Lumbago, symptoms and treatment at home

Lumbago, what is it? Symptoms and treatment regimen

Lumbago (lumbago) is a sudden, paroxysmal pain in the waist region that lasts from 5-10 minutes to 5-6 hours.

Symptoms intensify during the patient's movements, sneezing, walking, coughing, physical activity, and spread to the posterior surfaces of the legs and buttocks. Such patients are always in a forced position due to tension in the back muscles and the inability to fully straighten. The duration of the pain varies, it can be 5-15 minutes or 2-3 hours, sometimes it lasts for several days.

More often it appears due to osteochondrosis of the spine and intervertebral hernias. Lumbago is common among men aged 28-38 years. Often this pathology is difficult to distinguish from radiculitis. In some cases, lumbar sciatica occurs - a combination of lumbago and sciatica. At the same time, the nature of the pain is aggravated, penetrating deep into the muscles, bones, ligaments in the form of lumbago, pulsation, and puncture.

What it is?

Lumbago is a collective concept that combines a group of pathological conditions characterized by dystrophic and degenerative processes in the spine.

One of the most common types of dorsopathies is spinal osteochondrosis, accompanied by deterioration of the properties of intervertebral discs in the form of a decrease in their elasticity and height. This process takes a long time and is not accompanied by lumbago. In extreme cases, lumbodynia occurs - aching pain in the lower back. But lumbago is a consequence of a typical complication of osteochondrosis - disc herniation.

What is sciatica

Radiculitis (radiculopathy, radicular syndrome) is an inflammatory lesion of the spinal roots, accompanied by severe pain.

In the public consciousness, this disease is inextricably linked with old age, which is generally true: according to statistics, every eighth person from the older age group suffers from acute or chronic radiculitis. However, people aged 30+ are not immune from this disease. We largely owe this “rejuvenation” of the disease to the increase in the number of office “sedentary” professions.

Pathological changes can occur in one spinal root or in several simultaneously.

1 Diagnosis and treatment of radiculitis

2 Diagnosis and treatment of radiculitis

3 Diagnosis and treatment of radiculitis

Causes

Effective treatment of lumbago is impossible without establishing the main diagnosis. Relieving acute pain is only a first aid measure for the patient. If the pathology that caused the symptoms of lumbago is not eliminated, future relapses are inevitable.

Among the main causes of lumbago are:

Curvature of the spine (scoliosis, pathological lordosis).
Injuries. Excessive physical effort may cause ligament tears, bulging or displacement of discs.
Osteochondrosis. As a result of the long course of the disease, the vertebrae become displaced relative to each other, osteophytes (bone outgrowths) appear, and deformation and damage to the ligaments and intervertebral discs develop.
Anomalies of the structure of the spine. Up to 30% of the total population is at risk. Among the congenital pathologies there are: additional and missing vertebrae in the lumbar and sacral regions, irregular shape, location and connection of the vertebrae and their parts, splitting of the arches.
Spondylitis. The tissues of the vertebral bodies are damaged as a result of an inflammatory process of an infectious nature.
Tumors. The spine, like other organs, can be affected by a tumor. Benign bone tumors (osteomas, osteoblastomas), vascular hemangiomas, malignant osteosarcomas, and metastatic foci have a destructive effect on the vertebrae.
Spondyloarthritis. Inflammation caused by non-infectious pathologies - ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and other rheumatological diseases.

Diagnosis of lumbodynia of the lumbar region

To get rid of attacks of lumbago in the lumbar region, you need to detect its cause in time.

Therefore, if you experience pain in the lower back, numbness and tingling in the lower extremities, or stiffness in movement, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Many patients call an ambulance during an acute attack. Often, already at the first examination, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis.

But you also need examination and consultation with specialists:

neurologist;
vertebrologist;
orthopedist;
neurosurgeon.

Usually, to diagnose lumbago, an x-ray of the spine in two projections is first prescribed. It can reveal narrowing of the intervertebral space, displacement of the vertebrae, and curvature of the spinal column.

A CT or MRI is performed to detect a hernia. Sometimes they also do an ultrasound to assess the condition of the blood vessels.

