Discomfort anywhere in the spine limits mobility, reduces performance and significantly impairs quality of life. Back pain can have different causes, not always associated with bone and joint structures. To determine the factors that cause the problem, you will need to see a doctor.
Types of back pain
This syndrome occurs in two ways. In the first case, back pain is caused by pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. It includes bones, joint and muscle tissues, ligaments and tendons. The second likely reason for severe back pain on the right or left is damage to internal organs. Inflammatory processes are often accompanied by compression of nerve roots, which causes the problem to be considered.
Back pain with spinal diseases
An obvious factor causing discomfort is damage to the musculoskeletal system. If there is back pain between the shoulder blades, the neck or the lower back, it is important to pay attention to the intensity, duration and nature of the symptom.
In diseases of the spine, muscles, joints and ligaments nearby, pain has the following characteristics:
- Strong- discomfort is difficult to tolerate without pain killers or anti-inflammatories. The sensations are very pronounced, limiting mobility and flexibility.
- Paroxystic- occurs in a certain position of the body or during certain movements. It is extremely rare that the back constantly donates.
- Sharp- sharp, penetrating, shooting. Feelings are similar to sudden mechanical damage.
Back pain in diseases of internal organs
Swelling, inflammation and suppuration cause an increase in soft tissue volume. This leads to compression of the roots and nerve endings located nearby, which causes pain under the left or right scapula, in the neck, lower back or coccyx. The symptom presented is less pronounced, in comparison with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Even if all the backs hurt, the discomfort is tolerable. They are long-lasting, sometimes permanent.
Pain can be specific to this:
- painful
- ;
- pulling;
- pressing;
- is dumb.
Why does your back hurt?
Having treated the characteristics and severity of the indicated trait, it is important to determine its location. It must be understood that the exact causes of back pain cannot be determined by yourself. For a correct diagnosis, a complete medical examination, laboratory and instrumental studies will be necessary. Pain under the right shoulder blade, for example, can cause osteochondrosis and damage to the lungs on this side of the body. Due to the multifactorial nature of the problem described, it is dangerous to self-medicate.
It hurts in the back above the shoulder blades
Discomfort, stiffness and mobility difficulties in the region of the shoulder girdle and neck are characteristic of osteochondrosis. Back pain can be felt on the left or right, depending on the location of the strangled nerve root.
In addition to osteochondrosis, a pathological symptom occurs for the following reasons:
- stretching
- ;
- muscle overload; osteoarthritis; fibromyalgia; ankylosing spondylitis
- ;
- spinal stenosis; myofascial
- syndrome;
- rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis; polymyalgia;
- intervertebral hernia;
- neck injuries; osteomyelitis; tuberculosis;
- acute thyroiditis;
- neoplasms of any quality, their metastases;
- mechanical damage to the spine;
- diseases of internal organs (kidneys, brain, heart, intestines, esophagus and others); lymphadenitis;
- tiles;
- meningitis.
It hurts the back in the area of the shoulder blades
The central part of the spine is the most common location for stabbing, pulling and cutting sensations. In this case, it is important to clarify the side where the discomfort is felt.
Pain under the right shoulder blade, in the posterior part, can occur for the following reasons:
- bilious, hepatic colic;
- subphrenic abscess;
- kidney function disorders; cholecystitis;
- tuberculosis.
If the back hurts in the region of the left shoulder blade, the following pathologies are suspected:
- psychological problems; ulcerative gastritis; diseases of the esophagus;
- myocardial infarction;
- inflammation of the pancreas;
- renal colic.
Back pain in the area of the shoulder blades in the middle usually indicates diseases of the musculoskeletal system:
- herniated disc; osteochondrosis; lesion of the scapula
- ;
- curvature of the spine;
- spondyloarthrosis; intercostal neuralgia;
- pterygoid scapula; disc protrusion
- ;
- muscle spasm; humeral-scapular polyarthrosis;
- edema, scapular osteomyelitis.
Less often it hurts in the center of the back with pathologies of internal organs:
- hepatitis;
- respiratory diseases of the lungs; cholecystitis; biliary dyskinesia; duodenal ulcer
- ;
- ischemic heart disease;
- angina pectoris.
Back pain in the lower back
The displayed part of the column has a maximum load, so it is easy to damage it. Severe back pain occurs mainly after intense exercise or physical exertion. It gradually disappears in the rest process on its own.
