat pain with lumbar lumbago. During the procedure, a low-frequency pulsed current acts on the nerve receptors in the pathological focus, due to which their sensitivity is suppressed. As a result, swelling near the nerves decreases and local tissue immunity increases.

After a DDT session, pain does not bother you for several hours, and this time increases each time. In case of severe pain, procedures are done twice a day, but usually one is enough. The course of treatment is from a week to 10 days.

Ampimpulse therapy has an analgesic effect and triggers self-healing processes in nerve and muscle fibers. The recommended course consists of 5-10 procedures.

Medicinal electrophoresis is done with Magnesium Sulfate, Lidase, Potassium Iodide and Novocaine.

To treat and prevent repeated attacks of lumbago, salt, radon, hydrogen sulfide and iodine-bromine baths are used. They have a powerful general strengthening and anti-inflammatory effect, preventing the disease from becoming chronic. The duration of one session is about 20 minutes, the number of procedures varies from 15 to 20.

HELP: Cold compresses can be used for pain, but they must be done carefully so as not to aggravate the situation. It is best to apply a towel soaked in cool water rather than ice from the freezer. The compress should not be kept on the body for a long time; a few seconds are enough.

To relieve pain, applications with ozokerite, paraffin and therapeutic mud are used. Many patients have benefited from acupuncture, although there is no evidence base for this technique. The effect of acupuncture is enhanced in combination with manual therapy and massage.

Chiropractors use their hands to manipulate the spinal structures to “move” misaligned vertebrae back into place. The effect of massage is to improve local blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. It is carried out gently, carefully and not for long - only 5-10 minutes. The main techniques are stroking, rubbing and kneading the soft tissues of the lower back.

HELP: Spicy, fatty and salty foods can increase pain, so it is better to exclude them from the diet for a while.

Physiotherapy

A set of therapeutic exercises can be performed only during the period of remission, when acute symptoms - pain and inflammation - have already been relieved. But some movements are allowed on the first day of the attack.

Physical education has a complex effect on the back:

strengthen the muscle corset;
stimulate metabolic processes in the vertebrae and discs;
activate the regeneration and self-healing of damaged tissues;
increase the elasticity of intervertebral discs and ligaments;
increase the range of movements;
reduce the likelihood of new attacks;
slow down destructive processes in osteochondrosis, hernias and protrusions;
relieve muscle tension.

Most exercises for lumbar pain are done from a supine position.

The exercise therapy complex, which can be carried out in the first two days, is performed in the supine position with a small cushion placed under the shins.

Breathe with the diaphragm: while inhaling, inflate your stomach, while exhaling, draw it in.
Bend and straighten your fingers and toes.
Rotate your feet first inward, then outward.
Straighten one leg or the other, resting your thigh on the bolster.
Bend your knees and place your feet on the bed. Straighten your legs without lifting your feet from the surface of the bed.
Raise your hands up one at a time.
Bend one leg at the knee, leave the other straight. Slowly move your straight leg to the side, sliding along the bed and without lifting it up.

Starting from days 3-7, you can do the following exercises:

Lumbar spinal hernia

Half bridge. IP (starting position) – lying on your back with your knees bent, your arms lying along your body. Raise the pelvis and torso to the shoulder blades, leaving three points of support on the floor - feet, shoulders and the back of the head.
IP - the same. Raise your head and at the same time tense your abdominal muscles.
Alternately bend and straighten your legs, slowly and smoothly sliding them along the bed. When the leg is bent, the lumbar region is rounded and pressed harder against the surface of the bed.
Repeat the previous exercise, only you need to bend and straighten both legs at the same time.
Squeeze your gluteal muscles for 3-5 seconds, then relax.
Raise the lumbar region up, leaning on the shoulder blades and shins lying on the bolster.
Bend your knees and move them to the sides one by one.
Changing IP: stand on all fours and exhale, lower your pelvis onto your heels, without lifting your hands from the surface of the bed. With a breath, return to the IP.
IP is the same as in the previous exercise. As you inhale, arch your back upward, and as you exhale, straighten your back without bending down.

After another 2-3 days, when the condition is more or less normalized, the complex can be supplemented with the following exercises:

IP - lying on your back, one leg bent at the knee and pressed to the chest. Raise the second leg 5-6 times, then change legs.
Bend your knees, raise your head and shoulders, crossing your arms over your chest.
Get on all fours, leaning on your hands and knees. Straighten your legs one by one, moving them back and up.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treatment of lumbago at home includes several activities, including exercise therapy and medication. First of all, it is necessary to exclude physical activity and take the position in which the least pain is felt: on your back with your legs raised or on your stomach with a pillow placed under it. This is especially important in the first few hours after an attack.

