Pain in the lumbosacral region – causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Proven content

Pain in the lumbosacral region may result from: lumbalgia, i.e. a gunshot, hernia of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc (the so-called discopathy) or renal colic. The most common, however, is non-specific pain, the cause of which is unknown.

Pain in the lumbosacral region

Pains in the lumbosacral region are pains in the lower back. They are usually sudden and short-lived, and may be mild or acute. The acute pain in the lumbosacral region may last for days or even weeks, but usually disappears after about 6 weeks for most people. This ailment occurs in practically every human being and is the main reason that prevents work and everyday functioning. The muscles of the lumbosacral region are a stabilizer that supports body weight. The most common pain is nonspecific lumbosacral pain, the cause of which remains unknown. Generally, it does not indicate any serious complaint and is self-limiting, although it may recur. If you suffer from chronic back pain, consult your primary care physician who will help you identify the source of the problem and refer you to further diagnostic tests.

Characteristic features of pain in the lumbosacral region:

1. stiffness,
2. pain,
3. restriction of mobility,
4. trouble maintaining a sitting or standing position.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should definitely contact your doctor. At haloDoctor.pl you can quickly and safely arrange an online TV visit with an orthopedist. Thanks to it, you will learn about the possible causes of your problems and implement appropriate treatment.

Causes of pain in the lumbosacral region

In most people, pains in the lumbosacral region occur as a result of mechanical damage to: intervertebral discs, vertebrae, tendons, muscles, nerves and ligaments – that is, the structures that make up the spine. This type of damage usually occurs due to:

1. degenerative changes that make parts of the spine slide in relation to each other or lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal;
2. osteoporosis where vertebrae fracture;
3. damage to the intervertebral discs;
4. strains of tendons, muscles or ligaments located in the spine;
5. faulty posture and body structure;
6. congenital malformations of the spine.

It happens that back pain is a symptom of other (sometimes severe) ailments that should be urgently consulted with a specialist. Less common causes of pain are, for example, rheumatic diseases, kidney or pancreatic diseases, diseases of the reproductive organs, infections or cancer. You can buy an appointment with a rheumatologist with a short deadline at Medonet Market. The specialist will help determine the source of the pain and implement effective treatment.

The other risk factors are:

1. obesity,
2. accidents, e.g. road accidents,
3. period pains,
4. depression, chronic stress,
5. being in a sitting or standing position for a long time,
6. making sudden movements,
7. smoking,
8. the need to bend down frequently, e.g. due to the profession,
9. coexistence of other ailments,
10. age (back pain usually occurs between 30 and 60 years of age),
11. lifting heavy objects
12. lack of physical condition,
13. history of low back pain
14. sciatica,
15. complications after pregnancy,
16. scoliosis,
17. arthritis.

Pain symptoms in the lumbosacral region

Pain in the lumbosacral region can be different and different for each person. To describe it, it is necessary to define it duration (may be short-term or extend over months or years); localizacji (pain may be only in the spine or radiating to the thighs or buttocks); intensity (it could just be a pain or a snatch that is blocking the movement of the spine); pain intensifying factors (does the pain occur while moving or at rest? is it caused by sneezing and coughing? is it worse at night or during the day?); accompanying factors (the pain may be accompanied by fever, general weakness, weight loss or joint pain).

Based on the above factors, it is possible to determine the basis of pain in the lumbosacral region. Maybe he:

1. be non-specific – that is, involve an overload of the structures that make up the spine, although it does not have a specific cause. Typically, nonspecific pain occurs after exercise or minor trauma, and is reduced at rest. It is most often located in the lower part of the spine, although it may radiate to the outer side of the thigh. Pain is self-limiting within three months, although it tends to recur;

2. be associated with narrowing of the spinal canal and the root syndrome – usually the pain is caused by pressure on the spinal cord or nerves; these types of ailments include:

1. root syndrome – in the course of the disease, the pain is burning and rushing, it radiates to the limb with irritated nerves (the so-called thigh or sciatica). The root syndrome causes tingling and numbness and weakening of the muscle strength in the affected fragment. Usually appears when lifting heavy objects,
2. neurogenic intermittent claudication – pain in the lower back occurs while walking and additionally causes calf cramps and general weakness of the lower limbs. The greatest intensity of pain occurs when standing, when the spine is straightened, and it is reduced when we lean forward,
3. cauda equina syndrome – in the course of this condition, patients experience extensive sensory and movement disorders in the perineum and both legs, accompanied by problems in passing stool and urine. Such a disease requires urgent surgical intervention, as complications in the form of irreversible nerve damage may occur.

3. pain in the lumbosacral region caused by another disease – sometimes low back pain is a symptom of another ailment, e.g. of the surrounding organs.

Warming up the sore area with a painkiller or an electric blanket may help to alleviate the symptoms of lumbosacral conditions. When the symptoms are prolonged, you should make an appointment with an internist who will help diagnose the cause of the ailments and refer you to further diagnostic tests.

