Lower Back Pain Symptoms and Causes You Should Know

If you do wind up with a herniated disc, it can aggravate nearby nerves that affect other parts of your body, which is why you might experience those seemingly random leg or arm symptoms in addition to back pain. If you experience sudden numbness, weakness, or even a loss of bladder or bowel control, seek medical assistance right away—these can be a sign of serious spine injury, Dr. Oberle says.

4. If your back pain is either dull or sharp and extends into only one hip or leg, it could be sciatica.

Your sciatic nerve branches from your lower back into your hip and leg on each side of your body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Trouble can arise when the nerve becomes compressed. This can happen due to something like a bone spur (that’s a sharp projection that develops on the edge of a bone) or a herniated disc, and it can lead to nerve pain called sciatica. The pain can be dull or sharp and may be focused in one spot or travel down the nerve into your hip and leg, but usually only one side of your body at a time, according to the Mayo Clinic.

5. If your back pain comes along with abdominal pain and heavy periods, it could be endometriosis.

You’ve probably heard a lot about endometriosis, a reproductive health condition that can cause incredibly debilitating pelvic pain. Some experts believe it’s caused by endometrial tissue—which makes up the uterine lining—migrating from the uterus to other organs. Others say that the tissue is not made up of endometrial cells, but something similar that can create its own estrogen. Either way, these cells cause inflammation that can affect the lower back.

“Endometriosis certainly can press on the pelvic nerves, giving pain referred to the back—and [the pain] can be stabbing, achy, or can radiate down the legs,” Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor in the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, tells SELF. This tissue may also produce prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals that cause cramping, further exacerbating the problem.

This condition can also cause painful sex, pain when using the bathroom, excessively heavy vaginal bleeding whether or not you have your period, and issues like diarrhea and constipation.

6. If your back pain is sharp, stabbing, and accompanied by issues like nausea and vomiting, it could be a kidney stone.

If you’ve ever had a kidney stone, it might feel like your body’s betrayed you. These small, hard deposits of minerals and salts can form in your kidneys and wreak complete havoc, causing sharp, stabbing pain in your back or side along with other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. You might also experience pain when you try to pee, and see a pink, red, or brown tint once you finally eke out some urine.

Of course, the best treatment for your lower back pain will depend on what’s causing it.

Both Dr. Oberle and Dr. Patel agree that if your lower back pain stems from relatively minor issues like your office chair or too much exercise, you can target it with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heat or ice packs, physical therapy, and special exercises or stretches as advised by your doctor.

Things get a little more complicated if one of the other issues on this list is causing your back pain, because they all come with a wealth of treatment options. They include cortisone injections to calm disc-related inflammation to laparoscopic surgery to remove endometrial lesions to shock wave therapy that can smash a kidney stone into smaller pieces so you can pee them out. If you suspect one of these issues is at the root of your lower back pain, you’re not going to be able to tackle it on your own. Loop in your doctor so you can create an expert-approved treatment plan that will get you back on your feet.

Related:

Does Covid cause back pain?

Back pain is emerging as a possible symptom of Covid-19. We are starting to see people who have reported unusually severe and persistent back pain after having Covid-19. Just because you have back pain, however, does not mean that you have Covid. So does Covid cause back pain?

Back pain due to Covid seems to occur later in the disease. It is unlikely to be an early symptom. It can even come on as you seem to be improving from the main symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell and fatigue. Of course, if you had back pain before getting Covid, you can get it again and then the virus can make this worse.

How to tell if back pain is due to Covid

If you have had back pain before you will know what it feels like. Any back pain that is in an unusual site raises suspicion that Covid is the culprit.

Mel’s story

“I got occasional backaches but it was always in the middle and I would come to Sundial to get it sorted out. Then I went down with Covid. The symptoms were pretty mild – a bit tired and achy and a cough but I felt better after about two weeks. Then I started feeling really bad back pain in my hip on one side. It was like nothing I had felt before and went on for a month. Then it just went away.”

Back pain with Covid will feel different. It is likely to feel like a deep, intense pain rather than sharp, stabbing pain that often comes on with a joint or muscle spasm of ordinary back pain. Importantly, Covid back pain is less likely to ease with changes in posture. For instance, ordinary back pain often feels better when you’re lying down, standing or, less commonly, sitting. Covid back pain is likely to persist in all positions but may be worse in some positions.

Why does back pain with Covid happen?

The Covid virus creates its mayhem by increasing inflammation. If this inflammation settles in a back or pelvic joint then pain will be the result.

Another cause is not directly related to the virus but is caused by the inactivity it brings. If you feel unwell, tired and achy then you are likely to be less active. This lack of activity can bring on ordinary back pain and other joint and muscle stiffness. These aches and pains are then aggravated by Covid. Some people experience shoulder and arm problems after Covid too, especially if they have been in hospital.

But that’s not all. If you have a cough then it can strain your lower back. To feel the effect on your low back, stand up, place your hands on your lower back and cough gently. You should feel your low back give a little kick. Imagine this over and over again with a Covid cough and you can see why it irritates low back joints.

What can you do if you have back pain with Covid?

Covid related back pain does get better by itself but you can help along with some gentle exercises. These are great.

Important: if you get out of breath – ease up. Do fewer reps and for a shorter time.

If you want specific advice then book a video consultation with James, our physio.

During the day remember to change your posture regularly so you don’t seize up in one position. As you improve you can do more exercises like walking or using resistance bands. You could also follow our home exercise videos.

If your back symptoms are worsening or not getting better after 4 weeks then make an appointment to see our chiropractors or physio and we’ll assess you. If you have underlying joint locking or muscle spasm then these will need to be solved for the pain to go away.

