Back pain above the lower back

Back pain is one of the common reasons people seek qualified advice these days. According to some figures, this happens to at least 80% of adults at least once in their lives, and at least 4-9% of people seek qualified advice about this problem every year. Pain in the upper waist and back is one of the common symptoms. In this article, we will discuss what problems can cause pain in this area, how to identify these problems, and discuss topics to address these problems.

Some possible causes of pain

Most back and lumbar pain is musculoskeletal and may be caused by osteochondrosis, myositis, and intervertebral hernia. However, it can also be caused by other pathologies as well as certain conditions in the human body. Let's look at some common reasons.osteochondrosisOr, according to the terminology adopted today in the International Classification of Diseases - back pain. These are dystrophic changes in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs that compensate for the loads on the spine, providing shock absorption, vibration loads, etc. during movement. In most cases, pathological phenomena may occur due to genetic predispositions and prolonged and prolonged sitting. Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity.MyalgiaThese are muscle pains that can occur for a variety of reasons. Above the lower back are the muscles that support and stabilize the spine. Therefore, the cause of their pain may be various diseases of the spine itself, as well as increased physical activity, hypothermia, etc.intervertebral herniaThis is one of the complications of spinal osteochondrosis, in which the integrity of the intervertebral disc is destroyed and the water core located inside protrudes into the spinal canal. Depending on the size of the hernia and its location in the back, severe, stabbing pain may occur, sometimes radiating to other parts of the body and extremities (lesions are located above the lower back and may be in the legs or arms).internal organ diseaseBack pain is not always a sign of spinal problems. Often, it can also be a symptom of pathologies of internal organs: gastric and duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, urolithiasis, kidney disease, etc. However, it does not always hurt in the abdomen, side, or other areas where the affected organ is located. .age-related changesAs we age, the structure of the spine undergoes many changes, especially due to a sedentary lifestyle and reduced load. They involve ligaments, muscles, and bone tissue. Osteochondrosis and arthropathy, combined with muscle atrophy and loss of ligament elasticity, can periodically cause lower back pain.PregnantBack pain is not always a sign of any pathology. For example, late pregnancy in women can also cause this condition. According to available data, 90% of pregnant women complain of back pain, and 50% of discomfort is particularly concentrated in the lumbar region. But why does this happen? The cause is physiological changes in the biomechanics of the pelvis and spine. In most cases, women who have had previous back problems may experience pain

Type of pain sensation

Knowing what kind of pain a person is experiencing is important for diagnosis. Back pain in the upper part of the lower back can be girdle pain, aching pain, pulling pain, dull pain, sharp pain, etc. Feels like just additional data for diagnostic purposes. You should not rely solely on them, let alone diagnose yourself based solely on this information.

Some possible diagnostic methods

During a qualified consultation, medical history and symptom data are collected. However, this is not enough: additional tests are needed to make a more accurate diagnosis. Experts can limit themselves to one of them or prescribe a few.radiographyThis is an X-ray based diagnostic technique. With the help of this examination, it is possible to identify fractures, osteochondrosis of the spine, spondylosis, tumors, as well as curvatures and other diseases. When radiography is performed, the image of the organ under study is projected onto film or paper in just one projection - this method is less informative than X-ray CT and MRI. X-ray computed tomography (X-ray computed tomography)X-ray CT is similar to radiography in the technology used: it is also based on X-ray radiation. However, the result of this diagnosis is not a 2D image, but a 3D image, which can be studied layer by layer. For this purpose, stronger ionizing radiation is used, but should not be used frequently. RCT can be performed with or without contrast material, which can provide clearer images and increase the success rate in diagnosing certain diseases.MRIMagnetic resonance imaging is a diagnostic method that also allows one to obtain multi-slice images in multiple projections, but is not associated with the use of X-rays. It is based on magnetic resonance and therefore safer than X-rays and CT scans, but is not suitable for patients with permanent metal structures in their bodies. Additionally, the study was noisier and longer. Like CT, MRI can be done with contrast to diagnose certain diseases more accurately.ultrasoundThis technique is based on the principle of echolocation and is often used to diagnose diseases of internal organs if symptoms give reason to suspect their presence. It is informative and safe in the study of organs and tissues. Ultrasound of the spine is also performed, but is extremely rare.laboratory diagnosisIn order to diagnose inflammatory processes, the presence of infection or tumors, a general blood test can be performed using the ESR-leukocyte formula. In the future, additional laboratory tests may be needed if internal organ pathology is suspected.Other diagnostic methodsIf pain of a specific nature or internal organ disease is suspected, additional tests may be performed until a diagnosis is made and the cause of the pain is identified.

Treating back pain above the waist

The most important step in getting rid of back pain is to get qualified advice. After diagnosis, excluding internal organ diseases, severe spinal lesions and determining that the pain is non-specific, the following measures may be recommended:

• Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Internal and topical NSAIDs are commonly used to relieve nonspecific back pain, osteochondrosis, hernias, and other conditions. Classes of such drugs include the active ingredient in the composition - nimesulide;
• Take muscle relaxants.They are designed to help combat muscle spasms, thereby improving mobility and reducing pain;
• Take other medicines.For visceral disease or back pain during pregnancy, the combination of medications will most likely be different;
• Physiotherapy and exercise therapy.During the acute phase, various physical therapies may be recommended to relieve pain and hasten improvement. These include, for example, electrophoretic analgesics, pulsed electric current, ultraviolet radiation, massage, exercise therapy, as well as mineral baths, mud therapy, etc. ;
• Surgical treatment.Surgery for a herniated disc may be performed if other methods of pain relief have not worked for an extended period of time, or may be performed based on the results of an MRI, X-ray, or X-ray.

Some possible precautions

Because risk factors for musculoskeletal back pain, including in the area above the waist, include heavy physical labor, a sedentary lifestyle, and frequent bending, lifting, and vibration, minimizing these factors is recommended as a preventive measure. If you already have back pain in the upper part of your lower back, you should not immediately overload the muscles with gymnastics, especially sports – you should first seek qualified advice to rule out pathology.