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Lumbar pain - causes and therapy
Since the lower area of the lumbar spine is exposed to the most stress in everyday life, the most common complaints arise there, the so-called lumbar vertebrae. This is usually referred to as lumbar spine syndrome or lumbago. Although this pain is not an isolated disease, it does indicate that something is wrong with the spine.
The origin of the symptoms may also be elsewhere in the body. In diseases of the kidneys, genitals, pancreas and gallbladder, radiating pain in the area of the lumbar spine is possible. The "real" back pains, however, have become a widespread disease. Unfortunately, the affected people are getting younger and younger and often children are already affected.
contents
- Anatomy of the spine
- Causes of lumbar pain
- Metabolic diseases as a cause
- Diagnosis of lumbar spine pain
- Treatment of pain in the lumbar spine
- Naturopathy with lumbar vertebrae
- Prevent lumbar pain
Anatomy of the spine
The entire spine is a total of thirty-three or thirty-four vertebrae and is divided into five sections. So the head sits on the cervical spine, which consists of seven cervical vertebrae. It represents the most mobile part of the spine. This is followed by the thoracic vertebra area, consisting of twelve thoracic vertebrae. This is followed by the lumbar spine (LW) with its five vertebrae, which are the largest vertebrae in humans.
Pain in the lumbar spine is a relatively common complaint. (Image: Lars Zahner / fotolia.com) The lumbar spine transforms into the sacrum, which consists of five fused vertebrae. This merger begins between the ages of sixteen and eighteen and ends at around twenty-five. The sacrum is the middle of the pelvis and articulated to both hipbones, although this joint does not honor its name, as it is almost immobile. The end of the spine forms the tailbone, in which the three to five vertebral rudiments are also fused.
The spine provides upright walking, forms the pillar of the human body, allows movement, dampens shocks and shocks with the help of the intervertebral discs, and protects the spinal cord.
Causes of lumbar pain
Lower back pain is common. These symptoms can be both acute and chronic. Often, low back pain is of a chronic nature, the main reasons being false posture, one-sided stress and lack of exercise.
Colloquially, the term "lumbago" is also used for lumbar pain. However, in the jargon lumbago or acute lumbar spine syndrome is mentioned.
The lumbar spine syndrome is not a separate disease but summarizes various symptoms in the lumbar spine. Two types are distinguished, namely acute lumbar spine syndrome, often referred to as lumbago, and chronic lumbar spine syndrome. In both cases, lumbar vertebrae pain is in the foreground, but can also spread to other parts of the body. The pain that occurs is dull, pulling or shooting, localized or radiating into the legs.
Sudden onset of massive pain can be found in the acute lumbar spine syndrome. A careless movement, the carrying or lifting of heavy loads and an already existing wear are the most common causes. Wrong posture, standing or sitting too long, incorrectly carrying or lifting heavy objects will cause tension for a long time, resulting in pain. These then cause a restraint, which in turn lead to tension of the muscles and subsequent pain in the lumbar region. Thus begins the so-called vicious circle.
Not infrequently a lumbar spine syndrome develops due to a herniated disc. Intervertebral discs are called buffers between the vertebrae. They consist of a fiber ring and a gelatinous core. This core has the task to distribute the pressure on the fiber ring and thus cushion. Spinal discs tend to age relatively early.
A herniated disc in the lumbar spine is usually associated with massive pain. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com) The ability of the gelatinous core to regain some of its fluid at night when it is still at rest decreases more and more over the course of life. Thus, it is getting drier, the elasticity is reduced and the fiber ring wears increasingly. It can break down due to a long time existing faulty loading, whereby the gelatinous core protrudes beyond the edge. This protrusion, which can then press on various nerves, is called herniated disc. This can cause sensory disturbances, but also paralysis. Overweight and pregnant women are among the risk groups for a herniated disc.
The chronic lumbar spine syndrome is caused by wear. Slow wear of the intervertebral discs or vertebra leads to the most diverse diseases of the lumbar spine. This includes, for example, the scoliosis. This is a lateral deviation of the spine from the normal shape. It usually arises in times of growth. Other causes of lumbar spine syndrome and associated lumbar spine pain include vertebral blockage, arthrotic or bony changes, inflammatory conditions, congenital malalignment, spondylolisthesis, growth disorders, tumors or metastases, accidents and osteoporosis.
In many cases, the symptoms are due to the lack of back muscles, which should protect especially the lumbar area on. A weak trunk can not absorb shocks and stress loads and leads to problems in the area of the lumbar spine. A well-trained back muscles, however, even if there are already diseases, the hull protect and support so that no, or little pain. However, good back muscles are not enough to completely avoid symptoms. The opposite - the belly - should also be trained and both are in a healthy balance. An excess of abdominal muscles could also cause stress.
Muscles that are not required form back, but the opposing muscles are overused and tense. As a result, there is less blood flow in this area, causing the local pain receptors to sound the alarm. The pain cycle begins.
Lumbar pain associated with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint pain, and nerve disorders is an acute condition requiring medical attention as soon as possible.
