How Your Back Pain Might be Causing Hip Pain

If you suffer from chronic back pain, your hips may be the cause. Back pain can sometimes lead to hip pain or vice versa. There are many ways these two problems can affect each other – but it’s important to know how they’re related in the first place!

What Causes Hip Pain?

Hip pain can be caused by several things, including injury, arthritis, and just being old. Injuries to the hip can include falls onto the hip, torn muscles near the hip, or even twisting or pulling on the knee joint. Arthritis can also cause hip pain. The cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the hips can become inflamed and cause pain. Hip pain is also common in older people because moving around the joint becomes more difficult as the cartilage wears away.

Luckily, there are many things you can do to ease hip pain. First, make sure you get medical attention if your pain doesn’t go away after trying self-treatment. Second, try to keep your weight off your hip. This means avoiding obesity and choosing healthy foods that don’t put extra stress on your hips. Third, exercise regularly to maintain muscle strength around the hip joint and help reduce inflammation and pain. Finally, talk to your doctor about other treatments that might be effective for your specific case of hip pain.

What causes Low Back Pain?

There are many possible causes of low back pain, but the most common is a herniated disk, which is a bulge or tears in the disk that surrounds the spinal cord. Other causes include arthritis, tumors, and compression of the spinal cord. Some people develop low back pain after a fall or during childbirth.

How They’re Connected

Both hip dances and ballroom dancing involve a lot of intricate footwork and movement. Many people who take up ballroom dancing as a hobby may find that they’re already quite skilled at hip-hop Dancing. 

Several things make hip-hop Dancing and ballroom Dancing so similar. First, they involve a lot of pivoting, turning, and shifting your body weight. This is why it’s important to have strong core muscles while learning either dance style. Second, both dances require a lot of coordination between your arms and legs. Finally, both dances require good posture – if you maintain good alignment, you’ll look better and move more gracefully in both styles.

Symptoms of Hip and Back Pain

If you’re experiencing pain in your hips or low back, you can do a few things to get relief. Here are some common symptoms of hip and low back pain and what you can do to treat them. The Hip and the Leg. The hip joint or the hip is a ball-and-socket type of joint. It consists of two bones: the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (ball socket). These bones move apart when you move your leg and feet, then come together again to allow for movement.

What are some causes of hip pain? An injury typically causes hip pain, but an overuse issue can also bring it on. An injury can cause bruising, swelling, muscle sprains, and skin tears that bleed into your muscles around the hip socket – causing hip pain.

Treatment Options for Hip and Back Pain

There are a variety of treatments that can be used to relieve hip and low back pain. The following are five of the more common treatment options.

1. Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy is a common treatment for hip and low back pain. Physical therapists may help you improve your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and learn how to use exercises to prevent future pain episodes.

2. Acupuncture 

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that uses needles to treat various conditions, including hip and low back pain. Some studies have shown that acupuncture can be effective in relieving pain, improving mobility, and reducing inflammation. However, there is limited research into the effectiveness of acupuncture for hip and low back pain specifically. If you are considering acupuncture for your condition, speak with your doctor first.

3. Medications 

Many people find that medications help relieve their hip and low back pain. Common medications used to treat hip and low back pain include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), Celebrex, and naproxen ( Aleve). Other medications, such as opioids (like Vicodin and Percocet), muscle relaxants, muscle stimulants, antidepressants, or antiepileptic drugs, may also be used. You are encouraged to discuss the best treatment option with your doctor.

4. Exercise

Exercise is important in managing low back pain, hip pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Physical exercise can increase strength and range of motion in the affected area, which helps to improve function and decrease pain. It can also decrease stress levels and improve sleep quality. When strengthening muscles after a back injury or surgery, you should start with light weightlifting exercises like toe raises and stiff-leg deadlifts before progressing to more intense weightlifting exercises

Conclusion

Good hip joint health is essential for your physical and mental well-being. Poor hip joint health can lead to several problems, including decreased mobility, pain, and fatigue. Here are a few simple tips to help keep your hips healthy:

• Get moving! Exercise not only improves your overall fitness level, but it also helps to maintain good hip joint health by reducing the risk of obesity and promoting better circulation.

• Protect yourself from harm! Keep your body as protected as possible by wearing supportive clothing when climbing stairs or other activities that may stress your hips.

• Talk to a healthcare professional about hip issues if they persist after following these basic tips. A healthcare professional can provide additional advice and guidance on how best to care for your hips.

Contact us if you are still searching for more information on how back and hip pain are related and connected. 