Mel’s story is a composite of patient experiences to maintain confidentiality. Photo by mauro paillex on Unsplash

Back Pain at Night: An Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptom

If you’re reading this article, chances are your back pain is bad — so bad that it’s disrupting your ability to sleep well, which generally makes everything in life worse. Poor sleep can exacerbate pain symptoms, affect daytime fatigue, and contribute to a host of other health problems, from heart disease to weight gain to diabetes.

It’s an important first step that you’re taking your back pain at night seriously and looking for answers as to what is causing it.

Back pain at night could be due a number of different health concerns (more on that below), but one that often goes overlooked is inflammatory back pain from conditions like ankylosing spondylitis or axial spondyloarthritis (AS). These are types of arthritis that affect your spine and other parts of the body, causing inflammation, chronic pain, and, over time, joint damage that can cause the bones in your spine to fuse together.

In a study presented at the 2018 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, morning stiffness and pain that wakes people up from sleep were the two most common symptoms in people with back pain from inflammatory arthritis like AS.

Back Pain at Night and Ankylosing Spondylitis

There are two main categories of back pain: mechanical and inflammatory. Mechanical back pain results from problems with the way the different components of your spine (joints, discs, muscles, tendons and ligaments, etc.) work together. Mechanical back pain, such as from overuse injuries, poor posture, or a herniated disc, is the reason for the vast, vast majority of back pain cases.

On the other hand, inflammatory back pain occurs because there’s a problem with your immune system attacking the joints in your spine, sacroiliac joints (where the spine connects with the pelvis), and the entheses (the connective tissue between ligaments, tendons, and bones).

Back pain that wakes you up in the second half of the night is one of a few key signs that your back pain could be inflammatory and due to a disease like ankylosing spondylitis.

“Patients often experience stiffness and pain that awakens them in the early morning, a distinctive symptom not generally found in patients with mechanical back pain,” reports Medscape.

“It’s not common to have back pain so bad in the middle of the night that you can’t go back to sleep,” says Fardina Malik, MD, a rheumatologist at NYU Langone in New York City who frequently treats patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Mechanical back pain generally feels better when you rest or sleep. You might have discomfort, but you should be able to sleep through the night.

If you have inflammatory back pain, however, rest makes it worse. While you sit still for too long, such as during sleep, inflammatory chemicals accumulate in your joints, exacerbating pain and stiffness. That’s why people with inflammatory back pain can wake up in agony in the middle of night and feel stiff and achy first thing in the morning.

Other Signs of Inflammatory Back Pain

Back pain at night is one of the more obvious clues for inflammatory back pain, but there are other key signs to keep in mind as well. There are slightly different sets of criteria for inflammatory back pain, but generally speaking they include the following:

• Back pain at night
• Back pain improves with exercise or activity
• Back pain gets worse with rest
• Back pain in the morning that lasts more than 30 minutes
• Gradual, not sudden, onset
• Lasts more than three months
• Symptoms first occur before age 40-45
• Alternating buttock pain
• Anti-inflammatory meds (NSAIDs) help you feel better

Here’s how a New England Journal of Medicine article describes inflammatory back pain: “Such pain is usually dull and insidious in onset and is felt deep in the lower back or buttocks. Another prominent feature is morning back stiffness that lasts for 30 minutes or more, diminishes with activity, and returns after inactivity. Although initially the back pain is intermittent, over time it becomes more persistent. Nocturnal exacerbation of pain is common, particularly during the second half of the night, forcing the patient to rise and move around.”

If you have back pain at night but don’t recognize many of these other signs of inflammatory back pain, your symptoms may not be from ankylosing spondylitis, but rather because of different reasons for nocturnal back pain.

Do Doctors Recognize Nighttime Back Pain as an AS Symptom?

Unfortunately, not as much as we’d like. According to a study of 300 British primary care doctors, only 5 percent could identify all of the common features associated with inflammatory back pain. Only about two-thirds of doctors in the study knew that back pain at night was associated with inflammatory back pain.

“I started to develop back pain in my twenties at night and I always thought that it was from a workout,” says Hillary Norton, MD, a Santa Fe-based rheumatologist who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis during her medical training.

“I’d have trouble moving at night and when it got scary enough that I finally sought answers I saw a sports medicine doc, who misdiagnosed me with an SI joint sprain,” she says. “I’m not sure if such a thing exists actually, but every time I went on the internet, like many patients do when you can’t stay in bed at night, I never found information that was really helpful in leading me to the correct diagnosis.” (Watch more of Dr. Norton discussing ankylosing spondylitis in this video.)

Other Causes of Nighttime Back Pain

Nighttime back pain isn’t always a sign of a serious disease, especially if it happens infrequently or for a short period of time. It’s when nighttime back pain becomes a chronic problem that you need to get it checked out and properly diagnosed. Possible reasons for nighttime back pain aside from inflammatory arthritis like AS include:

• Injuries to the spine, such as a sprain or fracture
• Spinal bone infection
• Neurological conditions
• Spinal tumors (keep in mind that while most people with spinal tumors have back pain, most people with back pain do NOT have spinal tumors)

What to Do Next

Nighttime back pain that wakes you up from sleep or prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep is a red flag you need to discuss with your doctor. Seeing your primary care doctor is a good place to start.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of mechanical vs. inflammatory back pain, as well as other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, so you can be sure to have a proactive discussion about whether your back pain at night could be inflammatory.

If your primary care doctor suspects it could be, you should be referred to a rheumatologist for more testing.

Keep Reading

Pain Conditions and Causes – SAPNA Pain Management Blog

Back pain is a symptom of a variety of medical conditions, illnesses and injuries. Men, women and children have acute or chronic back pain, but there are some conditions that women are more prone to experience than men. For example, more women than men deal with chronic lower back pain. Following are some of the common causes of back pain in women.

