8 Main causes of back pain and what to do

The main causes of back pain include spine problems, inflammation of the sciatic nerve or kidney stone, and to differentiate the cause one must observe the characteristic of the pain and the region of the back that is affected. Most of the time back pain is of muscular origin and arises due to tiredness, weight lifting or poor posture, and can be solved with simple measures such as hot compresses and stretching.

However, if the pain comes on suddenly, if it is very severe, or if there are other symptoms associated with it, such as fever or difficulty in moving, it is advisable to go to the doctor to order tests and indicate the necessary treatment.

What can be back pain

1. Muscle injury

When you have back pain on the right or left side it is usually indicative of muscle damage, which can happen after physical activity or as a result of professional activity, as is the case with gardeners or dentists, for example. This type of pain is usually in the form of weight and can be quite uncomfortable.

How to relieve: To relieve back pain due to muscle damage, you can put a warm compress on the region for 15 minutes, twice a day for at least 3 to 4 days and apply an anti-inflammatory ointment, such as Cataflam or Traumeel, for example. In addition, during this period, it is important to avoid making too many efforts so that the symptoms of the injury can relieve more quickly.

2. Respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases can also cause back pain, especially when breathing, since in the respiratory process there is mobilization of all the muscles of the abdomen and back.

How to relieve: It is recommended that a pulmonologist or general practitioner be sought in order to treat respiratory disease, especially when there are symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, phlegm or fever. However, it may also be advisable to place a warm compress on the area where the pain is felt to relieve symptoms.

Here's how to recognize the symptoms of lung infection.

3. Kidney stone

The presence of kidney stones, also known as kidney stones, can also cause back pain. The pain due to the presence of stones is known as renal colic and is characterized by being a very strong pain in the bottom of the back that prevents the person from walking or moving. Know other kidney stone symptoms.

How to relieve: In these cases, it is important to go to the emergency so that tests are done to identify the stone and its size and, thus, start the appropriate treatment, which can be with the use of medicines that promote the break and favor the elimination of stones, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs for symptom relief, or performing a small surgical procedure to remove the stone.

4. Sciatica

Sciatica is characterized by pain in the back that radiates to the legs and is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, which is located in the final region of the spine or in the buttocks, causing stinging pain with a tingling sensation or difficulty in breathing. sit or walk.

How to relieve: What is recommended to do in these cases is to seek an orthopedist so that he can order tests, such as MRI, and indicate the best treatment, which can be done with medications and physical therapy.

If you think you may have an affected sciatic nerve, answer the following questions:

1. 1. Tingling pain, numbness or shock in the spine, gluteus, leg or soles. Yes No
2. 2. Feeling of burning, stinging or tired leg. Yes No
3. 3. Weakness in one or both legs. Yes No
4. 4. Pain that gets worse when standing still for a long time. Yes No
5. 5. Difficulty walking or staying in the same position for a long time. Yes No

5. Heart attack

One of the indicative signs of a heart attack is back pain with tightness in the chest, which worsens with efforts, in addition to the feeling of being unwell or sick, especially if the person is overweight and has high blood pressure or cholesterol.

What to do: In case of signs and symptoms indicative of a heart attack, it is recommended to call medical help as soon as possible through the number 192 so that first aid can be provided and the consequences are avoided.

6. Herniated disc

Herniated disc can lead to the appearance of pain in the middle of the back that worsens when standing or staying in the same position for a long time, being more common in people over 45 years of age. This pain can also radiate to the side, ribs or down, affecting the buttocks or legs.

What to do: You can put a warm compress on your back and avoid staying in the same position for a long time. In addition, it is also recommended to go to the orthopedist to be asked to perform an X-ray or Resonance so that the best treatment is indicated, which may include physical therapy.

7. Muscular contracture

Muscle contracture can happen due to tiredness, excessive physical activity, worry or wrong posture when sitting, for example, which can result in pain in the upper back and, in some cases, there may also be torticollis.

What to do: Stretching exercises are a great help to stretch your muscles and feel more relaxed. Staying in a comfortable position and turning your head slowly in all directions can help to relax your upper muscles.

8. Pregnancy

It is also common that there is back pain during pregnancy, especially in the last months of pregnancy due to overload of the spine.

What to do: To relieve back pain during pregnancy, it is recommended that massages, stretches and, in some cases, physiotherapy are recommended. Learn how to relieve back pain in pregnancy.

When to go to the doctor

It is advisable to see a general practitioner when the back pain is very severe, comes on suddenly or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea or shortness of breath. In this way, the doctor can order tests to identify the cause and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be started, which may include the use of analgesics, such as Paracetamol, anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, or surgery to treat spinal problems, like herniated disc, for example.

During the consultation it is important to tell the doctor the characteristics of your pain, saying when it came, whether it hurts all the time or just when you make a certain movement, and also what you have already done to try to relieve the pain. It can be useful to tell the doctor if you are sedentary and what your job is. By knowing these details the doctor can make the diagnosis faster and indicate the best treatment.

How to relieve back pain

What you can do to relieve back pain at home, before your doctor's appointment, includes:

1. Rest: lie on the floor or on a hard mattress for half an hour, every day; Warm compresses: place a warm compress with 3 drops of rosemary essential oil exactly on the site of the pain, for 15 minutes a day; Receive a massage: with warm almond oil, but without straining too much; Homeopathy: ingestion of homeopathic remedies, such as Homeoflan or Arnica Prépos, by Almeida Prado, prescribed by the doctor to treat back inflammation; Pilates exercises: help to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, fighting the cause of the pain.

In addition, it is important to follow some advice, such as adopting good posture on a daily basis to protect the spine and practicing physical exercise regularly, such as weight training, for example, which is a good exercise to improve posture, reducing pain.

Check out other tips to relieve back pain in the following video: