Contents
The spectre of lumbago. Where does it come from? How can it be prevented?
First of all, lumbago should be called by its “real” name.
In medical textbooks, this acute pain can be found under the technical term lumbago (alternatively: acute lumbalgia).
It got its almost eerie-sounding nickname because usually an abrupt, often thoughtless everyday movement is the trigger for the stabbing back pain in the lumbar spine.
What exactly is behind it and how to prevent lumbago will be the subject of this article.
Causes of lumbago
Lumbago is considered the most common form of back pain in the 30- to 50-year-old age group.
The reason why older people are more often spared is their immobility.
In terms of lumbago, exactly this condition is helpful, because typical lumbago movements occur less frequently.
These can be, for example, jerky movements when getting up in the morning, bending over, carrying cartons and beverage crates and unloading the trunk.
According to Ulm University Hospital, carrying a beverage crate alone creates a pressure of 23 bar, which the intervertebral discs must withstand when lifting each crate.
This also means that the lumbar vertebrae have to withstand a weight of 422 kilograms at this very moment.
Often the abrupt movement is accompanied by a rotation, a dislocation or an unfavorable posture – and the stabbing pain, which almost leads to immobility, is there.
The pain arises from the fact that vertebral joints block, hook or the muscles tug and cramp. The result: nerves are pinched.
This is how the stabbing pain comes about.
But of course, it is not due to the “wrong” movement itself, which is often seen as the reason or trigger for lumbago.
Often, lumbago is a sign of a more serious illness or a pathological change in the spine. These causes are called by physicians:
- Herniated disc, disc protrusion
- Blockage in the lumbar spine
- Inflammation in the lumbar spine
- Muscles
- Muscle strains
- Bruising, pinching of the sciatic nerve
- Tumors in the lumbar vertebral rooms
- Signs of wear on the vertebral joints
- Strain in the lumbar spine
Basically, experts assume that the severe pain should have subsided within one to two days.
Ointments and gels can help to initiate pain therapy and thus alleviate the symptoms immediately after lumbago.
If this is not the case or if additional factors such as paralysis or numbness increase the pain, a more serious cause can be assumed – and consult a doctor immediately.
Treatment methods after lumbago
Often it is not possible to determine ad hoc what the cause of lumbago is.
Then it is the declared goal of the physicians to first relieve the pain. Drugs that inhibit inflammation, relax the muscles and relieve the pain are then prescribed.
Supportively, the back muscles can be loosened by the effect of heat.
As a rule, lumbago patients only go to the doctor if the pain does not become more bearable within three days.
The general practitioner then carries out a sensitivity test and a check of the muscle reflexes.
If a more serious disease is suspected, X-rays are usually taken. Ultrasound, CT and MRI are also common methods used in the search for the cause of lumbago. Massages, stretching exercises, chirotherapy, occupational therapy as well as acupuncture and relaxation procedures are common long-term treatment methods that are not only intended to cure lumbago, but also to prevent another lumbago.
Why sport can help
“Today we assume that this non-specific back pain is caused by a muscular imbalance, ie an imbalance between the different muscle groups,” said Dr. Ulf Marnitz, orthopedist at a Berlin back center, to the ARD, thus immediately clearing up the prejudice that lumbago could be the result of signs of wear.
Rather, a lifestyle in which regular exercise is not integrated is one of the reasons why lumbago is still the number 1 widespread disease.
After all, the muscles (and especially the back muscles) have two main tasks: they should be stable and keep the skeleton upright and be flexible enough to follow every movement.
Against this background, the consequences that occur when one part of the musculature is weaker than the other are also understandable.
Then it comes to an unbalanced load. This becomes very clear when the beverage crate mentioned at the beginning is lifted.
At such a high load, the deep muscles are actually activated. Actually. If this is untrained and therefore too slow, it is painful.
Preventive measures to prevent lumbago
The catalogue of measures to prevent another lumbago is long, it is all-encompassing and begins with a healthy diet, regular relaxation phases in everyday life and sporting activities (ideally swimming and cycling).
Targeted back muscle training and regular visits to the physiotherapist can support efforts to prevent lumbago.
All-encompassing information is conveyed as part of a back training.
Here, healthy movement sequences are practiced and tips are given on how to avoid potential dangers in everyday life.
The strengthening of the muscles is another essential point that the back school picks up.