Symptoms of lumbago

Symptoms of lumbago (popularly “lumbago”) occur for the following reasons:

Infringement of the nerve fiber in the thickness of the muscle due to hypothermia and heavy lifting;
Changes in the mobility of intervertebral segments. Nerve trunks pass through the intervertebral discs, which can be pinched due to hernial protrusion, osteochondrosis, spondylosis;
When a person lies on his stomach for a long time while sleeping with his legs pulled up.

Symptoms of lumbago appear most often after hypothermia or heavy lifting. At the slightest turn, bend, or movement, a person experiences pain that prevents him from straightening the lumbar spine.

Clinical signs are formed depending on the cause of the disease:

With spastic muscle contractions - diffuse pain in the back;
In osteochondrosis – local pain syndrome of the spine;
With intervertebral hernia – pain radiating to the buttocks and lower extremities;
With hyperlordosis - periodic aching pain for 1-2 days.

General practitioners and neurologists know that the diagnosis of lumbago can be made when a person complains of a lumbago after standing under running water. The patient feels discomfort after leaving the bathroom, and a forced posture occurs after a few minutes - this is how lumbago begins.

The disease lasts 1-2 days (with osteochondrosis) or several months (with intervertebral hernia).

Clinical manifestations

Most often, men aged 30 to 40 years are affected by lumbago. Painful symptoms manifest themselves due to irritation of receptors that are located in the area of the fibrous ring of the affected disc or ligaments that are adjacent to it. As a result, tonic muscle tension occurs.

The occurrence of lumbago is most often observed during or after intense physical activity and, as a rule, can be triggered by excessive overheating, which is accompanied by cooling. The pain that occurs in this case has a tearing, shooting, pulsating character. It seems to the patient that they are localized deep in the bone and muscle tissues. Any attempt to make a movement leads to increased pain and the development of muscle spasm. The attack may last only a few minutes and disappear as suddenly as it appeared, or it may last for several days. Pain sensations are reduced when lying on a hard surface and at rest.

Diagnostics

When a patient has lower back pain, a clinical examination alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. The use of additional research methods is required, the results of which will reliably confirm the doctor’s assumption. Considering the variety of causes of lumbago, the following procedures may have diagnostic value:

X-ray of the spine.
Tomography (computer or magnetic resonance imaging).
Densitometry (determination of bone mineral density).
Biochemical blood test (rheumatic tests, inflammation indicators, calcium, immunogram, tumor markers).

The examination should include examination by specialized specialists: a vertebrologist, traumatologist, rheumatologist or oncologist. The results obtained allow us to make a final conclusion about the cause of lumbago in the patient.

Diagnostic methods

When visiting a doctor, an external examination of the patient is carried out, all the patient’s symptoms are studied. After this, instrumental diagnostic methods are prescribed that will reveal the condition of the nerve endings and vertebrae and exclude other diseases of the internal organs.

Radiography . The simplest diagnostic method, which is aimed at studying the general condition of the spine, the height of the intervertebral discs, the presence of osteophytes, and identifying the affected area. The main goal of the study is to exclude injuries, congenital anomalies of the spinal column, neoplasms, infections, and spondylitis.
Computed tomography (CT). Shows in more detail the condition of bone tissue, nerve roots, protrusion or hernia.

Computed tomography is prescribed if MRI is contraindicated
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . The most detailed diagnostic method that even shows the condition of the soft tissues of the back.
Ultrasound of the abdominal and pelvic organs . Such a diagnosis is necessary to exclude diseases of the internal organs.
Blood and urine tests . Shows the presence of infections and inflammatory processes.
Densitometry . This method shows bone density. As a rule, it is prescribed for suspected osteoporosis.

How to treat lumbago?

Complex therapy includes various methods of treating lumbago - medication, physiotherapy and alternative. Treatment is carried out in stages. At the first stage, pain symptoms are relieved at home, then complex therapy begins to eliminate the causative factor.

In the acute period, the patient is usually prescribed:

Antispasmodics. Such as Baralgin, Papaverine. These drugs help reduce painful muscle spasms.
Analgesics are non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs with pronounced analgesic effectiveness. For example, Diclofenac, Ketonal, Ibuprofen, Dexalgin. Many of these drugs are produced in topical forms, allowing for combination treatment.
Diuretics to reduce tissue swelling in the lumbar region. Furosemide is most often prescribed. To prevent the development of potassium deficiency, which is washed out of the body under the influence of diuretic drugs, patients are prescribed Panangin at the same time.
A special bandage for fixing the affected area of the spine.

