Improper movement, excessive physical activity, or lifting a heavy load can result in unbearable back pain. A similar phenomenon is called a breakdown of the lumbar spine. At the same time, it becomes not only difficult to perform even elementary tasks - discomfort also makes itself felt in a sitting or lying position. Everyone can face the fact that he tore his back. What to do at home to relieve pain? Let's try to figure out what medication and alternative methods of treatment exist.
general information
First of all, let's look at what the concept of "torn back" means from a medical point of view. As a rule, the reason for this condition is too much physical exertion on the spine. If a breakdown occurs, then the person instantly experiences acute pain, which can be localized in the lumbar region or spread throughout the back. This is due to the fact that at the time of tearing, muscle tissue ruptures. In this case, the displacement of the vertebral discs or any of its other injuries does not occur.
Pathology develops due to the fact that the muscle corset, which is responsible for keeping the spine in the correct position, ceases to perform its functions normally. As a result of this, even at the slightest physical exertion, it begins to bend. Injured muscle fibers are unable to return the spine to its original position, which is why cartilage creates pressure on the nerves, which causes a pronounced pain syndrome. Thus, if a person has torn his back in the lower back (what to do - we will consider in more detail below), then it becomes difficult for him to perform the usual daily tasks, since the physical load on the spine is uneven.
Pathology classification
If a person has broken his back, then it is very important to determine the type of injury received, since the methods of therapy depend on this. As already mentioned above, the basis for the breakdown of the lumbar spine is the stretching of muscle fibers, however, it can be different.
In modern medicine, there is the following classification:
- Crick;
- ligament rupture;
- damage to the intervertebral discs;
- protrusion;
- deformation of fibro-cartilaginous formations;
- hernia;
- vertebral instability.
If a person has torn his back, what should be done in this case? It is impossible to unequivocally answer this question, since specific actions depend on the type of injury received. In each specific case mentioned above, special treatment is required, therefore, it is recommended that you first consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Only on the basis of the results of radiography, the doctor will be able to choose the appropriate therapy program.
Types of Pain
If an adult or child has sore back, the symptoms may be different. The degree and intensity of their manifestation depends on the severity and type of stretching of the muscle fibers.
In this case, the discomfort can be of the following types:
- Muscular. Symptoms are localized in the area of direct rupture of muscle tissue.
- Vertebrate. Pathology arose as a result of the inflammatory process.
- Disk. The pain appears due to pinching of the nerves between the intervertebral discs.
- Neurogenic. It is caused by the deterioration of the conductivity of electronic pulses along neural processes.
Each variety has certain nuances and different intensity of clinical manifestations.
The main causes of the development of pathology
Every person who has torn his back is interested in the question of why this happens.
Among the most common factors, profiled specialists distinguish the following:
- lifting too large and heavy objects;
- improper movement of goods;
- hard physical work;
- jumping
- sitting in an uncomfortable position for a long time;
- falling on your back;
- unsuccessful jumps;
- classes in certain sports, associated with a high probability of injury;
- careless body turns or inclinations.
These are the main reasons that most often lead to stretching of the muscles of the lumbar. However, the reasons can be very different. It all depends on each specific case.
Provocative factors
A very common problem that many patients encounter is: "I have torn my back. What should I do?"
Further in this article, medication and traditional methods of treatment will be examined in detail, but for now we list the main causes that significantly increase the risk of injury and stretching of the lumbar muscle tissue. This is very important, since not only people who play sports or work in difficult physical conditions, but ordinary managers who spend all day at the computer face such a pathology.
The following factors increase the likelihood of tearing:
- Individual characteristics of the body. Some people are more likely to be injured than others, so they are more likely to experience sprains. As a rule, adolescents and adults who have poorly developed muscle corset are at increased risk.
- The presence of diseases of the spinal column. With curvature, protrusion, hernia and other ailments, the likelihood of developing concomitant pathologies is very high.
- Sharpness of movement. It is because of them in most cases that sprains and other types of injuries occur. They may be related to living conditions, traffic accidents or ordinary street brawl.
- Seasonality As medical statistics show, the most calls to doctors with a problem that a person has torn his back, comes in the cold season. This is due to the fact that when performing any physical exertion, the muscles do not normally warm up.
- Neurological diseases.
- Constant stress.
- Various ailments occurring in acute or chronic form.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
All of the above factors greatly increase the risk of stretching and tearing muscle tissue in the lumbar region of the spinal column, so if you are associated with at least some of them, then try to review your life and eliminate them. And if you still get injured, then in this case it is recommended to begin treatment for a torn back as soon as possible, since the pathology itself will take a very long time. In addition, in the absence of proper therapy, the likelihood of developing various serious complications is high.
Who is at increased risk?
Probably not to find such a person who at least once in his life has not experienced a sprain. At the same time, gender, age category and occupation have absolutely no significance. But some people face this pathology regularly, while others almost never suffer from it.
According to doctors, the following categories of citizens are at increased risk:
- girls and women of any age;
- old men;
- obese people;
- smokers, alcoholics and drug addicts.
If you want to minimize the likelihood of stretching the muscles of the spinal column, it is recommended to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, give up any bad habits, and also try to engage in any kind of sports, or at least do exercises in the morning.
