Lumbar spine pain – symptoms, causes, and treatment25 sierpnia 2022 |
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Lower back pain is most commonly chronic in nature, and rarely occurs suddenly. Sometimes, its intensity increases with bending, which is associated with excessive stretching of the structures surrounding the lumbar spine, as well as the spine itself.
The main symptoms that occur with lower back pain are usually:
Depending on the cause of lower back pain, additional symptoms related to the functioning of specific structures, such as the kidneys, may also appear.
Causes of lumbar spine pain are almost entirely mechanical, with only up to 3% of cases being caused by chemical factors.
The most common cause of lumbar spine pain is degeneration of the intervertebral disc and its herniation, known as discopathy. Discopathy can take two forms. In most cases, it is single-level, meaning that the degeneration of the intervertebral disc affects only one segment of the spine. However, multi-level discopathy is becoming more common, where the degeneration of the disc affects more than one segment at a time.
Lumbar spine pain is often also caused by sciatica. In this condition, pain occurs due to irritation of the spinal nerve roots and compression of the spinal nerves, as well as other structures in the spinal canal. This pain is specific because it can be sudden and feel like tearing. In this case, the lumbar spine pain radiates to the buttock, thigh, and even foot. Numbness in the limbs and sensory disturbances are also felt.
Lumbar spine pain may also result from renal colic caused by kidney stones. In this case, in addition to persistent pain in the lumbar spine, one may experience hematuria, fever, and general weakness. Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, are the best way to confirm or rule out lumbar spine pain caused by kidney stones. A typical symptom of this condition is Goldfran's sign.
Regardless of the cause, lumbar spine pain should not be trivialized.
Kidney stones are not the only cause of lower back pain that is not directly related to the spine. Increasingly, people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, gallbladder inflammation, or severe constipation complain of lower back pain. So if we have ulcerative colitis, intestinal obstruction, or Crohn's disease, there is a high risk that we will also experience lower back pain. This applies equally to people with bladder inflammation, stomach, pancreas, or liver disease, especially when accompanied by dyspeptic symptoms.
In women, menopause and gynecological disorders are often reported as a common cause of lower back pain. These are most often associated with endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Young women sometimes experience lower back pain during menstruation.
In addition to obvious causes of lower back pain, there is also an increase in the percentage of people suffering from it, for whom it is a result of significantly increased muscle tension in the lower back area. In times when too much emphasis is placed on work efficiency and too little interest in health, chronic stress is most commonly cited as the cause of this condition. This, in turn, is associated with a lack of physical activity and obesity.
Along with causes directly related to medical conditions, many of us complain of lower back pain caused by sleeping on a too soft mattress. This is because it does not provide adequate body support and spine support due to sinking in. Sleeping on it causes an unnatural curvature of the spine throughout the entire sleep.
Particular caution should be exercised in the case of people who experience hip pain while sleeping on their side on a poor mattress. In their case, there is also excessive adduction of the limb, which can result in serious discomfort in the hip joint.
Sleeping on a hard mattress is also not recommended for someone suffering from lower back pain. This is because it causes difficulties with distributing body weight properly. This is due to the formation of weight accumulation points on the hard mattress, which are areas where our bodies are supported on the supporting surface. Additionally, it straightens the spine, thus not supporting its natural curves.
Treatment of lower back pain depends on its cause. In most cases, at least partial causal treatment can be carried out, rather than just symptomatic treatment. Combining treatment with a lifestyle change usually produces lasting effects that not only alleviate pain in the lumbar spine but also improve overall biopsychosocial functioning.
If the lower back pain is caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc and the associated discopathy, the success of treatment depends on the stage at which it is at. A person whose intervertebral disc is still in the bulging or protrusion stage has a better chance of recovering, while someone in the extrusion stage has a significantly lower chance. Treatment in this case primarily involves physiotherapy but also includes acupuncture and psychoeducation for habit change. People with intervertebral disc sequestration can only partially regain their mobility and often require surgical intervention.
Lower back pain caused by sciatica will disappear when the underlying causes are removed. However, this is not always possible, so exercise recommended by a physiotherapist is necessary.
If lower back pain is caused by various internal organ diseases, it is essential to consult a specialist doctor immediately and follow their recommendations. In some cases, it is crucial to react as quickly as possible and not to trivialize symptoms.
Regardless of the cause of lower back pain, it is essential to ensure comfortable and healthy sleeping conditions. During sleep, our bodies are in a state of complete unawareness, which ultimately requires us to provide them with optimal support.
This is especially important when we consider the fact that we spend an average of one-third of our lives sleeping. For the average person, life lasts 25,915 days, which equates to an average of 207,320 hours of sleep. The importance of these hours is crucial not only for combating lower back pain but also directly affects a person's quality of functioning during the day.
The best mattress for lower back pain is a medium-firm mattress. It's best to choose a high-density foam mattress with a firmness of 6.5 on the American mattress hardness scale. Such a mattress will provide the best support for the body and the lower back, especially in cases of lumbar disc herniation, which is one of the most common causes of lower back pain.
The ideal choice for people suffering from lower back pain is the Osaka Air high-density foam mattress. It is a first-class medical product designed by a team of doctors, physiotherapists, and a psychologist.
Thanks to the results of research and a long process of prototyping and testing during the design thinking process, its construction has been adapted to the natural needs of the human body, including support for the natural curvature of the spine. As a result, it meets all medical requirements for maintaining a correct, physiological sleeping position.
With a unique 100-day return program, anyone suffering from lower back pain has the opportunity to test it without any risk. Additionally, it is covered by a 15-year warranty, and it can be purchased in installments.
The main symptom of lower back pain is pain in the back area. Along with this, pain in the buttocks and lower limbs often occurs. In addition, lower back pain can also cause sensory disturbances and muscle weakness in the legs, as well as numbness or tingling. Furthermore, lower back pain is often associated with increased muscle tension around the lumbar spine.
The duration of lower back pain depends on the underlying cause of the pain. If it is caused by improper sleeping conditions and habits, the symptoms should subside after changing the mattress and pillow. On the other hand, lower back pain caused by other factors should go away after the underlying causes are addressed, through both causal and symptomatic treatment. Treating only the symptoms, i.e. focusing solely on pain relief, is not very effective, as the pain will return after a few days or weeks, and may be even worse.
Lower back pain occurs in the spine, in the area from the twelfth rib to the buttocks. However, lower back pain often radiates to the lower limbs, especially in chronic cases.
When experiencing lower back pain, the first step is to determine the cause of the pain and implement causal treatment if possible. The first step in treating lower back pain is to change sleeping conditions and habits. This involves changing the mattress to one that is optimal for the spine, with a firmness of 6.5 on the American scale for mattress firmness. It is also advisable to invest in an appropriate orthopedic pillow and assume a physiological sleeping position.
The lumbar spine is most strained by an unnatural sleeping position, as well as prolonged standing and sitting. The human spine is naturally accustomed to physical activity, which is why an adequate amount of movement is necessary to maintain the health of the lumbar spine.
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