Few people know what to do if their lower back hurts badly and how to treat the problem area at home. Most people refuse to visit a doctor because of expensive medical services, others prefer traditional, proven methods.
Self-medication is possible, provided the diagnosis is reliable. Temporary relief of acute symptoms will not solve the problem, and long-term development of the disease will provoke a transition to a chronic form. It is advisable to consult a specialist on this topic who can give practical recommendations.
Causes of back pain
Both a chronic illness and an accidental event can provoke pain in the lower back. In women, a similar problem is a complication of gynecological diseases (fibroids, adnexitis, malignant neoplasm). In men, back pain occurs mainly against the background of difficult working conditions and the lifting of heavy objects.
The most common causes of this problem are:
- obesity stages 2 and 3;
- excessive sitting position;
- excessive loads during sports activities;
- lifting and holding weights;
- chondrosis, osteochondrosis, kyphosis;
- unstable psycho-emotional state;
- impact of drafts, hypothermia.
Identifying the cause of the pain is very important, as it is forbidden to start a therapeutic course without an accurate diagnosis. Temporary relief of symptoms will not bring the expected results because the root cause will remain untreated.
Even if symptomatic treatment helps, the back pain will keep coming back.
When you see a specialist
Self-medication at home is possible if the nature of the discomfort remains unchanged, the local area of the lesion does not expand, and there are no additional manifestations.
In certain situations, self-medication cannot be performed, but specialist intervention is required. Some examples:
- intense increase in pain;
- the local lesion area began to expand or shift;
- there is no tenderness in the lower extremities.
With low finger mobility, there is a possibility of spinal cord injury. Immediate intervention of specialists is required.
Home treatment methods
A large range of pharmaceutical products can be used to treat low back pain. The patient is offered various painkillers, gels and ointments, as well as suppositories. But, it is impossible to buy medication yourself, a mistake in the choice can lead to an increase in symptomatic manifestations.
Prior consultation with a traumatologist or therapist will be required. Medications are prescribed only with the appearance of a narrow profile specialist. Some powerful medicines are distributed in a pharmacy exclusively with a prescription, you can not buy them yourself.
The duration of treatment is from 1 to 6 months, depending on the area of the lesion, the intensity of pain manifestations, the frequency of occurrence of unpleasant symptoms. The therapeutic course must be completed, otherwise the pain will return after a short period of time.
Ointments and gels
For back pain, regardless of the root cause, ointments or gels are always prescribed. These agents act locally, suppress discomfort and facilitate movement.
The advantage of this method is the minimal number of side effects and contraindications, as well as ease of use.
When applying oils, you must follow a number of rules:
- mandatory compliance with the instructions for use;
- a little medicine is required to squeeze the hand and start rubbing in the lower back, it is necessary to apply the oil once a day, preferably before bedtime;
- if side effects occur, discontinuation of this drug is required.
There are different groups of oils for back pain:
- Chondroprotectors. They help strengthen the articular cartilage, suppress inflammatory reactions in it.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointment. They are used for any inflammatory reaction, restore the activity of the musculoskeletal system. Read contraindications before use.
- Pain relievers. They are mainly used for acute forms of pain, help facilitate the transfer of severe symptoms.
There is also a combined set of oils that combine all of the above properties.
Oral and injection medicines
Oral or injectable medications are similar in action to ointments, but have enhanced side effects and a long list of contraindications. Before starting a therapeutic course, you should carefully read the instructions for use.
The following groups are selected for the patient, depending on the nature and duration of the pain:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs. They perfectly relieve pain, help suppress the inflammatory process in the lower back. Application is possible only with the permission of a specialist.
- Muscle relaxants. This group of medicines helps to relieve muscle tension, relieve spasms and suppress painful manifestations. It is worth noting that when muscle relaxants are used, there is drowsiness or increased blood pressure.
- Corticosteroids. Hormonal drugs suppress inflammatory reactions and have an analgesic effect.
- Narcotic analgesics. Prescribed exclusively by the attending physician in case of uncontrolled pain syndrome or surgical intervention.
- Vitamin B. Promotes normalization of blood circulation, oxygen saturation, restores metabolic processes.
Note:most medicines have a strong therapeutic effect, before use it is necessary to read the instructions for use.
Rectal suppositories
These medicines are promoted with confidence in the pharmaceutical industry and are actively used for severe back pain for the following reasons:
- disperses quickly, the result of application is felt in 10-15 minutes;
- has no harmful effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
- minimal side effects.
Patch
If, due to lesions of the musculoskeletal system, the lower back hurts, how to treat it at home with a plaster? Very simple.
Treatment tablets block the pain, relieve inflammation, warm the affected area, which makes it possible to alleviate the patient's condition. Each patch has a unique effect, you need to choose the right medicine to achieve the result.
Physical exercises
Therapeutic exercises are extremely effective for lumbar lesions. Allows you to:
- develop back muscles;
- restore the distance between the vertebrae and release the suppressed nerves;
- improving blood circulation;
- suppress the pain.
