Causes and treatments for low back pain.

2 December 2025

Low back pain most often occurs due to degenerative and dystrophic changes in the spine.The intervertebral disc is injured when lifting heavy objects, excessive load at rest and during movement, falls.Protrusion of the annulus fibrosus through tears and fissures in the nucleus pulposus forms a hernia.Instability in the spine contributes to the development of osteophytes (spondylosis), damage to the joints and intervertebral ligaments (spondyloarthrosis), osteochondrosis, which is accompanied by pathological processes in the sacroiliac joints.

In addition to compression changes, pain is caused by reflex irritation of receptors, the impulse from which reaches the motor neurons of the spinal cord.Muscle tone increases and over time pathologies appear in the muscle tissue.Pain in the spine can be due to the appearance of tumors, multiple myeloma and systemic autoimmune diseases.

Causes of pain and its types.

Pain sensations can be dull, sharp, aching, burning and stabbing.They may spread throughout the back, radiate to neighboring areas, or be local in nature.An unpleasant sensation develops in different ways;It can appear suddenly or grow over a long period of time.

The symptom is also classified according to the cause of its appearance:

primary pain is a consequence of degeneration of the musculoskeletal system, injuries to it;
the secondary type occurs during pathological processes in the body not related to the lower back.

There are two types of pain:

Periodics are characteristic of intense physical exertion, acute illnesses and physiological characteristics;They may radiate to another part of the body or spread beyond the affected area.After eliminating the cause of their appearance, they stop bothering the person.
Constant pain is a consequence of deep damage to the joints, tissues and muscles.With the help of medications, the symptoms are temporarily eliminated, but they reappear.

Indications for advanced diagnosis.

To determine the method of pain relief, it is necessary to undergo additional examination to identify the true cause of the syndrome.Testing should be done if:

atypical manifestation of pain (without increasing or decreasing discomfort when moving the body), unusual localization (for example, discomfort radiates from the back to the perineum, abdomen, rectum, anus, vagina);
weakening of symptoms in standing position and pumping while lying down;
changes in the nature of back pain in relation to going to the bathroom, eating or having sex;
previous injuries to the spine or hip joints;
pain accompanied by vomiting and elevated body temperature;
diagnosed oncology;
the presence of mental behavioral disorders.

Additional studies are carried out in a hospital setting, when the patient is hospitalized in neurology or other departments that provide a laboratory to diagnose the suspected disease.

An X-ray of the spine is taken in several projections, a general blood test is examined, and an advanced biochemical analysis is performed, which shows the level of creatinine, calcium, glucose, phosphates and other substances in the blood.The computer and MRI diagnostic method is widely used.Bone scan is used to examine bone tissue.

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Unpleasant sensations in the back occur for the following reasons:

Intervertebral osteochondrosis includes several types of pathologies characterized by dystrophy or degeneration.Due to the disease, the cartilage and articular bones are loosened and destroyed, and the nerve endings are involved in the pathological change.Osteochondrosis provokes the development of hernia, lumbar radiculitis, sciatica, protrusion (bulging of the intervertebral disc without rupture of the annulus fibrosus).
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, with the shoulder line asymmetrical.It is accompanied by skeletal deformation, poor posture and protrusion of the right or left hump into the intercostal space.It is classified as congenital or acquired.
Spondylosis occurs due to the natural aging of the vertebrae and joints in the lumbar region;Over time, pain increases as joints wear out and mobility is lost.
Lumbago is characterized by acute discomfort in the lumbar region due to destructive disorders in the vertebrae.The pain occurs when lifting weights incorrectly and is more common in men.With lumbago, movement in the lower back is limited;Lack of treatment is dangerous since destructive processes develop to an irreversible stage.
Ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew disease) is characterized by loss of mobility of the lumbar joints and is a chronic inflammation with a significant proliferation of connective tissue.
Osteomyelitis is a purulent-necrotic inflammation of the bone marrow, bones and surrounding soft tissues.The disease occurs due to infection with purulent mycobacteria and pyogenic (pus-producing) bacteria.
Osteoporosis is formed as a result of improper development of bone tissue due to poor supply of phosphorus and calcium, while bone density decreases, leading to frequent damage.
Congenital or acquired difference in leg length (more than 3 cm).