Is It Back Pain or Hip Pain? Getting to the Root of the Problem

If you have pain in your low back, hips, and other areas in your lower body, the source isn’t always easy to pinpoint. Your pain may originate in your lumbar spine (low back) or your hip—or both—and it’s important that your doctor identifies the source of the problem, so you receive the right treatment.

Because the hips and lower spine are located so closely together, it’s easy to mistake back pain for hip pain (and vice versa). Regardless of the origin, most low back pain and hip pain share a common cause: normal wear and tear on the body due to aging or triggered by overuse injuries (your doctor may refer to this wear and tear as degeneration or degenerative changes). Lumbar sprains and strains, osteoarthritis, and herniated discs are common degenerative culprits behind low back and hip pain.

Determining if pain is back or hip related can be difficult to distinguish because the lower back and hips are close to each other. Photo Source: 123RF.com.

Signs that Your Hip Is the Source of Your Pain

One of the biggest signs that your pain is caused by a problem in your hip is the presence of groin pain. Your hip joint is located behind the groin, that’s why groin pain usually means the hip is the root cause of pain. In some cases, this groin pain will radiate downward toward your knee.

Another obvious sign that your hip is the source of your pain is pain around or over the hip joint. However, hip problems can also refer pain to your low back, contributing to the confusion over where the true source of the pain is located.

Hip-related pain is most often caused by osteoarthritis in the hip. In addition to groin pain, people who have osteoarthritis in their hip joint often report pain in their buttock, front of thighs, and knees. They may also limp when they walk and report reduced range of motion in their hips, pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, and discomfort that begins as occasional but becomes more regular.

While osteoarthritis is the most common cause, hip pain may also derive from piriformis syndrome, avascular necrosis in the hip, and/or sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

• Piriformis syndrome causes dull, mild pain in the low back and buttocks and can cause pain radiating down the leg—or sciatica.

• On the other hand, the hip pain associated with avascular necrosis is severe and constant.

• Sacroiliac joint pain might be attributed to both the hip and the low back, as the sacroiliac joints connect the sacrum in spine to the hip bones.

Signs that Your Spine Is the Source of Your Pain

Whereas groin pain is a telltale sign that the pain is linked to the hip, pain above the waistline that travels down the body typically indicates a low back issue. A low back problem may also be responsible for other types of lower body pain, including thigh, buttock, and below-the-knee pain.

Among the most common degenerative conditions that affect the lumbar spine are herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. These conditions cause pain by irritating your low back nerves, resulting in pain that shoots down your legs (ie, sciatica), weakness, numbness, and reducing your range of motion.

The pattern of pain coming from the lumbar spine can be variable, depending of the specific issue causing the pain. Commonly, pain from arthritis of the spine occurs during transitions such as getting out of bed in the morning or raising up from sitting. It can often then improve after getting moving. In contrast, pain from spinal stenosis or nerve pressure (ie, compression) is often worse with prolonged standing or walking and relieved with sitting.

How Doctors Get to Root of Your Pain

If you have pain in your lower body and aren’t sure whether your back or hip is to blame, a good first course of action is to visit your personal doctor. He or she will review your medical history and may perform a series of physical exam tests (ie, movements) to get to the root of your pain. Alternatively, your personal doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the hip or spine to make an accurate diagnosis.

Your doctor will ask you to describe your pain, including its location, when it worsens/is relieved, and what the pain feels like (eg, sharp, dull, etcetera).

After listening to your description of your pain, your doctor may have you perform several maneuvers or movements as part of a physical exam. The goal of these maneuvers is to determine what movements recreate your pain. One such maneuver is called the Flexion Abduction External Rotation (FABER) test, which helps determine if the disorder is sourced in your hip and may illuminate sacroiliac joint problems. During this test, you lie down your back while flexing and rotating your hips. Your doctor may also palpate (press) the area of pain.

Next, your doctor may also order imaging scans, such an x-ray to view your bones or an MRI to view soft tissues (eg, nerves), which may help reveal the true nature of the spinal or hip problem. It is important for your doctor to then determine if your complaints and exam findings can be explained by what is seen on the images.

If still unable to definitively yield a diagnosis, your doctor may recommend using an injection containing a numbing agent to help confirm a diagnosis. Here’s how a diagnostic injection works:

If, for example, your doctor injects the medication into your hip joint, and your symptoms are relieved, that indicates that your pain originates in your hip. However, if the injection does not relieve pain, that means the source of pain is located elsewhere. Therefore, even if the injection does not make the pain go away permanently, your doctor may be most interested in your initial response to the injection.

