Discomfort in any part of the spine limits mobility, reduces performance and significantly impairs quality of life. Back pain can have various causes, which are not always related to bone and joint structures. You will need to see a doctor to determine the factors that are causing the problem.
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 tissue, ligaments and tendons. Another probable reason why there is intense back pain on the right or left is lesions of 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
The obvious factor that causes discomfort is damage to the musculoskeletal system. If the back hurts between the shoulder blades, neck, or lower back, it is important to pay attention to the intensity, duration, and nature of the symptoms.
In diseases of the spine, nearby muscles, joints and ligaments, pain has the following characteristics:
- Strong- discomfort is difficult to tolerate without analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Feelings are very pronounced, limiting mobility and flexibility.
- Paroxysmal- occurs in a certain body position or during certain movements. It is extremely rare for the back to hurt constantly.
- Sharp- sharp, stabbing, shooting. The sensations are similar to sudden mechanical damage.
Back pain in diseases of internal organs
Swelling, inflammation, suppuration cause an increase in soft tissue volume. This leads to compression of the nerve roots and endings that are nearby, causing pain under the left or right shoulder blade, in the neck, lower back or tailbone. The presented symptom is less pronounced in relation to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Even if the whole back hurts, the discomfort is bearable. They are long lasting, sometimes permanent.
Pain may be specific to this:
- painful;
- withdrawal;
- pressing;
- is mute.
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 their own. An accurate diagnosis will require a thorough medical examination, laboratory and instrumental studies. For example, pain under the right shoulder blade can cause both 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 the shoulder blades
Discomfort, stiffness, and poor mobility in the shoulder girdle and neck area are characteristic of osteochondrosis. Back pain can be felt left or right, depending on the location of the strangled nerve root.
In addition to osteochondrosis, the 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 pain in the shoulder blades
The central part of the spine is the most common localization of the sensation of stinging, pulling, 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 can occur for the following reasons:
- biliary, hepatic colic;
- subphrenic abscess;
- renal dysfunction; cholecystitis;
- tuberculosis.
If the back hurts in the area 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 diseases of the musculoskeletal system:
- disc herniation; osteochondrosis;
- scapular injury;
- curvature of the spine; spondyloarthritis;
- intercostal neuralgia;
- wing blade;
- disk bulge;
- muscle spasm;
- humeral-scapular polyarthrosis;
- swelling, osteomyelitis of the scapula.
Less pain in the center of the back with pathologies of internal organs:
- hepatitis;
- respiratory lung disease; cholecystitis;
- biliary dyskinesia;
- duodenal ulcer;
- ischemic heart disease;
- angina pectoris.
Back pain in the lumbar region
The presented part of the spine has a maximum load, so it is easy to damage. Severe back pain occurs mainly after intense 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 causes:
- ruptures and deformations of intervertebral discs;
- fracture of one or more vertebrae;
- inflammation of the joint capsules; osteochondrosis; fibrositis;
- rupture of vertebral ligaments;
- compression of nerve endings; osteoporosis; sacral radiculitis; scoliosis; lordosis; arthritis and osteoarthritis;
- spinal tumors;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- bowel and kidney pathology;
- Reiter's syndrome;
- epidural abscess;
- intervertebral disc brucellosis;
- beginning of menstrual cycle;
- pancreatitis;
- urolithiasis;
- pyelonephritis;
- cystitis and others.
Pain in the lower back below the waist
Discomfort in the occipital region rarely occurs in isolation, combined with discomfort in adjacent parts of the spine.
Pain below the lower back occurs for the following reasons:
- tail bone fracture; scoliosis;
- dislocation of ligaments, muscles;
- arthrosis;
- bulge;
- hernia; lordosis; osteochondrosis;
- ankylosing spondylitis; radiculitis;
- intestinal obstruction;
- appendicitis;
- kidney pathology;
- chronic constipation; gastritis;
- pyelonephritis; hepatitis; cystitis;
- pregnancy;
- menstruation;
- peak;
- urolithiasis;
- ovarian cyst;
- uterine fibroids;
- inflammation of appendages;
- endometriosis and others.
What to do if your back hurts?
First, it is important to understand that it will not be possible to determine the true cause of discomfort on your own. Diagnosis and treatment of back pain is the prerogative of a qualified professional. Before visiting your doctor, you can alleviate the discomfort with anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs or analgesics. Complete therapy is performed by an experienced doctor.
Which doctor should I see if my back hurts?
The first specialist recommended by the receptionist is a therapist. He will be able to guess why his back hurts and refer him to a specialist. Depending on the reasons, the therapy is performed by doctors from the departments of the musculoskeletal system or internal organs.
The following specialists treat severe back pain:
- vertebrologist;
- neuropathologist (neurologist);
- urologist;
- nephrologist;
- podiatrist;
- gynecologist; endocrinologist;
- cardiologist;
- gastroenterologist.
Back pain ointment
Topical medications do not remove the triggers, but temporarily alleviate discomfort and help with effective treatment.
When the muscles of the back hurt, it is better to use local irritants with a warming effect.
For lesions of the bones, joints and ligaments, anti-inflammatory ointment is recommended for lower back, back or neck pain.
Injections for back and lower back pain
A pronounced symptom interferes with normal life activity and basic self-care in everyday life. To alleviate intense or unbearable sensations, you will need a back pain reliever. Nonsteroidal analgesics relieve inflammation and block the sensitivity of nerve receptors, so they quickly bring relief.
Back pain exercises
Active physical activity in the acute period of any pathology is strictly forbidden. Pain under the shoulder blade caused by heart disorders can not only be aggravated due to gymnastics, but can also be complicated by a heart attack. It is important to coordinate any activities with your doctor or perform them during the recovery period.
Upper back and neck exercises (3-5 repetitions):
- Counterpressure.Close your hands at the nape of the neck in the "lock". Press them, trying to lower your head forward. Resist the neck muscles with a delay of 5-7 seconds.
- Press forward.Place your palms on your forehead. Press them, trying to tilt your head back. Resist your neck, holding for 5-7 seconds.
- Lateral pressure.Alternately press your head with your palms left and right. Resist by straining the door, similar to the previous points.
- Circular movements.Put your chin on your chest. Slowly rotate your head from left to right and back, as if rubbing your collarbones.
- Rotates.Look in one direction and then the other, staying in each position for 5 seconds.
Exercises if your back hurts in the shoulder area (5-10 repetitions):
- Press.Lying on your back, close your arms behind your head, bend your legs at the knees. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, simultaneously extend your elbows and knees to your abdomen so that they touch.
- Climbing.Standing on all fours, move around the room according to the "left arm, right leg" principle. Continue for 10-20 minutes.
- Partition bridge.Lying on your back, bend your knees, stretch your arms along your body. Lift your pelvis up and down.
- Stretch.Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders. Without bending your back, extend your chest alternately to your right and left knee.
- Switch.In the position from the previous point, lower your head as straight back as possible.
Lower back pain exercise (10-15 reps):
- Embryo.Lie down, bend your knees. Pull them with your hands on your chest, hold for 10 seconds.
- Cat.Standing on all fours, raise your arm, bend your back down.
- Deva.Bend your spine in a similar position.
- Rotation.Starting position - as in the first exercise. Turn your pelvis and legs left and right without lifting your lower back off the floor.
- Hunting dog.Stand on all fours. Extend your right arm forward and straighten your left leg, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat for the other side.