Today, back pain is one of the common reasons people seek qualified advice. According to some data, it occurs at least once in a lifetime in at least 80% of the adult population, and at least 4-9% annually seek a qualified consultation for it. Painful sensations just above the lumbar region, in the back, are among the frequent complaints. In this article, we will talk about what problems can cause pain in this area, how they are identified, and also touch on the topic of combating them.
Some possible causes of pain
The majority of cases of pain in the back and lumbar region are musculoskeletal pain, which can be caused by osteochondrosis, myositis and intervertebral hernia. However, it can also be caused by other pathologies, as well as by certain conditions of the human body. Let's look at some common reasons.
Osteochondrosis
Or, according to the term accepted today in the international classification of diseases - dorsopathy. These are dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs, compensating for the load on the spine, providing shock absorption during movement, vibration loads, etc. In most cases, the pathology can appear due to a genetic predisposition, as well as a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity.
myalgia
These are muscle pains that can be caused by various reasons. Just above the lower back are the muscles that hold and stabilize the spine. Therefore, the cause of painful sensations in them can be various diseases of the spine itself, as well as increased physical activity, hypothermia, etc.
Intervertebral hernia
This is one of the complications of spinal osteochondrosis, in which the integrity of the intervertebral disc is violated and the watery core located inside comes out into the spinal canal. Depending on the size of the hernia and its location in the back, a sharp shooting pain may appear, sometimes radiating to other parts of the body and limbs (with pathology over the lower back, it can be the leg or arm).
Diseases of internal organs
Back pain is not always a sign of spinal problems. It can often be a symptom of pathologies of internal organs: stomach and duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, urolithiasis, kidney diseases, etc. But it does not always hurt in the abdomen, side or other area where the affected organ is located.
Age-related changes
With age, the structure of the spine undergoes a number of changes, especially noticeable with a sedentary lifestyle and reduced load. They affect the ligamentous apparatus, muscles and bone tissue. Osteochondrosis and arthrosis, combined with muscle atrophy and loss of ligament elasticity, can periodically cause pain in the lumbar region.
Pregnancy
Back pain is not always a sign of some pathology. For example, late pregnancy can also cause this condition in women. According to available data, 90% of pregnant women complain of back pain and 50% of discomfort localized specifically in the lumbar region. But why does this happen? The reasons are physiological changes in the biomechanics of the pelvis and spine. In most cases, the pain can appear in women who previously had back problems
Types of painful sensations
Understanding what kind of pain a person is experiencing is important for diagnosis. Back pain above the lower back can be throbbing, aching, pulling, dull, sharp, etc. Sensations are only additional data used in diagnosis. You should not rely entirely on them, much less make a diagnosis based on this information alone.
Some possible diagnostic methods
During a qualified consultation, anamnesis and data on symptoms are collected. However, this is not enough: additional research is needed to make a more accurate diagnosis. The specialist can either limit himself to one of them or prescribe several.
Radiography
It is a diagnostic technique based on the use of X-rays. With the help of such an examination, it is possible to identify fractures, osteochondrosis of the spine, spondylosis, neoplasms, as well as distortions and other disorders. When performing radiography, the image of the examined organ is projected onto film or paper in only one projection - this method is less informative than X-ray CT and MRI.
X-ray computed tomography (X-ray computed tomography)
X-ray CT is similar to radiography in the technology used: it is also based on X-ray radiation. However, as a result of such diagnostics, not a 2D, but a 3D image is obtained, which is available for examination layer by layer. For this, stronger ionizing radiation is used, which should not be used too often. RCT can be performed with or without contrast, which provides a clearer image and increases the success rate in diagnosing certain diseases.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a diagnostic method that also allows obtaining a multi-layered image in several projections, but is in no way related to the use of X-rays. It is based on magnetic resonance and is therefore safer than X-rays and computed tomography, but is not suitable for patients with permanent metal structures in the body. In addition, this study is noisier and longer. Like CT, MRI can be performed with contrast for more accurate diagnosis of certain diseases.
Ultrasound
This technique is based on the principle of echolocation and, as a rule, is used to diagnose diseases of the internal organs, if the symptoms give reason to suspect their presence. It is highly informative and safe when examining organs and tissues. An ultrasound of the spine is also done, but extremely rarely.
Laboratory diagnostics
To diagnose an inflammatory process, the presence of an infection or a tumor, a general blood test with an ESR-leukocyte formula can be prescribed. In the future, if pathologies of the internal organs are suspected, additional laboratory tests may be prescribed.
Other diagnostic methods
If a specific nature of the pain or a disease of the internal organs is suspected, other tests may be prescribed until a diagnosis is made and the cause of the pain is established.
Treatment of back pain above the lumbar region
The most important step in eliminating back pain is getting qualified advice. After diagnosis, exclusion of diseases of internal organs, serious pathologies of the spine and determination of pain as non-specific, the following can be recommended:
- taking NSAIDs.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for internal and local use are often used to relieve non-specific back pain, osteochondrosis, hernia and other pathologies. The category of such drugs includes the active ingredient in the composition - nimesulide;
- taking muscle relaxants.They are designed to help combat muscle spasm, thereby improving mobility and reducing pain;
- taking other medicines.For diseases of internal organs or back pain during pregnancy, the set of drugs will most likely be different;
- physical therapy and exercise therapy.During the acute period, various physical procedures may be recommended to relieve pain and speed improvement. These include, for example, electrophoresis with analgesics, pulse currents, ultraviolet irradiation, massage, exercise therapy, as well as mineral baths, mud therapy, etc. ;
- surgical intervention.Surgery may be prescribed for a herniated disc if other methods of pain relief do not give results for a long time, and it may also be indicated based on the results of an MRI, X-ray or X-ray examination.
Some possible prevention measures
Since the risk factors for the development of musculoskeletal pain in the back, including in the area above the lumbar region, include heavy physical work, a sedentary lifestyle, as well as frequent bending of the body, lifting weights and vibration, it is recommended to reduce tominimum these factors as a preventive measure. If your back already hurts above the lower back, you should not immediately overload your muscles with gymnastics and especially with sports - you should first seek qualified advice to rule out pathologies.