These diseases require a visit to the clinic for serious examination and treatment.Sometimes therapy helps to relieve symptoms only for a while, and for complete healing, a surgical method is used.

kidney pathologies

Due to kidney failure, discomfort in the lower back and pain in the left, right and sometimes the middle of the back may occur.The causes of the symptom may be the following pathologies:

Prolapse of the kidneys.This is a condition in which the organ moves beyond the permissible norm (the displacement from the kidney bed is carried out up and down by 2 cm).In nephroptosis, the kidney is called wandering if it can deviate by 10 cm.
Kidney failure is a condition in which urine is not formed.The patient notices that he has acute pain in his lower back and his health is rapidly deteriorating.
Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the renal pelvis and nearby tissues of the genitourinary system are affected.With this disease, the urinary diversion may not be affected, and pain in the right and left lumbar area is due to the intensity of the inflammatory process.
Gout causes discomfort when getting up from a sitting position or during other movements.When the disease occurs, the natural metabolism of uric acid is altered;It accumulates in the lumbar joints, limiting their mobility.
Renal colic is a common pathology.With him, pain occurs for various reasons.The most common are damage to the ureter by a stone, its twisting or obstruction of the upper urinary tract due to a blood clot, formation, pus or mucus.Low back pain caused by renal colic is characterized by a sudden onset at any time of the day, during movement or at rest.
Diabetic nephropathy is more typical of people with diabetes (75%) and is a complex lesion of the renal arteries, glomeruli and tubules as a result of changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in kidney tissues.Pain with this pathology radiates to any part of the back, as well as to the groin and lower abdomen.
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli (glomeruli of the kidneys) and can lead to kidney failure.A rapidly progressive and chronic form is observed.
Kidney stone disease is not always accompanied by pain in the lower back;It may be difficult to determine its location.
Hydronephrosis is characterized by dilation of the renal pelvis and discomfort.Requires additional diagnostics.

Gynecological diseases

Pain syndrome occurs in women due to diseases:

The frequent localization of discomfort due to uterine fibroids, vulvitis, adnexitis and neoplasms of the genital organs is the lower abdomen, but pain can occur in the lower back on the left and right.
During pregnancy, the lower back hurts and it hurts to walk, but these symptoms arise for natural reasons and are explained by the load of the growing fetus on the musculoskeletal system, therefore they do not require treatment.
Menopause is accompanied by pain due to impaired blood supply to the internal organs of the small pelvis, which, in turn, is a consequence of hormonal imbalance during this period.
Unpleasant sensations can constantly arise due to psychosomatics.In this case, the woman needs to go to a psychotherapist and psychologist.
The consequences of surgery, for example an abortion, can be accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen and extend to the lumbar vertebrae due to involuntary contractions of the uterus or the development of inflammation.
Hormonal disturbances during the menstrual cycle, the release of the follicle from the ovary and its movement through the fallopian tubes, and the enlargement of the uterus during menstruation cause pain in the lower back and lower back.

Lumbar pain due to gynecological diseases.

Other causes of low back pain

Discomfort in the lumbar region can be caused by diseases of the human body systems:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic pathology and affects women more frequently.It is a chronic inflammation that develops in the lumbar joints and affects nearby cartilage and muscles.The disease arises due to autoimmune disorders in the body.
Thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis develop due to partial or complete interruption of blood flow in the deep veins.Discomfort in the lower back is felt after walking or standing for a long time.This pain radiates to the buttocks and legs.
Atherosclerosis in the last stage causes discomfort in the lower back.

Treatment of pain due to musculoskeletal problems.

To eliminate discomfort in the lower back caused by impaired functionality of the musculoskeletal system, various medications are used depending on the root cause and stage of the underlying disease.

They are used in various forms, from tablets to intramuscular injections.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce pain.These drugs reduce body temperature, relieve inflammation and fever.

NSAIDs from the group of phenylacetic acid derivatives are popular in the treatment of low back pain.These drugs are safe and effective and have the advantage over other pain relievers in that they do not negatively affect metabolic processes in the intervertebral disc.The therapeutic dose, sufficient to relieve severe discomfort, ranges from 75 to 150 mg per day, the norm is consumed in several doses.To accelerate the analgesic effect, rectal suppositories are used or the drug is administered intramuscularly.

muscle relaxants

If NSAIDs do not provide a positive effect in the treatment of pain, muscle relaxants are used.These medications reduce the tone of skeletal muscles and reduce their movement, sometimes to the point of complete cessation of function.Start therapy with a standard dose and maintain it for several weeks.Practice shows that the addition of muscle relaxants to complex pain treatment provides a long-lasting regression of discomfort and improves joint mobility.Combinations of different types of these medications are not used.

Analgesics and corticosteroids.

To relieve back pain, if it is very painful, narcotic analgesics are used, which have been relevant in medicine for a long time.They are based on opioids, thanks to which the drugs provide relief.Such medications are prescribed by a doctor (they are sold in pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription);You cannot treat pain with these medications yourself.

To eliminate the syndrome, corticosteroids are used in case of degenerative disorders in joint tissues.

The medications partially restore cartilage and prevent further destruction.

Injections

Injections are used if the previous medications did not have the required effect.For blockade directly in the lumbar area, drugs of the ester group and amide series are used.

A block is a procedure to relieve muscle spasms at the site of pain;Injections are administered into the nerve plexuses, including the paravertebral region, through a catheter.Its effect is short-lived, but it helps relieve severe attacks.

Use of ointments, creams and patches.

With the help of gels and creams, the uncomfortable condition is also eliminated.They are applied directly to the sore spot.You can use NSAID-based products.Combined products have a more enhanced effect.