Compared to other animals, a dog’s fur warms up much better and retains heat well, reliably protecting the lower back from drafts and low temperatures. And surfactants, penetrating through the skin, have an analgesic and strengthening effect

To relieve pain, you can take a painkiller tablet - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen. Any drug from the NSAID group is suitable - for example, Baralgin, Nise or Aspirin. Additionally, it is recommended to use an ointment with an anti-inflammatory or cooling effect and lubricate the lower back with Fastum or Bystrum gel, Voltaren, Nurofen.

To fix the spine in a stationary position, you can wear a woolen belt - preferably made from dog hair. It will have a slight warming effect, reduce the intensity of pain and swelling.

There is an excellent folk recipe that has helped more than one patient cope with the consequences of lumbago. You will need turpentine, rye flour, warm cloth and cellophane. Lubricate the back with turpentine, then put rye flour dough on the sore spot, and cover the application with cellophane on top and wrap it with prepared cloth.

It is better to make the dough for the compress using yeast; before applying, rub your back with turpentine until it turns red.

Keep the compress for an hour, then remove the remaining dough and wipe the lower back with a napkin. Do not lubricate with cream or Vaseline. If a strong burning sensation occurs, remove the compress earlier. The procedure should be carried out over three days.

Classification

Depending on the area of distribution of acute pain syndrome (in simple terms - lumbago) there are:

Pain exclusively in the lower back - lumbago (code of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision - ICD-10: M54.5);
Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve - starting from the lower back, along the pelvis and buttocks, down to the lower extremities (bilateral), often affecting only one (unilateral lumbar sciatica ) is called lumbago with sciatica (ICD-10: M54.5).

Causes and symptoms of sciatica

Elimination of lumbago

First of all, the patient should visit a neurologist to find out the cause of lower back pain. He will conduct an examination and refer you for OAC and OAM in order to exclude an inflammatory process in the kidneys. The doctor will also write out a referral for an x-ray of the spine. This is necessary in order to exclude osteomyelitis, fractures and other possible problems with the spine.

Based on the examination, the doctor will give the patient all the necessary recommendations for eliminating lumbago. These recommendations may include:

limiting physical activity
for intense pain - bed rest (maximum 1-3 days)

Bed rest can help transform acute pain into chronic pain, so if the pain is moderate, it is not necessary

using a special corset or belt to unload the spine and provide it with a state of rest
the use of medications, namely: NSAIDs (to relieve pain), muscle relaxants (to eliminate muscle spasms), etc.

The main goal of treatment is not only to eliminate pain, but also to prevent exacerbations in the future.

Exercise therapy and physiotherapy
manual therapy
acupuncture
prevention of lumbago, including: using a comfortable bed with an elastic and hard mattress
correct load distribution
maintaining correct posture when walking
Maintaining the correct posture at a desk, when working at a computer
lack of prolonged stay in the same position
gymnastics and swimming
maintaining normal body weight

When wearing high-heeled shoes, you should remember that you can walk in them without a break for more than 2 hours in a row.

Causes

There are several main causes of lumbago:

overstrain of the muscles or ligaments of the lumbar region, for example, during heavy physical or static loads;
congenital anomalies of the spine;
lumbar hernia;
hypothermia;
arthritis;
bruises and injuries;
displacement or damage to the intervertebral disc (lumbar osteochondrosis ).

In rare cases, the cause is rheumatism , oncological processes and infectious diseases ( ankylosing spondylitis, staphylococcal infection ), causing degenerative changes in the spine.

Back problems are also preceded by:

incorrect posture;
weak back muscles;
hard physical labor;
decreased sensitivity of the skin and feet;
loss of healthy flexibility of the spine;
sedentary lifestyle.

The disease is more often diagnosed in men after 30 years of age. In women, back pain can occur due to hormonal shifts and be caused by menopause and pregnancy.

Symptoms of the disease

A symptom is what the patient feels and reports, while a sign is what others, such as a doctor, see. Pain may be a symptom, while rash may be a sign.

