Causes and treatment of lower back pain: what to do if it radiates to the leg

It turns out that back pain in the lumbar region is a very common phenomenon.

According to biologists, such a symptom is a consequence of our upright posture, in which the load falls primarily on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed in the spinal column.Back pain can indicate very serious problems not only with the spine, but also with the internal organs.

If the pain is acute and accompanied by fever, call an ambulance.

If these symptoms are not observed, you should consult a therapist for an accurate diagnosis.Let's see why such symptoms occur, how to treat and prevent them.

The main causes of pain in the lumbar region

First, let's look at the causes of such unpleasant symptoms.Pain can be primary in spinal pathologies or secondary in diseases of internal organs.

Along with the causes, it is important to identify the factors that increase the pain syndrome.

Here they are:

1. Characteristics of the profession: heavy physical activity for builders and loaders, as well as heavy lifting for athletes.
2. Prolonged stay in a sitting position.
3. Overweight and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Poor nutrition and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habits: alcohol and spirits.

Even by reducing the effect of these factors, you will significantly improve your condition and the health of your spine.

Primary factors

The primary factors are related to the degenerative-dystrophic processes of the spine.

These are:

1. Osteochondrosis is the changes in the discs and intervertebral discs that lead to herniation or deformation of the discs.
2. Spondylosis is characterized by bone spurs forming on the vertebrae.With this growth, the muscles around the spine go into spasm, which limits its mobility.The appearance of injuries on the lower back.
3. Spondyloarthrosis is the degeneration of the articular surfaces of the vertebrae and their involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles.In this case, deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs and the mobility of the spine is limited.
4. Spondylolisthesis is manifested by displacement of the vertebrae, as a result of which the lumen of the spinal canal changes.
5. Herniated intervertebral discs.
6. Radiculopathy is damage to the nerve root.

Secondary factors

Secondary pathologies occur with simultaneous pathologies:

1. Problems with metabolism.
2. The curvature of the spine.
3. When malignant tumors are located near the spine.
4. Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculosis spondylitis, spinal epidural abscess.
5. Spinal injuries.
6. Autoimmune diseases.
7. Painful symptoms of a psychogenic nature.
8. Diseases of the digestive system.
9. Diseases of the pelvic organs.
10. Menstrual pain.

Spine problems can also be affected by flat feet, i.e. flattening of the arch of the foot.

Pregnancy can also cause pain.In the early stages, they appear when progesterone affects the ligaments and muscles, even when there is a threat of miscarriage or during an ectopic pregnancy.

After childbirth, pain may occur due to the stretching of the pelvic muscles or the increased load on the spine if you often carry the child in your arms.

What diseases does such pain indicate?

The location of the pain is also important.

So let's look at each case:

• aching pain in the right side and lower back may indicate lung pathology.These symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and fever.Also about gallbladder or liver problems.At the same time, the nature of the pain is stabbing;
• if discomfort is felt in the lower back on the left side, this may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis or left pleurisy;
• symptoms of pain in the lumbar region indicate osteochondrosis in this area, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures;
• the symptom of pain under the lower back, which radiates to the lower abdomen, is a sign of diseases of the pelvic organs.Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathologies, colon diseases and infectious gynecological diseases.It can also indicate that the kidneys are not in order.

Which doctor will help?

Most often, lower back pain occurs temporarily.Such symptoms indicate complex diseases only in rare cases.

In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation.Sharp pain often occurs with increased physical activity.

In other cases, you can ask for help from a surgeon, urologist, or even a chiropractor, who will make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment for such a problem.

In addition, in case of such pain, you may need to consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist.

Features of the treatment

Depending on the cause of your back pain, your doctor may prescribe the following treatment options:

• medication with painkillers and hormones;
• blockades, which are injections into the intervertebral joints;
• manual techniques;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• therapeutic exercises;
• acupuncture.

If conservative treatment does not help, then surgical intervention is used.

In the treatment of disc herniation caused by osteochondrosis, in addition to the main treatment, physiotherapy methods are also used.

Therapeutic blockades are used when other methods do not give the desired effect.Most often, for this purpose, anesthetics are injected into the lumen of the affected joint.

Acupuncture is recommended for disc protrusions, osteochondrosis or hernia.If the pain radiates to the leg, physiotherapy is also used.

Wearing a special corset makes it possible to limit the movement of the lumbar region.This helps reduce pain in the area of arthritis.

If you have back pain, your doctor may recommend the following:

1. Bed rest on a hard surface for 2-5 days.
2. Wearing a special bandage.
3. Use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
4. Muscle relaxants are prescribed to relieve muscle spasms.Special drugs are also used to relax the muscles.
5. Vascular and diuretic drugs are used to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling.
6. All kinds of gels and ointments are used as local therapy.
7. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to consolidate the positive result.It can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy.

Therapeutic exercise and special massage improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and eliminate the inflammatory process.

If the pain in the lumbar region is not related to a complex disease, then yoga classes will help alleviate the condition.

You can do similar exercises at home and it won't take much time.

Pain caused by hypothermia

Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain?At the same time, you don't have to freeze, just sweat and go into the air conditioner.

In this case, the hot surface of the body is in contact with a cold air stream.And the very next day it will be difficult to straighten up or get up.

In such a situation, the pain becomes constant and painful.

First, you need to warm up your back.A warming ointment is suitable for this.If there is no medicine, then regular alcohol will also help.After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.

A similar procedure is carried out every day.If the pain is severe, a doctor should be consulted.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

If you often get cold, buy a belt made of dog or sheep wool.

What to do with lower back pain?

This pain occurs during intense physical exertion.Sharp pain radiating to the leg occurs when bearing weight.

A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis, which is called lumbago or lumbago.In such a position, you should lie down on a hard surface.

Take pain relievers to relieve the pain.

Remember not to take a hot bath or steam in a sauna if you experience these symptoms.In this case, dry heat helps more.

For example, a special ointment.It is worth limiting salt and liquid intake for several days

What helps with a hernia?

In the case of a hernia, sharp and constant pain occurs, which increases with any movement.Relief occurs only when lying down.

You may also feel numbness in your lower back.You should take care of bed rest and pain relievers to reduce the pain.Then you need to call a doctor.

In the acute period, serious and skilled treatment is needed.

What should be done to prevent it?

Do not wait for the appearance of severe pain, but start taking preventive measures.

Here they are:

1. Identification and treatment of accompanying diseases causing low back pain.
2. Adequate nutrition with sufficient phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided.In this case, the load must be distributed evenly.Do not make sudden movements.
4. Lead an active lifestyle.Try walking, swimming or doing yoga.
5. Take therapeutic massage courses regularly.
6. Take breaks and exercise every hour when you are sedentary.
7. The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.

For prevention, you can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages.

Such devices are recommended during pregnancy and heavy physical exertion.

It is important to control your body weight, as a large body weight increases the load on the spine.Get rid of bad habits and have a preventive examination every year.

Therapeutic gymnastics

Exercise at home to strengthen your back muscles and prevent pain.Physical exercises should be done regularly.

A well-planned series of exercises improves posture, increases muscle tone and activates blood circulation.

In such a complex, you can use the following movements:

• the body leans in different directions.First left and right, then forward and backward;
• turning the body to the side;
• in the knee position - in the elbow position, you have to bend your back up and down;
• lying on your back, lift the pelvis with bent knees;
• from a lying position, straightened legs should be bent at the knees and pulled towards the chest.

Do each exercise 8-10 times.

Do not ignore the symptoms of pain in the lumbar region, consult a doctor and take preventive measures that will help normalize well-being and improve health.