Related article: “How to prevent back pain in 12 effective keys”.What is low back pain?
In lumbago, the pain is partly caused by a problem in the intervertebral discs that separate these five vertebrae, as they absorb the impacts to prevent the vertebrae from colliding with each other.
These structures are composed of a fibrous ring with a gelatinous center, which allows the spine to move, flex, twist and absorb impacts.
Unfortunately sometimes these tissues are put under too much stress and that’s when the problems come.
- You may want to read: “Gluteal exercises: 6 simple techniques to practice at home”.
Causes
There are different causes and risk factors that can trigger low back pain. It is just as likely to appear after a sudden movement, such as lifting a heavy weight or excessive bending of the trunk, as from a process of wear and tear due to age.
Degenerative causes
Generally, up to the age of 30 it is difficult for someone to have low back pain due to degenerative causes.but after that age it is much more common. Fortunately, in most cases the mildness of the condition does not prevent an active life. It is possible to practice sports despite certain degenerative changes.
With time and aging the vertebrae can lose their position and lose water content, which decreases their size and can compress the nerves.
- Other users have read: “How to know if you are a hypochondriac: 9 symptoms of this disorder”.
Overactivity
Overactivity is the main reason for low back pain to appear.The pressure on the structures of the spine can accelerate normative degeneration. There are activities and sports that accelerate this wear and tear.
On the other hand, if we start to give activity to that area at a certain age without the structures being used to it, pain may also appear. In general, in this case it disappears after a few days.
Muscle and ligament injuries generally have a better prognosis than when there is damage to the intervertebral discs. These injuries have a longer duration because the fibrous ring of the disc suffers small tears or ruptures.
Other Causes
Another reason why low back pain may occur is because the spinal canal narrows for some reason, usually being abnormal bone growth or thickening of the ligaments.
There are several other possible causes that can produce low back pain, such as scoliosis or diseases such as vascular diseases or cancer. A medical evaluation is always advisable in the case of low back pain..
- You might be interested in: “9 great health benefits of quitting tobacco smoking”.
Symptoms
In some cases these injuries do not cause any pain, but the common thing is that they do. Although they can last for months, in most cases of low back pain the pain disappears spontaneously after a few days or weeks. In any case, as we have mentioned, there are different degrees of severity and duration as far as low back pain is concerned.
Depending on the case, the person may have pain that appears gradually or suddenly, and it may be constant or appear intermittently. Sometimes the pain manifests itself as if a needle were being stuck in one’s back, while other times it feels like a cramp. Generally, this depends on the cause of the ailment.
The manifestation of pain may be greater on some days than others.Sometimes the pain goes beyond the lumbar region and spreads further down to the buttock or thigh. In these cases it is a herniated disc with sciatic pain. Herniated discs are a little more serious pains and you should see a specialist to evaluate the best treatment.
When the person needs a rest, normally lying down in a horizontal position gives great relief The lumbar region in this position can rest. On the other hand, if the person sits down, he/she does not rest as much and it may hurt. Flexing the trunk, walking, standing or lifting weights can also cause pain.
- You might be interested in: “How to love yourself? 6 tips for self-love”.
Treatment
Depending on the type of lumbago you have, the solution should be one or the other. Below we will see that the treatment of low back pain can be medical, surgical or physiotherapy.
Prevention
It is not always possible to prevent low back pain, but sometimes it is possible.. Sometimes we know that we can suffer from this area of the spine, and then it is pertinent to avoid activities that cause pressure on the lumbar region.
In order to prevent new episodes, it is appropriate to swim or jog and above all to do exercises to reinforce the musculation of the lumbar area.
On the other hand, we must have a good postural hygiene. When we have to lift a weight, we should bend our legs instead of our back. The back should remain straight.
- To reorient our life: “Change your life: 20 decisive tips for a fresh start”.
Medications
When the pain can with us sometimes we have to take medication to calm the area.. Medications do not have the ability to cure this condition, only to soothe the pain.
Therefore, taking anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids can be very useful, but we must look for a solution through other treatments. In some cases corticosteroids can be infiltrated directly into the painful area, but usually only serves as a patch for a while.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a discipline that can help us a lot. Its techniques include the use of heat or cold, massage, ultrasound and electrostimulation.
Physiotherapists, in addition to treating the cause of acute pain, are professionals in rehabilitation.. After having their therapies performed, they are also used to propose some exercises to recover mobility and to strengthen the lumbar muscles.
- You may want to read: “The 7 most common yoga postures and what they are for”.
Surgery
Surgery is obviously the most aggressive treatment, and is indicated in cases where other options could not be successful.. Except in very special cases, surgery is never performed before 6 months or a year after the onset of symptoms.
It is important to keep in mind that surgery is only an option to be considered when the professional knows with certainty what the cause of the low back pain is.