Treating Back Pain and Hip Pain

Once your pain is identified as truly originating in your hip or in your low back, your doctor will work with you to craft a treatment plan to address it. In many cases, this regimen will include medication to reduce inflammation and pain, and a specially designed physical therapy program to teach you movements, stretches, and physical activities to help alleviate symptoms and prevent them from returning. Depending on the nature of your pain, your doctor may also recommend lifestyle modifications (eg, losing weight or quitting smoking) to treat your pain. For both spine pain and hip pain, surgery is rarely necessary and viewed as a last-resort treatment option.

Notes: This article was originally published July 8, 2019 and most recently updated August 19, 2019.

Jones HR, Burns TM, Aminoff MJ, Pomeroy SL. Pain. Chapter: Diagnosis of Low Back, Buttock, and Hip Pain. Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Spinal Cord and Peripheral Motor and Sensory Systems, Section 8, 201-224.

My Hip Hurts: Or Is It Back Pain? UPMC HealthBeat. https://share.upmc.com/2014/09/hip-hurts-back-pain/. Published September 8, 2014. Accessed July 8, 2019.

Nall R. What causes lower back and hip pain? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325433.php. Last reviewed June 10, 2019. Accessed July 8, 2019.

Oh, My Aching Back — Or Is It My Hip? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/oh-my-aching-back-or-is-it-my-hip/. Published August 25, 2015. Accessed July 8, 2019.

Our Review Process

Pinched sciatic nerve: symptoms, causes and prevention :: IVR Blog

Pinched nerve in the pelvis is an unpleasant and fairly common problem among adults. It is with such a complaint that patients who experience severe pain in the leg and hips apply. Absolutely everyone can face this, regardless of age and activity. The fact is that inflammation of the sciatic nerve, or sciatica, develops against the background of other diseases and disorders, mainly associated with the back. Among the reasons, doctors distinguish a sedentary or too active lifestyle, hypothermia and heavy loads. What to do with inflammation of the sciatic nerve and how to prevent the disease, we will consider in detail in this article.

What is a pinched sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in our body. It originates from the lower lumbar vertebrae, passes under the piriformis muscle along the pelvis and exits to the legs. Consists of the last two lumbar roots and the first three sacral roots. It is he who forms the sensory and motor branches to the legs, providing the functions of walking. Therefore, any problems with this nerve hamper movement and disrupt the usual rhythm of life.

Pinching is the result of nerve compression, which leads to a deterioration in its nutrition and functioning. Pinching can occur in any part of it, but the pain syndrome spreads to the entire surface. If the sciatic nerve is inflamed, this indicates prolonged compression and the lack of proper treatment. In this case, there are severe constant pain and there is a gradual destruction of the nerve tissue.

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

The main symptom, if the sciatic nerve is pinched, is pain in the buttock, which radiates to the leg. In this case, the leg may hurt more when walking or, conversely, at rest. Pain with pinching of the sciatic nerve is one-sided, usually has a sharp character, like an electric shock. In some cases, it is accompanied by a burning sensation in the leg, a feeling of cold, tingling and crawling. Unpleasant sensations are localized, as a rule, along the inner surface of the leg: the pain begins in the buttock, then descends below the knee, gives in the calves and less often in the foot.

With pinched nerves, there is practically no swelling and swelling of the extremities. But the motor ability of the leg always worsens: the leg seems to jam, the movements are limited, numbness along the nerve, muscle weakness.

How to recognize a pinched sciatic nerve at home

Pinched nerves are often confused with pathologies of the hip joint. With exacerbation of arthrosis and arthritis, pain is inflammatory in nature: constant, aching, which intensifies at rest. They are localized in the joint area, but rarely spread to the entire surface of the leg. Also, with pathologies of the joint, paresthesia is not felt on the back of the thigh.

At the first stage, you can check the diagnosis at home with the help of exercises:

• lie on your back, raise and bend one leg at the knee at an angle of 90 degrees;

• try to straighten the leg up;

• bend the leg at the knee, put the hands on the stomach and turn the leg to the side.

If at the moment of leg movement there is a sharp pain, pulling under the muscle, in the thigh, radiating to the lower back – this is a clear sign of a pinched nerve.

The main causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

“Why does the sciatic nerve become inflamed?” – this is one of the most common questions among those who have ever encountered such a problem. As we have already said, infringement, inflammation of the nerve is not a separate disease, but a symptom. There are quite a few reasons, but in 90% of cases these are problems with the back and, in particular, with the sacro-lumbar region. Consider the most common:

1. Lumbar disc protrusion and herniation are the most common causes of sciatica. Any deformation of the fibrous ring can lead to compression of the root that forms the sciatic nerve. As a result, all his work is disrupted, and, as a result, a pain syndrome occurs.

