Low back pain called lumbago is not an ailment. This is a consequence of other diseases. Often occurs due to certain problems with the lower back (spine, ligaments, nerves, muscles).
Discomfort in the lumbar region may appear due to malfunctioning of the kidneys. Symptoms of back pain due to tension or improper position are usually short-lived. But it can occur several days or weeks. Pain is chronic when symptoms are present for more than three months.
Symptoms of back pain that may indicate a serious problem
Sometimes back pain can only be a symptom of a disease. Here is what points to a more serious problem:
- loss of control of the bladder or intestines;
- numbness, weakness, or tingling in one or both legs;
- intense persistent pain;
- uncontrolled weight loss;
- abdominal pain;
- fever.
Be sure to inform your doctor if the above symptoms are observed. A lot depends on the spine. This is the basic structural support of the body. It must function stably enough so that the person has the opportunity to be in an upright position. Unfortunately, many people experience some problems from time to time.
They can be caused by sore muscles, ligaments and tendons or hernias, fractures, and other problems in the upper, middle, and lower back. Sometimes you can immediately feel the consequences. But in many cases, problems arise over time.
When does the problem arise?
People often experience back problems due to the following situations:
- Inconvenient posture, such as improper sitting at the table or at the wheel.
- Repetition of the same movement, for example, constant inclinations.
- Wrong lifting, carrying things, weights.
The spine consists of 24 vertebrae. Healthy is S-shaped when viewed from the side. It protects the spinal cord and the network of nerves responsible for the sensitivity and movement of the human body.
Causes of Back Pain
Why does it hurt to sit, lower back hurts? One of the most common causes is muscle tension surrounding the spine itself. Most often it is noted in the lower part of the spine. This area supports more weight than the upper and middle back, which are less prone to trouble. The most likely causes of discomfort in the lower back:
- Injuries from contact sports, accidents and falls can cause problems, ranging from minor muscle tension, ending with herniated discs, fractures that damage the spine.
- Low back pain can occur from cramping, when the muscles do not relax, as in a cramp.
- Osteoarthritis can affect the vertebrae when the cartilage between them wears out. Bone spurs or a hernia of the intervertebral disc can put a lot of pressure on the nerves.
- Pregnancy quite often leads to pain. Hormonal changes and weight gain have new types of stress on the spine and legs of a pregnant woman.
Why does the lower back hurt when you sit? Sometimes this also happens without a clear reason. This is called non-specific back pain. May occur, for example, due to weak muscles. The latter simply can not cope with everyday walking and stretching.
Risk factors that trigger pain
Why does the lower back hurt when you sit? First, we analyze the risk factors:
- sedentary work;
- age;
- obesity;
- smoking.
Studies show that emotional health also affects the risk of back pain. It may appear, for example, with stress at work or with depression.
Diagnostic methods: tests and examinations
What to do if the lower back hurts while sitting? If the case is not an isolated one, then be sure to go to the doctor. Typically, an examination is the main method used for diagnosis. If there is a question about the diagnosis of a serious disease, the doctor may prescribe laboratory tests:
- urine and blood tests;
- X-ray of the spine to show the alignment of your bones and check for fractures, displacements;
- tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of discs, muscles, nerves and blood vessels to determine abnormalities in bone tissue;
- electromyography (EMG) for checking nerve conduction.
Pain treatment. Drugs and Injections
If your lower back hurts a lot, when you are sitting, what should I do? To be treated. The main form is drug treatment. Most episodes of back pain are relieved by non-steroidal drugs that relieve inflammation, such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen.
Pain medications, or analgesics, are also used. Although they do not have the same anti-inflammatory properties. Remember to use caution when taking medications such as Ibuprofen if you have kidney problems or a stomach ulcer. In no case do not consume more than the recommended amount, since even these medicines can have serious consequences if they are taken incorrectly.
If the lower back hurts, it hurts to walk and sit, what should I do? Your doctor may also try other medications, such as antidepressants. They can improve and help with pain caused by pinching nerves.
Your doctor may also prescribe cortisone steroid injections for severe back pain.
Tools at hand
What improvised tools will help if the lower back pain is lying and sitting?
- Ice packs can alleviate the condition. They will also help reduce inflammation in the acute phase of back pain. Warm compresses can relieve inflammation pain.
- Exercises to improve posture and strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen, called the heart muscles. This is a good treatment for pain. After exercise, there is:
- improved posture;
- strengthening the heart muscle.
A physical therapist can teach you how to do these types of exercises at home. But just remember that exercises can only be performed during remission as a means of prevention. In the acute period, they can be extremely painful.
Surgical intervention
Surgery - treatment of an advanced stage of lower back pain. Commonly used when:
- Conservative treatment with drugs and therapy did not work.
- Severe tireless pain and pinching of the nerve are observed.
Surgery to partially remove and replace discs and vertebrae can be performed to relieve pain caused by degenerative bone diseases.
What is a traditional treatment?
To relieve acute and chronic back pain, traditional methods used by orthodox doctors or practitioners usually include the following:
- Hot and cold compresses reduce swelling and pain.
