Back pain is more common in older people, but for a variety of reasons it can also occur in younger people.Almost all adults are accustomed to periodically feeling pain in the back, which is explained by the special predisposition of this part of the body to various types of injuries.The vast majority of back pain can be easily treated and prevented.However, the causes of back pain can sometimes be quite serious, including osteochondrosis.
Also, back pain can be caused by any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the presence of kidney stones or other problems with the human urinary system.
Back pain can occur either in the lumbar region or between the shoulder blades, and can also cause arm or leg pain, depending on the cause of the pain.
Causes of back pain
The main causes of back pain include diseases such as osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, radiculopathy, scoliosis, intervertebral disc herniation, osteoporosis, myofascial pain and severe spinal circulation disorders.
Additionally, back pain can be caused by excess weight, strenuous physical activity, including those associated with carrying heavy loads, poor posture, or some kind of infection.
Factors contributing to back pain
In cases where back pain is caused by an illness, but there is no treatment, the pain tends to recur and subside depending on the presence of contributing factors.For example, the return of back pain can be triggered by hypothermia or lifting heavy objects, as well as if a person stays in an uncomfortable position for a long time.Additionally, the infection can cause pain in the body.
Main symptoms of back pain
A signal to consult a doctor and undergo an examination is back pain that does not disappear within 3-5 days, as well as when the accompanying body temperature is above 37.8.
Back pain can be accompanied by frequent and painful urination, vomiting and nausea, numbness of the limbs and diarrhea.These are all symptoms that should prompt you to see your doctor immediately.
If, in addition to back pain, there is noticeable difficulty moving the arms or legs and confusion, it is extremely important to see a doctor as quickly as possible.
Diagnosis of back pain
In case of back pain, examination methods such as neurological and radiological examinations, CT and MRI as well as manual diagnostics are used.
Most often, during an X-ray examination of elderly people, osteochondrosis is detected.
Immediately after the visit to the doctor, an anamnesis is drawn up, symptoms and complaints are clarified in detail, after which additional tests are prescribed.
When drawing up an anamnesis, the localization of pain, its irradiation, the emotional state of the patient are clarified and the presence of a relationship between the appearance of pain and the position of the person is revealed.The presence of old back injuries is also important.
In order to identify the presence of possible neoplasms and infections, a somatic examination is carried out.
Back pain treatment
To treat pain of different types, depending on the cause that caused them, treatment methods such as manual, medicinal and physical therapy, as well as exercise therapy, post-isomer relaxation, surgery, traction, interspinous and paravertebral blocks are prescribed.Mandatory compliance with an orthopedically correct diet is also required.
When treating osteochondrosis, it is necessary to avoid sudden movements and especially bending, and to remain mainly at rest.In case of acute osteochondrosis, the patient cannot go to a medical institution and undergo treatment at home.In this case, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, muscle relaxants are prescribed and it is recommended to sleep on a hard bed, using a special shield under the mattress.
When treating an intervertebral hernia, surgical intervention is used in cases where the patient experiences compression of the spinal cord, which occurs quite rarely.
Chronic back pain
The presence of chronic back pain often indicates osteochondrosis, the treatment of which lasts from 5 to 15 sessions, depending on the intensity of the pain.The treatment process includes acupuncture, vacuum therapy, acupressure, moxotherapy, hirudotherapy and stone therapy.
If we talk in more detail about each of the listed methods, we can note the good effectiveness of acupressure, which helps to eliminate muscle spasms and excessive tension, and promotes blood circulation.In addition, thanks to manual therapy, dysfunction of the spinal joints is effectively eliminated.And provided that the patient follows the doctor's recommendations after completing the treatment, the discs will continue to recover on their own.
If there is a herniated disc, treatment is a fairly long process, slowly reducing the herniation itself and relieving the pain.Comprehensive treatment allows you to completely restore the normal functioning of the affected disk.