2. Displacement of the vertebrae, pelvic tilt, curvature of the spine.

3. Spinal stenosis. In this case, the lumen of the canal itself, in which the spinal cord is located, narrows. It occurs most often in older people, after 60 years.

4. Osteochondrosis as a type of degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, when the discs protrude beyond the spine and become overgrown with bone growths. Such formations also often pinch and put pressure on the nerve roots.

5. Dysfunction of the sacroiliac or hip joint.

6. Spasm of the piriformis muscle due to hypothermia, excessive exercise or injury.

7. Hypothermia, causing the sciatic nerve to catch cold and become inflamed.

In rare cases, specialists point out among the causes of sciatica inflammation of the pelvic organs, as well as tissue compression during pregnancy by a large fetus. People with obesity and diabetes are at risk.

What not to do in case of pinched sciatic nerve

People very often try to treat pinched sciatic nerve on their own at home and using traditional methods. But this absolutely cannot be done. The sciatic nerve itself is long and large: it is important to understand that the problem can be not only in the pelvis, but also in the back, in the legs. Sometimes there are problems with vessels and ligaments. And the use of local ointments, lotions and rubbing is fraught with aggravation of problems. If treatment is not started in time, pinching can lead to a complete loss of movement of the leg or foot.

For any pain in the back, pelvis or legs, it is important to see a doctor immediately. At home, it is impossible to cure the disease. You can only stop the pain by taking a comfortable position and an anesthetic.

It is also not recommended to actively move, heat and rub the sore spot. It is advisable to sleep on your side during treatment, on a hard mattress.

How to treat the sciatic nerve

Treatment methods always depend on the cause. Therefore, to the question of what to do when the sciatic nerve is pinched, there is only one answer – to consult a specialist and conduct a thorough diagnosis. In addition to visual examination and palpation, as a rule, a complete examination is prescribed:

• MRI of the lumbar area;

• X-ray of the lower back and pelvic bones;

• complete blood count;

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

One of the first goals of treatment is to relax the muscles, relieve inflammation and improve blood flow to the nerve endings. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes drug therapy. For this, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a complex of B vitamins and painkillers injections are used.

Also, after a complete examination, the specialist will be able to advise how to anesthetize the sciatic nerve at home. Sometimes fixed belts and corsets are prescribed. Therapeutic exercises for inflammation of the sciatic nerve include special exercises that can also be performed at home.

However, proper treatment of a pinched nerve always involves a comprehensive approach. A number of effective methods are used in IVR clinics: physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, manual therapy. The full treatment program is prescribed individually.

An obligatory stage is rehabilitation, which helps to quickly restore metabolic processes in the spine, normalize blood circulation and tissue nutrition, and strengthen the back muscle corset.

When and which doctor should be consulted

As a rule, severe sharp pains in sciatica do not last more than a week. Then, with proper treatment, they gradually decrease and disappear completely after a few weeks. At the first symptoms of pinching, you can contact a therapist for further examination and diagnosis. If after a week the pain does not go away, it intensifies, it is better to immediately visit a neurologist. In some cases, an additional examination by an orthopedist, vertebrologist or surgeon is necessary.

Prevention of inflammation: advice from specialists IVR

Knowing what threatens to pinch the sciatic nerve, like any disease, it is better to prevent it. Vertebrologists and neurologists recommend following the recommendations:

• do not lift heavy things, do not overexert yourself;

• lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor nutrition and regular physical activity;

• include gymnastics in daily practice, take breaks when sitting for a long time: exercises for stretching the spine will be useful;

• keep out of drafts, do not get cold, do not sit on cold surfaces;

• watch your posture.

Conclusions

Pinched nerve is a common and familiar problem. Awkward movement, heavy lifting, a sharp turn can cause severe pain and backache. Usually, a few days of rest are enough for the pain to subside and completely stop bothering the person. However, if pinching occurs in the pelvic area, in the sacral region, it is better to immediately contact a specialist.

Sciatica is not a separate disease, but a symptom that is often the result of degenerative processes in the spine or joints. Therefore, before removing inflammation of the sciatic nerve, it is necessary to conduct a complete examination. A competent and comprehensive approach will help not only stop the pain, but also completely cure the problem. Be healthy!

Back pain – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of acute pain0007

Arrival at the sanatorium begins with an examination by a general practitioner who refers patients to a narrow specialist. Then laboratory or instrumental diagnostics awaits you.
For patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, our orthopedists have developed their own program, which can be used both as a treatment and as a preventive measure. It is called “Healthy Spine” and includes:

• a balanced diet;
• physiotherapy;
• laser therapy;

• water treatments;
• massage;
• gymnastics, physiotherapy exercises.