The main symptom of back pain is, as the name suggests, pain anywhere on the back, and sometimes even down to the buttocks and legs. Some back problems can cause pain in other parts of the body, depending on the nerves affected.

In most cases, signs and symptoms resolve on their own within a short period of time. Pain in the lumbar spine can be local, radiating and referred.

Local pain syndrome occurs in a specific area of the lumbar spine. This is the most common type of lumbago. The cause of this pain may be a strained back muscle or other injury.

The pain can be constant and aching or at times sudden and sharp. Sudden pain usually occurs due to trauma. When you find a comfortable position, local pain decreases. There may be pain when touching the lumbar spine. Another common symptom is muscle spasm.

Referring pain is a dull, aching pain that travels from the lumbar region down the leg.

It may be accompanied by attacks of intense acute pain. Typically, this type of lumbago is felt only on the side of the leg or along the back of the leg and does not involve the entire leg. The pain can go down to the foot or to the knee.

Most often, radiating pain is an indicator of nerve root compression, for example, with intervertebral hernia, spondylosis or spinal stenosis. Coughing, sneezing, standing upright or bending forward with straight legs can cause an attack of pain.

If the pressure on the nerve root is too intense or there is compression of the spinal cord, the pain may be accompanied by muscle weakness in the legs, tingling or even loss of sensation. In some cases, urinary and/or fecal incontinence occurs. This condition is called cauda equina syndrome and requires immediate treatment.

Referred pain is felt in a location other than the source of the pain. For example, some people experience pain in their left arm during a heart attack. Referred low back pain is usually deep and intense, and its location is difficult to determine. Typically, such pain does not intensify when performing various movements.

If any of the following signs or symptoms accompany your back pain, you should contact your doctor:

Weight loss
Increased body temperature (fever)
Inflammation (swelling) on the back
Constant back pain - does not go away with rest or lying down
Pain radiating down the legs
The pain reaches below the knees
Recent injury, blow, or back injury
Urinary incontinence - you have no control over urination (even small amounts)
Difficulty urinating - the passage of urine is difficult
Fecal incontinence - you lose bowel control (you involuntarily defecate)
Numbness around the genitals
Numbness around the anus
Numbness around the buttocks

Symptoms of lumbago

The main symptoms of lumbago appear during or after intense physical activity - bending and turning, reaching, after lifting heavy objects, often in conditions of overheating and then hypothermia. An attack of acute pain usually:

sensations have the character of tearing, pulsating, piercing, shooting, jerking deep pain of muscles, ligaments, bones;
forces the patient to freeze in a forced position, while the tendon reflexes are not changed and there are no symptoms of tension;
causes stiffness and helplessness, preventing the patient from moving and straightening up;
may be accompanied by headache;
pain increases with any muscle tension, for example, during sneezing or coughing.

In patients with inflammation of the nerve roots, sciatic nerve and damage to the lumbosacral plexus, sciatica - the spread of pain in the limb.

Pain syndrome - lumbodynia can be observed for several minutes, hours, and sometimes even days. It goes best under conditions of rest, lying on a hard surface, which gives a subjective feeling “as if something in the spine had fallen into place.”

Optimal postures for lumbago

Lumbago disease: classification and stages of the disease

Shooting in the lower back is the main cause of pain in the back and lumbar region. However, this does not exclude the possibility that such pain will be an eternal companion of a person.

As a rule, there are several factors that can trigger an attack of lumbago:

Hypothermia.
Increased physical activity.
Sleeping in an awkward position.
Frequent sudden movements.
Playing sports (weightlifting).

According to neurologists, lumbago can even be triggered by a psychological factor. For example, a severe stressful situation, depression.

Classification

Lumbago disease can be classified according to the duration of the disease. Typically, there are three main categories:

Acute (duration up to 4 weeks).
Subacute (up to three months).
Chronic period (from three months to a year).

A similar classification is made by doctors in medical institutions. It is difficult to independently determine not only the source of the outbreak of the disease, but also to establish the exact duration.

Stages

From medical practice it is known that there are two stages of lumbago disease, namely active and passive.

The active stage is the immediate manifestation of pain, immediately after the onset of the disease. This stage is classified as the acute period of disease duration. The pain makes itself felt with almost any movement; physical activity significantly aggravates the general condition.

The passive stage is a slow development process. In general, pain in the lower back persists, but is felt extremely rarely, and without excessive physical exertion, lumbago disease does not make itself felt. This stage is dangerous because the disease is quite difficult to identify, since there are no accompanying symptoms.

