Causes and treatment of low back pain: what to do if it gives in the leg

Low back pain is very common.

According to biologists, such a symptom is a result of our upright posture, in which the load falls mainly on the lumbar region and is not evenly distributed along the spine. Low back pain can indicate very serious problems not only with the spine, but also with the internal organs.

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

If such symptoms are not observed, it is worth contacting a therapist for an accurate diagnosis. Let's see why these symptoms occur, how to deal with them and how to prevent them.

The main causes of back pain

Let's first find out the causes of these unpleasant symptoms. Pain can be primary with spinal pathology or secondary with internal organ diseases.

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

Here it is:

1. Features of the profession: heavy physical activity for builders and loaders, and lifting weights for athletes.
2. Sit for a long time.
3. Excess weight and sedentary lifestyle.
4. Malnutrition and lack of protein, calcium and phosphorus in the body.
5. Bad habits: alcohol and alcoholic beverages.

Even if you reduce the impact of these factors, you will significantly alleviate your condition and the health of your spine.

The main factors

Primary factors are associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes in the spine.

These include:

1. Osteochondrosis is a change in the cartilage and intervertebral discs that causes herniated discs or disc deformities.
2. Spondylosis is characterized by the formation of bone growths in the vertebrae. With this growth, spasm of the muscles around the waist, which restricts mobility, occurs. Appearance of injuries in the back.
3. Spondyloarthritis is a degeneration of the joint surfaces in the spine, as well as involvement in the pathological process of ligaments, joints and muscles. In this condition, deformation of the intervertebral discs occurs and the mobility of the spine is limited.
4. Spondylolisthesis manifests itself with displacement of the vertebrae as a result of changes in the lumen of the spinal canal.
5. Herniated discs.
6. Radiculopathy is a nerve root injury.

Secondary factors

Secondary ones occur with accompanying pathologies:

1. Metabolic problems.
2. Curvature of the spine.
3. When near the spine of malignant formations.
4. Infectious diseases: spinal osteomyelitis, tuberculous 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.

Problems with the spine can also be caused by straight legs, that is, the straightening of the arch of the foot.

Pregnancy can also cause pain. In the early stages, they occur when progesterone is exposed to ligaments and muscles, there is a risk of miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy.

Postpartum pain can be caused by stretching of the pelvic muscles or an increase in the spine, often by holding the baby in your arms.

What diseases does such pain indicate?

Localization of pain is also important.

So let's look at each case:

• Painful pain may indicate lung pathology in the lower and upper part of the abdomen. These symptoms include shortness of breath, cough and fever. Also about gallbladder or liver problems. In this case, the nature of the pain stabs;
• If discomfort is felt in the left upper back, it may be a sign of pancreatitis, myocardial infarction, pericarditis, or left-sided pleurisy;
• symptoms of pain in the lumbar region signal osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, as well as compression fractures in this region;
• Symptoms of low back pain that spread to the lower abdomen are a sign of pelvic organ disease. Such diseases include fibroids, endometriosis, prostate pathology, colon disease, and infectious gynecological diseases. It may also indicate kidney failure.

Which doctor will help?

Often, back pain is temporary. Only rarely do such symptoms indicate a complex disease.

In any case, it is worth knowing which doctor can help in such a situation. Often, acute pain occurs with an increase in physical strength.

In other cases, instead of treating a similar problem, you can seek help from a surgeon, urologist, or even a therapist who will diagnose and prescribe it more accurately.

In addition, you should consult a traumatologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist, proctologist or gynecologist with such pain.

Treatment features

Depending on the cause of back pain, the doctor prescribes the following therapy options:

• drug treatment with analgesics and hormones;
• blockades by injection into the intervertebral joints;
• hand techniques;
• physiotherapy procedures;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture.

If conservative treatment does not help, surgery is applied.

In addition to the main treatment in the treatment of disc herniation on the background of osteochondrosis, physiotherapeutic methods are used.

Healing blockades are used when other methods do not give the desired effect. Anesthetics are often injected into the lumen of the affected joint.

Acupuncture is recommended for disc protrusions, osteochondrosis or hernias. If the pain spreads to the leg, physical therapy is also used.

Wearing a special corset allows you to restrict movement in the lumbar region. This helps reduce pain in the area of joint inflammation.

For low back pain, your doctor may recommend the following:

1. Bed for 2-5 days on a hard surface.
2. Wear a special dressing.
3. Use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
4. Muscle relaxants are prescribed to get rid of muscle spasms. Special medications also help to relax the muscles.
5. Vascular and diuretic drugs are used to improve blood circulation and reduce edema.
6. All kinds of gels and ointments are used as topical therapy.
7. Physiotherapy procedures are prescribed to combine the positive results. This can be electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetotherapy.

Physical therapy and special massage help to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and eliminate inflammation.

If back pain is not related to complex diseases, yoga will help reduce the condition.

You can do these exercises at home and they do not take much time.

Hypothermia pain

Did you know that hypothermia is a common cause of back pain? In this case, you do not need to freeze, just sweat and go under the air conditioner.

In this case, the hot surface of the body will be in contact with the cold air stream. The next day it will be difficult to straighten or climb.

In this case, the pain is persistent and painful.

First of all, you need to warm your back. A warming ointment is suitable for this. If there is no cure, normal alcohol will also be available. After rubbing, the lower back should be wrapped in something warm.

A similar procedure is performed every day. In case of severe pain, it is worth seeking help from a doctor. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce pain.

If you are often hypothermic, get a belt made of dog or sheep wool.

What to do with lumbar lumbago?

Such pain occurs with strong physical force. When you put on any weight, you see a sharp pain in the legs.

A similar symptom is characteristic of lumbosacral radiculitis called lumbago or lumbago. In this case, you should lie on a hard surface.

Take painkillers to relieve pain.

Remember that you can not take a hot bath or take a steam bath with such signs. In this case, dry heat will help more.

For example, a special ointment. It is also worth limiting salt and fluid intake for a few days.

What will help in a hernia?

With a hernia, there is a sharp and persistent pain that increases with any movement. The relief is only in a state of sleep.

Congestion in the back can also be felt. Bed rest and painkillers should be taken to relieve pain. Then you need to call a doctor.

There is a need for serious and specialized treatment in the acute period.

What to do to prevent it?

Don't wait for severe pain to appear, but start taking preventative measures.

Here it is:

1. Diagnosis and treatment of co-morbidities that can cause back pain.
2. Proper nutrition with enough phosphorus, calcium and other vitamins.
3. Heavy physical exertion and heavy lifting should be avoided. In this case, the load must be evenly distributed. Do not make sudden movements.
4. Lead an active lifestyle. Go for a walk, swim or yoga.
5. Go to therapeutic massage courses from time to time.
6. When you are sedentary, take a break every hour and exercise a little.
7. The bed should be comfortable, for example with an orthopedic mattress.

You can wear special elastic belts, posture correctors or bandages to prevent it.

Such devices are recommended for pregnancy and severe physical exertion.

It is important to control your weight as a large weight of your body increases the load on the spine. Get rid of bad habits and get a routine checkup every year.

Physiotherapy

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

A well-prepared set of exercises will help to improve posture, increase muscle tone and activate blood circulation.

In such a complex you can use the following actions:

• the body bends in different directions. First left and right, then back and forth;
• turning the body to the sides;
• on the knee - in the elbow position, the back should be bent up and down;
• lying on your back with legs bent at the knees, pelvis raised;
• from a prone position, the legs should be bent at the knees and the chest should be pulled.

Do each exercise 8-10 times.

Do not ignore the symptoms of back pain, consult a doctor and take preventive measures to help normalize your well-being and improve your health.