Metabolic diseases as a cause
Among other things, rickets and osteomalacia are considered as possible causes of lumbar vertebrae. Both diseases refer to a bone softening in which the hardness of the skeleton decreases. Rickets is a childhood disease, whereas osteomalacia affects adulthood. In both forms, vitamin D deficiency is the cause. Vitamin D is essential for the calcium influx in the bones. The deficiency of this vitamin leads to growth disorders at a young age and to deformations of the chest and the vertebrae in adults. Both rickets and osteomalacia are associated with pain in the lumbar spine.
Another disease that may be associated with lumbar pain is osteoporosis. The balance between construction and degradation of the bones is disturbed and the degradation outweighs. The bones tend to break more easily. This may also be affected by the vertebrae, which can result in massive back pain.
The reason for the pain in the lower back can be a metabolic disease. (Image: artstudio_pro / fotolia.com) Diagnosis of lumbar spine pain
To clarify the causes of the complaints, a thorough history and physical and neurological examinations are important. Usually, for example, to rule out a herniated disc, an MRI is arranged. Other imaging techniques used in diagnosis include CT, ultrasound and X-ray. You may also see the referral to a neurologist.
Treatment of pain in the lumbar spine
Here is the treatment of the cause in the foreground. In the case of acute lumbar spine pain, initially some protection and oral painkillers are prescribed or injections with local anesthetics or analgesics (analgesics) are performed. Antiphlogisitka (anti-inflammatory drugs) such as cortisone are also used.
If there is a massive muscle tension, muscle relaxants (medicines that relax the muscles) help. The short-term use of a painkiller interrupts the pain circulation, the patient can relax better and leaves his posture, whereby the muscles are relieved. Also, in pain in the lumbar spine heat is usually found to be soothing. Special heat patches can provide relief here.
The so-called step bed storage relieves the lumbar spine. Here, the back should be quite flat on a pad and lower leg to parallel, that is, upper and lower leg to each other at right angles, lie. This is best done several times a day using pillows or folded blankets. Although rest relieves the spine, but prolonged lying may sometimes aggravate the discomfort, as the muscles need movement.
In most cases, lumbar vertebrae are prescribed for personalized physiotherapy. Massages, electrotherapy and manual therapy are also included. The patients are recommended moderate sports, especially the targeted build-up of the back and abdominal muscles. Many statutory health insurance companies offer courses in which something can be done specifically for the back pain. In some cases, for example, in the presence of a mildly advanced osteoporosis, a supportive bodice is a good help. In rare cases surgery is necessary, especially if paralysis has already occurred.
Naturopathy with lumbar vertebrae
Muscular tension usually comes first in pain in the lumbar region. Cupping and the Baunscheidtherapie stimulate the blood circulation and increase the tissue metabolism, counteract the tension and can thus relieve the pain. A cupping massage with circulation-promoting and warming oils also helps to alleviate the symptoms.
In naturopathy, among other things cupping against the back pain in the lumbar region is used. (Image: larswieser / fotolia.com) Anthroposophic medicine also has a large number of suitable preparations in its portfolio that can be administered both internally and as an injection for lumbar vertebrae pain. Homeopathy also offers ways to treat the lumbar spine syndrome. In order to find the right homeopathic remedy, however, sufficient repertorized (homeopathic remedy technique) must be used. Above all, the type and duration of the pain, the time of day and its area of spread are to be taken into account. Homeopathic remedies such as Aconitum, Bryonia Colocynthis, Rhus toxicodendron are more commonly used in lumbar spine pain.
Targeted grips of chiropractic or osteopathy can also be used to resolve blockages and alleviate the symptoms. Especially with acute symptoms, the use of neural therapy is often helpful. In doing so, a local anesthetic is infiltrated, which alleviates the pain, increases blood circulation and thus makes the joints more flexible.
The reflexology treatment is remote from the area of the complaint, but it can bring great relief to the patients with the lumbar spine syndrome, especially in acute phases. The same applies to methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as acupuncture.
External rubbings with arnica oil, St. John's wort oil or rosemary oil round off the naturopathic therapy of lumbar vertebrae.
The active participation of the patient in naturopathic practice is a successful therapy. Especially with back pain sufferers should strengthen themselves by regular, targeted exercise their muscles. Attitude errors should be corrected and in case of doubt, the entire daily routine should be reconsidered. Proper carrying and lifting a heavy object must be internalized over time. Daily targeted gymnastics, sufficient exercise and the reduction of body weight support the therapy.
Prevent lumbar pain
Back-friendly getting up, both from lying down as from sitting wants to be learned. The abdominal muscles should always be tense and included arms and legs for support. Getting up from the lying position is done by turning it sideways, raising it sideways with the help of the arms, so that the sitting position is taken first, before the persons concerned move vertically. The lifting of an object always happens upright out of the squat. No work is done in a stooping posture, the back should always be straight.
It is also important to pay attention to good, comfortable footwear. Furthermore, it is recommended never to stay in the same posture for more than thirty minutes. Loosening exercises should be integrated into everyday life, as they help to avoid tension. Obesity is - if possible - grow, so that the back does not have to carry this burden. In addition, regular, moderate sports and targeted muscle building is recommended. (sw, last updated on 9.2.2018)
