Lumbar pain - What do you need to know about this type of pain and how can you relieve it?

The spine is an essential structure for the entire body, as it is responsible for support, mobility and for the performance of all daily activities and movements. When this part of the body is affected, the quality of life can be substantially diminished, and the recovery can be long and difficult, depending on the main cause of the problem.

The part that suffers the most is often the lumbar spine, also known as the lower back. This area supports the weight of the upper body and offers us the possibility of movement and flexibility at any time. Thus, the greatest pressure is placed on the lower back area, and most wounds and pains are manifested in this part of the body.

Nowadays, due to the busy and unhealthy lifestyle, more and more people are facing lumbar pain. Unfortunately, if this type of pain is not monitored and treated carefully, the body can suffer complex health problems. That is why it is very important to know how to detect lumbar pains and their severity and how we can remedy them in a timely manner.

content

1. Why do we face lower back pain? The most common causes
2. Lumbar pain in children and adolescents
3. Lumbar pain - Symptoms you should not ignore
4. Risk factors for low back pain
5. Appropriate treatment for lumbar pain

1. Why do we experience lower back pain? The most common causes

In most cases, back pain occurs due to local injuries, such as muscle strains or injuries caused by intense movement and high effort, such as lifting weights or sudden movements, which affect the muscles of the lower back area. These causes can be remedied more easily, but a medical check-up is recommended to determine if this is the main cause.

Also, in more complex cases, lower back pain can be caused by kidney infections, spinal infections, arthritis and a broken or damaged disc. Of course, in these circumstances, recovery and treatment can be more difficult, and the pain can persist for a much longer period of time.

Depending on the situation, lumbar pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain can persist for a few days or a few weeks, while chronic pain can be present for more than three months.

Lower back pain can also develop due to natural factors, such as aging. People over 30 are more prone to this type of pain because, over time, the amount of fluid found between the vertebrae gradually decreases. Thus, the impact of daily movements and effort is much stronger, and pain can settle more easily in the body. However, this cause is not a general rule. Lumbar pain can develop at any age, depending on lifestyle, profession and physical effort.

When it comes to muscle strain or tear, recovery is easier. After establishing the diagnosis, the doctor can recommend rest and physical therapy. Also, certain supplements for muscle recovery can be beneficial for the body, can speed up the healing process and can relieve lower back pain.

Recovery can be more difficult when the cause of the pain is caused by disc damage, nerve damage, abnormal curvature of the back or other related conditions, such as fibromyalgia arthritis, spondylosis or spinal infections. In these circumstances, the pain will persist for a longer period of time, and medical monitoring is essential for a correct diagnosis and an efficient recovery.

2. Lumbar pain in children and adolescents

Lower back pain can also develop in children and adolescents. This is usually caused by congenital conditions, such as abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis). An abnormal curvature puts more pressure on this area of ​​the back and affects the quality of life and posture. Children and adolescents who face such conditions may need various treatments or even surgeries at the level of the spine. Most of the congenital diseases of the spine manifest themselves precisely in the lumbar area, where pain and other associated symptoms can occur.

Also, this type of pain can develop, in the case of children and adolescents, also due to the practice of certain sports or intense and long-term physical effort. Overuse of muscles, tendons and joints can have a negative impact regardless of the patient's age. Ligaments, muscles and tendons are essential soft tissues for the proper functioning of the lower spine, maintaining balance and full movement function. When these tissues are affected, intense pain can develop in the lumbar area, although the cause is not as serious as in other circumstances, and the period of pain manifestation is shorter. In fact, it is very important to monitor the duration of pain to help the doctor make a correct diagnosis.

3. Lumbar pains. Symptoms you should not ignore

Monitoring and classifying the symptoms are essential to establish the diagnosis and the main cause of the pain. Depending on the circumstances, the pain can be acute or chronic, and establishing the cause and diagnosis are essential for pain relief, both in intensity and duration. Lumbar pain can be accompanied by one or more associated symptoms, such as the following.

Constant pain

This symptom is felt constantly, but it does not have a high intensity and does not cause a burning sensation. It is described, rather, as a dull pain, present most of the time. This type of pain can cause mobility difficulties and discomfort in the hips and pelvis. It can also be accompanied by muscle spasms of variable intensity.

Pain that improves during the day

Sometimes, the lumbar pain can be very intense when you wake up and it gradually improves, once you move and start your daily activities. This type of pain is more intense in the morning because, during sleep, the body is not mobile and is in a prolonged state of rest in which blood flow is reduced. Moreover, the quality of sleep plays an important role in this type of pain. If the resting environment is not a comfortable one, the pains can be more intense. The symptoms improve with the start of the movement and the rest of the blood flow.

Pain that gets worse with time

Pain that worsens over time usually indicates chronic pain. These are caused by a degenerative disease of the disc and can fluctuate, being less intense and more intense during the day. Over time, this type of pain gets worse, which is a strong signal of chronic pain and a more serious cause.

