lower back pain (low back pain) is pain in the waist or lower spine that can be felt up to the buttocks and thighs. Even in some cases, the pain felt by the sufferer can radiate to the legs.
The lower back is made up of the backbone, ligaments, and muscles. This body part is a strong structure, and plays an important role in supporting the body when standing upright and when moving in various directions.
In addition, on the back there are nerves that function to regulate movement and capture stimuli from the lower body. These spinal nerves are located in the spinal cavity, and are protected by nerve pads.
If there is a disturbance in these structures, lower back pain will appear.
Symptoms of Low Back Pain
The level of back pain felt by each patient is different, ranging from mild to severe pain that interferes with activities. But in general, the symptoms of low back pain have the following characteristics:
- Back pain that feels like being stabbed or electrocuted.
- Back pain can be felt only in the back or extends to other parts of the body, for example radiating to the legs.
- Pain is felt in certain positions, such as when sitting or walking, but improves when standing or lying down.
- Back pain that persists or gets worse after lifting heavy objects.
- Back pain may be accompanied by muscle twitching (spasm).
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Low back pain can be felt for a few days to a few weeks, but usually less than 6 weeks. This pain can be caused by a number of things, such as an injury from a fall or impact, excessive body movement, or lifting heavy weights.
In addition, low back pain can also be caused by:
- Muscle stiffness
Stiff muscles due to infrequent movement can cause low back pain.
- Damage to the joints of the spine
With age, there will be weakness in the tissue in the joint space, so that the spinal cushions protrude. This bulge can put pressure on the spinal cord (pinched nerve) and cause pain that radiates to the leg. In addition, spinal shift or spondylolisthesis can also cause low back pain.
- Arthritis (arthritis)
In some cases, arthritis can cause narrowing of the joints and vertebrae, causing pain.
- Spinal deformities and osteoporosis
Spinal deformities, such as kyphosis and bone loss (osteoporosis) can put pressure on the nerves and cause pain.
- Disorders of the spinal cord
This condition can result from inflammation, pressure, injury, or a tumor pressing on the spinal cord.
- Kidney stones
Usually lower back pain due to kidney stones is felt on only one side of the back, and the pain is sharp.
In addition to the several causes above, low back pain is also more at risk for people who:
- 30-50 years old
- Being overweight or obese
- Rarely exercise
- Lifting too much weight
- Having a job that requires a lot of sitting, bending over, or lifting heavy objects
- Is pregnant
- Smoke
- Too often wearing high heels
How to Overcome Lower Back Pain
The initial steps that can be taken at home to relieve symptoms, as well as prevent low back pain from recurring, are:
- Regular exercise, especially those that train the abdominal and back muscles. Good types of exercise for back pain are yoga, pilates, walking, and swimming.
- Maintain posture. A straight posture when sitting or standing can reduce excess stress on the muscles and spine.
- Reducing weight. Excess weight puts greater stress on the muscles of the lower back and spine.
- Avoid stress.
- Quit smoking. Smoking can interfere with the flow of blood vessels in the spine, and slow the healing of back pain.
- Give a cold compress on the back. The trick, wrap the ice in a cloth, then stick it on your back for 15-20 minutes. Three days after back pain appears, replace it with a warm compress.
- Improve sleeping position. It is recommended to sleep with your feet slightly elevated. You can try propping your feet up with pillows while sleeping to reduce pressure on your back.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects, so that lower back pain does not reappear.
You can do foot reflexology, warm baths, and chiropractic therapy to relieve low back pain. If these methods do not work for back pain, you should immediately consult a doctor. Doctors can perform several tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause of low back pain.
The examinations that will be carried out by the doctor include a physical examination, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. In some cases, the doctor may also suggest an EMG examination to evaluate the condition of the lower back nerves.
After the diagnosis of low back pain and the cause is known, the new doctor can provide appropriate treatment, including:
1. drug ppain relief
Severe low back pain often requires pain relievers from a doctor, such as NSAIDs, both in oral and topical forms.
2. Drug pmuscle weakness
This type of drug can treat stiffness in the muscles due to excessive muscle work. Muscle relaxants may also be given if low back pain is accompanied by muscle spasms.
3. Narcotic drugs and antidepressants (sedatives)
The use of these drugs requires close supervision from a doctor, and is usually only for a short period. This type of medication is used to relieve very severe low back pain.
4. Physiotherapy and physical exercise
Physiotherapy with heat, ultrasonic waves, or electrical stimulation (electrical therapy) can help with back pain. After the pain is resolved, physiotherapy can be continued with special movement exercises to increase the strength and flexibility of the back muscles.
5. acupuncture
This alternative therapy is believed to help reduce low back pain. The results will be better if acupuncture is combined with physiotherapy and medication.
6. Ospinal surgery
In severe cases, such as spinal structural abnormalities or pinched nerves that do not improve with treatment, surgery may be performed to correct abnormalities in the nerves and spine.
Low back pain usually gets better after some time, with rest and self-care at home. However, if the pain does not go away, gets worse, is accompanied by fever, trouble urinating or defecating, weakness in the leg muscles, and tingling in the legs, thighs, buttocks, or back, see a doctor immediately.
Written by:
dr. Febriyani