Treatment of lumbago (acute lower back pain)

Sudden sharp pain in the lower back may occur after an awkward movement, lifting a heavy object, or even without an obvious cause. Sometimes it is so intense that it is difficult for a person to straighten up, take a few steps, or change body position. Because of intense pain, many people try to relieve the condition on their own, however, without establishing the cause, such methods are not always effective and in some cases may only temporarily mask the problem.

At the «Oxford Medical» medical center, diagnostics and treatment of lumbago and other causes of acute lower back pain are carried out. After the examination, the doctor establishes the cause of the symptoms, selects an individual treatment regimen, and provides recommendations that help reduce the risk of repeated attacks. You can make an appointment for a neurologist consultation through the online appointment form on the website or by calling the contact center.

Lumbago — is an acute pain syndrome that manifests as sudden intense pain in the lower back. During an attack, a shot occurs in the back — a sharp shooting pain, because of which it is difficult for a person to straighten up, bend over, turn the torso, or make even a slight movement.

Lumbalgic syndrome is one of the most common variants of acute pain in the lower back. According to World Health Organization (WHO), lower back pain belongs to the leading causes of temporary loss of working capacity in the world. An attack of lumbago may occur with various diseases of the spine, intervertebral discs, muscles, ligaments, or nerve structures.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that the main task of treatment — is not only to quickly relieve the condition, but also to establish the cause of the attack. This allows selecting effective therapy and reducing the risk of repeated episodes.

Lumbago is one of the manifestations of lower back pain, therefore during diagnosis the doctor may also use the term «lumbalgia». It is important to understand that these concepts are not synonyms.

Lumbalgia — is the general name for pain in the lower back regardless of its cause, intensity, or duration. That is why the diagnosis of lumbalgia may be established both in acute and chronic pain syndrome.

Lumbago — is a form of acute lumbalgia, which is characterized by a sudden onset and very intense pain in the lower back.

Depending on clinical manifestations, the following are distinguished:

• lumbago without spread of pain — pain is localized only in the lower back;
• lumbago with sciatica — pain spreads along the course of the sciatic nerve into the buttock, thigh, lower leg, or foot.

Such a division helps the doctor assess the course of the disease, determine whether nerve structures are involved, and select the optimal treatment tactics.

Lumbago does not occur without a cause. Most often, an attack develops against the background of diseases of the spine or after excessive load on the lower back. It may be provoked by a sharp movement, lifting a heavy object, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, or trauma.

The most common causes of lumbago include:

• degenerative changes of the spine, in particular osteochondrosis;
• protrusions and hernias of intervertebral discs;
• overstrain or spasm of muscles after lifting heavy objects or unusual physical load;
• sharp turns of the torso or bends;
• prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position;
• back injuries, in particular bruises, falls, or spinal fracture;
• inflammatory diseases of the spine and joints.

In some people, sharp pain in the lower back occurs directly during physical load, in others — after prolonged sitting, hypothermia, or an unsuccessful movement. The risk of developing lumbago is also increased by a weak muscular corset, excessive body weight, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» warn: if severe pain in the lower back is accompanied by weakness in the leg, numbness, impaired urination or defecation, it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible. Such symptoms may indicate compression of nerve structures or other serious conditions that require urgent treatment.

If a shot in the lower back has occurred, one should not sharply straighten up, bend over, or continue physical activity despite the pain. First of all, it is necessary to reduce the load on the lower back and carefully take a position in which the unpleasant sensations are the least.

Before consulting a doctor, it is recommended to:

• stop physical activity and provide rest for the back;
• avoid sharp bends, turns of the torso, and lifting heavy objects;
• if necessary, take a pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory drug, if there are no contraindications to its use;
• seek medical help if the pain does not decrease, intensifies, or is accompanied by numbness or weakness in the leg.