What Causes Back Pain in Ladies?

Back pain is due to any of a number of conditions. Sometimes the pain is due to a problem in the spine or supporting muscles, ligaments and tendons. However, back pain can also be due a problem in another part of the body, and people experience what is called referred pain.

Pain can occur in any area of the back too. It may be localized pain, like lower back pain or neck pain, or it may be widespread back pain. The general categories of causes for back pain in females include:

• Back sprain or strain,
• Spinal injury to vertebrae or spinal nerves,
• Diseases like osteoporosis and disc disease,
• Arthritis,
• Medical condition like a bladder or kidney infection,
• Hormone fluctuations.  

Girls with lower back problems are usually experiencing pain from a sports injury or an accident. In these cases, lower back pain is due to a pulled muscle or strained ligament. Carrying heavy backpacks is another cause of back pain in young people. Girls reaching puberty and menstruating may also experience back pain due to hormone changes. Being overweight or obese is yet another cause of back pain in children.

Back Pain Conditions That Mainly Affect Women

The general categories mentioned include a variety of acute and chronic pain conditions that are more commonly experienced by women. Some causes can happen at any age, while others are frequently seen in older people. In fact, old lady back pain refers to pain experienced due to the aging process that leads to joint degeneration in the spine.

Following are some specific conditions that females commonly experience that cause back pain:

• Fibromyalgia – a condition with muscle pain and stiffness that can cause widespread back pain.
• Pregnancy – hormonal changes (discussed in a later section) and pressure placed on the lower back area by a growing baby, including the tailbone, are top causes of lower back pain in women.
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis – a lower back vertebrae slips forward over the one beneath it, irritating spinal nerve roots.

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – SI joint serves as a cushion between the upper body and pelvis, and dysfunction could be caused by pregnancy, walking pattern, osteoarthritis, injury, etc.
• Osteoarthritis in the spine – a degenerative joint disease that leads to a breakdown of the cartilage in facet joints; can lead to a compression fracture anywhere in the spine due to thinning bones.
• Medical disorders – There are a number of disorders that cause referred back pain in women, i.e. kidney or bladder infections, ovarian disorders, uterine fibroids, pelvic infections, etc.

There are other back pain causes affecting women, but men are just as likely to develop many of them. For example, a woman or a man can injure her back playing sports or lifting heavy weights in the gym or at work. Men and women develop cancer or experience herniated discs.

What Causes Upper Back Pain in Females?

The upper back or thoracic spine is the area that starts at the base of the neck and extends to the bottom of the ribcage. Upper back pain in women is usually due to:

• Poor posture, like slouching or pushing the head forward while sitting or standing, causing misalignment of the spine.
• Muscle overuse or strain, usually due to repetitive motions or lifting items or children incorrectly.
• Injury to discs, muscles and/or ligaments.
• Myofascial pain.
• Arthritis.

Many instances of back pain are not serious. Minor strains and sprains will usually heal on their own. In a number of cases, correcting posture or getting more exercise to strengthen back tissues can prevent further instances of back pain.

Can Female Problems Cause Lower Back Pain?

Female sex hormones play an important role in a variety of degenerative diseases of the muscles and bones and in pain sensitivity. Following are some of the common causes of hormonal back pain.

Menstrual cycle

Hormone fluctuations increase pain sensitivity and affect the muscles. Women experience referred pain from the lower abdomen to the lower back during their menstrual cycle.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body releases a hormone called relaxin that relaxes joints and ligaments in the pelvic area to allow the fetus to grow. The hormone changes can cause supporting ligaments in the spine to loosen too, causing sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Post menopause

Spinal disc degeneration accelerates due to declining estrogen levels post menopause.

When Pain Does Not Go Away

Chronic back pain is difficult to live with because it makes even the simplest tasks or movements difficult. For women, it is low back pain that often drives them to see a physician for evaluation.

Persistent pain should not be ignored because it may be due to something more serious than a sprain or strain, like sciatica, a ruptured disc or infection. Sharp pain that comes on suddenly should not be ignored either. It is always better to see a physician when home remedies do not help relieve pain or acute or chronic pain interferes with life activities.

Back Pain in Children & Teens

​​Problems that affect a child’s back are most often due to injuries from sports or play, falls, or unusual strain, such as that caused by wearing a heavy backpack. Back pain and stiffness are most often caused by a pulled muscle, a strained ligament, or bruising. Symptoms of back pain usually disappear within a week without special treatment.

Possible Causes:

Although regular exercise is beneficial for all children, intensive training may lead to overuse injuries with back pain in some young athletes. For example, dancers and gymnasts, are especially prone to back pain due to overuse. On the other hand, children who are overly sedentary (i.e., don’t move much) may have back pain from weak core muscles, back strain from being overweight, or poor posture.

Scoliosis (a severe curvature of the spine) is a possible cause of back pain, especially in adolescent girls. Your pediatrician evaluates your child’s posture during regular well-child visits to make sure her back is straight and she’s growing normally.

Spondylolysis is a weakness in the bony bridges of the vertebral bones, usually in the lower spine. It can cause low back pain aggravated by activity and is frequently accompanied by minimal or no physical findings. Radiographs may be helpful if spondylolysis is suspected.

When to Call the Pediatrician:

Consult your pediatrician if your child with back pain is younger than 10 years or has:

• Pain that won’t go away or is getting worse

• Fever or weight loss

• Difficulty in moving a limb

• Numbness or tingling in a limb

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• A change in gait or posture

Back pain in a young child who hasn’t been injured is concerning and needs to be evaluated by your pediatrician.