The pain that becomes more and more intense

The intensity of the pain increases when the body is exposed to certain mechanical factors, such as repetitive movements or positions that put a lot of pressure on the lumbar area. The pain is more intense with every movement and incorrect position and progresses slowly over time.

Immediate, sharp pain

The sharp, immediate pain occurs when the lumbar area suffers a momentary injury. This can be caused by sudden movements and the immediate stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support the spine.

Delayed pain

When the body suffers an injury or an accident, the pain can set in after a few hours or even a few days. This time period is rather associated with the natural healing process associated after such an incident.

Pain that moves in the lower part of the body

This symptom is caused, in most cases, by damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve is connected with the lumbar area and the lower limbs, which is why the pain is felt both in the lumbar area and in the legs, hips and buttocks. Affecting the sciatic nerve can be accompanied by associated symptoms, such as tingling, numbness and muscle weakness.

4. Risk factors for low back pain

Certain risk factors can increase the susceptibility of the body to develop pain in the lower part of the body. To avoid back pain, it is important to know what risk factors can trigger them and also how you can protect yourself from the negative effects.

There are risk factors that we cannot completely avoid, such as common genetic and physical factors, such as:

• age
• genetic predisposition (men have a higher risk of developing lower back pain)
• previous accidents
• surgical interventions performed in this area
• congenital diseases
• task

However, there are also many factors that we can remove with the help of lifestyle changes. There are certain risk factors influenced by an unhealthy lifestyle, such as the following:

• prolonged stay (whether it is about the workplace or the sedentary lifestyle itself)
• excessive weight (being overweight puts a lot of pressure on the lumbar area, which is why people suffering from obesity face constant back pain)
• incorrect posture (posture plays a more important role than we might think for the health of the spine. If the posture is incorrect, the whole body suffers, especially the lumbar area which is responsible for most of the support and flexibility)
• stress (emotional health has a strong impact on the body. Stress causes unconscious muscle tension, which adds constant pressure on the lumbar area)
• smoking
• lack of physical exercise (sport is essential for the health of the spine and for eliminating the tension accumulated in the lumbar area. However, it is necessary to control the way you do sports to avoid injuries to the muscles and tendons in the lower back area)

5. Appropriate treatment for lumbar pain

In order to treat lumbar pain, first of all, a correct diagnosis is necessary. Therefore, the evaluation and monitoring of symptoms are essential steps towards a full recovery . Medical control is fundamental to relieve lower back pain. Only a specialist will be able to recommend the correct treatment, depending on the intensity of the pain and its cause.

In most cases, back pain is relieved with the help of rest or some exercises and therapies. Surgical interventions are indicated when other methods have not provided the expected results.

Rest

Rest is essential for the whole body. During sleep, the body restores itself at the cellular level and begins the natural healing process in the areas that are affected. In this circumstance, if the lumbar area suffers from certain injuries, such as the stretching of muscles, ligaments and other supporting tissues, rest is recommended. However, specialists do not support a long period of rest. Sedentaryism can aggravate pain and lead to increased back stiffness. That is why extended rest should only be done during the sleep cycle and it is important to make sure that you sleep enough and the quality of sleep is at the highest possible level.

Strengthening exercises

Such exercises strengthen the supporting tissues in the lumbar area and can speed up the healing process. They are recommended especially in the case of chronic or subacute pain, because in these cases the lumbar area needs more support, and healing takes longer.

However, in the case of less intense pain, it is only recommended to resume normal physical activities. Body movement is very important when you suffer from pain, although it seems to be a paradox. Prolonged sitting can lead to increased pain and reduce body mobility and blood flow. That is why, in order to remedy mild and medium pain, it is necessary to return to normal, everyday activities, which do not apply an intense effort to the spine.

Drugs

Medicines are recommended to relieve the actual pain, but to completely eliminate the problem, it is necessary to find out the correct diagnosis and follow the treatment steps, whether it is certain exercises or surgery.

Heat therapy

Heat therapy can relieve mild pain and reduce the accumulated tension in the supporting tissues. The role of heat is to stimulate blood circulation, which helps to relieve and heal the pain faster. Also, heat reduces the sensation of pain because it has the ability to interrupt the signals sent by the body to the brain. When the transmission of these signals is interrupted, the pain is no longer felt as intensely. However, heat is not a final cure, but it can relieve symptoms for a period of time.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is performed when other methods of therapy have not had a significant beneficial effect. Interventions are indicated especially in the case of more complex conditions, such as congenital ones or serious injuries.

The spine is a structure without which movement would be impossible. Therefore, maintaining its health is essential to lead a long and quality life. Since the lumbar area is the most vulnerable to injuries and tension, it is important to know how you can protect it, how you can avoid injuries and risk factors, and also what you can do to obtain a correct diagnosis and to remedy the associated problems in due time.

Photo source: unsplash.com