In the treatment of the spine, we actively use the healing Crimean mud. They are rich in minerals and retain heat well. Due to this, mud applications on painful joints relieve unpleasant symptoms after 2-3 procedures. Full mud wraps relax the body, improve the mobility of the limbs. Moreover, the procedure has an equally positive effect on young children, adults, and elderly patients.

The final stage of treatment is a second consultation with a therapist. He conducts an examination, diagnostic procedures to evaluate the result of sanatorium treatment. The duration of the Healthy Spine program is 7, 10, 14, 18, 21 days.

Everyone has experienced back pain. Some experience it temporarily, while others face permanent pain. To relieve discomfort, many people resort to the use of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but often do not think about the causes of severe pain. This careless approach to health can lead to serious pathologies and complications.

When discomfort occurs, it is important to identify the cause before starting treatment.

Article content:

• Causes
• Back pain after sleep
• Diseases causing back pain
• Localization of back pain
• When should I see a doctor?
• Diagnostics
• Treatment
• Prophylaxis

Causes

Back pain can be caused by various causes, such as deformities of skeletal structures, ligament damage, computer addiction, infectious diseases, age-related changes and other concomitant factors. Women in most cases suffer from back pain more often than men.

There are many causes of back pain, including diseases of the internal organs, trauma to the spine (including fractures), and neurological problems, which often indicate the presence of degenerative disc disease. Sometimes back pain can be associated with gastrointestinal pathology, the presence of kidney stones and other problems.

In addition, the back is prone to injury and pain, as the spine performs several functions, including support, protection, cushioning and movement. So if you have back pain, it could be the result of bad posture, putting too much stress on your back, or a sudden movement or turn.

Determining the cause of back pain is not always easy, as the spine performs several functions at the same time, including support, protection, cushioning and movement of the body. Chronic back pain may be due to a malfunction in one of these functions.

Some types of pain may be associated with specific causes. For example, pain between the shoulder blades can be associated with bronchitis and coughing, and pain in the back muscles can be caused by overexertion after heavy lifting. Back pain on the right or left may be due to a sudden rotation of the body.

However, periodic sharp pains may be due to more serious causes, such as inflammation of the internal organs, kidney stones or spinal contusion. If the diagnosis of the back does not reveal degenerative changes, an examination of the internal organs may be required. For example, discomfort in the lumbar region may be a symptom of nephrosis.

Different types of back pain can indicate different types of illness. For example, aching pain may be associated with myositis, lumbago, or intervertebral hernia, and exacerbation may occur during exercise, hypothermia, or prolonged exposure to one position. Shooting pain can be associated with intervertebral hernia, sciatica, or osteochondrosis, and throbbing pain can be associated with lumbago, intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, or spondylosis. Bursting and pressing pain can be associated with various causes, including pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction, spondyloarthrosis, intestinal obstruction, or atherosclerosis in the chest, spine, or neck, respectively.

Aching pain in the back may indicate the following conditions:

• Lumbago, also known as shooting pain in the lower back, can be caused by strenuous physical labor and usually goes away on its own within a few days.
• Myositis, muscle strain, sudden heavy lifting, hypothermia, and prolonged awkward posture while working can also cause back pain.
• Displaced intervertebral discs is one of the most common causes of back pain, especially associated with osteochondrosis.

Acute pain radiating to the extremities characterizes such diseases as:

• Osteochondrosis causes discomfort in the back, which spreads to the leg and is aggravated by coughing, sneezing or exertion.
• Sciatica presents with persistent stabbing or dull pain, usually limited to one side of the body, which may radiate to the thigh, buttock, lower leg, and leg. This pain may be accompanied by numbness and itching and worsen with movement.
• A herniated disc causes pain when bending over and lifting heavy objects, and is aggravated by coughing, sneezing, and movement. Often these pains are accompanied by weakness in the leg.

Bursting pain may be a signal for angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. If you have pain in your upper back or mid-chest, it may be due to angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or pulmonary embolism. Pain in the lumbar region may be a sign of intestinal obstruction or spondyloarthrosis.

Pressing pain indicates such diseases as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, problems with the gallbladder (pain occurs after eating), atherosclerosis, hypertensive crisis.

Back pain after sleep

After waking up in the morning, many people experience stiffness, discomfort and pain in various areas of the back, such as below the shoulder blades, in the right or left side, or in the lumbar region. These symptoms can be associated not only with the wrong position during sleep or with an unsuitable mattress, but also with other reasons.

One of the possible causes of back pain after sleep may be the performance of physical work with heavy lifting during the previous day. In addition, the back muscles may be weakened, which can also cause discomfort.

