Pain in the lumbar spine is considered a common phenomenon and the reasons for their occurrence may be different. Often such a symptom occurs from hypothermia, pathology of internal organs and degenerative changes in the spine. In women, low back pain can be caused by various physiological characteristics of the body and pregnancy. Elimination of such an unpleasant phenomenon can be done both with the help of drugs and folk remedies. To find out why the lower back hurts and how to treat it at home, you can consult a specialist after a thorough examination.
Why does my lower back hurt?
Primary discomfort and pain in the lumbar region are usually caused by degenerative-dystrophic changes that affect the intervertebral discs and joints. Over time, the pathological process spreads to the vertebrae and adjacent tissues. The result is back pain and the development of pathologies such as osteochondrosis, spondylarthrosis and spondylosis.
Such diseases progress rather slowly and eventually become chronic. With the development of any complications, the patient is worried about acute pain and this condition requires mandatory treatment.
Secondary pain in the lumbar region can be caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system and pathologies of other organs.
Specialists have identified some provoking factors that can cause pain in the lower spine:
- lesions of the musculoskeletal system of congenital and acquired nature;
- systemic and rheumatic diseases;
- problems with metabolic processes in the body and pathology of the endocrine system;
- malignant tumors of the spine and adjacent tissues;
- inflammation of the muscles of the lumbar region;
- injuries and spinal injuries;
- gynecological diseases in women;
- pathology of the urinary system.
The cause of pain in men in the lower spine can be prostatitis and increased physical activity.
How to treat the lower back at home
Many people who suffer from spinal pathologies periodically experience attacks of pain in the lower back. Most often, they appear completely unexpectedly, so it is important to be able to provide medical care in a timely manner.
In case the lower back hurts, it is necessary to lie on a hard and flat surface, and this should be done slowly and carefully. It is possible to reduce the load on the spine and eliminate the discomfort if you lie on one side.
When the pain subsides, it is recommended to turn on your back, which will allow the muscles to relax. It is best to place the lower limbs on a raised platform at a 90 degree angle and stay in this position for about 15 minutes. This position helps the back muscles to relax and align the spine.
After eliminating the low back pain syndrome, it is necessary to stand up properly to prevent its recurrence. To do this, turn to the side, stand on all fours and use any support. Only then are you allowed to stand up and unfold your back only one last time.
After providing first aid to the patient, it is important to tightly wrap the lower back with a handkerchief and thus fix it. In addition, when treating at home, it is allowed to take a drug with analgesic effect and visit a doctor who will prescribe the necessary treatment.
Medical therapy
Different medications can be used to relieve back pain, but only a doctor should choose them. The treatment can be performed with the following drugs:
- Painkillers. Such drugs are good for relieving acute attacks of low back pain, but their excessive use can cause side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to eliminate the pathology;
- Narcotic drugs. Drugs from this group can be used for a short time under the supervision of a specialist;
- Antidepressants. Doses of these drugs vary in small amounts and with their help it is possible to relieve some types of chronic back pain. In general, tricyclic antidepressants are used to eliminate the pathology;
- Local painkillers. Such drugs are available in the form of ointment, cream or gel, which should be rubbed directly into the painful area.
- Muscle relaxers. In case it is not possible to get rid of the pain with the help of over-the-counter painkillers, then a muscle relaxant is prescribed. Taking these drugs may be accompanied by the development of side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness.
If all the above measures do not bring relief to the patient, then doctors may prescribe the use of a drug such as cortisol. An anti-inflammatory drug is given as an injection in the area around the spinal cord. With its help it is possible to minimize inflammation around the nerve roots, but it can take several months to completely eliminate the pain syndrome.
When pinching a nerve in the lumbar region and the pain spreads to the legs, treatment should be carried out with the help of B vitamins. Thanks to them, it is possible to strengthen and restore those areas where nerve tissue is affected.
It is important to remember that any medication must be agreed with a specialist and only he will be able to answer the patient how to heal the lower back.
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic therapy for back pain should combine the following types of exercises:
- Stretching. Proper muscle stretching in combination with active exercise helps maintain normal muscle activity that suffers from spasms or atrophy. Patients experiencing lumbar pain should concentrate on stretching the muscles of the lower back, abdomen, legs and thighs. Yoga is considered a good preventative measure that relaxes muscles and keeps them in good shape;
- dynamic exercises. Such exercises can be performed with the help of special balls, and their main purpose is to strengthen the secondary muscles of the spine and keep it in different ranges of movement.
It is recommended that physiotherapy exercises be supplemented with swimming, cycling and brisk walking. They have a positive effect on stagnation in the muscles and improve the general condition of the body.