Tests and diagnostics

In outpatient care, the following should be carried out:

collection of medical history and complaints caused by pathology of the peripheral nervous system;
visual examination, palpation and assessment of sensitivity, pain intensity;
complete blood count;
biomechanical studies (stabilometry, tensometry);
radiography;
computer or magnetic resonance imaging of the spine.

Even using modern diagnostic methods, in approximately 30% of cases, it is not possible to reliably determine the cause of the development of lumbago.

Diagnostics

Most general practitioners (internists, primary care doctors) will be able to diagnose back pain after conducting a physical examination and interviewing the patient. In most cases, imaging techniques are not required.

If the doctor or patient suspects some kind of back injury, tests may be ordered. Additionally, if your doctor suspects that your lower back pain may be caused by an underlying medical condition, or if the pain persists for too long, further tests may be recommended.

If disc, nerve, tendon or other problems are suspected, an X-ray or other imaging test such as a CT scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be used to better view the condition of the soft tissue in the patient's back.

X-rays can show the relationship of the bones and whether the patient has arthritis or fractures. It is not ideal for detecting muscle, spinal cord, nerve or disc problems.
MRI or CT scan - These are good for identifying herniated discs or problems with tissue, tendons, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, muscles and bones.
Bone scan – A bone scan can be used to detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by brittle bones (osteoporosis). The patient receives an injection of a tracer (radioactive substance) into a vein. The tracer collects in the bones and helps the doctor detect problems with the bone using a special camera.
Electromyography, or EMG, measures the electrical impulses produced by nerves in response to muscles. This test can confirm nerve compression that may occur due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
The doctor may also order a blood test if an infection is suspected.

Treatment with folk remedies

In addition to the fact that rest in a lying position with elevated legs on a bolster or pillows helps with lumbago, traditional healers suggest using the forces of nature:

garlic gruel mixed with fat or vegetable oil is an excellent rub;
pepper patches can provide a warming effect;
black radish juice - after moistening a cloth with it, you need to make a lotion, wrap it in a warm scarf, do not remove it during the day if there is no burning sensation;
Radish juice can also be mixed with water, vodka or honey and rubbed into areas of the body where it hurts;
lilac flowers, infused for 2 weeks in purified kerosene, are recommended to be rubbed several times a day until relief occurs;
Grated horseradish will help if you eat it together with the applications.

How to treat Lumbago with physiotherapy and massage

This type of treatment is intended to restore the original shape of the lumbar vertebrae, restore their activity, and normalize the functioning of nerve endings. The procedure includes a number of exercises and special physical activities that help normalize the activity of the lumbar region and eliminate pain.

For example, a stand near the wall. This is a standard exercise for straightening your posture. With its help, the functioning of the spine is normalized, the displaced vertebrae are put back in place and the pain goes away completely.

It is very important to spend no more than 15 minutes on each procedure, especially at the beginning of the rehabilitation process.

Acupuncture for lumbago

Until now, doctors cannot give an answer on how to treat lumbago with acupuncture. This method is so unpopular that it has not even undergone proper research. However, private clinics often use a similar technique and, as the results show, it is difficult to establish a clear effect. In one case, therapy is effective, in another it does not provide any improvement.

Manual therapy for lumbago

Manual therapy is a method of artificial restoration of vertebrae that have moved out of place with the help of a specialist. This method is really effective. A chiropractor knows how to treat lumbago. He carefully examines the affected area, finds

the key exit point of the vertebra and with skillful movements sets it back. The treatment takes place in several sessions. As doctors note, manual therapy is a very effective remedy and should be used first.

Massage for lumbago

Massage for this disease should not be rough. The duration should not exceed 15 minutes.

Basic massage techniques for this disease:

General relaxing back massage to relax muscles and relieve inflammation.
Relaxation of the lower back.
Rubbing (often combined with warming) of the lumbar region.

The main purpose of massage is to relieve the first symptoms (inflammation and pain). Rough massage can disrupt blood circulation, displace the protruding vertebra and lead to even more complex consequences. The procedure should be performed by a qualified doctor or an experienced specialist in a massage parlor.

Gymnastics

If acute discogenic lumbodynia occurs, the patient is prescribed bed rest. An active lifestyle and the slightest physical activity are completely excluded. Gymnastic procedures are allowed only after inflammation and pain have subsided. In general, this is not a therapeutic, but a preventive procedure, which includes a whole range of physical exercises aimed at strengthening the back muscles.