Other causes of back pain after sleep may include a diagnosed herniated disc or osteochondrosis, hypothermia, curvature of the spine, due to which the muscles contract unevenly, uneven load on the spine due to obesity, pregnancy or stress.

Diseases that cause back pain

Various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system can lead to pain in the spine. Among them:

• Ankylosing spondylitis, which is accompanied by spasms of the paravertebral muscles. This results in patients often leaning forward to reduce discomfort. Gradually, the vertebrae become stiff, inflamed and grow together, which leads to a violation of the mobility of the spine.
• Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis, which usually present with low back pain. With these diseases, the vertebrae move forward or backward, which can lead to compression of the nerve endings.
• Osteochondrosis, in which the depreciation of the spine deteriorates, and the discs between the vertebrae begin to crack. As a result, the annulus fibrosus ruptures, and the nucleus of the disc comes out, infringing on the nerves.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, which can affect the knees, shoulders, hips and cervical spine. Patients may feel stiff and shooting in the morning due to excess pressure on the nerves caused by the affected vertebrae.
• Osteomyelitis, which causes inflammation of the bone tissue of the spine and acute muscle pain.
• Reiter’s disease, which develops as a result of inflammation of the small supporting muscles of the back.
• A herniated disc where a bulge between the vertebrae is compressed and pinches the nerves during movement.

Various muscle diseases can cause back pain associated with tightness and spasms of the muscle corset that supports the spine. This can result in impaired mobility and functionality, including:

• Fibromyalgia, which is characterized by back pain from the neck to the lower back and neurological symptoms such as increased sensitivity to pressure on certain points on the back.
• Polymyositis, in which the muscles of the back become inflamed due to hypothermia or overexertion. It hurts to turn the body, and muscle weakness is felt.
• Dermatomyositis, which causes inflammation of the skin near the striated and smooth muscles of the back.
• Charcot’s disease, which causes inflammation of the peripheral nerves that run along the spine. This can lead to decreased sensation, increased muscle weakness, and a change in gait.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica in which it is difficult to raise the arms and stand on one’s feet without assistance, and there is a noticeable asymmetry of the back.

Back pain can also be caused by spinal cord injury . The spinal cord plays an important role in the connection between the brain and the trunk, extending from the head to the coccyx in the spinal canal between the vertebrae. 31 nerves depart from it, each of which is responsible for the innervation of a certain part of the body.

Injury or inflammation of any part of the spinal cord can lead to back pain and other unpleasant symptoms. This can occur due to compression of the spinal membranes during a spinal fracture, abscess or hematoma, cerebrovascular accident, inflammation of nearby muscles, lack of vitamins and minerals, hemorrhage, complications of syphilis or HIV, multiple sclerosis or back tumors of various etiologies. If you are experiencing back pain associated with spinal cord injury, see your doctor for appropriate treatment.

Increasingly, back pain is not caused by physical problems . After a thorough examination, it is not possible to detect pathological changes, which suggests that back discomfort can be caused by psychological factors. Discomfort can be triggered by various psychological conditions such as depression, chronic stress, nervous tension and sexual dysfunction. Against the background of these psychological problems, changes in gait, sharp back pain and sensory disturbances can occur.

Localization of back pain

Pain in the right side of the body can have different causes and occur due to various diseases. One of the common sources of pain is diseases of the spine, such as lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis, as well as displacement of the intervertebral discs. However, one should also take into account the possibility of developing other pathologies, such as:

• Appendicitis, which is manifested by pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdominal cavity;
• Kidney stones, which can cause acute pain in the lower back and sides;
• Cholecystitis characterized by pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and often accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
• Salpingitis and oophoritis, inflammatory diseases of the female organs, which may present with pain in the right lateral region;
• Nephritis, a kidney disease which can cause pain and discomfort in the lower back and right side of the body;
• Obesity, which can lead to pain in the right side of the body due to stress on the spine and joints;
• Myositis, an inflammation of the muscles that can cause pain and discomfort in the right lateral region.

If you experience pain in the left side of , which is localized under the ribs or in the lumbar region on the left side of the back, this may be due to the development of the following pathologies: splenitis, urolithiasis, spinal pinching or duodenitis. Pain in the hypochondrium on the left may indicate the presence of bronchitis, pleurisy, intercostal neuralgia, or heart pathologies. If you feel pain in the left side of the side from the bottom of the back, this may indicate a disease of the pelvic organs, among which there may be various pathologies.

