Lumbar spine pain – what can it result from? Causes, treatment, treatments and exercises for the lumbar spine

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Lumbar spine pain is a common ailment that increasingly affects not only the elderly, but also the young. Pain in the lumbar region may result from damage, overload or degenerative changes. Sometimes the pain in this area is mistakenly combined with the spine, as it can radiate from other parts of the body. What are the causes of pain in the lumbar spine? How to deal with it?

Lumbar spine pain – possible causes

Backache is a problem faced by the majority of society. Even 80 percent. people will experience back pain of any origin at least once in their life. When it comes to pain in the lumbar spine, it is most often spoken of when appears below the 12th rib and above the buttocks, it can also radiate to the lower extremities. Back pain is chronic or acute.

First of all, it is worth paying attention to the ailments related to the lower back, which may be mistaken for pains in the lumbar spine. Usually, a doctor’s appointment and appropriate tests are necessary for the correct assessment of the situation, because pains in the lumbar region unrelated to the spine are sometimes caused by:

1. kidney and urinary diseases, e.g. renal colic;
2. painful periods, endometriosis or other discomforts related to the female reproductive system;
3. diseases of the pancreas or liver;
4. gastrointestinal pain radiating to the back;
5. prostate problems in men.

If the pain in the lower back, however, concerns the spine, it may be associated with tissue overload, injuries of the intervertebral disc, bone injuries (e.g. fractures), degenerative changes, and also be of a non-specific nature (it is then difficult to establish its unambiguous cause).

For back pain, try the Vitammy Flare infrared healing lamp.

Check it out: The structure of the spine. Everything you need to know about the spine

What is conducive to the occurrence of pains in the lumbar spine?

The causes of pain in the lumbar spine are generally difficult to classify. Many factors can lead to the occurrence of such pain, including various diseases, including congenital ones, injuries or overloads, to which the spine is exposed during everyday functioning.

Back pain in the lumbar region can arise from:

1. congenital anomalies – abnormal structure of the spine (e.g. lumbalization) may contribute to uneven load on the structures of the spine, thus leading to pain;
2. overloads and injuries – pains may appear as a complication after injuries (e.g. spine fractures), in osteoporosis, and when the spine is overloaded due to insufficient muscle support;
3. inflammation – diseases accompanied by inflammation of the joints affect the condition of the spine; an example is ankylosing spondylitis and the buttocks area, it also restricts mobility; also advanced rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joints of the spine, causing damage within them;
4. degenerative changes – degenerations, i.e. abnormalities and unfavorable changes that affect the cartilage and bone structures in the spine, cause pain and sometimes also lead to stenosis of the spinal canal (its narrowing); the consequences of stenosis include, among others pressure on the nerves and even an irreversible hernia;
5. metabolic diseases – metabolic problems that can be associated with back pain include diabetes mellitus (faster degeneration of spine structures) and osteoporosis (lower guest density, more fractures, muscle weakness and spine mechanics);
6. psychological problems – back pain and their severity may be the result of an emotional state, the presence of anxiety, severe stress or hypochondria.

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Lumbar spine pain – overloads

Overloading the spine is associated with the risk of degeneration or herniation of the intervertebral disc. Pain in the lower back may result from overloading the soft tissues. When the functioning of the soft tissues, pelvic joints and spine is disturbed, the tension in the nearby muscles increases. This is to ensure the stability of the structures. Unfortunately, it also leads to a greater load on the spine, the development of inflammations and the occurrence of pain. In such a situation, degeneration may occur.

The occurrence of overload of the lumbar spine is favored by prolonged sitting, work requiring bending, lifting and lifting, insufficient physical activity, overweight or obesity. The weakness of the abdominal muscles and hip flexors is also significant.

Prophylactically, it is worth using the Exclusive Support lumbar orthopedic pillow, which can be placed under the back, e.g. during work that requires longer sitting.

If you want to reduce pain in the area of ​​the spine, try the Dermaticus Klimuszko monastery lining for the skin around the joints and spine with a warming and relaxing effect. We also recommend poplar liniment for overload, which reduces pain in joints and muscles.