Diet

For this disease, a very strict diet is prescribed. Spicy, fatty, salty and fried foods are strictly prohibited. The proper diet is prescribed by a nutritionist, who must write down a daily menu with recommended products and dosages. Habitual eating can lead to the return of pain, since the above categories of food can intensify the pain that occurs.

Traditional methods of treatment

In general, this is a combination of all of the above methods, with a special dilution of folk remedies. For example, you can wear a special warming belt. It should be made exclusively from natural wool to enhance the warming effect, quickly relieve pain and eliminate inflammation.

You can also use a folk warming remedy - turpentine. The drug is applied to the spinal area and rubbed until completely absorbed. Next, an oilcloth is applied, the affected area is insulated with cotton wool or a down scarf, and the drug is worn on the body for 40-50 minutes. Afterwards, you need to thoroughly wipe your lower back to remove any remaining ointment. If a strong burning sensation occurs, it is necessary to interrupt the course of treatment and wait a few days, then repeat.

Traditional medicine is a storehouse of healing wisdom. As a rule, you can find treatment methods for any diseases of the spinal column, lower back and many other back diseases.

Rehabilitation treatment after suffering lumbago

Rehabilitation after illness is the most important process. Complete recovery, maintaining physical fitness and preventing the emergence of a new source of inflammation depend on it.

As a rule, rehabilitation consists of various procedures and methods:

Wearing a special corrective corset . It helps to maintain the vertebrae in their original position (and after manual therapy, in a straightened state) and eliminate the possibility of a new release from the lower back.
Visiting a massage parlor to maintain a relaxed state of the back muscles (promotes a speedy recovery).
You can go to the sea or visit salt springs.
Plan your leisure time wisely, distribute rest and physical activity wisely . As a rule, for the first week after the end of treatment, any type of physical work, as well as an active lifestyle, is strictly prohibited.

Rehabilitation is aimed at maintaining a person’s physical fitness and eliminating the possibility of a new inflammatory process. Lumbago is dangerous because if it is not completely cured, the disease will soon gain new strength and again strike the lumbar region.

Symptoms of lumbar ischialgia

Lumboischalgia combines two diseases (sciatica and lumbago):

Lumbago is a disease of the lower part of the spine, which is characterized by acute pain affecting the sacral and lumbar region. Develops due to disc displacement or pathological changes in cartilage tissue;
Sciatica. If lumbago is not treated correctly, sciatica may develop. This is a pinching of the sciatic nerve due to a change in its position due to disturbances in the proper functioning of the lower spine. That is, lumbago entails sciatica. The appearance of sciatica is an unpleasant sign, since it indicates the further development of the pathological process not only in the lower part of the body, but also in the limbs (legs).

When these two diseases are combined, we get lumboischialgia. It is dangerous because it leads to dysfunction of the circulatory system.

A number of relevant symptoms indicate the development of the disease. Some of them are primary, while others are secondary, that is, they accompany lumbar ischialgia.

The main symptoms of lumbar ischialgia are as follows:

at the initial stage there is a nagging dull pain in the lumbar and sacral spine;
this pain is complemented by a burning sensation;
the lumbar muscles are in a state of constant tension;
paroxysmal pain appears during physical activity, but at rest it subsides;
pain spreads to the back, side and front surface of one or both legs;
discomfort from lumbar ischalgia intensifies during normal walking, pain appears in the joints or heel;
there is a feeling of high temperature;
cramps are observed in the calf muscles;
goosebumps appear on the skin;
the sensitivity of the skin decreases;
in the advanced stage of lumbar ischialgia, a person begins to limp on the leg to which the pain radiates.

There are also certain secondary symptoms of lumbar ischialgia, which allow you to accurately confirm the diagnosis even on your own. Associated symptoms of lumbar ischialgia include:

pain in the abdomen, but without clear localization;
stool becomes unstable - defecation delays alternate with diarrhea;
signs of dyspepsia and other disorders of the digestive system appear;
sexual function in men is disrupted;
the general level of vitality decreases;
urination becomes more frequent, but the amount of urine coming out is small, and the process is accompanied by pain.

Lumboischalgia mostly affects people over 50 years of age. However, this disease can also occur in younger patients.

