Few people know what to do if the lower back hurts a lot like treating the problem area at home. Most people refuse to visit a doctor due to expensive medical services, others prefer traditional and proven methods.
Self-medication is possible, provided that the diagnosis is reliably known. Temporary relief of acute symptoms will not solve the problem, and the long-term development of the disease will provoke a transition to a chronic form. It is advisable to consult a specialist on this subject who can give practical advice.
Causes of back pain
Both a chronic illness and an accidental event can cause pain in the lower back. In females, a similar problem is a complication of gynecological diseases (fibroids, adnexitis, malignant neoplasms). In men, lower back pain occurs mainly against the background of difficult working conditions and lifting 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 pain is very important, as it is forbidden to start a therapeutic path without an accurate diagnosis. Temporary symptom relief will not bring the expected results, because the root cause will remain untreated.
Although symptomatic treatment helps, the 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 further manifestations.
In certain situations, self-medication cannot be carried out, but specialist intervention is required. Some examples:
- intense increase in pain;
- the local area of the lesions has begun to expand or shift;
- there is no sensitivity in the lower limbs.
With low mobility of the toes, there is a possibility of damage to the spine. Immediate specialist intervention required.
Home treatment methods
A wide variety of pharmaceuticals can be used to treat low back pain. The patient is offered painkillers, various gels and ointments, as well as suppositories. But it is impossible to buy medicines yourself, a mistake in the choice can lead to an increase in symptomatic manifestations.
A preliminary consultation with a traumatologist or therapist will be required. Drugs are prescribed only with the presentation of a narrow profile specialist. Some powerful drugs are dispensed in pharmacies only on prescription, it is not possible to buy them yourself.
The duration of treatment is from 1 to 6 months, depending on the area of the lesion, the intensity of the painful manifestations, the frequency of occurrence of unpleasant symptoms. The therapeutic path 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, you need to follow a number of rules:
- mandatory compliance with the instructions for use;
- a little medicine is needed to squeeze on the hand and start rubbing in the lower back, it is necessary to apply the ointment once a day, preferably before bedtime;
- if side effects occur, it is necessary to stop using this drug.
There are several groups of ointments for back pain:
- Chondroprotector. They help strengthen joint cartilage, suppress inflammatory reactions in it.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ointments. They are used for any inflammatory reactions, they restore the activity of the musculoskeletal system. Read the contraindications before use.
- Pain relievers. They are mainly used for acute forms of pain, they help relieve the transfer of severe symptoms.
There is also a combined group of ointments that combine all the above properties.
Oral and injectable medicines
Oral or injectable medications 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. Perfectly relieves pain, helps suppress the inflammatory process in the lower back. Application is only possible after the authorization 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 using muscle relaxants, there is drowsiness or blood pressure spikes.
- 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 surgery.
- Vitamin B. Promotes the normalization of blood circulation, oxygen saturation, restores metabolic processes.
Note:most medicines have a strong therapeutic effect, before use 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:
- quickly dissolve, 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 injuries of the musculoskeletal system, the lower back hurts, how to treat it at home with a plaster? Very simple.
Treatment plates block pain, relieve inflammation, warm the affected area, which allows you to alleviate the patient's condition. Each patch has a unique effect, you have to choose the right remedy to get the result.
Exercise
Therapeutic exercises are extremely effective for lower back injuries. It allows you to:
- develop back muscles;
- restore the distance between the vertebrae and release the pinched nerves;
- improve blood circulation;
- suppress pain.
Note:Corrective gymnastics can be performed not for all patient groups, there is a strict list of contraindications. A suitable set of exercises can only be selected by a treatment specialist.
Examples of popular and useful exercises:
- "Cat". The patient must get on all fours and bend the spine, then bend in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times, the duration of the position is 5-7 seconds.
- Twist. The person will have to assume a horizontal position on a hard and flat surface. He bends his knees, begins to turn his legs to the right, his 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, retching, disorientation in space), it is necessary to urgently stop exercising.
Massage
Therapeutic massage is most effective for spinal injuries. It is better to carry out the procedure under the supervision of a specialist, independent conduct can entail a number of consequences due to incorrect movements.
Massage is prohibited for the following patient groups:
- people with malignant neoplasms;
- patients with active tuberculosis;
- women in any trimester of pregnancy;
- people suffering from hypertension or arrhythmia;
- patients with skin lesions.
When performing the massage on your own, without the services of an experienced specialist, you must first get 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 melted paraffin heats the entire lower back, the effect of the application lasts several hours.
It is problematic to carry out such a procedure yourself, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced specialist.
Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine methods have repeatedly confirmed their effectiveness, sometimes helping where pharmaceuticals have failed. But it is not worth abusing such methods without medical advice, otherwise irreparable damage to the musculoskeletal system can be caused.
The most common methods are:
- Tablets.It is necessary to carry out the procedure only in the evening so that the patient is physically and mentally relaxed. Gauze fabric should be impregnated with a pre-made composition (medicinal herbs only) 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 performed only in the evening, the human body should be in a relaxed state. For rubbing, alcoholic tinctures from a stream of beaver, dandelion root, eucalyptus, red pepper, etc. are used. The product should be carefully rubbed into the affected area, after which the lower back is wrapped in warm fabrics or a blanket. You must spend at least an hour in this state.
- Heating bath.A great way 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). You need to stay in the water until it starts to cool.
There are other methods of traditional medicine, but the above methods are the simplest to perform, do not require large cash costs and theoretical knowledge.
How to provide first aid? Back pain how to treat at home?
Pain in the lower back does not always appear gradually. Osteochondrosis and other spinal injuries can occur suddenly, accompanied by severe pain. Light load, cold air, or heavy lifting - all of these cause a similar problem.
Acute pain sensations need to be stopped urgently. Manifestations can be so strong that a person will lose consciousness. Before providing assistance, it is necessary to bring the patient back to himself with ammonia.
The victim must be placed 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 vanish.
If you have topical ointments and gels at home, you can treat the affected area. It is desirable that the funds have an anti-inflammatory or analgesic effect, such drugs quickly relieve unpleasant manifestations. After applying the ointment, you need to leave the victim alone for 30-40 minutes.
If the drugs have an effect, you will have to pull the lower back with a warm cloth to strictly fix it. For acute ongoing pain, the patient may be given anti-inflammatory and pain relieving drugs, preferably potent. The tablets will take effect after 30-50 minutes, depending on the intensity of the pain.
Important:you can not abuse painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, in an emergency situation, the maximum daily dose is allowed, but no more.
With continuous pain, even after carrying out all the above recommendations, it is necessary to call an ambulance.
Back pain prevention
Having found out why the lower back hurts how to treat at home, you need to learn the preventive program. Special corrective measures are useful both after a therapeutic course and for prophylactic purposes, to prevent the development of problems in the lower back.
Helpful tips:
- 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 foods, which will saturate the body with the required microelements.
- Check your body weight. Stages 2 and 3 of obesity impose a colossal load not only on the internal organs, but also on the spine. Under the influence of excess body weight, there is a displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs, damage to the cartilage.
- More activities. With a sedentary lifestyle (for example, due to office work), you have to warm up and walk every day.
- Reduce stress on the spine. It is not recommended to lift weights and carry them without good reason. Even a slight load can deform the spine.
Getting rid of bad habits will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the lower back. Alcohol disrupts blood circulation, and the half-life products of ethanol negatively affect the condition of the cartilage and joints.