Few people know what to do if the lower back hurts badly 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 that the diagnosis is reliably known. 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 on this topic with a specialist who can give practical recommendations.
Causes of back pain
Both a chronic disease and an accidental event can provoke pain in the lower back. In females, a similar problem is a complication of gynecological diseases (fibroids, adnexitis, malignant neoplasm). In men, lower 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 carrying weights;
- chondrosis, osteochondrosis, kyphosis;
- unstable psycho-emotional state;
- the influence of drafts, hypothermia.
Identifying the cause of the pain is very important, since 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, lower back pain will continually return.
When to see a specialist
Self-treatment at home is possible if the nature of the discomfort remains unchanged, the local area of the lesions does not expand, and there are no additional manifestations.
In certain situations, self-medication cannot be carried out, but specialist intervention is required. A few examples:
- intense increase in pain;
- the local area of the lesions began to expand or shift;
- there is no sensitivity in the lower extremities.
With low mobility of the toes, there is a likelihood of damage to the spinal column. Immediate specialist intervention is required.
Home treatments
A huge range of pharmaceutical products can be used to treat low back pain. The patient is offered pain relievers, various gels and ointments, as well as suppositories. But, it is impossible to purchase medicines on your own, a mistake in the choice can lead to an increase in symptomatic manifestations.
A preliminary consultation with a traumatologist or therapist will be required. Medicines are prescribed only with the submission of a narrow-profile specialist. Some potent drugs are dispensed in a pharmacy exclusively by prescription, you cannot 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 uncomfortable 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 minimum number of side effects and contraindications, as well as ease of use.
When applying ointments, a number of rules must be followed:
- mandatory adherence to the instructions for use;
- a little medicine is required to squeeze onto the hand and start rubbing into the lower back, it is necessary to apply the ointment once a day, preferably before bedtime;
- if side effects appear, it is required to stop using this medication.
There are different groups of ointments for lower back pain:
- Chondroprotectors. They help to strengthen the articular cartilage, suppress inflammatory reactions in it.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. They are used for any inflammatory reactions, restore the activity of the musculoskeletal system. Read the contraindications before use.
- Pain relievers. They are used mainly for acute forms of pain, help to ease the transfer of severe symptoms.
There is also a combined group of ointments that combine all of the above properties.
Oral and injectable medicines
Preparations for oral administration or injectable drugs are similar in action to ointments, but have enhanced side effects and a large 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 after the permission of a specialist.
- Muscle relaxants. This group of drugs helps relieve muscle tension, relieve spasms and suppress painful manifestations. It is worth noting that when muscle relaxants are used, drowsiness or surges in blood pressure are present.
- 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 using it is necessary to read the instructions for use.
Rectal suppositories
These drugs are confidently promoted in the pharmaceutical industry and are actively used for severe back pain for the following reasons:
- dissolve quickly, the result of the application is felt in 10-15 minutes;
- there is 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.
The healing plates block 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 remedy to achieve the result.
Physical exercise
Therapeutic exercises are extremely effective for lumbar lesions. It allows you to:
- develop back muscles;
- restore the distance between the vertebrae and release pinched nerves;
- improve blood circulation;
- suppress pain.
Note:Remedial gymnastics can be performed not for all groups of patients; there is a strict list of contraindications. A suitable set of exercises can only be selected by the attending specialist.
Examples of popular and useful exercises:
- "Cat". The patient needs to get on all fours and bend the spine, then bend in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times, the duration of the stance is 5-7 seconds.
- Twisting. The person will have to take a horizontal position on a hard, flat surface. Bend your knees, start turning your legs to the right, your body to the left. Do 5-6 reps, then switch sides.
You need to do gymnastics yourself every day, observing medical prescriptions. If negative symptoms appear (headache, gagging, disorientation in space), it is necessary to urgently stop exercising.
Massage
Therapeutic massage is most effective for spinal column lesions. It is better to carry out the procedure under the supervision of a specialist, independent conduct 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 any trimester of pregnancy;
- persons suffering from hypertension or arrhythmia;
- patients with skin lesions.
When performing massage on your own, without the services of an experienced specialist, you must first obtain 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 in the lymph and soft tissues of the affected area. The molten paraffin heats the entire lower back, the effect of the application lasts for several hours.
It is problematic to carry out such a procedure on your own, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced specialist.
Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine methods have repeatedly confirmed their effectiveness, sometimes they helped where pharmaceuticals 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:
- Compresses.It is necessary to carry out the procedure only in the evening so that the patient is relaxed physically and mentally. The gauze fabric must be impregnated with a pre-made composition (only medicinal herbs) and applied to the sore spot. Spend in this state for at least an hour. As ingredients of the mixture, you can use radish and horseradish, salt, honey, garlic, mustard.
- Rubbing.It is carried out only in the evening, the human body should be in a relaxed state. For rubbing, alcoholic tinctures from beaver stream, dandelion root, eucalyptus, red pepper, etc. are used. The product must be carefully rubbed into the affected area, after which the lower back is wrapped in warm fabrics or a blanket. You need to spend at least an hour in this state.
- Warming bath.An excellent method to relax not only the affected area, but the whole body. The effect of the procedure can be enhanced by using medicinal herbs (mint, mustard powder). It is necessary to stay in the water until it begins to cool down.
There are other methods of traditional medicine, but the above methods are the simplest to perform, do not require extensive cash costs and theoretical knowledge.
How to provide first aid? Lower back pain how to treat at home?
Pain in the lower back does not always appear gradually. Osteochondrosis and other lesions of the spinal column can occur suddenly, accompanied by severe pain. Light load, cold air, or heavy lifting all provoke a similar problem.
Acute pain sensations must be urgently stopped. The manifestations can be so strong that a person will lose consciousness. Before providing assistance, it is necessary to bring the patient to his senses with ammonia.
The victim should be positioned horizontally on a hard, flat surface. It is forbidden to put a pillow, the spine must be in a straight position. Being in a supine state will reduce the load on the intervertebral discs, spasms and pain will partially fade away.
If you have topical ointments and gels in your home, you can treat the affected area. It is desirable that the funds have an anti-inflammatory or analgesic effect, such drugs quickly relieve uncomfortable manifestations. After applying the ointment, you must leave the victim alone for 30-40 minutes.
If the drugs have an effect, you will need to pull the lower back with a warm cloth in order to strictly fix it. For ongoing acute pain, the patient can be given anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medications, preferably potent ones. The tablets will take effect after 30-50 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain.
Important: you can not abuse pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in an emergency situation, it is allowed to take the maximum daily dosage, but no more.
With continued pain, even after carrying out all of the above recommendations, you must call an ambulance.
Prevention of back pain
After it was found out why the lower back hurts how to treat at home, it is necessary to learn the preventive program. Special corrective measures are useful both after the therapeutic course and for prophylactic purposes, to prevent the development of problems with the lower back.
Helpful hints:
- 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 food, which will saturate the body with the required microelements.
- Control body weight. Obesity stages 2 and 3 imposes a colossal load not only on the internal organs, but also on the spine. Under the influence of excess body weight, the displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs, damage to the cartilage occur.
- More activity. With a sedentary lifestyle (for example, due to work in the office), you need to do warm-ups and walks daily.
- Reduce stress on the spine. It is not recommended to lift weights and carry them without a good reason. Even a slight load can deform the spinal column.
Getting rid of bad habits will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the lower back. Alcohol disrupts blood circulation, and ethanol half-life products negatively affect the condition of cartilage and joints.