Check if you should consult a doctor? Go through the initial medical interview yourself.

When should you see a doctor?

If the pain in the lumbosacral region is not accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, there is no need to consult a doctor, because the pain usually disappears spontaneously within a few days / weeks. It is best to return to your daily activities, but avoid, for example, excessive physical exertion and prolonged bed rest. It’s also a good idea to avoid positions that cause pain. If necessary, a painkiller such as paracetamol can be used, while adhering to the recommended doses. Cold ice packs, which have a relaxing effect and reduce inflammation, will also be used to relieve pain. You can try a set of cooling gels with menthol and hemp oil to help with pains in the lumbosacral region. The use of heat also relaxes the muscles, so we recommend an electric heating pillow that soothes rheumatic pains and has a relaxing effect. It is also worth reaching for Visiomed KINECARE VM-GB7 lumbar compress, which has an ergonomic shape, thanks to which it fits perfectly to the body.

Urgent medical intervention requires pain in the lumbosacral region, which is accompanied by:

1. pain when walking and standing,
2. general weakness
3. numbness in one or both legs
4. sharp pain and stiffness (especially at night)
5. pain that gets worse when you sneeze or cough
6. high body temperature,
7. weight loss for no specific reason
8. neoplastic disease or other equally serious ailment,
9. severe pain that does not go away even when you are resting.

Pain in the lumbosacral region – diagnosis

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient’s medical interview and information about the symptoms taken by the doctor, as well as the examination of the locomotor system. Most people do not need additional laboratory and imaging tests. It is recommended only when there is a suspicion that the lower back pain may be more serious or does not go away with treatment. In such cases, an X-ray examination is performed first, e.g. in case of suspicion of compression of a nerve root, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. You can buy MRI of the spine at Medonet Market.

Most cases of back pain are of a non-specific nature, so it is not possible to clearly identify its cause, e.g. pain persists despite normal test results.

How to treat pain in the lumbosacral region?

It usually clears up on its own without treatment. You should see a doctor when the pain does not go away after a few weeks and some disturbing symptoms appear. Then, conservative treatment is usually implemented (surgical treatment is necessary in extreme cases). Conservative treatment methods:

1. physical exercise – systematic abdominal and back muscles exercises strengthen the spine. The most important thing is that the exercises should be selected by an experienced physiotherapist;

2. bed rest – in the past it was recommended as the main method of treating pains in the lumbar region, however, according to research, it contributes to the prolongation of ailments. Prolonged stay in bed may weaken the general physical condition and worsen the patient’s mood. Currently, short-term bed rest is recommended only for very severe pain that is blocking the movement of the spine;

3. use of preparations – painkillers are used, thanks to which it is possible to perform physical exercises; usually it is recommended to take anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol, which are available over the counter at a pharmacy. Such preparations should not be used for more than 2 weeks without prior consultation with a specialist. In addition to these preparations, the doctor may also recommend opioids and even antidepressants;

4. stretching of the lumbar vertebrae with a force adjusted to the patient’s body weight – the pain is reduced because the diseased intervertebral disc is relieved; such techniques may only be used on the recommendation of a doctor;

5. blockades – in the form of injections of glucocorticosteroids applied directly to the source of pain. THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED AS THE ONLY METHOD OF TREATMENT!

6. massage, acupuncture, yoga – these are methods that relieve pain and improve the general well-being of the patient.

Rehabilitation with therapeutic massage is a procedure that not only relieves pain, but also strengthens muscles and improves blood circulation. Get a relief and make an appointment through the Medonet Market portal.

Surgical pain treatment in the lumbosacral region – it is necessary in a small number of patients. The most common indication for surgery is a diagnosed tumor, cauda equina syndrome or severe limb paresis. Sometimes surgery is also considered in patients with treatment-resistant root syndrome and with spinal canal stenosis.

How to prevent pain in the lumbosacral region?

Here are some practical tips to reduce the risk of low back pain:

1. engage in physical activity and exercise that strengthens the abdominal and back muscles and improves overall performance, e.g. cycling, swimming, fast walks; remember to warm up properly before exercise;
2. lose unnecessary kilograms (obesity promotes back pain);
3. in the event that it is necessary to stay for a long time, put a pillow under the lumbar region or take breaks from time to time to get moving (you can buy the Exclusive Support lumbar orthopedic pillow at a favorable price on Medonet Market);
4. remember about the correct body posture;
5. quit smoking cigarettes;
6. avoid lifting heavy objects, and if necessary – use the correct lifting technique: do not bend over the object you want to lift, just crouch first and then while standing up use your abdominal muscles and legs;
7. wear shoes with not very high heels;
8. sleep on a hard mattress (preferably on your side),
9. take care of a proper diet with plenty of vitamin D, which is provided by the Whole Orange dietary supplement.