Discomfort in any part of the spine limits mobility, reduces performance and significantly impairs quality of life. Back pain can have different causes, which are not always associated with the osteoarticular structures. To determine the factors causing the problem, you will need to consult a doctor.
Types of back pain
There are two ways 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 likely reason for severe pain in the right or left back is injuries to the internal organs. Inflammatory processes are often accompanied by compression of the nerve roots, which provokes the problem under consideration.
Back pain with spinal diseases
An obvious factor causing discomfort is damage to the musculoskeletal system. If your back hurts between your shoulder blades, in your neck, or in your 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 nearby ligaments, the pain has the following characteristics:
- Strong- Discomfort is difficult to tolerate without pain relievers or anti-inflammatories. The sensations are very pronounced, they 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 the internal organs
Swelling, inflammation and suppuration cause an increase in the volume of soft tissues. This leads to compression of nearby roots and nerve endings, causing pain under the left or right shoulder blade, in the neck, lower back, or tailbone. The symptom presented is less pronounced, compared to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Even if your whole back hurts, the discomfort is tolerable. They are long lasting, sometimes permanent.
Pain can be specific to this:
- sore;
- pulling;
- pressing;
- is silly.
Why does your back hurt?
Having discussed the characteristics and severity of the indicated trait, it is important to determine its location. It should be understood that the exact causes of back pain cannot be determined on your own. For a correct diagnosis, a complete medical examination, laboratory and instrumental studies will be required. Pain under the right shoulder blade, for example, can cause osteochondrosis and lung damage on this side of the body. Due to the multifactorial nature of the problem described, it is dangerous to self-medicate.
Back pain above shoulder blades
Discomfort, stiffness, and poor mobility in the area of the shoulder girdle and neck are characteristic of osteochondrosis. Back pain can be felt to 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:
- stretch;
- 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 the internal organs (kidneys, brain, heart, intestines, esophagus and others);
- lymphadenitis;
- tiles;
- meningitis.
Back hurts on shoulder blades
The central part of the spine is the most common location for the sensations of stabbing, pulling, and cutting. In this case, it is important to clarify the side on which the discomfort is felt.
Pain under the right shoulder blade from the back from the back can occur for the following reasons:
- bilious, hepatic colic;
- subphrenic abscess;
- kidney function disorders;
- cholecystitis;
- tuberculosis.
If your 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:
- herniated disc;
- osteochondrosis;
- scapula injury;
- curvature of the column;
- spondyloarthrosis;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- pterygoid scapula;
- disk bulge;
- muscle spasm;
- humeral-scapular polyarthrosis;
- swelling, osteomyelitis of the scapula.
Less frequently 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 column has the maximum load, so it is easy to damage it. Severe back pain occurs mainly after strenuous exercise or physical exertion. It gradually disappears in the process of resting on its own.
Back pain in the lumbar region can have the following reasons:
- 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;
- sacral radiculitis;
- scoliosis;
- lordosis;
- arthritis and osteoarthritis;
- spinal tumors;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- intestinal and renal pathology;
- Reiter's syndrome;
- epidural abscess;
- brucellosis of the intervertebral disc;
- beginning of 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 discomfort in the adjacent parts of the spine.
Lower back pain occurs for the following reasons:
- coccyx fracture;
- scoliosis;
- ligament sprain, muscles;
- osteoarthritis;
- bulge;
- 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 unpleasant sensations. The diagnosis and treatment of back pain is the prerogative of a qualified specialist. Before consulting a doctor, you can reduce the discomfort with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers. An experienced doctor conducts a complete therapy.
What doctor should I see if my back hurts?
The first specialist recommended by the reception is a therapist. You will be able to guess why your back hurts and refer you to a specialized doctor. Depending on the reasons, doctors from the departments of the musculoskeletal system or internal organs are involved in therapy.
The following specialists treat severe back pain:
- vertebrologist;
- neuropathologist (neurologist);
- urologist;
- nephrologist;
- podiatrist;
- gynecologist;
- endocrinologist;
- cardiologist;
- gastroenterologist.
Back pain ointment
Topical medications do not eliminate triggers, but they temporarily relieve discomfort and help support effective treatment.
When the back muscles hurt, it is better to use local irritant 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 low back pain
A pronounced symptom interferes with normal life activity and basic self-service in daily life. To alleviate severe or excruciating sensations, you will need an intramuscular pain reliever for back pain. Nonsteroidal pain relievers relieve inflammation and block nerve receptor sensitivity, thus providing relief quickly.
Exercises for back pain
Active physical activity in the acute period of any pathology is strictly prohibited. Pain under the scapula caused by heart disorders can not only be worse due to gymnastics, but can also be complicated by a heart attack. It is important to coordinate any activity with your doctor or do it during the recovery period.
Upper back and neck exercises (3 to 5 reps):
- Back pressure.Lock your hands behind your head in a "lock. "Press them, trying to lower your head forward. Resists the neck muscles with a delay of 5-7 seconds.
- Forward pressure.Place the palms of your hands on your forehead. Press them, trying to throw your head back. Resist with the neck, taking 5-7 seconds.
- Lateral pressure.Press alternately on the head with the palms on the left and right. Resist by stretching the neck, similar to the previous points.
- Circular movements.Lower your chin towards your chest. Slowly turn your head from left to right and back, as if rubbing your collarbone.
- Turns.Look in one direction, then the other, pausing at each position for 5 seconds.
Exercises if your back hurts in the shoulder blades area (repetitions 5-10 times):
- Press.Lying on your back, clasp your hands behind your head, bend your legs at the knees. Breath deeply. As you exhale, simultaneously stretch your elbows and knees toward your stomach so that they touch.
- Climber walking.Standing on all fours, move around the room on the "left hand, right leg" principle. Continue for 10-20 minutes.
- Buttock bridge.Lying on your back, bend your knees, stretch your arms along your body. Raise your pelvis up and down.
- Stretch.Stand with your legs wider than your shoulders. Without bending your back, stretch your chest alternately towards the 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, bend your knees. Pull them with your hands to your chest, stay for 10 seconds.
- Cat.Standing on all fours with your hands on the ground, bend your back.
- Camel.Fold the column up in a similar position.
- Rotation.Initial 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.Get on all fours. Stretch your right arm forward and straighten your left leg, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side.