Clinical manifestations
It is immediately worth noting that for each person, sprain or rupture of ligaments of the lumbar can be manifested differently. The intensity and severity of the manifestations is affected by the degree of injury, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases.
If a man has broken his back, the symptoms in both men and women are always the same. It is possible to diagnose a pathology independently by the following signs:
- Acute piercing pain in the lumbar. It occurs directly at the time of back tear and manifests itself during any physical exertion or movement.
- Hematomas and edema in the area of damage.
- Strong involuntary muscle tension that cannot be relaxed.
- Numbness and tingling in the lower back.
- Noticeable bulging of the vertebrae, which is easily palpated by palpation.
- Limited movement.
- Deterioration in reflex activity.
- Sensation of weakness in the lower extremities.
In addition to all of the above, in some cases a person may experience nausea and vomiting.
Basic diagnostic methods
If a woman has torn her back from gravity, like, in principle, a man, then you need to immediately go to the hospital for an examination. A vertebrologist deals with such issues, but if he is not in your hospital, you can make an appointment with a traumatologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and send for a general blood test.
In addition, if necessary, the following laboratory tests can be prescribed:
- X-ray
- MRI
- myelography;
- CT scan;
- Ultrasound
- thermography.
Only after the results of the tests are in the hands of the doctor, he will be able to determine the real state of health of the patient and the severity of the injury, as well as to choose the most appropriate treatment program.
First tensile actions
Many women (men are less susceptible to injuries due to their higher physical characteristics) are interested in the question: "I have torn my back from gravity. What should I do?" Undoubtedly, the best solution would be to go to the hospital, but it is not always possible to do this at a particular point in time. Therefore, the fair sex should have an idea of the basics of first aid.
If you or someone from your loved ones lifted a big weight or somehow turned incorrectly, resulting in severe back pain, then the following steps should be taken:
- The victim must be placed in an upright position on a hard surface, limiting his mobility.
- Under the lower back you can put a not too soft pillow (provided that there is no discomfort).
- Take the patient to the hospital or call an emergency ambulance if a person cannot move independently.
- It is strictly forbidden to give any medications without first consulting a doctor.
- If possible, a cold compress should be applied to the damaged area of the body, which will reduce pain.
- Put a tight bandage on the lower back to reduce the load on the spine.
If a person has torn his back, how to treat it will be described in detail below, but the best option is to consult a doctor. Sometimes you can try to cope with the pathology yourself with the help of traditional medicine.
Drug treatment
The spine is the foundation of the human body, because the bulk of the nerves passes through it. Therefore, it is better to consult a specialist with any back injuries. It is better not to delay the visit, since any delay can be fraught with serious consequences.
As a rule, the course of therapy lasts no more than one month, and it is based on the use of drugs.
Most often, doctors prescribe the following drugs to their patients:
- Analgesics - to eliminate pain. It is best used as an injection, as they have the best effect.
- Anti-inflammatory - can not only relieve swelling, but also make the symptoms less pronounced.
- Muscle relaxants - allow you to relieve tension of muscle fibers.
- If a person has torn his back, ointment is one of the main types of medications that are used to treat pathology. Rub them lower back should begin on the third day after injury. Many doctors have recommended such drugs as Fastum Gel, Menovazin and Diclofenac.
- Chondroprotectors - activate and accelerate regenerative processes, so torn muscle fibers grow together faster.
- Vitamin complexes - are necessary to maintain the body and replenish the supply of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in it.
If the gap is very strong and conventional painkillers do not help, lidocaine blockades are prescribed. This is especially true in cases where the fair sex has torn her back. Symptoms in women due to anatomical and physiological characteristics are always more intense and pronounced, and conventional analgesics are often ineffective.
Drug treatment is also combined with a course of physiotherapeutic procedures.
The best among them are the following:
- massage;
- physiotherapy;
- warming up;
- electrophoresis;
- UVT;
- laser therapy;
- acupuncture;
- manual therapy.
In very severe cases, when conventional treatment does not bring the expected result, surgery may be required. However, as medical practice shows, such radical methods are required only in isolated cases.
Alternative medicine
People always got back injuries, and this was especially common in the Middle Ages, when there were very difficult physical conditions of life. Therefore, traditional healers have discovered many effective methods and recipes that help with stretching or tearing of the muscles of the lumbar.
Here are some very good treatments:
- Mix in one container of 1 tsp. fresh aloe juice and honey. In another bowl, combine 100 grams of Cambrian clay with three tablespoons of water, heated to 40 degrees, and mix everything well, then add the contents of the first container. The resulting product is applied to the damaged area (lower back) three times a day for 5-20 days.
- Finely chop or grate the fresh horseradish root, wrap it in a thin cotton towel and put in the form of compresses for 10-20 minutes.
- Mix 100 g of salt and mustard powder, add a little purified kerosene to them and stir. The consistency should resemble a not too thin gruel. Use the mixture to rub the sore back.
It is worth noting: if self-medication does not bring any result for a long period of time, then it is recommended to consult a doctor, since some pathologies of the spinal column require professional medical help.