First of all, the doctor notes that in the norm there should be no lower back pain:
If the pain syndrome occurs rarely, for example, after lifting weights, exercising or in an awkward position, this is a variant of the norm. But if the pain appears regularly - every time after sitting in an uncomfortable chair - this is a reason to be wary and look for the cause.
With pain, which occurs once every six months or a year only after traumatic factors, you can not rush to the doctor. But if the pain syndrome becomes chronic or passes into a stronger stage and then returns to the lung, then this is already a reason to contact a specialist. The neurologist completes:
Also, the reason for making an appointment with a specialist may be a single but sharp pain that arose for no reason, as well as a sharp increase in pain syndrome. Especially if the pain radiates to the leg or other parts of the body. This can be accompanied by other unpleasant sensations: loss of sensation, "goosebumps" on the skin, burning sensation. In these cases, you need to go to the doctor.
Why can the lower back hurt?
According to the doctor, a common cause is myofascial pain syndrome, which is pain associated with abnormal muscle tension in the lumbar region.
Pathological muscle syndrome occurs precisely because we are sitting uncomfortably, physically loading ourselves, lifting weights, - says the doctor. As a result, the muscles contract. But more often there is root compression in the spine - this is a different, neuronal, nature of pain.
The neurologist explains that the roots leave the spinal cord and extend to different parts of the body, including the lower back. And when there is pressure on these nerves, pain can begin to be felt in various parts of the body: in the thighs, coccyx, sacrum, and even the abdomen.
The third option is the pathology of the internal organs. These can be problems with the kidneys and intestines and in the urological or gynecological part. In this case, back pain serves as a signal of the presence of other diseases.
We also add that the pain itself is of two types: nociceptive (i. e. inflammatory) and neuropathic.
The first is associated with inflammation of muscle fibers - it manifests itself in myofascial pain syndrome and is associated with a traumatic factor. This pain is usually dull, pulling with a local temperature rise, when the lower back is hot to the touch.
Neuropathic pain manifests itself differently: it is a burning sensation, goosebumps, numbness, cold, decreased sensitivity. Even a small injection in the lower back can make the pain worse. If you feel such symptoms, go to a neurologist urgently. And in general, the answer to the question of which doctor to turn to for back pain is unequivocal: a neurologist.
Can the pain be managed at home?
Some people think that the problem of low back pain will be solved by replacing the chair. The neurologist is sure: it is always easier to consult a doctor.
Of course, you can change your chairs for more comfortable ones one by one. But it may happen that this is not the question. While you should still have a comfortable office chair for work, it would be nice to get up every two hours and indulge in light physical activity: bending over, bending over to change the position of the lower back.
A pillow or roller placed under the back works on a similar principle:
We sat down as usual, then put in a pillow. We stayed in this position for a while - they removed it again, - advises the neurologist. - Such lumbar support is also helpful. You can change the tilt angle of the monitor, even by moving it slightly to the right, slightly to the left. Thus, the load changes, both on the lower back, and on the thoracic region, and on the neck.
If you need to relieve the condition at this time, the doctor draws attention to the fact that only dry heat should be used to treat pain in the lower back:
In this situation, in no case should you take a hot bath. But electric and salt heating pads (in the form of bags that grandmothers made) help a lot. Various applicators will also work. These are carpets with needles - if you lie down on them, the muscle tone will go away.
To this, the doctor recommends connecting a short course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and using a local anti-inflammatory ointment:
If you've done all of this and the pain is gone in 3-4 days, there's no problem, you might say. If the pain does not subside, there are no more options - you definitely need to go to the doctor.