At the end of the acute period, patients are prescribed physiotherapy, massage, reflexology and exercise therapy. These therapeutic measures help to permanently eliminate muscle spasms and restore normal mobility to the lower back.

If during the examination of the patient some pathology of the spine was revealed, after eliminating the pain syndrome it is necessary to treat it. In the case of intervertebral hernias and displacement of the vertebrae, even surgical intervention may be required.

Features of treatment

Treatment of lumbago with sciatica takes place in 2 stages:

Drug therapy. Aimed at eliminating pain, inflammation, improving metabolism and the condition of nervous tissue.
Complex treatment. After the acute period, measures must be taken to prevent a recurrent attack. Complex treatment includes physical therapy, additional medications, physical therapy, manual therapy, massage and other methods. In many cases, the disease can be completely cured with conservative treatment.
Surgical treatment is prescribed for severe damage to the sciatic nerve, the presence of intervertebral hernia, osteophytes, and tumors.

How long does treatment last?

There is no exact answer to this question, because the severity of the disease varies from patient to patient. In some cases it takes 2-3 weeks for complete treatment, and in others 1-2 months.

Treatment of lumbago with sciatica can take quite a long time

Do they take you into the army?

There is always a chance of being exempt from military conscription. When diagnosing lumbago with sciatica, the cause of the disease (osteochondrosis, hernia) is necessary. A person should contact a neurologist or surgeon many times, because the number of visits to specialists has a certain weight.

Do they give disability

In very small numbers, patients are recognized as disabled; most are assigned to group 3. This means that such patients have a slight limitation in their ability to work. In this case, patients are recommended to change their work schedule or place of work.

Complete disability is recognized in a small number, and upon re-examination, working capacity is fully restored. In most cases, disability is assigned to people 40-50 years old who perform heavy physical work. Those patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle are rarely recognized as disabled.

The maximum number of patients recognized as disabled have chronic diseases of the spine, and the minimum number have congenital pathologies of the spinal column. Almost always they give disability for such causes of lumboischialgia as spondylitis with tuberculosis, neoplasms, and severe back injuries.

Diet

During the treatment of lumbago, the patient needs to follow a diet. The diet is based on the following products:

lean beef or chicken;
low-fat fish;
low-fat dairy products;
various cereals;
vegetables and fresh herbs;
fruits, berries, natural juices.

You should completely avoid fatty and irritating foods: smoked meats, pickles, marinades, spices and herbs, fatty meat or lard. Flour and sweet foods can be consumed in moderation. Avoid alcohol completely.

Physiotherapy

All physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed during the recovery period. The effect of physiotherapy is aimed at improving blood microcirculation, lymphatic drainage, metabolic processes and relieving pain symptoms.

Acupuncture (acupuncture, reflexology). Impact on biologically active points using thin needles. Thanks to this, spasms and pain are relieved.
Electrophoresis. Exposure of the affected area to low power currents simultaneously with the administration of the medicine. A frequently prescribed method of physical therapy.
Magnetotherapy. Exposure of the affected area to a magnetic field.
Shock wave therapy. This is the impact on the affected area with a low frequency pulse. This shock wave does not disrupt the functioning of healthy tissue.
Laser therapy. The laser penetrates deeply into the affected tissue, relieving inflammation in muscle and cartilage tissue, improving the condition of nerve roots and blood vessels. The laser acts only on the painful area, without touching healthy areas.

Laser therapy is one of the most effective methods of physiotherapy
Mud therapy.
Hirudotherapy. Treatment with medicinal leeches. Helps relieve inflammation.
Paraffin applications.
Interstitial electrical stimulation. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a needle under the patient's skin, which conducts current pulses. Electrical stimulation is well tolerated by patients.
The use of myostimulators, including at home. For example, Denas, Almag-01.

Massage and therapeutic exercises

A light massage during the development of an attack of lumbago improves local blood circulation, normalizes lymph flow, eliminates pain, swelling and inflammation. In this case, it is permissible to use only soft techniques in the lumbar region. These include rubbing, stroking, kneading. It is better to avoid serious effects during the period of exacerbation.

During an attack of lumbago, any physical activity is contraindicated. However, this does not mean that you need to lie motionless. Therapeutic exercises may include exercises such as rotating the feet, curling the toes, and raising and lowering the arms and legs. You can also do breathing exercises.

From the 3-4th day of illness, the list of permissible movements can be expanded. Exercises for lumbago may include the following:

raising the pelvis from a lying position;
spreading bent knees to the sides;
pulling the feet towards the buttocks;
head lifts with abdominal tension;
rounding and relaxing the back.

After a week, you can perform slow leg swings while standing on your hands and knees. It is also allowed to raise the shoulder girdle while lying on your back with your legs bent. Thanks to the systematic implementation of useful exercises, it is possible to activate blood circulation, normalize lower back mobility, and stretch muscle tissue and the spine.

Drug treatment

The following types of medications are used to treat lumbago with sciatica:

Non-narcotic analgesics . Used only to reduce pain, but not inflammation. Do not take more than 5 days in a row. Relieves moderate pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). First choice drugs for lumbar sciatica. Eliminate pain and inflammation. Negatively affects the gastric mucosa. The course is prescribed for no more than 5-7 days. Relieves moderate to severe pain.

NSAIDs are always prescribed for lumbar sciatica
Muscle relaxants . As a rule, they are taken together with NSAIDs. Such medications relax muscles, relieve muscle spasms, and enhance the effect of painkillers. They are also prescribed if there is no effect from NSAIDs within 2-3 days.
B vitamins . Restore damaged nerve tissue and relieve pain.
Glucocorticosteroids . These are hormonal drugs that are prescribed if analgesics and NSAIDs do not help. Have many side effects. Can be used no more than once a year. Effectively relieve pain, swelling, inflammation. Relieves very severe pain.
Narcotic analgesics . Prescribed if no other types of remedies help. The drugs contain opiates, which block the pain symptom from entering the brain. Causes addiction and drowsiness. Sold strictly according to prescription.
Chondroprotectors . Protect and restore damaged cartilage tissue. They need to be used for a long time, from 3-4 months. There is debate in medical circles about the benefits of these drugs.
Diuretics . Removes toxins and moisture, relieves swelling.
Antispasmodics . Medicines for muscle spasms. Additionally, they improve the patient’s nervous system.
Homeopathic medicines. These medications contain natural ingredients. At the beginning of using homeopathy, the patient’s condition may worsen, but then, due to the internal forces of the body, restoration of the body will begin.

Homeopathic medicines are not officially approved by medicine

Interesting article in continuation:

Be sure to read: TOP 10 methods for treating a pinched nerve in the lower back: ointments, injections and tablets, gymnastics, how to treat at home

TOP 12 methods of drug treatment for sciatica, list of the best drugs

Pills

They are taken for moderate to moderate pain. Omeprazole should be taken along with NSAIDs to prevent stomach pain. Do not exceed the indicated dosage of tablets.

List of effective tablets for the treatment of lumbago with sciatica:

Type of medication	Names and price
Non-narcotic analgesics	Baralgin M – from 350 rubles; Analgin – from 20 rubles; Solpadeine fast - from 200 rubles; Nurofen – from 120 rub.
Narcotic analgesics	Tramadol – from 100 rubles; Codeine; Piralgin - from 50 rubles; Pentalgin N – from 200 rubles; Sedalgin Neo – from 220 rub.
Muscle relaxants	Mydocalm - from 400 rubles; Sirdalud – from 300 rub.
Diuretics	Veroshpiron – from 100 rubles; Furosemide – from 30 rub.
Antispasmodics	No-shpa - from 100 rubles; Spazgan – from 150 rubles; Spazmalgon – from 150 rub.
B vitamins	Combilipen Tabs – from 350 rubles; Milgamma compositum - from 700 rubles; Neurobion – from 400 rub.
Chondroprotectors	Arthra - from 1100 rubles; Don - from 1300 rub.; Chondroitin – from 450 rub.
Homeopathy	Traumeel S – from 400 rubles; Rus-Plus; Target T – from 500 rub.

Ointments

Gels, ointments and creams significantly enhance the effect of other types of medications. Warming ointments should not be used during exacerbation of lumboischialgia. The ointment should be applied 3-4 times a day

Ointments with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Diclofenac ointment and gel – from 35 rub.
Ketoprofen - from 70 rub.
Indomethacin - from 85 rub.
Voltaren emulgel - from 310 rub.
Ketonal - from 380 rub.
Nise gel - from 270 rub.

Nise gel is a strong ointment for pain
Dolgit cream - from 170 rub.

Warming ointments

They can be used only a few days after an exacerbation.

Nicoflex - from 300 rub.
Capsicam - from 310 rub.

Capsicum smells unpleasant, but it reduces pain well
Finalgon - from 330 rub.

Cooling ointments

Finalgel - from 380 rub.
Fastum gel - from 240 rub.

Chondroprotectors

Teraflex - from 380 rub.
Chondroitin – from 140 rub.
Chondroxide - from 390 rub.

Ointments with snake and bee venom

Apizartron - from 310 rub.

Apizartron - ointment with bee venom
Viprosal B - from 330 rub.

Homeopathic ointments based on natural herbs

Goal T - from 680 rub.
Traumeel S - from 490 rub.

Injections

In the first 24 hours, when a severe acute attack occurs, intramuscular injections are required. Subsequently, patients are transferred to painkillers.

The most prescribed injections for lumbago with sciatica:

Diclofenac (analogues: Ortofen, Voltaren). NSAID of first choice. Relieves severe pain and inflammation. Even after the first injection, the pain becomes significantly less. Diclofenac is inexpensive - from 25 rubles.
Dexalgin. Has few side effects. Costs from 570 rub.
Ketoprofen (substitutes: Artrosilene, Flexen). This is an NSAID that quickly relieves pain. Up to 2 injections per day are given. Price from 70 rub.
Meloxicam (substitutes - Movalis, Artrosan). New generation NSAIDs are well tolerated by patients. Price from 220 rub.

Meloxicam is a relatively safe drug
Ketorol (analogs - Ketorolac, Ketonal). A very strong NSAID. The maximum course of treatment is up to 5 days. Costs from 110 rub.
Trigamma, Combilipen and Milgamma. These are B vitamins. They improve the functioning of nerve endings and locally relieve pain. Price from 320 rub.
Kenalog, Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone, Prednisolone and Diprospan. Hormonal drugs that are prescribed by doctors when there is no therapeutic effect from the use of other drugs. Eliminate chronic pain. Cost from 320 rub.
Neuromultivitis. It can even relieve chronic pain; it contains B vitamins. Costs from 250 rubles.
Compligam V. The analgesic effect of the injection lasts a long time. Contains B vitamins. Price – from 170 rubles.
Morphine, Tramadol. Narcotic analgesics are prescribed only for unbearable pain that even hormonal drugs cannot relieve.
Blockades. The injection is placed directly in the area of pain. The injection contains Novocaine + a hormonal agent. The blockade should only be performed by a competent specialist to avoid complications.

Blockades are placed only in emergency cases

Plasters

A very convenient form of medicine. The patches are valid from 12 hours to 3 days.

The best patches for lumbago with sciatica:

Voltaren . Patch with NSAID diclofenac. Reduces average pain and relieves inflammation. Valid for 24 hours. Unfortunately, the patch does not adhere well to the skin. Can be used for no longer than 2 weeks. Price from 280 rub. Be sure to read a good article: Voltaren patch with diclofenac: price, instructions for use, analogues, reviews from doctors

Versatis . Lidocaine patch. Locally relieves pain and swelling. Versatis lasts for 12 hours, after which you need to take a break for the same amount of time. Do not use for longer than 5-7 days. Excellent article on the topic: Lidocaine patch Versatis: instructions for use, price, reviews, analogues

Lumbago with sciatica, what is it and how to treat it?

Lumbago is an intense, sharp pain in the lower back that suddenly occurs when bending over, lifting heavy objects, coughing, or sneezing. Lumbago leads to a sharp limitation of movements.

The patient cannot straighten up, and sometimes even deep breathing causes severe pain. If the pain is localized in a small area on the lower back, then it is lumbago. If the unpleasant sensations spread to the buttock, thigh, lower leg and toes, then this is lumbago with sciatica.

Symptoms of lumbago with sciatica:

Acute pain in the lower back;
Burning or tingling along the sciatic nerve;
Difficulty moving the entire leg or foot;
Numbness in the buttock and leg;
Change in gait;
Constant aching pain in the buttock, back of the thigh, popliteal fossa, lower leg, foot;
Severe shooting pain when standing up and changing position.

The pain intensifies when sitting and subsides somewhat when walking or lying down. Almost always only one leg is affected.

