Back pain, back pain is the scourge of our time. Sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, high-calorie diet and, as a result, overweight contribute to the development of diseases of the spine. What do we struggle with the most? And where to go for help when our back hurts?
Why does your back hurt?
Back pain is when a person feels it on the vertical axis of the body, on the side of the spine. It is estimated that up to 80% of people worldwide experience back pain. It appears in different parts of the spine: from the cervical, thoracic and lumbar to the sacrum. However, patients most often complain of pain in the neck and lumbar region.
The spine is felt as a result of mechanical injuries. But often the cause can be degenerative changes, inflammation or diseases that affect the mobility and condition of the joints.
Other factors that indirectly affect the health of our spine are also important. With age, the spine becomes more vulnerable to injury. Poor physical condition and lack of exercise also affect.
This is especially true for those people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and work a lot in front of the computer.
Workers who do heavy physical work are more susceptible to back injuries and strain pain.
Obesity can also cause back pain, as well as chronic stress and depression.
Back pain: the most common causes
- Discopathy- we talk about this when we are dealing with the so-called disc herniation. It is accompanied by irritation or even damage to the nerve root. It most often occurs in the lumbar spine. This is manifested by pain in the back to the legs, which makes you lean forward and bend your spine. It most often affects young people between the ages of 25 and 40.
- Lumbago- also known as lumbago. Acute, shooting pain that affects the lumbosacral area (lower back). This is one of the main reasons to visit a doctor's office. The cause is almost always a mechanical injury as a result of overexertion of the spine. The pain increases with bending and lifting objects. Sometimes it disappears after a few days, but can last for several weeks.
- Sciatica- in this case the pain is caused by squeezing a fragment of the intervertebral disc on the nerve roots. Pressure on the sciatic nerve or its roots causes severe pain that spreads to the buttocks and legs. Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve as a result of developing degenerative disease of the spine.
- Osteoporosis- a disease that affects the elderly, especially postmenopausal women. This manifests itself in a progressive loss of bone density and weakening of the bone structure, which makes them more prone to fractures. This is a condition that leads to reduced bone growth, thoracic kyphosis and severe back pain. This disease can also lead to the so-called. Compression fracture of the vertebrae, even with minimal impact.
Who should you turn to for help?
If we feel back pain, we should see a therapist immediately. The doctor will be able to perform preliminary examinations and order an X-ray, CT scan or MRI at his discretion. If deemed necessary, then we will receive a referral to an orthopedist - a specialist in diagnosis and treatment of the skeletal system.
In case of problems with the spine and the entire skeletal system, it is also worth consulting a physiotherapist. He will take care of our proper posture and will present a series of exercises that will strengthen our spine.
How to monitor the spine?
In the case of the condition of our spine, there is an old and simple rule: prevention is better than cure. It is enough to follow a few simple rules during the day to enjoy life without back pain:
- Regular exercise.On the one hand, let's do exercises that will allow you to maintain a proper body weight and keep fit. On the other hand, let's do exercises that will strengthen the paraspinal muscles. We must also remember to stretch. It will improve muscle flexibility and prevent cramps and stiffness. It will also improve the blood supply to muscles and tissues.
- Proper posture.You need to monitor your posture both when walking and in a sitting and lying position. Try not to bend or bend your spine unnaturally, for example while sitting.
- The right mattress.The way we sleep has a significant impact on the health of our spine. The mattress should not be too soft or too hard. It is best to consult a qualified dealer when choosing a mattress. He will choose it according to your needs.
- Balanced and healthy diet.It should be rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Also, contain protein, fat and carbohydrates in the right proportions.