Pain in the lumbar region is a common phenomenon that is associated with a large load on the spinal column in this area. The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae and is most often affected by various diseases, such as sciatica, intervertebral hernia and osteochondrosis. But other diseases can also cause back pain, for example:

• Infections such as spinal tuberculosis or brucellosis;
• Reiter’s disease;
• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• Osteoporosis;
• Sciatica;
• Lumbosciatica.

Pain in the right lumbar area can have various causes. Burning and cutting pain, which occurs slightly above the waist, may be associated with spinal curvature, spinal tuberculosis, neuralgia or osteomyelitis. In such cases, pain extends not only to bone tissue, but also to the muscle corset.

Drawing pain in the right lower back may indicate scoliosis, myositis, or degenerative changes in the vertebrae. If treatment does not lead to improvement within a few months, examination for the presence of malignant tumors is necessary.

Sharp and sharp pain may indicate the presence of stones in the urinary or gallbladder, inflammation of the kidneys or neoplasms in them. In such cases, diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary.

Pain in the left lumbar region can have various causes. For example, aching pain can occur after playing sports or physical exertion and disappears within a few hours. However, if the pain becomes stronger and lasts longer, it may be due to circulatory disorders, scoliosis or osteochondrosis, especially in people who spend a lot of time in a sitting position.

Persistent pain in the left lower back while walking can be a sign of diabetes mellitus or sciatica. It is important to note that the pain goes away at rest.

However, the most dangerous pain in the left lumbar region occurs with myocardial infarction. Pain radiates to the left side of the body, so urgent medical attention is needed.

Shooting pain in the left lumbar region may be associated with a stomach ulcer. In this case, the pain has a sharp, “dagger” character.

Nerve ischemia
Pain associated with a pinched nerve is called ischemia. Ischemia can result from compression of the sciatic nerve, which can be caused by osteochondrosis or other pathologies. Sharp and sharp pain is characteristic of this condition, and it may radiate down the leg, into the sacrum and lower back.

Nerve entrapment can also occur late in pregnancy due to a change in center of gravity or other factors such as piriformis spasm, spinal stenosis, or bone infection.

Herniated disc
A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus of the intervertebral disc protrudes beyond the annulus fibrosus that normally holds it in place. This is due to increased stress on the spine, malnutrition and metabolic disorders. With the slightest load and heavy lifting, the distance between the vertebrae decreases, and the hernia becomes more pronounced. Acute and sharp pain, which is accompanied by a decrease in the sensitivity of the limbs, is a typical symptom of an intervertebral hernia. The pain may also radiate to the buttock, arm, or leg.

Pain in the shoulder blades can be caused by various causes related to muscles, bones or internal organs. The location of the pain may also indicate a possible diagnosis.

If the pain is dull or aching, gradually worsens and can be alleviated with medication, this may be due to a stomach ulcer. Such pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and bitter taste in the mouth.

If the pain is aching and spreads to the shoulder, it may be associated with scapular-costal syndrome, which may also be accompanied by a crunch in the joints.

Unbearable pain that worsens with trunk movement, coughing or sneezing may indicate intercostal neuralgia.

Pain that is located between the shoulder blades may be associated with osteochondrosis if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as dizziness, changes in blood pressure and numbness of the hands.

If the pain occurs under the shoulder blade on the left and is accompanied by discomfort in the chest and under the collarbone, this may be due to an exacerbation of angina pectoris.

Pain along the spine and in the back area may indicate pinched nerve endings. This can happen with a curvature of the spine. If the pain is not severe, then it may be a protrusion of the disc. However, as pain increases, protrusion can progress to osteochondrosis.

Pain in the spine can be caused by myalgia, osteoarthritis, vertebral fracture, spondylosis. If the cause is Bechterew’s disease, then the pain is constant and sharp.

Often the cause of pain in the lower back is osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis of the lumbosacral region. Rarely, however, lower back and coccyx pain may be due to slipped intervertebral discs, scoliosis, pregnancy, endometritis, vulvitis, cervicitis, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.

When should I see a doctor?

If back pain does not improve even after medication and professional exercise, a doctor should be consulted. The doctor will perform diagnostic procedures, such as ultrasound diagnostics, resonant magnetic tomography and other instrumental methods for assessing the state of the body.

The pain usually subsides after a few days. However, if the feeling of discomfort continues to increase and the pain becomes more intense, medical attention should be sought.

If you have a recent spinal injury or back bruise, if you cannot find a comfortable body position that relieves pain, or if the condition worsens at night, you should call the medical team or go to the clinic yourself.

You should also seek medical attention if the patient is younger than 20 years of age or older than 55 years of age, if there are signs of fever, neurological symptoms increase (for example, limbs begin to numb, tingle, or weaken), gait changes, shootings in the lower leg are felt, and also if corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not relieve pain.