​ 

Additional Information on HealthyChildren.org:

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Back injuries – symptoms and treatments

On this page

Back injuries, especially to the lower back, are very common. Any injury to the back’s bones, joints, connective tissue, muscles or nerves can cause pain and discomfort.

Injuries can affect any part of the back, but most injuries happen in the lower back. Common injuries include sprains and strains, herniated disks or fractured vertebrae. The injuries vary in seriousness depending on the cause of the injury and what damage is done

What are the symptoms of serious back injury?

Severe back injuries include fractures (a break in a bone), wounds, extensive bruising and damage to your spinal cord and internal organs.

Any of the following symptoms could indicate a severe back injury. You should see a doctor right away if you have:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• problems with urinating or passing stool (poo)
• numbness or pins and needles to the arms, legs, hands or feet
• fever
• paralysis
• blood in the urine

Seek medical assistance immediately by calling an ambulance on triple zero (000). Do not move the person unless they are in danger and advise the person to not move their back. Support their head, neck and spine and prevent twisting or bending movements.

What are the signs of a back injury?

Signs you may have injured your back include:

• pain or tenderness (sore to touch)
• pain that worsens with movement, coughing, sneezing or laughing
• stiffness or difficulty moving
• difficulty standing up straight
• muscles in spasm on either side of the spine
• bruising
• swelling
• pain that radiates down one or both legs

However, back pain has many causes. It could be caused by a disease such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, your age, physical fitness, smoking, being overweight, or the type of work you do.

It is important to find out the cause of your symptoms so they can be treated properly.

What causes back injuries?

You can injure your back doing sport, working around the house or in the garden, from a sudden jolt in a car accident, or from a sudden movement, bump, knock or fall.

The most common cause of lower back injury is muscle strain.

When should I see my doctor?

Apart from the signs of a serious back injury, you should see your doctor if:

• your problems have not improved at all within a few days
• your problems have not improved completely within 6 weeks

Your doctor may be able to help you manage any pain and may refer you for physiotherapy or other investigations.

How are back injuries treated?

Your doctor will examine you to check whether the nerves from your spinal cord are working properly. Make sure you tell them if you have any problems with going to the toilet.

Most minor back injuries get better by themselves within 6 weeks. Usually you will not need any other tests or treatment. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists recommends that an x-ray for low back pain is only needed if you have other significant symptoms such as problems with bladder and bowel control, severe pain or weakness or numbness in one or both legs. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

The most important thing you can do is to continue to stay active. A common myth is that bed rest will cure back pain. In fact, bed rest slows down the recovery period and can add to your pain.

Simple pain relief, such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories, may help. You can talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or call healthdirect for advice on 1800 022 222.

You can help ease injuries to your back by:

• using cold compresses (such as covered ice packs) for 20 minutes at a time every 3 to 4 hours for the first day — these will ease pain and swelling
• using warmth after the first day — showers, baths or hot moist towels can help ease pain and help recovery
• avoiding activities involving bending, lifting and twisting until you feel better

Depending on your job, you may need time off work to allow your back to heal.

Can back injuries be prevented?

A key way to prevent back injuries is to lift and carry safely. If you are picking up a heavy load, lift with your legs, not your back.

Not sure what to do next?

If you are still concerned about your back injury, check your symptoms with healthdirect’s online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention.

The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it’s self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).

Resources and support

Mybackpain.org.au has a range of information about managing low back pain.

The NSW Agency for Clinical Information has a consumer factsheet about managing low back pain.

Do You Have Lower Back Pain in the Morning?

After a long night’s sleep, you should wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and energized for a new day. But people suffering from chronic pain sometimes find that the morning is difficult because they wake up with intense pain to start the day.

Morning back pain can be frustrating, especially when you have a big day ahead of you. It’s important to address this issue so you can climb out of bed to get the kids breakfast and get yourself ready for a good workday.

If you are experiencing chronic back pain in the morning, then it might be time to talk to a specialist about your concerns.

Do You Have Lower Back Pain in the Morning?

Some people find that their back pain is worse in the morning, while others have more pain at the end of a long workday. It’s important to pay attention to the times when your pain spikes because it could be an indication of the cause of your pain.

It’s estimated that about 65 million people in the United States have experienced recent back pain, with about 16 million people having chronic back pain problems. When this pain persists, it can disrupt all aspects of daily living, making it hard to keep up with your responsibilities at home and work.

Not only does back pain make it difficult to get through the day, but this health concern can also be expensive. Direct costs include doctor’s visits, therapy appointments, pain medication, massage, and other services to reduce or eliminate the pain. Indirect costs of chronic back pain include missed work or lost opportunities because you aren’t feeling up to the job.

Even though back pain is a common complaint, you don’t have to suffer from this discomfort indefinitely. Modern medical treatments might be used to help you manage the pain, so you can return to a normal, healthy lifestyle once again.

Every situation is unique, so the treatment outcomes vary. The most important step is to identify the root cause of your back pain. Then, a customized treatment plan can be designed to alleviate your discomfort.

Why Is My Lower Back Pain Worse in the Morning?

Persistent back pain in the morning could be caused by many factors that are stressing your back while you are sleeping.

