First of all, the doctor notes that in the norm there should be no back pain at all:
If the pain syndrome occurs infrequently, for example, after lifting weights, exercising or an awkward position, then this is a variant of the norm. But if the pain appears regularly, always after sitting in an uncomfortable chair, this is a reason to be cautious and look for the cause.
With pain, which occurs once every six months or a year only after traumatic factors, you can not rush to the doctor. But if the pain syndrome becomes chronic or passes into a stronger phase and then returns to the lung, then this is already a reason to contact a specialist. The neurologist complements:
Also, the reason for scheduling an appointment with a specialist may be a unique but acute pain that arose for no reason, as well as a sharp increase in pain syndrome. Especially if the pain radiates to the leg or other parts of the body. This can be accompanied by other unpleasant sensations: loss of sensation, "goose bumps" on the skin, burning sensation. In such cases, you should see a doctor.
Why can my lower back hurt?
According to the doctor, a common cause is myofascial pain syndrome, that is, pain associated with abnormal muscle tension in the lower back.
Pathological muscular syndrome occurs precisely because we are sitting uncomfortably, physically carrying, lifting weights, - says the doctor. As a result, the muscles spasm. But more often there is a compression of the root in the column; this is a different neural nature of pain.
The neurologist explains that the roots leave the spinal cord and spread to different parts of the body, including the lower back. And when there is pressure on these nerves, pain can begin to be felt in various parts of the body: in the thighs and in the coccyx, sacrum and even in the abdomen.
The third option is the pathology of the internal organs. These can be problems with the kidneys, and with the intestines, and in the urological or gynecological part. In this case, back pain acts as a sign of the presence of other diseases.
We also add that the pain itself is of two types: nociceptive (that is, inflammatory) and neuropathic.
The first is associated with inflammation in muscle fibers: it manifests itself in myofascial pain syndrome and is associated with a traumatic factor. This pain is usually dull, pulling with an increase in local temperature, when the lower back is warm to the touch.
Neuropathic pain manifests itself differently: it is a burning sensation, goose bumps, numbness, coldness, decreased sensitivity. Even a small injection in the lower back can make the pain worse. If you feel such symptoms, urgently go to a neurologist. And, in general, the answer to the question of which doctor to go to for back pain is unequivocal: a neurologist.
Can you manage pain at home?
Some people think that the problem of low back pain will be solved by replacing the chair. The neurologist is sure: it is always easier to go to the doctor.
Of course, you can change your chairs for more comfortable ones one by one. But it may turn out that that is not the issue. Although you should have a comfortable office chair to work anyway, it would be nice if you got up every two hours and engaged in light physical activity - squatting, squatting to change the position of your lower back.
A pillow or roller placed under the back works according to a similar principle:
We sat down as usual, then put a pillow on. We stayed in this position for a while, they removed it again, the neurologist advises. - This lumbar support is also useful. You can change the tilt angle of the monitor, even moving it slightly to the right, slightly to the left. Therefore, the load changes, both in the lower back and in the thoracic region and in the neck.
If you need to alleviate the condition at this time, the doctor draws attention to the fact that only dry heat should be used to treat pain in the lower back:
In this situation, in no case should you go to a hot bath. But the electric and salt heating pads (in the form of bags that grandmothers used to make) help a lot. Multiple applicators will work as well. These are carpets with needles: if you lie on them, the muscle tone will disappear.
For this, the doctor advises to connect a short course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and use a local anti-inflammatory ointment:
If you have done all this and the pain has passed in 3-4 days, you could say that there are no problems. If the pain doesn't go away, there are no other options - you should definitely go to the doctor.