Discomfort in any part of the spinal column limits mobility, reduces performance and significantly impairs the quality of life. Back pain can have different causes, which are not always associated with bone and articular structures. To determine the factors provoking the problem, you will have to see a doctor.
Types of back pain
There are two ways why this syndrome occurs. In the first case, back pain is caused by pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. It includes bone, joint and muscle tissues, ligaments and tendons. The second probable reason due to which there is intense pain in the back on the right or left is lesions of internal organs. Inflammatory processes are often accompanied by compression of the nerve roots, which provokes the problem under consideration.
Back pain with diseases of the spine
An obvious factor causing discomfort is damage to the musculoskeletal system. If the back hurts between the shoulder blades, in the neck or lower back, it is important to pay attention to the intensity, duration and nature of the symptom.
In diseases of the spinal column, nearby muscles, joints and ligaments, pain has the following features:
- Strong- discomfort is difficult to tolerate without analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Sensations are very pronounced, limit mobility and flexibility.
- Paroxysmal- occurs in a certain position of the body or during certain movements. It is extremely rare that the back hurts constantly.
- Sharp- sharp, stabbing, shooting. The sensations are similar to sudden mechanical damage.
Back pain in diseases of internal organs
Puffiness, inflammation, suppuration cause an increase in the volume of soft tissues. This leads to squeezing of the nerve roots and endings located nearby, which provokes pain under the left shoulder blade or right, in the neck, lower back or tailbone. The presented symptom is less pronounced, compared with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Even if the whole back hurts, the discomfort is tolerable. They are long-lasting, sometimes permanent.
Pain can be specific to this:
- aching;
- pulling;
- pressing;
- is dumb.
Why does your back hurt?
Having dealt with the characteristics and severity of the indicated trait, it is important to determine its localization. It must be understood that the exact causes of back pain cannot be determined on your own. For correct diagnosis, a thorough medical examination, laboratory and instrumental studies will be required. Pain under the right shoulder blade, for example, can cause both osteochondrosis and lung damage on this side of the body. Because of the multifactorial nature of the problem described, it is dangerous to self-medicate.
Back hurts above the shoulder blades
Discomfort, stiffness and poor mobility in the area of the shoulder girdle and neck are characteristic of osteochondrosis. Back pain may be felt on the left or right, depending on the location of the strangulated 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;
- shingles;
- meningitis.
Back hurts in the shoulder blades
The central part of the spine is the most common localization of stabbing, pulling, cutting sensations. In this case, it is important to clarify the side in which the discomfort is felt.
Pain under the right shoulder blade from the back from the back may occur for the following reasons:
- bilious, hepatic colic;
- subphrenic abscess;
- disorders of kidney function;
- 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 often indicates ailments of the musculoskeletal system:
- disc herniation;
- osteochondrosis;
- scapula injury;
- curvature of the spine;
- spondyloarthrosis;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- pterygoid scapula;
- disc protrusion;
- muscle spasm;
- humeral-scapular polyarthrosis;
- swelling, osteomyelitis of the scapula.
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 lumbar region
The presented part of the spine has the maximum load, so it is easy to damage it. Severe back pain occurs mainly after intense exercise or physical strain. It gradually disappears in the process of rest on its own.
Back pain in the lumbar region may have the following causes:
- ruptures and deformations of 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;
- sacral radiculitis;
- scoliosis;
- lordosis;
- arthritis and arthrosis;
- spinal tumors;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- bowel and kidney pathology;
- Reiter's syndrome;
- epidural abscess;
- brucellosis of the intervertebral disc;
- beginning of the menstrual cycle;
- pancreatitis;
- urolithiasis;
- pyelonephritis;
- cystitis and others.
Pain in the lower back 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:
- tailbone fracture;
- scoliosis;
- sprain of ligaments, muscles;
- arthrosis;
- protrusion;
- hernia;
- lordosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- ankylosing spondylitis;
- radiculitis;
- intestinal obstruction;
- inflammation of the appendix;
- kidney 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, it is important to understand that it will not be possible to independently determine the true cause of the discomfort. The diagnosis and treatment of back pain is the prerogative of a qualified specialist. Before seeing your doctor, you can relieve discomfort with anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal medications or analgesics. A complete therapy is carried out by an experienced doctor.
Which doctor should I go to if my back hurts?
The first specialist recommended by the front desk is a therapist. He will be able to guess why his back hurts, and refer him to a specialized doctor. Depending on the reasons, doctors from 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;
- podiatrist;
- gynecologist;
- endocrinologist;
- cardiologist;
- gastroenterologist.
Ointment for back pain
Topical medications do not eliminate the triggering factors, but temporarily relieve discomfort and help endure effective treatment.
When back muscles ache, it is better to use local irritating medications with a warming effect.
For lesions of 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 normal life activity and basic self-service in everyday life. To relieve intense or unbearable sensations, you will need an intramuscular pain reliever for back pain. Nonsteroidal analgesics relieve inflammation and block the sensitivity of nerve receptors, so they quickly bring relief.
Exercises for back pain
Active physical activity in the acute period of any pathology is strictly prohibited. Pain under the scapula caused by cardiac disorders can not only worsen due to gymnastics, but also be complicated by a heart attack. It is important to coordinate any activities with your doctor or perform them during the recovery period.
Exercises for the upper back and neck (reps 3-5 times):
- Back pressure.Close your hands at the back of your head in a "lock". Press them, trying to lower your head forward. Resist the muscles of the neck with a delay of 5-7 seconds.
- Forward pressure.Place your palms on your forehead. Press them, trying to throw your head back. Resist with the neck, lingering for 5-7 seconds.
- Side pressure.Press alternately on the head with the palms of the left and right. Resist by straining the neck, similar to the previous points.
- Circular movements.Lower your chin to your chest. Slowly rotate your head from left to right and backward, as if rubbing your collarbones.
- Turns.Look in one direction, then in the other, lingering in each position for 5 seconds.
Exercises if the back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades (repetitions 5-10 times):
- Press.Lying on your back, close your hands behind your head, bend your legs at the knees. Breathe in deeply. As you exhale, simultaneously stretch your elbows and knees to the stomach so that they touch.
- Climber walking.Standing on all fours, move around the room according to the principle of "left hand, right leg". Continue for 10-20 minutes.
- Glute bridge.Lying on your back, bend your knees, stretch your arms along the body. Raise the pelvis up and down.
- Stretch.Stand with your legs wider than your shoulders. Without bending your back, stretch your chest alternately to the right and left knees.
- Fold.In the position from the previous point, lower your head as far as possible with your back straight.
Exercise for lower back pain (10-15 reps):
- Embryo.Lie down, bend your knees. Pull them with your hands to your chest, linger for 10 seconds.
- Cat.Standing on all fours with your hands on the floor, bend your back down.
- Camel.Bend the spine up in a similar position.
- Rotation.Starting position - as in the first exercise. Rotate the pelvis and legs to the left and right without lifting the lower back from the floor.
- Hunting dog.Get on all fours. Stretch your right arm forward and straighten your left leg, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat for the other side.