Therefore, it is worth paying increased attention to the signals of your body. At the slightest suspicion of lumbar ischialgia, consult a doctor for diagnosis, confirmation of the diagnosis and prescribing adequate treatment

Etiology of lumbago

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

Muscle spasm caused by physical exertion 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, an intervertebral hernia develops. Its cause is displacement of the nucleus pulposus of the disc. Nerve roots, the functioning of which is disrupted due to pressure, affect the condition of internal organs and parts of the body. If you are shot in the lower back, then the lower extremities are the first to suffer.

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

Physiotherapy

As physical therapy, the doctor prescribes exercises that relieve the main symptoms of lumbago. In different periods of the disease, exercises differ in intensity:

In the acute period of the disease, which is characterized by 1–2 days after the onset of the attack, it is necessary to perform only light movements (rotations) with the feet and hands, lying on your back, on a flat surface. You can also raise your arms up and bend your legs alternately at the knees, or move them to the sides in a horizontal position. The exercises are performed slowly.
Starting from the 3rd day for the next 4, it is recommended to perform exercises that lead to tension in the muscles of the buttocks and abdominal muscles. It is also necessary to lift the lumbar region and move the bent knees to the sides. The exercises are also performed while lying on your back.
In the subacute period, which occurs after a few weeks, the symptoms of the disease are relieved by a set of exercises that increases blood circulation in the lumbar region. At the same time, spasming muscles should be stretched. In this case, you can perform exercises using your legs, arms and shoulders while lying on your back, raising and lowering them.

Preventive measures

It only takes a little to prevent this chronic condition. In order to never suffer from lower back pain, you need to follow these simple rules:

do not gain weight, avoid excess body weight;
do gymnastics regularly, the lower back muscles should be toned and well supplied with blood;
hypothermia should be avoided, especially in spring and autumn;
It is advisable to avoid sharp turns, heavy lifting, extreme sports loads, and slipping in winter.

If episodes of lumbago still bother you, then you need to check all the symptoms with a neurologist, perform an MRI at least once a year, and undergo courses of treatment. Otherwise, you can suddenly get a serious complication similar to the clinical case described above.

Tags: vertebra, joint

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Diagnosis of lumbodynia of the lumbar region

To get rid of attacks of lumbago in the lumbar region, you need to detect its cause in time.

Therefore, if you experience pain in the lower back, numbness and tingling in the lower extremities, or stiffness in movement, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Many patients call an ambulance during an acute attack. Often, already at the first examination, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis.

But you also need examination and consultation with specialists:

neurologist;
vertebrologist;
orthopedist;
neurosurgeon.

Usually, to diagnose lumbago, an x-ray of the spine in two projections is first prescribed. It can reveal narrowing of the intervertebral space, displacement of the vertebrae, and curvature of the spinal column.

A CT or MRI is performed to detect a hernia. Sometimes they also do an ultrasound to assess the condition of the blood vessels.

What should not be done during an exacerbation?

During the treatment of lumbago, it is forbidden to apply anything warm to the problem area and take a hot bath. Also, with acute pain, you should not hang on the horizontal bar, as the cause of the attack may be an intervertebral hernia or osteochondrosis. In both cases, such actions are strictly prohibited. In addition, during the period of exacerbation it is forbidden to do massages or perform any manual influence on the spine.

Treatment of lumbago at the MART clinic

Treatment of lumbago is always based on an objective diagnosis. For any etiology of pain in a particular patient, the principle of an integrated approach between the efforts of the patient and doctors works:

The patient should pay close attention to his lifestyle, especially nutrition and physical activity and the recommendations of doctors;
The specialists of our clinic will help relieve acute pain that occurs in the lumbar region, improve the condition of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the spine, restore the functions of the spine as much as possible, and obtain a sustainable therapeutic effect.

Drug treatment

Pain reduction occurs through the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in topical gel or capsule form, which reduce inflammation and soothe pain.

Muscle relaxants are used in the treatment of paravertebral muscle spasm, which significantly reduces pain. By taking muscle relaxants, we increase the clinical effectiveness of concomitant NSAIDs. The latter have an analgesic effect when administered in low doses, and have an anti-inflammatory effect when administered in higher doses.

For acute pain, glucocorticosteroids may be prescribed.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

For the treatment of back pain at the MART clinic there is a large selection of modern physiotherapeutic products and equipment:

electrophoresis,
laser phoresis,
magnetophoresis,
ultraphonophoresis,
peloidotherapy (mud therapy),
vacuum therapy.