Note: Healing gymnastics may not be performed for all groups of patients; there is a strict list of contraindications. An appropriate set of exercises can only be selected by a treatment specialist.
Examples of popular and useful exercises:
- "Mace". The patient should stand on all fours and bend the spine, then bend in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times, the duration of the stay is 5-7 seconds.
- Twisting. The person will need to assume a horizontal position on a firm, flat surface. Bend your knees, start turning your legs to the right, your body to the left. Do 5-6 repetitions, then switch sides.
You need to do aerobics yourself every day, respecting medical prescriptions. If negative symptoms appear (headache, erosion, disorientation in space), it is necessary to urgently stop exercising.
Massage
Therapeutic massage is most effective for spinal cord injuries. It is better to perform the procedure under the supervision of a specialist, independent behavior can result in a number of consequences due to incorrect movements.
Massage is prohibited for the following groups of patients:
- persons with malignant neoplasms;
- patients with active tuberculosis;
- women in each trimester of pregnancy;
- persons suffering from hypertension or arrhythmia;
- patients with skin lesions.
When massaging yourself, without the services of an experienced specialist, you should first get a list of rules from the doctor for the correct procedure.
Paraffin therapy
Intense pain syndrome is well removed with paraffin. The procedure improves blood circulation to the lymph and soft tissues of the affected area. Melted paraffin warms the entire lower back, the effect of application lasts several hours.
Problematic to perform such a procedure yourself, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced specialist.
Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine methods have repeatedly confirmed their effectiveness, sometimes they have helped where medicines have failed. But, it is not worth abusing such methods without medical advice, otherwise you can cause irreparable damage to the musculoskeletal system.
The most common methods are:
- Fasha.Procedure It is necessary to perform the procedure only in the evening so that the patient is physically and mentally calm. The gauze cloth should be impregnated with a composition made in advance (medicinal herbs only) and applied to the injured area. Switch to this state for at least an hour. As ingredients of the mixture, you can use radish and horseradish, salt, honey, garlic, mustard.
- Friction.It is performed only in the evening, the human body should be in a relaxed state. For rubbing, alcoholic tinctures of a beaver stem, dandelion root, eucalyptus, red pepper, etc. are used. The product should be completely rubbed into the affected area, after which the lower back is wrapped in warm cloths or a blanket. You should spend at least an hour in this condition.
- Heating bath.An excellent method to relax not only the affected area, but the whole body. The effect of the procedure can be increased by using medicinal herbs (mint, mustard powder). It is necessary to stay in the water until it starts to cool.
There are other methods of traditional medicine, but the above methods are the simplest to perform, do not require large money costs and theoretical knowledge.
How to get first aid? Pain in the lower back how to treat at home?
Pain in the lower back does not always appear gradually. Osteochondrosis and other spinal lesions can occur suddenly, accompanied by severe pain. Light load, cold air or heavy lifting - all of these provoke a similar problem.
Acute pain sensations should be stopped urgently. Manifestations can be so strong that a person will lose consciousness. Before offering help, it is necessary to bring the patient to mind with ammonia.
The victim should be positioned horizontally on a firm, flat surface. It is forbidden to put a pillow, the back should be in an upright position. Being in a supine position will reduce the load on the intervertebral discs, spasms and pain will partially subside.
If you have current oils and gels in your home, you can treat the affected area. Desirably desirable funds have an anti-inflammatory or analgesic effect, such drugs quickly alleviate unpleasant manifestations. After applying the oil, you should leave the victim alone for 30-40 minutes.
If the medication has an effect, you will need to pull the lower back with a warm cloth in order to adjust it tightly. For persistent acute pain, the patient may be given anti-inflammatory and sedative medications, preferably potent. The tablets will take effect after 30-50 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain.
Important: you can not abuse painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in an emergency situation, the maximum daily dose is allowed, but no more.
With persistent pain, even after fulfilling all of the above recommendations, you should call an ambulance.
Prevention of back pain
Once it is discovered why the lower back hurts how to treat it at home, it is necessary to learn the prevention program. Special corrective measures are useful both after a therapeutic course and for prophylactic purposes, to prevent the development of problems with the lower back.
Useful tips:
- Change your diet. Try to exclude junk and fatty foods from the menu, minimize the consumption of such dishes. The diet should be dominated by fortified and healthy foods, which will saturate the body with the required micronutrients.
- Check body weight. Obesity stages 2 and 3 impose a colossal load not only on the internal organs but also on the spine. Under the influence of excess body weight, there is a displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs, cartilage damage.
- More activity. With a sedentary lifestyle (for example, due to office work), you need to warm up and walk every day.
- Reducing stress on the back. Lifting weights and holding them for no good reason is not recommended. Even a light load can deform the spine.
Giving up bad habits will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the lower back. Alcohol disrupts blood circulation, and the products of half ethanol negatively affect the condition of cartilage and joints.