Some of the most common issues that contribute to morning back pain include:

1. Sleeping Position: It’s possible that the way you are sleeping at night is putting a strain on your spine. Pay attention to your sleeping posture by noticing your body position when you go to sleep, wake up during the night, and get up in the morning. Some of these sleeping positions cause the natural curve of the spine to flatten, which can lead to morning back pain. Avoid sleeping on your stomach because it puts pressure on the lower spine. Instead, try sleeping on your back with a pillow beneath your knees.
2. Mattress Quality: Investing in a good mattress might be the best thing you can do to reduce morning back pain. If you have a mattress that is more than 10 years old, then you might not have enough support for your body while you are sleeping. A quality mattress is a great investment because it reduces stress on the body and helps to improve sleep quality, which results in reduced back pain. Factors that influence the quality of a mattress include thickness, materials, firmness, your weight, and your preferred sleeping positions.
3. Disc Degeneration: People with degenerative disc disease experience age-related wear and tear that affects the spinal discs (located between the vertebrae in your back). When the discs deteriorate, it can result in intense pain, often worsening in the morning hours. Sometimes, this pressure is higher in the morning, causing extreme discomfort when you get out of bed.
4. Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spaces around the spine can compress the nerves, leading to back pain. Sometimes, this condition is affected by the way you sleep, causing more pressure to be placed on the nerves during the night. The pain and/or numbness can radiate from the back into other areas of the body such as the arms, legs, and neck.
5. Herniated Discs: If the soft discs become inflamed, then a herniation effect occurs that can result in pain. Many people find that inactivity exacerbates herniated discs, which is why the back pain is higher in the morning hours.

This list outlines some of the most common reasons why you might be experiencing back pain in the morning.

But other underlying health conditions could be contributing as well. For example, it’s important to work with a team of medical experts to see if the pain is affected by osteoporosis, arthritis, cancer, depression, smoking, fibromyalgia, or other lifestyle factors.

Treatment for Morning Back Pain

What should you do if you often wake up with back pain in the morning? The first step is to talk to a pain specialist to find the underlying cause that could be contributing to your issues. Sometimes, a simple lifestyle change can make the biggest difference – such as replacing your old bed with a quality mattress.

Here are a few other tips that might make it easier for you to get through the day:

• Morning Stretching: Wake up your muscles and joints by gently stretching before you get out of bed. Bring your knees to your chest to get a lower-back stretch. Also, stretch your arms above your head and reach your feet in the opposite direction. Pay attention to the tight areas of your body, then talk to a physical therapist or doctor about the stretches that could help your situation.
• Core Strength: Building the muscles in your core can improve your overall body structure, helping to reduce the back pain you are experiencing. No, we’re not talking about hundreds of crunches each day – because certain ab exercises can exacerbate the problem. A physical therapist can provide personalized recommendations, which might include planks, stretching, gentle cardio, and other tips to support the overall structure of your body.
• Medications: When the pain is intense, then medication can provide immediate relief to dull the discomfort. Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter medications such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen. For severe back pain, prescription medications can sometimes be used. But you need to be careful to avoid dependence on these pain relievers. Medication should be used as a short-term strategy until you can address the root problem.

Every situation is unique, which is why it is important to work with medical providers to address the cause of your chronic back pain. A customized plan can help you overcome these challenges, so you feel great when you get out of bed in the morning.

If you are experiencing chronic back pain, then our team invites you to schedule a consultation to learn more about available treatment options. At Orthopedic Associates, we offer a full-service approach to treatment everything from chronic pain to sports injuries and more. Contact our team to book an appointment.

90,000 What to do with acute back pain: advice from a neurologist

– First aid for back pain: what to do if acute pain is found suddenly?

– In the absence of pain pills at hand, perhaps the only effective option is some kind of wardrobe item, for example, a sweater. They need to fix the lower back by bandaging it tightly in the affected area. This will temporarily immobilize the muscles. Then you need to act according to the circumstances.

Take an anti-inflammatory tablet as soon as possible. For example, “Ibuprofen”, “Aertal”, “Paracetamol” or “Ibuclin”. You can also use any ointment containing ketonal and diclofenac. For example, Nice or Nurofen. Of course, any unnecessary body movements and loads on the spine – bending and carrying weights, must be excluded. Further – immediately consult a doctor.

– What absolutely should not be done with back pain?

– It is strictly forbidden to take a bath, steam in the bath and sauna.Any physical activity must also be excluded, including bending. Before going to the doctor, you need to maintain maximum static. Sleeping on a hard surface is contraindicated.

– Is it possible to massage in case of acute pain?

– Massage in case of acute pain cannot be done, otherwise the muscle spasm will become even stronger.

– Can a sore spot be warmed up or cooled with ice?

– Hypothermia of the sore spot is generally unacceptable.As for warming up, we cannot give a ban on this, but there will not be much benefit from this either. Ointments such as “Kapsikam”, “Finalgon”, as well as their analogues, are suitable. Compresses with Dimexide and vodka compresses can have a temporary effect, but this is ineffective. These products have a temporary distraction effect.

– Will mustard plasters help with acute back pain?

– Yes, mustard plasters can have a temporary symptomatic effect. An alternative to this can be a pepper patch.It is important to understand that dry heat is safe, but wet heating should be discarded.

These tips will help you get rid of the first signs of illness. They provide temporary relief. As soon as possible, seek help from a specialist.

Fortunately, medical technology is constantly evolving, and modern inventions from all over the world make it possible to treat the spine and joints without surgery. Such techniques are painless, therefore they are excellent for the treatment of diseases in the acute and chronic stages.

The unique p rootized spine traction system has been successfully used in the USA for over 10 years. The system increases the space between the vertebrae, gently returning them and the intervertebral discs to the anatomically correct position. The device acts only on the damaged segment. This procedure often saves from surgery to remove a hernia. A small hernia can go away completely, a large one can be reduced by 1-2 millimeters.

Laser therapy effectively treats acute pain and relieves inflammation in cartilage and muscle tissue.The laser is able to reach the deepest lesions and is absolutely safe for the body.

Plasmolifting PRP: self-healing of the body . The essence of this method is simple: a person’s own plasma enriched with platelets is used as a therapeutic material.Any regeneration process takes place with the participation of platelets. During the procedure, a large number of platelets are injected into the problem area, they rush to the damaged tissues and restore them without pills and ointments.These procedures help not only get rid of pain, but also affect the lesion.