- Medications such as Ibuprofen and muscle relaxants, or prescription drugs to eliminate or reduce pain. Prescription drugs can be addictive and harmful to the body with prolonged use.
Some more traditional methods
What other traditional methods are known? Let's name them and consider:
- Therapeutic massage. If back pain is caused by tense or congested muscles, massage therapy can help. It will help to stretch tight muscles and establish blood circulation, relieving pain.
- Physical therapy and exercise are considered natural treatments. Therapy will be effective if the lower back hurts when you are sitting on a chair. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting it. Active action on the spinal discs can help you feel better. If you work at your desk, take regular breaks. Just get up and take a walk. Regular exercise is important. Start a walk or work out to strengthen your muscles. Both options are good for long-term lower back pain.
- Low-impact exercises such as walking, climbing and swimming have been shown to increase muscle tone and reduce back pain.
So, the specific treatment will depend on the cause of the pain.
A physiotherapist can develop a set of exercises to relieve pain and make them move more.
Painkillers, ice and heat will work to relieve back pain. Your doctor may prescribe stronger medications. But some cause drowsiness or dependence on them.
Additional treatments, such as massage, can also relieve pain.
If the bone is damaged or there is a disc herniation, a pinched nerve, surgery may be required. But to solve the problem associated with persistent back pain, doctors will first try other procedures.
Alternative methods. Which are used and how effective?
What can I do if my lower back hurts when you sit? Other, non-traditional ways to relieve back pain will help:
- Acupuncture. An acupuncture practitioner inserts sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Acupuncture is one of the best alternative treatments for lower back pain. Some people with back pain say that acupuncture helps relieve their symptoms. Relief is observed after each session. It can last up to several weeks after the end of treatment. Acupuncture is especially useful if there are muscle cramps or pain associated with a pinched nerve.
- Yoga. There are several types of yoga, which includes practice in certain poses, breathing exercises and relaxation methods. Yoga has been found to relieve stress and is effective in eliminating pain.
- Homeopathy. Using natural methods and non-toxic agents to improve or restore health. These include herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, dietary changes, etc.
- Yoga and Pilates in the complex. There is more and more evidence that yoga and Pilates reduce back pain. Both options bring relief in combination with stretching exercises.
Other methods include progressive relaxation, where different muscles relax. Then there is a reduction in stress based on awareness. This method helps reduce pain. But research is inconclusive. Therefore, it is unclear whether they are effective treatments.
Medicines from plants
Some herbal infusions may be helpful for lower back pain. But still there is no direct evidence to support this.
White willow extract is said to be similar to aspirin and may help relieve pain.
The Devil's Claw , an herb used to treat osteoarthritis, can also be useful for back pain. Take it in a capsule, tablets, liquid, or as an ointment that you apply to the skin.
When to go to the doctor?
When is it worth going to the doctor, if it hurts to sit, does the lower back hurt? You need to see a doctor if:
- The source of pain occurred after getting sick, as a result of a fall or accident.
- Pain interferes with daily activities.
- The pain lasts longer than 6 weeks or extends beyond the lower back.
Prevention of back and back pain
Consider preventive measures:
- Do the exercises! Strengthening the back muscles will help maintain balance. Walking is also great for these purposes.
- Do not slouch! As a rule, try to keep your shoulders and hips straight when sitting, standing, and walking. Lift heavy things correctly, keeping your back straight.
- Try sleeping on an orthopedic mattress of medium hardness. Give up the feather bed!
- Do not smoke. Such a bad habit limits blood flow. Therefore, muscles and tissues do not receive enough nutrients and oxygen. This can lead to weakness and pain. Coughing that occurs when smoking can strain your back.
We are sitting right. Three effective methods
How to sit so that your lower back does not hurt? There are three ways. They will help to avoid back pain while sitting at the table.
If you spend a lot of time sitting at your desk, looking at the monitor, you may begin to feel lower back pain. It may be temporary or may even be periodic.
"So what if the lower back hurts when I sit for a long time?" - you ask. Consider three ways to help avoid pain:
- Every thirty to forty minutes, get up or take a short walk - just a couple of minutes. So you give your back the opportunity to relax and relax the spine.
- Make sure that the height of the chair is such that your eyes are level with the top of the PC monitor. In this case, the computer and keyboard are directly in front of you, and not on the sidelines, and everything is at a convenient distance. Move the monitor and computer keyboard closer if you feel that you are overworking.
- Be convinced, sitting in a chair that the back fully supports a back, does not stagger. If the lower back hurts, avoid crossing legs and stooping.
These three tips will help the normal functioning of the spine. It is also possible that thanks to these exercises you will completely forget about pains in the lower back or don’t know about them.
Little conclusion
Back pain is one of the most common diseases in the workplace and in the classroom. The best advice is simply not to sit for hours in one position. Try to move more. Then the lower back will not hurt when you sit. In a word, watch your lifestyle, take care of your health. Of course, if the lower back starts to hurt in a sitting position - this is not just unpleasant, but even dangerous. This may indicate very serious diseases.