Manual therapy

In the first four to six weeks, manual therapy may help, the goal of which is to relieve muscle spasms and make joints more flexible. As a result, the pain slowly disappears.

However, the hands of a professional chiropractor alone will not help with pain, although many people think that massage can make the pain go away on its own. If you do not maintain your own activity, with chronic lumbago the pain will quickly return.

Diet

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 herbs, fatty meat or lard. Flour and sweet foods can be consumed in moderation. Avoid alcohol completely.

Classification of lumbago

The main criterion for the classification of lumbago is the duration of the disease, according to which the following types are distinguished:

Acute form – duration up to 1 month.
Subacute form – duration from 1 to 3 months.
Chronic form – duration more than 3 months.

Another principle for classifying lumbago is the localization of pain; it allows us to distinguish diffuse, as well as left-sided and right-sided forms.

Prevention of lumbago

No one doubts that the disease needs to be monitored. Therapeutic prevention is the main way to influence a possible exacerbation of lumbago. Any physical activity should not be prohibitively difficult and complex. Uniform distribution of all segments of the musculoskeletal system during physical activity significantly reduces the risk of a possible exacerbation, and a comfortable temperature regime of the body will reduce the risk of hypothermia or overheating. Among the main measures for therapeutic prevention of lumbago, the following points can be highlighted:

Mandatory wearing of a warming belt.
Daily gymnastic exercises and therapeutic massage.
To avoid neurological exacerbation, you should monitor your diet and completely abandon bad habits.
Patients with discogenic lumbodynia are recommended to undergo sanatorium-resort treatment, with mandatory mud therapy and salt baths.
Annual preventive examination by a neurologist.

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Pathogenesis of lumbago disease

The most common disease associated with musculoskeletal disorders is lumbar osteochondrosis, also called lumbago disease. In the pathogenesis of the disease, it is noted that as a result of the destruction of the connective tissue structure of the intervertebral discs, which give the spine flexibility and mobility, their nutrition is disrupted, the distance between the vertebrae and their height decreases, the discs lose their elasticity, dry out and flatten.

Nerve roots are pinched and pain occurs (lumboischialgia). The fibrous ring protrudes and cracks, it cannot cope with the load. Protrusion of the intervertebral disc leads to protrusion (disc degeneration with the development of back pain).

When the fibrous ring ruptures, an intervertebral hernia occurs, which disrupts cardiac function, promotes the development of gastritis, radiculitis, chronic bronchitis, strokes, disrupts blood circulation in the brain, causes inflammatory processes in the pancreas, chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine (colitis).

Lumbago of the lumbar region leads to instability of the vertebrae, the lumbar region itself is displaced from the sacrum, while in men there are problems with potency, and in women - diseases of the appendages, ovaries, and uterus.

The disease provokes congestive processes in the pelvic area, resulting in the development of gynecological and urological diseases.

What you can do at home

Treatment of lumbago at home comes down to preventive measures that help relieve pain and prevent the occurrence of new attacks.

Recommended:

for periods of acute pain, maintain a forced position, lying on your back with bent legs or on your stomach with a pillow. This position helps relax the large muscles of the lower back and reduce pain. Once the attack begins, it is best for the patient not to move for several hours;
use painkillers prescribed by your doctor;
use ointments and gels to relieve pain and inflammation;
wear a woolen elastic belt that fits tightly around the lower back. This compression of the lower back muscles helps reduce swelling and acts on the skin receptors with spreading heat;
stick to a diet, reducing the consumption of foods that retain fluid in the body;
engage in physical therapy, which perfectly helps with lumbago with sciatica.

Prevention

It is well known that problems with the spine most often arise due to weakening of the body’s muscular activity due to a sedentary lifestyle. That is why the best prevention of lumbago is an active lifestyle, regular swimming, fitness, frequent walking or cycling. By following simple rules, you can keep your spine in good condition and avoid the risk of developing diseases, including lumbago:

It is necessary to properly organize the workplace and purchase a chair with an anatomically shaped back and armrests;
It is important to properly adjust the seat in the car, and use a massage pad on long trips;
When lifting weights, you need to correctly distribute the load: first bend your knees, straighten your back, and only then stand up, loading your legs;
When carrying weights, you need to distribute them evenly on both hands;
It is best to sleep on your side, on a pillow that exactly matches your shoulder height;
Hypothermia must be avoided.

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