Back pain in the lower back can have the following causes:
- ruptures and deformations of the intervertebral discs;
- fracture of one or more vertebrae;
- inflammation of the joint capsules; osteochondrosis; fibrositis;
- rupture of the vertebral ligaments;
- compression of nerve endings; osteoporosis;
- scoliosis; lordosis;
- arthritis and arthrosis;
- spinal tumors;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- intestinal and renal pathology;
- Reiter syndrome;
- epidural abscess;
- brucellosis of the intervertebral disc;
- beginning of the menstrual cycle; pancreatitis; urolithiasis; pyelonephritis;
- cystitis and others.
Low back pain below the waist
Discomfort in the coccyx area rarely occurs in isolation, it is combined with unpleasant sensations in the adjacent parts of the spine.
Pain below the lower back occurs for the following reasons:
- coccyx fracture;
- scoliosis;
- sprain of ligaments, muscles;
- arthrosis; protrusion
- ;
- hernia; lordosis; osteochondrosis; ankylosing spondylitis
- ; radiculitis;
- intestinal obstruction;
- inflammation of the appendix; renal pathology;
- chronic constipation;
- gastritis; pyelonephritis; hepatitis;
- cystitis;
- pregnancy;
- menstruation;
- climax; urolithiasis;
- ovarian cyst; uterine fibroids;
- inflammation of the appendages;
- endometriosis and others.
What to do if your back hurts?
First of all, it is important to understand that it will not be possible to independently determine the true cause of unpleasant sensations. The diagnosis and treatment of back pain is the prerogative of a qualified specialist. Before consulting your doctor, you can relieve discomfort with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers. A complete therapy is performed by an experienced doctor.
Which doctor should I see if my back hurts?
The first specialist recommended by reception is a therapist. He will be able to guess why your back hurts and refer you to a specialist doctor. Depending on the reasons, doctors in the departments of the musculoskeletal system or internal organs are engaged in therapy.
The following specialists treat severe back pain:
- vertebrologist;
- neuropathologist (neurologist); urologist; nephrologist;
- gynecologist;
- endocrinologist;
- cardiologist;
- gastroenterologist.
Ointment for back pain
Topical medications do not eliminate triggering factors, but they temporarily relieve discomfort and help support effective treatment.
When the back muscles hurt, it is best to use local irritating drugs with a warming effect.
For injuries to bones, joints and ligaments, an anti-inflammatory ointment is recommended for pain in the lower back, back or neck.
Injections for back and lower back pain
A pronounced symptom interferes with the normal activity of life and the basic self-service of everyday life. To relieve intense or unbearable sensations, you will need an intramuscular pain reliever for back pain. Non-steroidal pain relievers relieve inflammation and block the sensitivity of nerve receptors, so they bring relief quickly.
Exercises for back pain
Active physical activity in the acute period of any pathology is strictly prohibited. The pain under the scapula caused by heart disease can not only get worse due to gymnastics, but can also be complicated by a heart attack. It is important to coordinate any activities with your doctor or to perform them during the recovery period.
Exercises for the upper back and neck (repetitions 3 to 5 times):
- Back pressure.Close your hands on the back of your head in a "lock". Press them down, trying to lower your head forward. Resist the neck muscles with a delay of 5 to 7 seconds.
- Pressure forward.Place your palms on your forehead. Press them, trying to throw your head back. Resist with your neck, lingering for 5-7 seconds.
- Lateral pressure.Press alternately on the head with the left and right palms. Resist by stretching your neck, as in the previous points.
- Circular movements.Lower your chin to your chest. Slowly rotate your head from left to right and back, as if you are rubbing your collarbones.
- Turns.Look in one direction and then the other, lingering in each position for 5 seconds.
Exercises if your back hurts in the shoulder blade region (repetitions 5 to 10 times):
- Press.Lying on your back, close your hands behind your head and bend your legs at the knees. Breathe in deeply. As you exhale, simultaneously stretch your elbows and knees to your stomach so that they touch.
- Mountaineer hike.Stay on all fours, move around the room according to the "left hand, right leg" principle. Continue for 10-20 minutes.
- Buttock bridge.Lying on your back, bend your knees, stretch your arms across your body. Lift the pelvis up and down.
- Stretching.Stand with your legs wider than your shoulders. Without bending your back, stretch your chest alternately to your right and left knees.
- Fold.In the position of the previous point, lower your head as far as possible with your back straight.
Exercise for low back pain (10-15 reps):
- Embryo.Lie down and bend your knees. Pull them with your hands against your chest, take 10 seconds.
- Cat.Stand on all fours with your hands on the floor, bend your back.
- Camel.Fold the column upwards in a similar position.
- Rotation.Starting position - as in the first exercise. Rotate your pelvis and legs to the left and right without lifting your lower back off the floor.
- Hunting dog.Stay on all fours. Extend your right arm forward and stretch your left leg, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat to the other side.