Aching pain in the back can be a sign of a wide variety of diseases. It is very important to determine the provoking factor in a timely manner, as this will allow a high-quality and comprehensive treatment and get rid of unpleasant symptoms. During the diagnosis, the age of the patient is very important, as well as the exact localization of pain, eating habits, the presence of concomitant disorders.
Types of pain
In medicine, primary and secondary aching back pain is distinguished. Primary pain often occurs against a background of spinal diseases and may indicate the presence of degenerative disorders in the muscles, joints and intervertebral discs. Secondary pains develop as a result of various internal diseases, in particular, such as:
- gynecological pathologies;
- neoplasms;
- injuries
- diseases of the internal organs;
- infectious diseases.
Aching pain in the back often occurs due to damage to nerve endings that have sensitive receptors. In this case, the mobility of the affected area is further reduced. Among the main types of pain, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- local
- reflected;
- radiating.
Local pain occurs if its root cause is localized in the lumbar region. Irradiating is characterized by the fact that the pain impulse passes through the nerve endings. The source of symptoms is localized in the abdominal cavity. Reflected pain is characterized by the fact that the pathological impulse is located opposite the area of manifestation of pain.
Low back pain can be:
- strong;
- periodic;
- weak
- constant;
- herpes zoster.
The nature of the existing symptoms must be taken into account when making a diagnosis, as this will allow the doctor to identify the disease.
Main reasons
There are several reasons why there is aching back pain, among which it is necessary to highlight such as:
- Mental illness
- obesity;
- elderly age;
- previously suffered back injuries;
- the presence of severe chronic diseases;
- severe overwork, stress.
Aching in the lower back can be due to kidney disease. In addition, severe swelling, violation of the urination process, headache, and a decrease in pressure are additionally observed.
If there is aching pain in the right side of the back, extending to the leg, then this may indicate appendicitis. In addition, a person has a fever, nausea, fever, and stool disorder. Treatment is necessarily carried out by surgical intervention, since appendicitis can provoke dangerous complications.
Digestive problems can cause pain in the lumbar region. This happens due to irritation of the nerve endings. Obesity can cause aching back pain in the lower back. This is due to the increased load on the spine, which has to withstand a lot of weight.
Another cause of pain can be cholecystitis, the signs of which are similar to the symptoms of appendicitis, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. The patient is bothered by aching back pain in the right side. This is due to affecting the nerve endings.
Pancreatitis is characterized by the presence of acute soreness in the waist, which gradually gives to the lower back. This disease is additionally accompanied by a plaque in the tongue, vomiting and digestive disorders.
Bone infections can cause aching lower back pain. Often, this condition provokes bone tuberculosis, which in addition to painful manifestations can provoke weakness, damage to the nervous system, and redness.
Malignant neoplasms can provoke aching pain in the back. In this condition, a person may suffer from high fever, loss of appetite, malaise, and severe weakness. The presence of other signs largely depends on the particular course of the disease, its localization and degree of neglect.
Myositis is accompanied by muscle inflammation. This can occur due to excessive physical exertion, hypothermia, infectious or viral lesions.
Spinal problems
A lot of people with a sedentary lifestyle suffer from back pain. The appearance of aching pain in the lower back is often associated with damage to the vertebrae, intervertebral disc, pinched nerve endings or inflammation of the back muscles. This is often associated with pathologies of the spine, in particular, such as:
- osteochondrosis;
- hernia of the intervertebral disc;
- arthrosis, arthritis;
- osteoporosis.
The most common cause of pain is lumbar osteochondrosis. The cause of its occurrence may be age-related changes and a sedentary lifestyle.
The disease is characterized by degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, which eventually lose moisture and slightly thicken. This provokes friction of the vertebrae, which gradually become deformed.
Another pathology that provokes lower back pain is osteoporosis. This disease can occur at any age. Spondylolisthesis is found in approximately 5-7% of the population, however, it is diagnosed much less often, as many people do not pay attention to chronic pain. With spondylolisthesis, the leg of one of the vertebrae begins to deform and protrude. Among the symptoms you need to highlight the pain that radiates to the lower back, and sometimes to the buttocks and legs. The displaced vertebra begins to squeeze the nerve endings, which leads to pain.
A fairly common problem is an intervertebral hernia. The main reason is a violation of metabolic processes in the connective and muscle tissue. In this case, acute pain in the lower back and legs.
Secondary causes of pain
There are many diseases and disorders that result in aching pain that extends to the back. This symptom can develop as a result of internal diseases of the intestine, genitourinary system, and kidneys. In this case, there is another symptomatology characteristic of a particular disease.
Aching pain in the sides of the back can be associated with kidney diseases, in particular, such as renal colic, pyelonephritis and many other diseases. With renal colic, the symptoms are quite pronounced, and it is characterized by severe aching pain in the lumbar region.
Coxarthrosis is a lesion of the hip joint, in which pain is noted, which intensifies after physical exertion. This disease is characterized by pain radiating to the lower back and buttocks. Aching pain in the left back can be caused by problems such as:
- congenital malformations;
- pancreatitis
- diabetes;
- metabolic disorders;
- bowel disease;
- internal infectious diseases.
Pain can occur due to the presence of neoplasms, which also provoke a sharp weight loss. In the presence of an infectious lesion, there is a sharp increase in temperature, discomfort in the abdomen, behind the chest. Aching pain in the back in the shoulder blades may be due to damage to the respiratory system.
Soreness can occur due to muscle spasms, which often happens as a result of severe muscle strain. If there are pains under the ribs and the back aches, then this may indicate the presence of digestive diseases. In addition, other symptoms appear, namely bloating and heaviness after eating food, belching, violation of the stool, heartburn.