Treatment of lumbago with sciatica is aimed at relieving inflammation in the nerve roots. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and B vitamins described in the main part of the article are used.

Treatment of lumbago with NANOPLAST forte therapeutic patch

Therapeutic analgesic anti-inflammatory patch NANOPLAST forte is a unique innovative, highly effective and safe treatment product of a new generation, which allows you to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of traditional medications, reduce the dosage or shorten the duration of taking painkillers that have noticeable side effects, and improve the patient’s condition.

The patch has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing effects. It improves blood and lymph circulation, reduces inflammation, reduces swelling and pain in the affected area.

In the treatment of lumbago, NANOPLAST forte shows very good results in many cases:

· allows you to relieve spasms, reduce pain and inflammation;
improve blood circulation in the affected area, which ensures active restoration of damaged tissues;
makes it possible to reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some cases, cancel them altogether.

It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it can also be used at night. The duration of the course of treatment for lumbago with a medicinal patch is from 9 days

High efficiency, long-term (up to 12 hours!) therapeutic effects, ease of use and affordable price make NANOPLAST forte the drug of choice in the treatment of lumbago, back and lower back pain.

The NANOPLAST forte medicinal patch is sold only in pharmacies, without a prescription.

Read the instructions for use and, if necessary, consult your doctor or pharmacist/pharmacist.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of acute lower back pain, you must:

Keep away from drafts.
Strengthen your back muscles by doing exercises.
No smoking.
Go swimming.
Avoid staying in one position for a long time.
Give yourself gentle physical activity.
When carrying loads, distribute the weight between two hands.
Sleep on a semi-rigid or orthopedic mattress.
Make sure your diet is balanced.
If there is a disease, osteochondrosis, treat it in a timely manner.
Lift weights with a straight spine. If necessary, bend your knees.

When lumbago occurs due to negligence, and there are no serious disorders in the spine, then following the doctor’s instructions and bed rest, the patient will recover within two weeks. You should find out the reasons that led to the disease and carry out a course of treatment to eliminate them.

Causes of lumbago. Diagnosis of lumbago

The causes of lumbago are pathological processes in the intervertebral discs. Most often it is lumbar osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, spondylosis. Lumbago as the first manifestation of a discogenic disease occurs very often (in 41% - 43% of cases).

The immediate cause of pain, as well as tonic muscle tension during lumbago, is irritation or pinching of the nerve roots in the area of the affected segment of the spine and adjacent ligaments. A reflex muscle spasm blocks movement in the damaged area to avoid further damage, while the spasmed muscles pinch the nerve endings, which leads to increased pain.

Pain syndromes such as lumbago can also be associated with osteofibrosis (dystrophic changes at the junction of fibrous tissues with the bony protrusions of the vertebrae). Changes can occur not only in the junction of the fibrous ring and the marginal border of the vertebra, but also in the ligaments and muscle tendons in the spine.

Lumbago can occur during or after physical activity, from awkward movement when turning the body, or when squatting. Staying in one position for a long time, sitting in front of a computer for many hours, an unsuccessful jerk during fitness classes, lifting and carrying heavy objects - all these factors can trigger an attack of lumbago. An attack can be caused by general hypothermia of the body, local hypothermia of the lumbar region, or be a manifestation of radiculitis and other diseases of the spine.

The diagnosis of lumbago is made, first of all, by external signs: immobility of the lumbar region, sharp pain. In addition, patients complain of a headache characteristic of the disease.

When diagnosing lumbago, it should be borne in mind that lower back pain can be a sign of inflammatory diseases of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis, tumor lesions of the spine and paravertebral (located next to the spine) tissues, diseases of the meninges of the spinal cord and the roots of the equine spine. tail" (meningitis, meningoradiculitis, sarcomatosis of the meninges, etc.), as well as traumatic and inflammatory lesions of the back muscles (myositis), spontaneous intramuscular hemorrhages (with leukemia). However, unlike lumbago, in all these pathological processes, lower back pain is combined with other symptoms and does not have a clear connection with physical overexertion.

To make an accurate diagnosis and exclude other possible diseases, the doctor may order an X-ray examination of the lumbar spine, but MRI is more informative. It is necessary to examine the patient by a gynecologist, urologist, or neurologist. If it is not possible to clarify the cause of lumbago on an outpatient basis, the patient should be sent to a hospital.