Incorrectly selected pain relievers can cause allergies and bronchial asthma. Do not overuse pain relievers. See your doctor right away to find out the cause of your pain.

Do not tolerate pain – fight the source of its occurrence, and we will help you with this.

In Kazan we are located at 11 Yamasheva Ave.

Call: 8 (843) 204-08-80

Kazan.dr-ost.ru

90,000 To cope with low back pain, keep both body and mind healthy

“Low back pain is a widespread health problem in Estonia, which is usually temporary and usually rarely hides serious illnesses,” says Dr. Eve Sooba, a rehabilitation physician.

The Health Insurance Fund has recently completed the preparation of a guideline for the treatment of non-specific low back pain in adults and a guideline for patients on this topic.In the healthcare system, these guidelines will now help manage low back pain consistently and in line with current guidelines.

What are the most common causes of low back pain?

In the guide to non-specific low back pain, we talk about pain that often does not have one specific cause. Pain can be caused by problems in various tissues of the body – from muscles, intervertebral discs, and ending with joints or ligaments between the vertebrae in the back.In other words, the concept of a single non-specific low back pain includes ailments with several different causes, which are assessed and treated in the same way. By back pain, we mean lower back pain, which can also radiate to the legs. The pain can be short-term or chronic. According to the treatment guidelines, pain is classified as acute if it lasts up to six weeks, with an increase in this period – as subacute. Pain is called chronic pain if it lasts more than three months.

Pain can be frighteningly intense at first, hence people’s fear of dangerous diseases. In most cases, we cannot get a clear picture of the causes and extent of the spread of the pain that has arisen only on the basis of information about its strength. Namely, many studies on radiological examinations have shown that the severity of lower back pain did not match the degree of changes found in radiological examinations. As a consequence, the treatment guidelines also discourage doctors from immediately prescribing x-rays and other radiological examinations for low back pain unless a fracture or acute illness is suspected.

In the case of people with low back pain, it has also been found that when explaining the reasons to them in detail and using medical terms, people can become intimidated by unfamiliar words and begin to think that these changes in their back are very dangerous. Thus, the treatment guidelines recommend that physicians do not focus on changes in the body when explaining the causes, but rather explain the nature of the general problem in simple terms and offer the patient solutions to get rid of the ailment.

The most important thing is to first conduct a thorough examination of the person, and if the doctor suspects a serious illness, the plan of examination and treatment should be changed. The rest of the X-ray examination can rather be compared with a portrait photo, which, unfortunately, does not provide additional information regarding further treatment and does not allow changing treatment tactics.

In the case of severe pain, people begin to require examinations because of fear of cancer or because of the fear that something has broken in the back, because often the pain initially restricts mobility.Here we can certainly reassure people – cancer and other dangerous diseases are very rare among back diseases, the main reason is still the usual nonspecific lower back pain.

What are the warning signs to look out for for back pain?

Very few people suffer from pain due to a dangerous illness, and the role of the family doctor is to first recognize those serious illnesses that may require surgery, special treatment or stress relief.These signs of serious illness are called “red flags” (alarms), and these “red flags” must be excluded at the first visit to the doctor before a decision is made on a treatment plan for normal low back pain. Typical alarms are vertebral fractures, inflammatory joint diseases, swelling, bacterial back inflammation, etc. Careful questioning and blood tests can help clarify the diagnosis. The doctor will ask about the person’s previous medical conditions, for example, whether the patient has had any cases of decreased immunity due to drugs used to treat other diseases, or if he does not have bone loss.Inflammatory diseases of the back can be indicated by cases of inflammatory joint diseases in the family, as they are often inherited. The processes of inflammation and infection reveal changes in blood tests. Fever also indicates a serious infection. The nature of the back pain, its duration, and whether the pain is relieved by pain relievers are also important. For example, in the event of a fracture and infection, the pain can be severe, persist, or worsen, and the person is unable to get out of bed after three to five days despite treatment for the severe pain.Pain due to a tumor or bacterial infection can cause a person to have other ailments in addition to pain – a person has no appetite. Red flags also include nerve damage, when the rectum or bladder is not working properly, the sensitivity between the legs is impaired, in the so-called breeches shape.

Diseases associated with “red flags” are still rare, but common, ie. Nonspecific lower back pain can be very severe at first, but with treatment it becomes temporary and benign.

Nonspecific lower back pain may not go away after a few days; this process may take two to three weeks even after treatment.

How does the treatment of a patient with back pain begin and with which specialist?

You can get help with your pain at the pharmacy yourself, but if you have back pain, you should still see your family doctor. The prepared treatment guidelines suggest that the family doctor can better cope with the patient’s care and there is usually no need to refer a person with low back pain to other specialists.The family doctor conducts a thorough examination of the patient, if necessary, conducts tests and gives initial recommendations, and, if necessary, adds painkillers or other medications to the treatment regimen. In the future, the patient remains under the supervision of a family doctor, since nonspecific back pain often goes away on its own within a few weeks.

In the case of more moderate back pain, advice can be sought, if necessary, by calling the 24-hour telephone counseling service for family doctors if a personal family doctor is not currently available.

If the pain persists or lasts longer, the family doctor should refer the person either directly to physical therapy or to rehabilitative treatment. If, after this, the suspicion of an inflammatory back disease due to back pain persists, the family doctor will prescribe a consultation with a rheumatologist. If lower back pain is associated with sciatica, severe pain persists, or weakness in the legs persists, the family doctor will consult with a neurosurgeon and a surgeon specializing in the spine about the need for surgery.

Currently, the family doctor consults with specialist doctors through an electronic consultation.

What if nonspecific lower back pain persists?

