Back pain in the lumbar region, what to do? Causes, prevention, treatment

How common is lower back pain and what can cause it?

One reason why back pain is the second leading cause of intermittent disability is due to the evolutionary development of our upright gait. With the transfer of body weight to two columns instead of four, the load on the spine, especially the lumbar vertebrae, increased significantly. A large plate of connective tissue above the buttocks is responsible for the sensible distribution of this load and for enabling a wide range of movements.

If it becomes too much for her as a result of poor posture, one-sided work, or excessive stress, it often leads to hardening. The resulting pain in the lumbar vertebrae is assigned to the lumbar spine syndrome.

What is LWS syndrome and why is a lot of back pain harmless?

If the doctor cannot find a specific cause, such as an acute herniated disc, despite your pain in the lumbar region, the diagnosis is often "lumbar spine syndrome". What is meant by this are complaints in the lumbar spine area, caused by hardened connective tissue structures as described above, degenerative changes in the spine and/or muscular weaknesses, without damage to intervertebral disc or nerve tissue.

If the latter can be ruled out with certainty, there is usually no reason to worry about the majority of back pain, and the lumbar spine syndrome can be easily treated with targeted muscle training, among other things. For example, do the "cat-cow" yoga exercise that mobilizes your spine regularly! While standing on all fours or standing (see pictures), you gently switch between a hunchback and a hunchback several times. This strengthens and stretches the spinal muscles and keeps the connective tissue elastic.

back pain lumbar

What is recommended for back pain and when should you consult a doctor?

As in many other cases, it is important to remain calm when dealing with back pain. You may know from your own experience that the body often reacts by tensing up the muscles in the area of pain, making it less easy for you to move. Any form of stress exacerbates this natural protective response of the body.

Therefore, try to breathe calmly and, if possible, keep moving slightly. This supports blood flow to all tissues in the body and continues to supply the muscles with oxygen so that they can work well. Also, always keep your back warm. However, heat packs and pillows, for example with herbal fillings, are preferable to dry heat in the form of heating pads and blankets, as the latter can cause the connective tissue to become matted and are therefore counterproductive for any hardening that may already be present.

If your back pain persists for several days, worsens and/or neurological symptoms such as tingling, numbness or loss of muscle control occur, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. The nature of the pain is also revealing. Stabbing pain and pain that radiates to other parts of the body should definitely be examined by a doctor.

Why is a prompt, professional diagnosis so important and why is our internationally renowned spine center Apex-Spine the right address for you?

Heat, moderate exercise and painkillers can provide temporary relief for back pain. However, in no case do they replace professional causal research by specialized specialists, which is essential for permanent healing. In addition, untreated back pain results in relieving posture, restricted movement and, not infrequently, the successive impairment of neighboring body regions.

In addition to the well-founded and professional search for the cause of your back pain, our team of spinal specialists from various disciplines also offers the right solution in the form of a wide range of conservative treatment methods as well as modern, surgical therapy measures.