Back pain is most common in older adults, but can also occur in younger people for a variety of reasons.Almost all adults are accustomed to experiencing back pain periodically, and this is because this part of the body is particularly susceptible to various types of injuries.The vast majority of back pain is easy to treat and prevent, but sometimes, the cause of back pain can be quite serious, including osteochondrosis.
In addition, any gastrointestinal disease, kidney stones, or other problems with the body's urinary system can cause back pain.
Back pain can occur in the lumbar area or between the shoulder blades, or it can cause pain in the arms or legs, depending on the cause of the pain.
causes of back pain
Major causes of back pain include conditions such as osteochondrosis, spondyloarthropathy, radiculopathy, scoliosis, disc herniation, osteoporosis, myofascial pain, and severe spinal circulatory disorders.
In addition, being overweight, strenuous physical activity (including activities related to heavy lifting, poor posture, or certain infections) can also cause back pain.
Factors causing back pain
If back pain is caused by a disease and there is no treatment, the pain will often come back and subside, depending on whether the factors causing the back pain are present.For example, hypothermia or heavy lifting, as well as a person spending an extended period of time in an uncomfortable position, can trigger a return of back pain.Additionally, infection can cause pain to return to the body.
Main symptoms of back pain
If back pain does not go away within 3 to 5 days and is accompanied by a temperature above 37.8, you need to see a doctor and get tested.
Back pain can be accompanied by frequent urination, painful urination, vomiting and nausea, numbness in the limbs, and diarrhea.These are symptoms that should make you see your doctor right away.
If, in addition to back pain, you experience significant difficulty moving your arms or legs and confusion, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnosis of back pain
If back pain occurs, neurological and X-ray examinations, CT and MRI, and manual diagnostic tests are used.
Most commonly, osteochondrosis is discovered during X-rays of older adults.
Immediately after the visit, a medical history is taken detailing symptoms and complaints, and additional tests are performed.
When writing medical records, it is possible to clarify the location of pain, the radiation range, the patient's emotional state, and reveal whether there is a relationship between the occurrence of pain and the person's position.The presence of old back injuries is also important.
A physical examination is required to determine the presence of any tumors and infections.
Back pain treatment
To treat various types of pain, depending on the cause of the pain, treatments are prescribed, such as manual therapy, pharmacotherapy and physical therapy, as well as exercise therapy, post-isomeric relaxation, surgery, traction, interspinous and paravertebral blocks.Compliance with a correct orthopedic regimen also needs to be enforced.
When treating osteochondrosis, avoid sudden movements, especially bending, and stay rested.With acute osteochondrosis, patients may be unable to travel to a medical facility and receive treatment at home.In this case, the doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, muscle relaxants and recommend sleeping on a hard bed and using a special protective cover under the mattress.
When treating an intervertebral hernia, surgical intervention is required if the patient develops spinal cord compression, but this rarely occurs.
chronic back pain
The presence of chronic back pain usually indicates osteochondrosis, and treatment requires 5 to 15 sessions, depending on the intensity of the pain.Treatment procedures include acupuncture, vacuum therapy, acupressure, moxibustion, leech therapy and stone therapy.
If we discuss each of the methods listed in more detail, we can note the good effects of acupressure, which helps eliminate muscle spasms and excessive tension and promotes blood circulation.In addition, manual therapy can effectively eliminate spinal joint dysfunction.As long as the patient follows their doctor's recommendations after completing the treatment process, the disc will continue to heal on its own.
If there is a herniated disc, treatment is a fairly lengthy process that slowly shrinks the hernia itself and relieves pain.A complete course of treatment allows you to fully restore normal function to the affected disc.