Back pain is a common problem not only for adults but also for young people.Unpleasant pain occurs as a result of sudden movements, lifting heavy weights and many other careless movements.However, persistent pain may indicate the presence of a possible disease that requires treatment.
Causes of symptoms of discomfort
According to statistics, about half of the adult population complains of back pain.However, not everyone turns to a highly qualified specialist for help.Because the elasticity of the muscles and intervertebral discs significantly decreases over time, serious spinal injuries can occur.
Also, back pain often occurs due to excessive physical activity:
- Regular heavy lifting;
- jumping;
- waterfall;
- Sudden movements during exercise.
Recently, teenagers, students and young people leading a sedentary lifestyle often complain of back pain.One of the most common causes of back strain is poor, uneven posture.Unfortunately, today even teenagers can have a deformed posture, which is the result of excessive workload at school.
Additionally, as a result of inflammation, swelling and possibly pinched nerves, people often experience discomfort.If your back really hurts, then you simply cannot do without a visit to the doctor.Of course, you can try to correct the situation yourself at home using folk remedies, safe ointments, tablets or therapeutic massage.However, remember that self-medication rarely leads to positive final results.In addition, the reasons for the appearance of various symptoms can indicate a serious illness.
Symptoms indicating the presence of the disease
In addition to pain in the back, as well as the back and neck muscles, other unpleasant sensations can also appear.If the pain appears during tension during intense physical activity or episodic pain appears in a calm state, you should pay attention to the duration of the symptoms.If the discomfort does not disappear within 3-5 days, then a visit to the doctor is necessary.
In addition, as a result of a serious illness, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Increased body temperature;
- nausea;
- vertigo;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea,
- Excessive or painful urination;
- Severe pain during menstruation in women;
- Swelling of the hands, feet, numbness of the lower limbs.
If there is at least one of the above symptoms, along with pain in the spine, urgent hospitalization is required.Prolonged pain can cause serious complications, such as difficulty moving the limbs, shock, confusion, etc.
The first thing you should do
Before the specialist arrives, you can provide yourself with auxiliary measures for pain relief at home.
To do this, it is recommended to reduce physical activity.Try to move as little as possible, do not run, walk slowly, smoothly, without sudden movements.
The second method is a hot compress.Many experts do not recommend heating painful areas during the first two days.By taking a hot bath or making a compress (heated salt, alcohol solutions), you can relieve your discomfort.One of the safest options is painkillers.
You should not choose too powerful analgesic or antispasmodic tablets, especially before the arrival of the doctor.Because during palpation the sensitivity can be reduced and the diagnosis of the disease will be made incorrectly.
Worsening pain can be triggered by stress.
That is why experts recommend to be as nervous as possible and for prevention to drink teas based on calming herbs:
- peppermint;
- Melissa;
- Valerian and other sedative plants.
A doctor's visit
What can the doctor do if the patient constantly experiences very severe pain?The first thing is to find out the reason that provokes the pain in the muscles or joints of the back.This will help determine the presence of serious diseases.If complications are found, the specialist should give a referral to a neurologist, rheumatologist and orthopedist.If there is no such need, the therapist prescribes the necessary medicine, which should include antispasmodics or local anesthetics.He also prescribes physiotherapy and massage.
Diagnosis
In addition to the palpation performed by a therapist, it is necessary to undergo an examination that allows you to reliably determine the causes of pain, as well as to check the presence or absence of a certain disease.
Joint and back diagnostics include:
- MRI;
- Ultrasound.
During ultrasound diagnostics or computed tomography, different types of tumors can be detected, which indicates possible inflammation and even cancer.Swelling, growths, damage to bones and muscles are detected by examination, since palpation makes it almost impossible to identify neoplasms that have appeared.Therefore, an experienced specialist will definitely refer his patient to an instrumental examination.
There are often cases when discomfort in the back or joints indicates the presence of a possible disease of a nearby organ.
For example, very often people seek treatment for back muscles, while the pain is the result of inflammation of the kidneys.
Pain can also indicate diseases of the following organs:
- intestines;
- Ovaries (in women), prostate gland (in men);
- Kidneys;
- liver.
Therefore, in order not to disturb the body's immunity again with unnecessary drugs and treatments, a comprehensive examination is necessary.
Prevention of severe pain
In addition to treatment, especially for people leading a sedentary lifestyle, prevention is necessary.The first thing you should constantly pay attention to is posture.Try to monitor your posture, because with proper posture, the load on the muscles and intervertebral discs is significantly reduced.The second is heavy lifting.This is especially true for women.
In no case should you lift weights, as in addition to back and spine injuries, this can cause a hernia.If lifting weights is a must, try to keep your back straight and knees bent.
If you are in a permanent sitting position, it is necessary to arrange the workplace so that it meets all the rules of labor safety.Remember that the distance between the monitor and your eyes should be at least 15 cm, and the screen itself should be positioned so that your head is upright.It is necessary to use a chair or armchair that supports your back, preferably with a headrest.
Try to exercise.Today on the Internet you can find many examples of exercises for the back muscles that help to relax and at the same time "wake up" the cartilage and muscles of the spine.
Remember that any joint or muscle pain requires treatment.If you feel stiffness for more than five days, home treatment will not be enough, and you risk ignoring a serious illness.