Of greater concern to doctors are people who are at risk of pain becoming chronic (if the pain lasts more than three months continuously) or who already have chronic low back pain. Then it is more difficult to achieve recovery, the person himself is more restless, tends to give up the struggle with pain and often has to leave work.

According to the treatment guidelines, physicians are encouraged to identify patients at such a risk from the outset in order to provide them with the best possible counseling, since such patients have to take more care of themselves. From the point of view of the health care system, such patients also need to be approached in a more comprehensive way. Such people are often scared, waiting for an examination, wanting consultations from different doctors, but do not see the key to treatment in their own activities. Instead of counseling, treatment guidelines recommend for these patients a more thorough rehabilitative treatment involving different team members – they often also require counseling from a psychologist and a pain specialist.

It was found that people feel pain in different ways, and it is also influenced by household, work and other psychological factors. However, long-term pain itself can also alter the body’s own response to pain, and a person may be more sensitive to pain due to changes in the nervous system and find themselves, so to speak, in a closed pain trap.

Why do people, so to speak, often find themselves in a “closed wheel” between specialist doctors and do not find solutions to their problems?

Often people want to see a specialist doctor right away, but here it is important to remember that research done by itself does not cure pain.In such a situation, it is more important to interview a person and a thorough study to exclude alarming signals, and after that, if necessary, treatment can be prescribed. Those people who believe that consultations and examinations will relieve pain problems focus on talking about the disease, thinking about pain and do not think about the real possibilities of solving the problem. The role of the physician and physiotherapist is to help the patient find a solution and take the right action.

What can a person do to solve a pain problem?

As already mentioned, in many cases there is no clear cause of non-specific low back pain, and it goes away after a few weeks.It is very important that a person with such pain does not remain at home in immobility, and if health allows, he tries to gradually restore movement, start work – all this will help to more successfully cope with pain.

The

Patient Guide recommends that the person with acute pain take a recumbent position, the same is recommended as a means of relieving pain, but lying down is not recommended. One position is good for one person to relieve pain and a completely different position for another, but staying in bed all day is wrong.It is not necessary to go to physical therapy right away, because it is difficult to do something to relieve the pain in the beginning, and ideally, the pain can go away, for example, after two to three weeks. As the pain begins to subside, the Patient Guide recommends progressive exercise that can be performed as appropriate.

Back pain can temporarily disrupt normal life, but it is not a disaster. Many have experienced and passed back pain in their lives. Yet some people become overly concerned about pain, focus on it and see a doctor, and at the same time do nothing themselves to solve the problem of back pain.Here it is necessary to understand and accept that the body is never in perfect condition, there are always some shortcomings and weaknesses, and this place may be the spine.

There is a solution to the problem of back pain, but you yourself must work hard on it. At this stage, it is necessary to advise the person with back pain to take control of risk factors such as normalizing weight, quitting smoking and daily physical activity. Physical activity, including regular aerobic activity – such as walking, gymnastics, swimming or other physical activity in the water, cycling – is important in treating low back pain beyond just doing exercise.When a person is moving and active, the pain begins to subside every day. There is also a recommendation to engage in moderate activity for at least 150 minutes a week.

What are the challenges of different professionals today in the treatment of low back pain?

There are people with low back pain who are very focused on pain, either afraid of it or not accepting it. Rather, they agree to conduct examinations and visit various specialists, but the matter is limited to the recommendations received.We need to change our thinking and find solutions that really work with the patient – this is certainly the main challenge now. This requires patience and often the help of several specialists – after all, the help of family doctors, physiotherapists and rehabilitation therapists may not be enough. Here a psychologist comes to the rescue, who helps to cope with pain on a psychological level. I can argue that there is a benefit from such help, since the body reacts to our psychological problems, they are often complex, and we often cannot recognize them ourselves, but the body and mind are always one whole. And each of these components is important and needs to be taken care of.

In addition, in the case of bothersome pain, it is still necessary to take the medicine and at the beginning observing the regularity of the treatment regimen. At the same time, people often do the opposite – they take the medicine, the pain decreases, and then they stop taking it – after all, the pain has decreased! But the pain returns, and the person feels that the medicine is not working. Pain control is not achieved with a short and irregular medication regimen.If necessary, a doctor specializing in pain management comes to the rescue here. In the case of severe or prolonged pain, it is sometimes necessary to combine different medicines to relieve pain.

Rest and sleep quality are also very important because when you get tired all problems become more serious and pain worse. It is not always easy to find quick solutions for a person with sleep disorders, a psychologist can also help here, and if necessary, the problem should be dealt with for a longer period of time.

You should also study how a person is influenced by his work. If you don’t like work, you will have to deal with this problem or reorganize your entire lifestyle as a whole. Sometimes a psychologist can help here, but you still have to make your own choice. This is a very big work on yourself, and I appreciate those who began to change their lives.

When can imaging tests (X-rays, magnetic resonance, etc.) help?

We also do such surveys, but still only when necessary.Imaging is needed rather to direct a person with a serious problem for surgery, while a blood test provides much more information.

Is one pill therapy sufficient, or are there other methods for pain relief?

Tablets or pain relievers are the most common recommendations for situations where pain interferes with movement and daily life. However, before prescribing a medication, it is important to study the person’s health status, choose the appropriate treatment and discuss with him his illness and the possibilities of his treatment. Our guide to low back pain management advises doctors to explain and make recommendations first. Exercise does not need to be started right away, but physical therapy is still needed if the pain does not go away quickly. Active communication and activity remain a major component of low back pain management. Inappropriate relaxation treatments or other pain relief methods definitely cannot replace exercise. Pain treatment helps to improve the condition when pain is of great concern. We recommend that doctors either call people with low back pain again or contact them by phone to get a clear idea of ​​whether the treatment was working.