Pain in women
Aching pain in the back often appears in women of reproductive age. It can occur with inflammatory diseases in the pelvic organs, as with regular menstruation. The main causes of aching lower back pain are:
- inflammation of the ovaries;
- hormonal changes;
- menstruation;
- ovarian cyst;
- pregnancy.
With inflammation of the ovaries, the localization of the pain syndrome depends on which ovary has given in to inflammation. Hormonal changes provoke fluid retention in the body, which puts an additional strain on the body. During pregnancy, pain occurs in about 3 trimester, which is associated with the growth of the fetus, which has an additional burden on the body.
Pain in men
Pain in men in the back occurs often enough and this can be triggered by reasons such as:
- prostatitis;
- epididymitis;
- urolithiasis disease.
Prostatitis is characterized by soreness in the back and genitals. Often, patients suffer from severe weakness, headache, and sexual dysfunction. Epididymitis is an inflammatory disease of the ovarian appendages, which can provoke pain that radiates to the lumbar region.
Among other causes of pain in the back in men, osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine, lumbago, intervertebral hernia should be highlighted.
Survey
The causes of pain in the back can be very different, and a provoking factor can be established only after a series of examinations, among which it is necessary to highlight such as:
- analysis of urine and blood;
- ultrasound diagnostics;
- X-ray of the spine;
- tomography;
- endoscopic examination.
With a visual examination and palpation, the doctor helps determine the presence of spinal deformity, increased muscle tension, and also obtain information regarding spinal mobility. In the case of a hernia and injury or lack of sensitivity, reflexes are surely checked, which can decrease with some pathologies.
In some cases, a biopsy may be required, which will allow timely detection of malignant neoplasms. According to the results of the diagnosis, you can identify the main cause of the painful manifestations, determine the degree of damage to organs and systems, prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Treatment
If aching back pain in the shoulder blades or lower back was provoked by overwork, then it will pass on its own simply after rest. In this case, no treatment is required, just like with menstruation and pregnancy.
If aching pain under the shoulder blades from behind from the back and in the lumbar region occurred as a result of diseases of the spine or internal organs, then treatment is prescribed individually, depending on the diagnosis. In diseases of the vertebral section, conservative therapy is used, which consists in taking medications and physiotherapeutic procedures. In particular, for the treatment can be assigned:
- anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
- vitamin therapy;
- acupuncture;
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy;
- swimming;
- massage.
All this helps to eliminate pain, reduce muscle spasm and normalize well-being. If the pain is provoked by a disease of the internal organs, then the treatment is selected purely individually.
Traditional therapy
Therapeutic therapy is selected purely separately, based on the identified disease and its degree of neglect. Treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, in particular, such as Diclofenac or Movalis. B vitamins are also prescribed to help reduce muscle cramps.
When identifying diseases of the spine, special therapeutic exercises are required. If there are no contraindications, massage for hernia, osteochondrosis, arthrosis and many other degenerative lesions will be useful. With such diagnoses, chondroprotectors will also be effective.
Physiotherapy helps to reduce soreness and normalize blood circulation. Conduct her best courses. For better recovery, swimming is recommended. Diet nutrition helps to saturate the body with useful substances and strengthen the immune system. In infectious lesions, antibacterial agents are used.
In more severe cases, medication blockages are prescribed. Subsequent therapy is determined by each specific disease. Surgical treatment is also used.
Folk remedies
Treatment of aching back pain in the shoulder blades and lower back is used only as an adjunct therapy. They help relieve pain and eliminate inflammation, however, in the case of advanced pathology, they will not help to completely get rid of the disease.
To eliminate the pain, you can take fresh nettles and slightly beat the lumbar region with it. The plant provokes a strong burning sensation and has a pronounced analgesic effect. You can also use compresses prepared on the basis of sea salt.
For faster pain relief, it is recommended to use a tincture prepared on the basis of lemon and garlic. This tool helps to quickly and effectively eliminate inflammation.
For compresses, horseradish grated horseradish mixed with chopped radish can be used. A steamed burdock sheet can be applied to the affected area. Then wrap your back with a warm towel and keep for an hour. For warming, it is recommended to use mustard plasters or you can independently prepare a medical compress based on mustard.
Folk remedies for the treatment of back pain should be used very carefully, especially in the presence of diseases of the liver, kidneys, stomach. All your actions regarding the use of certain therapeutic agents must be previously agreed with your doctor.
What is forbidden to do
If there is aching back pain under the shoulder blades, in the area of the ribs or lower back, then certain rules must be followed in order not to aggravate the painful manifestations even more. In the acute period, massage is strictly contraindicated. Anti-inflammatory drugs are not recommended without the appointment of a doctor, since they have many different contraindications.
The bed should not be too soft. For back pain, it is recommended to sleep on a hard surface. Physical activity can only significantly aggravate the condition, so they must be moderate.
Prophylaxis
To reduce the likelihood of pain in the lower back, you must follow a few simple rules, namely:
- lifting weights is possible only with bent knees;
- Do not bend your back when lifting weights;
- the load on the spine should be distributed evenly;
- walk and sit only with a straight back;
- sleep is recommended on a hard mattress;
- during sedentary work, you must definitely take breaks to warm up.
Back pain is a very dangerous symptom that cannot be ignored, as this threatens more serious problems and pathologies. It is especially important to visit a doctor in a timely manner with frequent, paroxysmal pains that bother a person even in a calm state.
It will be possible to achieve normalization of well-being only with correctly conducted therapy, which requires the close attention of the doctor. If there is constant pain in the back, then this may indicate the presence of various diseases. These include damage to the joints, spine and internal organs.
With proper and timely treatment, as well as preventive measures, you can achieve a good result.