Back pain, back pain is the specter of our time. An inactive lifestyle, inactive work, a high -calorie diet and, consequently, being overweight contribute to the development of spinal diseases. What do we face the most? And where to ask for help when our back hurts?
Why does your back hurt?
Back pain is pronounced when a person feels it along the vertical axis of the body, to the side of the spine. It is estimated that up to 80% of people worldwide suffer from back pain. It appears in different parts of the spine: from the cervix, thorax and lumbar to the sacrum. However, patients most often complain of pain in the cervical and lumbar areas.
The spine makes itself felt as a result of mechanical injuries. But often the cause is degenerative changes, inflammation or disease that affects the movement and condition of the joints.
Other factors that indirectly affect the health of our spine are also important. As we age, the spine becomes more susceptible to injury. It is also affected by poor physical condition and lack of exercise.
This is especially true for those who lead a non -stop lifestyle and work a lot at computers.
Workers who do heavy physical work are more likely to suffer back injuries and pain due to too much energy.
Obesity can also cause back pain, as well as chronic stress and depression.
Back pain: the most common cause
- Discopati- we talk about this when we deal with the so -called herniated disc. It is accompanied by irritation or damage to the nerve roots. Often occurs in the lumbar spine. This is manifested by back pain to the legs, which causes you to bend forward and curve your spine. Often affects young people between the ages of 25 to 40 years.
- Lumbago- also known as lumbago. Sharp and shooting pain affecting the lumbosacral area (lower back). This is one of the main reasons to visit a doctor's office. The cause is almost always mechanical injury due to too much spinal pressure. The pain is increased by bending and lifting objects. Sometimes disappears after a few days, but can last for several weeks.
- Sciatica- in this case, the pain is caused by squeezing fragments of the intervertebral disc into the nerve roots. Pressure on the sciatic nerve or its roots causes severe pain that spreads to the back and legs. Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve as a result of a degenerative disease of the spine that develops.
- Osteoporosis- diseases that affect the elderly, especially postmenopausal women. This manifests itself in progressive loss of bone density and weakening of bone structure, which makes it more susceptible to fractures. This is a condition that results in decreased bone growth, thoracic kyphosis, and severe back pain. The disease can also cause so -called vertebral fractures, even with minimal impact.
Who should you contact for help?
If we feel back pain, we should immediately see a therapist. The doctor will be able to perform an initial examination and prescribe an x-ray, CT or MRI at his or her discretion. If he deems it necessary, then we will receive a referral to an orthopedist - a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of the skeletal system.
If there are problems with the spine and the entire skeletal system, you should also see a physiotherapist. He will maintain our proper body posture and do a series of exercises that will strengthen our spine.
How to monitor the spine?
If 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:
- Exercise regularly.On the one hand, let’s do exercises that allow you to maintain a proper weight and stay fit. Instead, let’s do an exercise that will strengthen the paraspinal muscles. We also need to remember about stretching. It will increase muscle flexibility and prevent cramps and stiffness. It will also increase the blood supply to muscles and tissues.
- Proper body posture.You need to monitor your body posture while walking and in sitting and lying positions. Try not to flex or bend your spine inappropriately, such as when sitting.
- The right mattress.The way we sleep has a huge impact on the health of our spine. The mattress should not be too soft or too hard. It is best to consult with a qualified dealer when choosing a mattress. He will choose it according to your needs.
- A balanced and healthy diet.It must be rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Also, contain protein, fat and carbohydrates in the right proportions.