In conclusion, we can say that back pain can be frightening and disturbing for a person, but it is usually a benign process. Risk factors, lifestyle mistakes, and fear of pain or illness are precisely the aspects that can make pain chronic and sustain it. The role of physicians is to support and advise a person with back pain, relieve him of fears and, so to speak, guide him on the right path. However, in this case, the main healer is the person himself.Medication and physical therapy come into play when pain is bothersome or chronic. Thus, the active activity of the person himself and the sequence of his actions, regularity in exercise / physical activity lead to the goal.

Recommendations can be found in the patient guide to help you understand and manage back pain. They can be obtained from a family doctor during a consultation, as well as read on the Internet at: https: // www.ravijuhend.ee/ru/portal-pacientov/rukovodstva/142/sinu-seljavalu#4a07651d

90,000 what to do in case of acute back pain “

Dr. Ivanov knows what should be in a home first-aid kit, if suddenly “shot” in the back

Many people, especially in old age, experience the so-called lumbago – very severe sharp pain in the back that does not allow straightening. How to relieve this unbearable pain if the doctor is not around? In his new article, Dr. Alexander Ivanov gives an algorithm of actions for acute back pain and tells what medicines should be in every home medicine cabinet for such a case.

“Many people, especially in old age, have so-called lumbago – very severe acute pain in the back, which does not allow to straighten out”
Photo: pixabay.com

PRACTICAL ADVICE

In this article, I do not call for self-treatment, but give practical advice that will help you when you suddenly “shot” your back, and the doctor is not around.

RETURN TO A COMFORTABLE POSITION

After the onset of acute back pain, give rest to your body, try to move less.During the acute period, movement can increase pain. If your lower back is stuck, lie on your back, bend your knees and place pillows under your knee joints to reduce sciatic nerve tension and pain. Sometimes the “lying on your stomach” position can bring relief, you can also put a pillow under your stomach – this way you will reduce the deflection in the lower back and muscle tension.

RISE OUT OF BED SLOWLY, WITHOUT JUMP

To do this, first roll over on your side, bend your knees, bring your legs over the edge of the bed and immediately push your hands off the bed slightly and sit down.The weight of the legs under the influence of gravity helps to sit down without tension in the muscles of the back. The loin is straight. You should go to bed in the same way, but in the reverse order.

USE CORSET

To reduce local movement in the back and exacerbate pain, you can use a semi-rigid corset, but not more than three to four hours a day! I recommend keeping it in your home medicine cabinet.

“You can use anti-inflammatory ointments or a pepper patch to reduce pain.”
Photo: pixabay.com

… AND ALSO OINTMENT AND PEPPER PLASTER

Anti-inflammatory ointments or pepper patch can be used to reduce pain. The latter has proven itself well, it contains a substance from red capsicum – capsaicin, which has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. You must first degrease the skin and stick the plaster for 5-7 days.

An alternative to the patch can be an anti-inflammatory ointment, for example, “Diclofenac-gel” or “Fastum-gel”.These ointments and gels must be in everyone’s home medicine cabinet.

SUPPLY ICE COMPRESS

If the patch and ointment were not found, you can make a cold compress – apply an ice pack to the painful area. You need to influence the cold for 10 minutes. As practice shows, such a compress is good for pain relief, it can be done several times a day.

WILL HELP THE APPLICATORS

To relieve muscle tension in the acute and subacute period of pain, use the Kuznetsov needle applicator or any analogue thereof.It is necessary to act on the painful area for at least 20 minutes in order to obtain a relaxing effect. Place the applicator on a flat and firm surface and lie on top of it. It is desirable that the effect of the needles be directly on the skin, without clothes. The first 3-4 minutes there may be mild discomfort that goes away quickly.

“Everyone should have anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the medicine cabinet.”
Photo: pixabay.com

WHAT MEDICINES YOU CAN TAKE

Everyone in the medicine cabinet should have anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, Nise, Nimesil, Meloxicam.These medications must be used with caution due to their toxicity and side effects. Follow the instructions and recommendations of your doctor, as there may be contraindications. Medications should be used if, as a result of the above measures, the pain syndrome has not decreased.

GO TO A DOCTOR

In any situation, you should consult a neurologist or osteopathic doctor as soon as possible to find out the cause of the pain and make a diagnosis. Correctly carried out treatment will help to avoid exacerbations in the future.

WHAT NOT TO DO DURING THE ACUTE PERIOD

1. Massage as this will increase swelling and pain. Light massage is indicated only in the subacute period.

2. Warm up in a steam bath or sauna. Warming up can increase the swelling and pain of sciatica, but can help relieve muscle pain if it is painful. Since you don’t know the exact cause of the pain, it’s best not to experiment.

3. Move through pain. With inflammation and swelling, movement can aggravate the process and increase pain. Shown bed rest.It is better to take sick leave for two or three days than go to work through pain, and then get a complication.

WHAT SHOULD BE IN A HOME FIRST AID KIT

So, let’s summarize what should be in a home first-aid kit for recurrent back and neck pain:

1. Kuznetsov’s applicator or its analogue (Lyapko, Redox, etc.)

2. Semi-rigid corset.

3. Pepper plaster.

4. Ointment with NSAIDs (Diclofenac, Fastum, Dolobene, etc.).

5.Ice pack

6. NSAIDs (Nimesil, Meloxicam, etc.).

Be healthy!

Sincerely yours,

Ivanov Alexander Alexandrovich – Candidate of Medical Sciences, osteopath, neurologist, naturopath, member of the Russian osteopathic association, popularizer of a healthy lifestyle and a conscious approach to health.

Personal site www.osteopat-ivanov.ru

The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editors

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