Massage
At home you can massage and use oregano, juniper, sage, lavender and other types. The following sequence must be followed when performing such a procedure:
- for 2-3 minutes, warm the back by stroking with the palms;
- rub the skin with oil with the upper phalanx of the thumb or the base of the palm with slow circular movements upwards;
- the tense muscles of the back are mixed with two hands: one of them comes with pressure, and the other relaxes by gently stroking.
As an emergency aid for back pain, self-massage is suitable, for which you need to clench your left or right hand into a fist and start drawing spirals with it in the area of discomfort. All movements must be smooth and precise and strong pressure must be avoided. It is allowed to perform such self-massage on a painful place several times a day.
Physiotherapy
Once it is possible to stop the back pain syndrome, you are allowed to engage in therapeutic exercises and gymnastics. It is important to remember that it is forbidden to use during exacerbations. To get a lasting positive effect, you need to practice every day.
The physiotherapist must choose a set of exercises, taking into account the characteristics of the patient's condition. When performed properly, the exercises help strengthen the muscles of the back and get rid of pain. During the exercise it is necessary to monitor the absence of pain and if there is severe discomfort, it is necessary to reduce the range of motion.
Folk remedies
It is possible to alleviate well-being with back pain with the help of alternative therapies, but before using them, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
Therapeutic compresses
To eliminate back pain and restore good health, you can use the following recipes for compresses at home:
- It is necessary to mix vinegar and honey in equal amounts and spread the cabbage leaf with such a mixture. Such a compress should be applied to the lower back from above and wrapped with a warm scarf or shawl. It is recommended that such a procedure be performed several times a day for half an hour;
- You can grate turnips or horseradish and combine the resulting mass with sour cream in a ratio of 1: 1. Such a tool should be applied to the back and covered with a warm scarf. The duration of one procedure is 1-1, 5 hours and usually after the time the pain syndrome completely disappears;
- It is necessary to grind raw potatoes and horseradish with a grater in equal proportions and mix with 5-10 ml of honey. The resulting mixture should be applied to the inflamed back, and the procedure takes 1-1, 5 hours.
A good effect in the fight against pain gives a bow, which can be applied overnight on the waist and wrapped in a warm towel after grinding in a blender. You can dissolve the mustard powder in water until a mass of homogeneous consistency is formed and apply it on your back for 5 minutes. Folk healers say that after removing such a compress you will definitely feel better.
Friction
Rapid elimination of pain is facilitated by such a method as rubbing, which can not only increase blood flow to the affected area, but also improve metabolic processes. It is best to perform this procedure at bedtime using the following means:
- warm honey;
- a mixture of iodine, valerian, triple cologne and crushed paprika;
- alcoholic tincture of eucalyptus, Adam's root or burdock.
A good effect in eliminating low back pain gives a mixture prepared from 10 grams of leaves and flowers of tansy and a glass of boiling water. This mixture should be poured into a thermos for an hour, then filtered and mixed with 5 grams of soda. With the help of medicine should be performed daily rubbing before bed for several days.
Infusions for internal use
It is possible to deal with the pathology with the help of means intended for internal use. At home you can use the following recipes for lower back pain:
- It is necessary to grind the root of cinquefoil and pour a mass of 500 ml of vodka. The resulting mixture should be left to infuse for 1 month, then take several times a day for 1 tbsp;
- You can pre-boil 10 basil leaves in water to evaporate all the liquid. Then the pain medication should be cooled and a little soda added to it. The resulting mixture should be taken orally several times a day;
- Soak a little wheat in water and leave this mass overnight. In the morning you need to add coriander and boil the mixture in 200 ml of milk. It is recommended to take this medicine twice a day until the pain syndrome is completely eliminated.
Proven and effective folk remedy for back pain is the wine of Davis, for the preparation of which 100 grams of yeast are combined with 1 liter of honey and 30 grams of crushed root. The resulting mixture is placed in a three-liter jar, add a little water and put on the neck pierced rubber glove. After 30 days, the container is placed in the refrigerator and drunk in a glass in the morning and at bedtime.
Precautions
The treatment of pain at home is allowed to be carried out both in the chronic course of the pathology and to relieve an acute attack. This therapy is suitable for both young people and elderly patients.
To prevent back pain, active movement and exercises are recommended, which are aimed at strengthening the back muscles and the lumbar region. Simultaneously with the ongoing treatment, it is necessary to strengthen the muscles of the peritoneum, as well as regular exercise in the pool and pumping the press.
Women should refrain from wearing high heels and platform shoes, which will reduce the load on the spine and lower back. It is necessary to sleep on a firm orthopedic mattress, as such a measure helps to completely relax the spine and avoid spinal pathologies.