Lumbar spine pain – problems with the intervertebral disc

The most common causes of back pain include abnormalities in the intervertebral discs. These are structures subjected to significant loads, prone to microtrauma, as well as to the formation of a hernia (“prolapse”) of the intervertebral disc.

1. Intervertebral disc degeneration. The gradual appearance of disc microdamages and their aggregation lead to damage to other structures – the fibrous ring, and ultimately to the degeneration of the nucleus pulposus. The consequence of the changes is a higher sensitivity to stimuli and the occurrence of pain. People between 35 and 50 years of age are exposed to the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (73% of people at this age), but it also occurs in the age group under 35 (50%).
2. Hernia of the intervertebral disc. This is a phenomenon that does not necessarily cause pain. However, if a hernia (“prolapsed disc”) in the lumbar spine compresses the nerve roots, symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, sensory disturbances, muscle weakness, and malfunction of the bladder and anal sphincters appear.

Lumbar spine pain – degenerative changes

One of the possible causes of pain in the lumbar spine is degenerative changes. Their formation is a process that gradually leads to damage to the intervertebral disc and the cartilage of the intercapular joints. As a result of the appearance of degenerative changes, the balance between the regenerative abilities and the damage to the structures of the spine is disturbed. Can distinguish:

1. degeneration of the intercapular joints – can cause pain radiating to the buttock and thigh, which resembles root pains, but is the result of increased pressure on the joints, prolonged inflammation, micro-injuries or stretching of the synovial membrane and the joint capsule;
2. Degenerative and productive changes of vertebral bodies – lead to the formation of osteophytes (bone growths), which can cause stenosis, damage border plates and the appearance of Schmorl’s nodules.

Related topic: Degeneration of the joints of the spine

Are you seeing disturbing symptoms? Analyze them yourself in the medical questionnaire and decide whether to go to the doctor.

Lumbar spine pain – treatment

Treatment of lumbar spine pain is a complex issue. The treatment process often requires a multifaceted approach due to various causes of pain, accompanying changes in the structures of the spine or abnormalities in other parts of the motor system. Basic measures used in the treatment of lumbar pain is pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, preventive measures, and, if necessary, also surgery.

In the acute phase of lumbar spine pain, treatment consists of rest and pharmacotherapy with pain and inflammation relief. The next stage is physiotherapy, i.e. a series of rehabilitation procedures (physical therapy) and instruction on exercises tailored to the patient’s problems (kinesiotherapy). For people struggling with recurrent back pain in the lumbar region prophylaxis, including regular physical activity and following the recommendations for maintaining the correct body posture, is also extremely important. It is also worth buying the Vitammy Warm-Up Cushion, which will reduce pain and improve comfort of movement.

Surgical treatment of lumbar spine diseases is performed when there are specific indications. Depending on the type of problems with the spine (e.g. lumbar discopathy, fracture), treatments with varying degrees of invasiveness are selected. The absolute necessity to plan the procedure arises in the case of movement deficits, bladder or bowel dysfunction. Surgical treatment of discopathy is required in approx. 0,5%. cases.

See: Spine treatments

Lumbar spine pain – drug therapy

In order to relieve symptoms and inhibit inflammatory processes, especially in the case of exacerbation of symptoms, it is used painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugsincluding ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen and glucocorticoids. Pharmaceuticals are selected depending on the intensity of pain. Some drugs for pain in the lumbar spine (oral preparations, ointments, compresses) are available without a prescription, other drugs (strong painkillers, injections) are only available on a prescription.

Visiomed KINECARE VM-GB7 lumbar compress can be bought safely and conveniently at medonetmarket.pl.

In order to reduce the severity of symptoms and accelerate the therapy, antispasmodics (eg tizanidine), antidepressants or dietary supplements containing ingredients accelerating the regeneration of the nervous system (eg Urydynox, Neurotynox) are sometimes prescribed. Conservative treatment of pains in the lumbar spine also includes relieving the spine, adopting appropriate positions during sleep and performing daily activities, as well as avoiding lifting.

You can also use the Arnica Active FLOSLEK cooling care gel temporarily for back pain, which pleasantly cools and relieves tired muscles.

Lumbar spine pain – physical therapy treatments

Physical therapy is a branch of physiotherapy that uses mechanical, electrical and thermal stimuli to treat pain and its causes. The importance of physical therapy in the case of back pain includes symptomatic treatment of ailments as well as their prevention and diagnosis.