When the lower back has been pinched, it is not recommended to make sharp movements, intensively knead the back, use hot compresses, or other warming procedures without establishing the cause of the pain. If the attack is associated with a herniated intervertebral disc, compression of nerve roots, an inflammatory process, or trauma, such actions may worsen the condition.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend undergoing a consultation with a neurologist as soon as possible if the attack occurred for the first time, repeats, or is accompanied by other alarming symptoms. Timely diagnostics helps establish the cause of lumbago and begin treatment before the development of complications.

In most cases, with timely treatment, the symptoms of lumbago gradually pass. However, if the attacks repeat, and their cause remains unestablished, the disease may progress and lead to a prolonged impairment of mobility and deterioration of quality of life.

Possible complications of lumbago are:

• repeated attacks of pain that occur even after slight physical load or an uncomfortable movement;
• progression of the underlying disease of the spine or intervertebral discs;
• irritation or compression of nerve roots with the spread of pain into the lower limb;
• persistent limitation of mobility of the lumbar region and a decrease in quality of life.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that lumbago is a manifestation of a certain disease, and not an independent illness. If only the pain is eliminated, and not its cause, acute attacks may repeat, and lumbalgia of the lower back — persist for a long time and significantly limit mobility.

Since lumbago is a manifestation of various diseases, the main task of diagnostics — is to establish the cause of the attack and exclude conditions that require other treatment. For this, the neurologist assesses the nature of the pain, the circumstances of its occurrence, accompanying symptoms, and conducts a neurological examination.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe:

• radiography to assess the condition of the bone structures of the spine;
• MRI of the lumbosacral spine to detect a herniated intervertebral disc, protrusions, compression of nerve roots, and other changes in soft tissues;
• computed tomography, if it is necessary to clarify the consequences of injuries or assess the condition of bone structures;
• laboratory studies if inflammatory, infectious, or systemic diseases are suspected.

According to American College of Radiology, magnetic resonance imaging is recommended not for all patients with lower back pain, but in the presence of appropriate indications. This study is the most informative for assessing the condition of intervertebral discs, nerve structures, and soft tissues.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that a correctly established diagnosis allows not only confirming lumbar lumbago syndrome, but also determining the disease that caused the attack. The further treatment tactics and the risk of repeated occurrence of pain depend precisely on this.

Treatment of lumbago begins after establishing the cause of the attack. The tactics depend on the underlying disease, the severity of symptoms, and the general condition of the patient. Treatment is aimed at reducing pain, restoring mobility, and preventing repeated attacks.

Drug treatment of lumbago may include painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and other medicines. The doctor selects the therapy regimen individually.

After the acute pain decreases, the following may be added to the treatment program:

• therapeutic physical exercise to restore mobility and strengthen the back muscles;
• physiotherapeutic procedures and massage.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» explain that lumbago must be treated comprehensively. It is important not only to quickly reduce pain, but also to eliminate the factors that led to its appearance. This helps reduce the risk of repeated attacks and return to the usual way of life.

Lifestyle plays a significant role in the prevention of lumbago. Proper distribution of physical loads and regular care for back health help prevent repeated episodes of pain.

For prevention, it is recommended to:

• regularly perform exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen;
• avoid sharp lifting of heavy objects and correctly distribute physical load;
• not stay in one position for a long time and take breaks during sedentary work;
• maintain normal body weight;
• timely treat diseases of the spine and follow the doctor's recommendations after a lumbago attack.

Doctors of «Oxford Medical» recommend gradually returning to the usual level of physical activity after the symptoms disappear. Regular movement, moderate physical loads, and strengthening of the muscular corset help reduce the load on the lower back and lower the risk of repeated attacks.

The cost of lumbago treatment is determined individually, since it depends on the necessary scope of diagnostics and the selected tactics of therapy. During the appointment, the neurologist conducts an examination, if necessary prescribes additional examinations, and provides recommendations regarding further treatment.

You can familiarize yourself with the current prices for doctors' consultations and other medical services here. To make an appointment, use the online appointment form on the website or contact the contact center by phone.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation.

Sources:

• World Health Organization
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
• American College of Radiology