The patient may need doctors of the following specialties: general practitioner (who conducts consultations, collects complaints and makes a preliminary diagnosis at the initial appointment), rheumatologist, traumatologist and orthopedist. In some cases, recommendations from narrower specialists may be required: a gynecologist, an endocrinologist, a urologist, a surgeon, and a psychotherapist.

Diagnosis

To diagnose back pain, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist, who can prescribe tests and instrumental examination.

A blood test can help determine infection, white blood cell count, and iron deficiency anemia that may be caused by cancer.

Imaging may include duplex and triplex vascular ultrasound, MRI, CT, radiography, electromyography, and bone scans. Ultrasound scanning can help diagnose headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, cerebrovascular accidents, and pre-stroke conditions. MRI is the most accurate research method that allows visualizing tumors on the spine, herniated discs, compression of the spinal nerves and spinal cord, and inflammatory changes. CT can identify vertebral fractures and their nature, as well as create 3D images of the desired area. Radiography assesses the condition of bone structures and can be performed with functional tests. Electromyography evaluates the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the response of the muscles to them, which helps to identify nerve compression caused by spinal stenosis or herniated discs. A bone scan is necessary if osteoporosis is suspected.

All these methods can help in diagnosing the causes of back pain and choosing the most effective treatment. Therefore, if you are experiencing back pain, you need to see a doctor to begin diagnosing and treating them.

Treatment

Often, patients do not know which specialist to contact for back pain. A neurologist is engaged in the complex treatment of back pain and in case of problems with the spine, it is necessary to contact him. However, before the arrival of a specialist or visiting his office, you should provide first aid for back pain.

Home treatment

How can I relieve or relieve pain at home?
The main thing is to relax. To do this, lie on your stomach on a hard and flat surface, preferably on the floor. After a while, you should gently roll over onto your back and raise your legs, fixing them so that your hips are at an angle of 90 degrees. Thus, it is possible to remove the load from the spine.

Anti-inflammatory ointments and creams can also be used. After removing the pain syndrome, you need to gently stand up and fix the painful area, for example, by bandaging it with a scarf or towel.

How can I get pain relief if there are no painkillers?
Severe pain can be relieved with a cold compress. It does not provide complete relief, but it greatly facilitates the condition. As a compress, you can use products from the freezer, an ice pack and other means. You can also help with pain by applying a heating compress or heating pad. It is important not to overheat the sore spot.

What else can help?
Light physical activity aimed at kneading the muscles and increasing blood circulation helps to relieve discomfort. For example, it could be a leisurely walk or stretching exercises.

Treatment by a doctor

At the beginning of treatment, the cause of the pain is usually identified and its management begins. In the treatment of chronic pain, various drugs are used to relieve discomfort:

• analgesics, NSAIDs, and in rare cases, narcotic pain medications;
• B vitamins;
• muscle relaxants.

In addition, the patient may be prescribed bed rest and wearing a fixing corset, especially in cases of neuralgia.

Physiotherapy is an important stage of treatment and includes the following methods:

• electrophoresis with drugs;
• phonophoresis;
• laser therapy;
• magnetotherapy.

Reflexology can also be used as a treatment:

• electrical nerve stimulation;
• acupuncture.

Massage, osteopathy, manual therapy and exercise therapy can be effective in the treatment of back pain, especially in cases associated with diseases of the muscles and spine, as well as in rehabilitation after injuries.

Prevention

1. Move more, exercise in the morning, do yoga.
2. Take a contrast shower followed by rubbing with a towel to enhance metabolic processes.
3. Get a massage course every six months (up to 10 sessions).
4. Keep your liver healthy because collagen production depends on it.
5. Boost your immunity.
6. Avoid stress, establish an even psychological background.
7. Control the weight, because every extra 10 kg is about 0.5 kg of additional load on one vertebra, which leads to rapid wear.
8. Stand and walk correctly. Correct posture is when you stand up to the wall and touch it with the back of your head, shoulder blades, buttocks and heels. When walking and standing, you should try to maintain just such a position.
9. Sit in the correct posture: do not lean too far back, do not lean forward. It should be tightly pressed against the back of the chair, have support under the lower back and neck. Every 15 minutes – change the position of the legs, stretch.
10. Sleep on an anatomically correct or orthopedic mattress.
11. After waking up, while still in bed, do simple exercises with your legs and arms, stretching before getting up (this should be done without sudden movements).
12. Do not carry heavy bags in one hand. It is better to distribute purchases evenly into two packages.
13. Do not carry your bag over your shoulder.