For physical therapy treatments that are used during rehabilitation of the lumbar spineinclude, among others:

1. cryotherapy;
2. electrotherapy, e.g. iontophoresis;
3. ultrasounds;
4. magnetotherapy;
5. laser therapy;
6. hydrotherapy, e.g. showers, baths, whirlpool massages.

Treatments for the spine are selected depending on the type of disease, as well as taking into account the contraindications to individual types of physical therapy.

Lumbar spine pain – exercises

Physical activity is generally recommended as part of the prophylaxis of a healthy spine, however, in the case of diagnosed diseases of the locomotor system, damage or other changes, special care should be taken. Exercise sets designed for people with pains in the lumbar spine (kinesiotherapy, treatment with movement) should be performed after consultation with a doctor or physiotherapist. In the case of pains in the lumbar spine (except in the acute phase of the disease), the following are usually recommended:

1. stretching exercises;
2. exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles, especially the transverse muscles, which are deep stabilizers of the lumbar region;
3. exercises to improve control of the pelvis, hips and lumbar spine;
4. physical activity in water.

Exercises performed with the use of the Sanity rehabilitation pillow are also recommended for back pain. You can buy this pillow at an attractive price on Medonet Market.

See more: Exercises for the lumbar spine – injuries, types of exercises

Various approaches are used in the motor treatment of problems with the lumbar spine, including:

1. Pilates method;
2. McKenzie’s method – includes performing movements opposite to those causing pain, aimed at removing the cause of pain;
3. PNF method (ProrioceptiveNeuromuscular Facilitation) – includes i.a. spine joint mobilization, neuromobilization and cranio-sacral therapies.

An essential part of the prevention of a healthy lumbar spine is also compliance with the principles of work ergonomics – both office and physical. This is called back school. In order to prevent back pain and its recurrence, it is recommended to maintain the correct posture during work and study, and to change positions frequently. If you need to bend down or pick something up, keep your back straight and bend your knees.

For everyday exercises at home, you will certainly need the AIREX Fitline rehabilitation mat, which does not absorb water or sweat. You can buy it at a favorable price on Medonet Market. To increase the effectiveness of exercises, it is worth using the PUMP Pre-Workout Formula for performance and endurance OstroVit – a dietary supplement available in the form of an easily soluble powder.

Check also:Manual therapy – what is it and when is it worth reaching for?

Lumbar spine pain – surgical procedures

Surgical procedures, especially invasive ones, are usually recommended by doctors when the diagnosed spine disease causes not only pain in the lumbar part of the spine. Additional symptoms caused by damage to structures and pressure on nerves (e.g. persistent disturbances in sensation or muscle strength, movement problems, abnormalities in the work of the bladder or sphincters) are an absolute indication for surgery. Treatments are also performed in the case of chronic pain accompanying sciatica or fractures, if they cannot be relieved by conservative treatment.

Examples of surgical procedures performed for pains in the lumbar spine are:

1. endoscopic discectomy or discectomy – removal of the intervertebral disc, most often at the L5 / S1 and L4 / L5 levels;
2. coblation nucleoplasty – percutaneous lumbar discopathy surgery;
3. vertebroplasty – a procedure performed after osteoporotic or compression fractures, it involves the use of bone cement to fill the broken shaft;
4. balloon kyphoplasty – recreating a broken vertebral wall; the method is used after fractures resulting from injuries, osteoporosis or tumors.

Although the effectiveness of surgical procedures is high (good and very good results after removing the intervertebral disc occur in up to 96% of cases), they do not always ensure complete relief of symptoms. Relapsing pain ailments it is possible even in 1/3 of patients, especially the elderly, as well as those with significant neurological deficits, comorbidities or physically active diseases.

You also have to take into account the risk of a decrease in the stability of the spine or some time after the surgery postoperative pain syndrome. The latter case may be due to adhesions and scars in the operated area or insufficient removal of the hernia.

Read also:

1. Spine doctor – orthopedist or neurologist?
2. Healthy spine – how to take care of your back with exercise?
3. Discopathy: cervical, lumbar, spine – symptoms and treatment