Treatment of lumbago

Treatment of lumbago consists of two stages. In the acute period of lumbago, the main goal is pain relief.

Strict bed rest is required, on a flat, non-sag surface, for several days until the acute pain disappears. Most often, the pain decreases if the patient lies on his back, bending his knees and placing them on a slight elevation. This allows you to relax the muscles in the spine.

To reduce pain and relieve muscle spasms, analgesics, NSAIDs, antispasmodics, and muscle relaxants are prescribed. Corticosteroid hormones may be used. B vitamins are also prescribed, which should be taken according to a certain schedule for several months.

Fig: Recommended posture when shooting.

To treat lumbago, it is recommended to warm the lower back with dry heat and warming ointments. However, warming ointments for lumbago can only be used during the rehabilitation period - otherwise they can cause swelling and increase pain.

In the acute period of lumbago, you need to adhere to a diet. Salty, spicy, smoked dishes should be excluded, because... they retain water in the body and, therefore, increase swelling. You can consume fatty lard and meat in limited quantities, but porridge, vegetable soups, and potatoes will bring the maximum benefit. Herbal teas that have anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects are useful.

In the future, the main goal of treatment for lumbago is to prevent recurrent attacks. Physical therapy is necessary; acupuncture, manual therapy, and physiotherapeutic procedures provide good results. In the remission stage, massage and therapeutic exercises, spa treatment are indicated.

The use of the therapeutic pain-relieving anti-inflammatory patch NANOPLAST forte significantly increases the effectiveness of lumbago treatment, both for monotherapy - for mild attacks, and in complex therapy, together with other drugs - in more severe cases.

Treatment at home with folk remedies

Traditional methods of treatment must be used simultaneously with conservative therapy. This will increase the effectiveness of medications and reduce their dosage. Treatment at home should not replace drug therapy.

Badger fat . Rub badger fat onto the painful area. Place cling film on top. Keep for 2-3 hours.

Herbal decoction . Take the leaves of calendula, sweet clover and plantain, or celandine, valerian roots, eucalyptus leaves in equal proportions. Place the herbs in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Leave for 2 hours. Take 100 ml of cold decoction before meals for 14 days.

belts made of dog hair helps relieve the symptoms of lumboischialgia .

Agave ointment . Take fresh leaves of Agave americana and rub them on a fine grater. Mix the mixture with badger or pork fat. Rub the prepared ointment into the sore area until completely absorbed. Then insulate the area with woolen cloth.

Therapeutic bath with pine needles, turpentine or dry mustard. It should be used for 15-20 minutes, the water temperature is 35-40°C.

Use Kuznetsov or Lyapko applicator . These remedies will enhance the effect of local remedies, improve blood flow and metabolism, and relieve spasms and pain.

Menovazin . Rub the affected areas with Menovazine before going to bed. This remedy has a cooling and vasodilator effect, which is good for reducing pain symptoms.

Massage

Outside the acute period of the disease, massage courses, which are best carried out 2 times a year, are very helpful. It is important to find a professional massage therapist to get the most beneficial effect.

Be sure to read: TOP 50 best ointments for cervical osteochondrosis

Massage improves spinal mobility, reduces pain, improves metabolism and blood circulation. All this prevents relapse.

Vacuum cupping massage has a good healing effect . Vacuum cups lift the upper layers of the skin, which normalizes lymphatic drainage and blood flow, removes toxins, and relieves muscle spasms. This procedure can be done even at home.

Vacuum cupping massage significantly improves the patient’s condition

Exercises

Exercise therapy can be done only after acute pain and inflammation have subsided. Therapeutic exercise will strengthen the muscle corset, improve the condition of the entire spine, mobility, and reduce the risk of vertebral displacement.

For lumbago with sciatica, the following course of gymnastics is recommended:

Smooth turns of the body, bends, and arching of the spine. Perform 10-15 repetitions. This will help strengthen the lumbar back muscles.
Get on all fours. Swing with the opposite leg and arm. Do 20 repetitions. This will help improve mobility.
Lie on your back and pull your legs towards your chest with your knees bent. Repeat 15 times.

It is best to take a set of exercises from a doctor, or perform exercises in a medical center under the supervision of a physical therapy doctor.

Lumbago: treatment of lumbago with NANOPLAST forte medical patch