For distracting and local irritation effects, hot ointments with a restorative chondroprotective effect are used, which dilate blood vessels, which improves the nutrition of vertebral tissues and cartilage and accelerates metabolic processes in them.

The use of patches is popular due to its convenient method of application and rapid action.The product is impregnated with the drug and applied to the site of pain.With this method, overdose is excluded.

Other methods to influence painful areas.

Physiotherapeutic treatment allows you to warm up the muscles, improve blood supply and enhance the therapeutic effect of basic medications.

Paraffin applications are used, which are effective in case of shooting pains.The procedure consists of applying layer by layer of wax or paraffin to the skin with a total thickness of 1 cm, which is covered with polyethylene and then with a warm blanket.The duration is at least one hour, with daily use the course of treatment is one month.Physical therapy is effective when used during periods of non-exacerbated illness.Exercise also reduces the risk of recurring back pain.

Massage is not performed in all cases, since in some pathologies it can damage the body.In this case, the effect does not occur in the painful area, but in the surrounding areas.The procedure must be performed by an experienced massage therapist;You shouldn't do it yourself.

The mud therapy method is also used as a distraction.

Pain relief for gynecological problems.

Complex antibacterial agents are used to eliminate the original cause of the pain.Special medications are used to reduce bacteriological infection of the vagina.An ointment containing antibiotics and antiseptics is used in the vulva area.

Inflammation of the glands of an infectious nature, accompanied by lower back pain, is treated with antibiotics, taking into account the sensitivity of the microorganism, and ultrawaves are used as a physiotherapeutic effect.Abscesses of the genital organs, in particular the abscess of the Bartholin gland, are removed surgically by opening.If the pain is moderate and the tumor does not bother the patient, hormonal medications are prescribed, which are considered only as prophylaxis before surgery.

GnRH antagonists reduce the amount of estrogen in the body.They are used for uterine fibroids, hyperplasia and endometriosis.Hormonal medications are effective as a means of reducing the size of the uterus before surgery.However, its prolonged use leads to the development of osteoporosis.

In some cases, after treatment, the nodules begin to grow and cause back pain.Unpleasant sensations are relieved with the help of oral contraceptives.To alleviate well-being when low back pain occurs, antigonadotropin therapy is used.These drugs have many side effects, so they are used in rare cases.

If the growth of a tumor causes severe pain and threatens health, then surgery is required to remove it.During menopause and if the woman does not plan to have a child, complete removal of the uterus is recommended.In other cases, the fibroid is only removed laparoscopically (through small incisions in the abdomen).

Popular hormonal medications are NSAIDs.Antispasmodic drugs are also used.

Helps with kidney pain

Acute pain in the kidneys is relieved by taking antispasmodic drugs that can increase the lumen of the ureter and ensure the diversion of urine.

Acute symptoms require the use of combined drugs containing an analgesic and an antispasmodic with anti-inflammatory components.You can take 2 tablets at a time;in severe cases, intramuscular injections are given.Antipyretics based on analgin help relieve pain in the kidneys.

Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional recipes help to relieve pain in the lower back, but before using them it is necessary to make sure that there are no diseases dangerous to human life and health that require timely drug treatment or even surgery.The most popular methods:

A towel soaked in a combined infusion of St. John's wort, thyme, chamomile flowers and black elderberry is applied to the painful area.For cooking, take 1 tsp.raw or dry raw materials, pour a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour.Then remove the compress and go to bed.
Garlic ointment helps a lot.To prepare it, take one head, crush it in an accessible way and mix it with a small portion of Vaseline and lemon juice.Apply the prepared mixture to the sore spot on your back.
Mustard bath relieves pain.To do this, take a glass of mustard powder and pour it into warm water.Bathe until cool, then rinse the skin with clean water and cover it with a blanket.
A compress of honey and vinegar (1 tablespoon each) relieves pain.The resulting mixture is placed on a cabbage leaf and applied to the problem area.
Radish or horseradish is grated, combined with sour cream and placed on a napkin made of natural material.The compress is fixed with a warm scarf or bandana.
Dried large burdock leaves steamed with boiling water are applied to the sore spot and isolated.
To improve blood flow in the tissues, rub your back with honey.The massage is performed without pressure, but the movements must be intense.Similarly, use an alcohol tincture with eucalyptus, which is purchased at the pharmacy.
Make a compress with grated beets, squeeze the dough and mix the resulting vegetable pie with 1 liter.kerosene.Using a napkin, the composition is transferred to the sore spot, fixed and wrapped.This compress is left overnight.
Use grated laundry soap along with white incense, mix them in equal quantities, add 2 beaten egg yolks.The product is applied to the back, a napkin is placed on top and secured with a bandage.Keep for about 2-3 hours.

Treatment of back pain is carried out by various means, but it is always necessary to diagnose the underlying disease that causes the unpleasant symptoms.