Lumbago is characterized by enormous, shooting pain in the lower back. Most people experience lumbago at least once in their lifetime. Simple lumbago is harmless and reversible. A significant improvement can be achieved within a short period of time and back health can be fully restored.
Here you will find further information and selected lumbago doctors.
Lumbago (ICD code: M54.5) is the term for acute back pain, particularly in the lower back, the lumbar region. The lumbar region takes its name from the Latin lumbus, which means loin.
Lumbago is often regarded as an independent disease and a synonym for back pain. In fact, the painful phenomenon is a protective reflex of the body with the help of the muscles. The back muscles tense up to support the spine.
For those affected, lumbago is a warning signal. You should improve your personal back health in the future.
Everyday movements, such as lifting objects, are often the trigger for lumbago © Antonioguillem | AdobeStock
Lumbago is mainly characterized by sudden, sometimes stabbing low back pain. This is often accompanied by
Lumbago is characterized by a stooped posture , which initially provides relief but can actually exacerbate the symptoms. It contributes to incorrect strain on the body. It is therefore important to start the right treatment steps to prevent it from getting this far in the first place.
The pain often radiates upwards and downwards from the lumbar spine. Those affected therefore often also feel pain in the legs and in the thoracic spine. Due to the extensive complex of symptoms, doctors also refer to it as lumbar syndrome.
Lumbago often occurs in conjunction with sciatica . Comprehensive sciatic pain is typical of lumboischialgia. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back via the hip joint into the leg.
In the pelvic region, the sciatic nerve runs through powerful larger and smaller muscles (e.g. the piriformis). If these muscles are tense, they press on the sciatica and trigger neuralgic pain. This is why hip and leg pain accompany back pain in lumboischialgia.
Pain also occurs in the leg with lumboischialgia © rumruay | AdobeStock
Lumbago usually occurs after everyday movements, such as bending or lifting. An awkward movement during sport can also cause lumbago.
The symptoms of lumbago already outline the causes of the stabbing low back pain, namely
The back has various muscle groups that run superficially or deeply. Together they are responsible for posture and movement.
Incorrect strain on the muscles also affects the deeper supporting muscles. The deep muscles are connected to the spine and stabilize it. However, these muscles can also exert tension or reduce the mobility of the vertebrae if they are tense.
Muscle tension and vertebral blockages occur when:
Tension or strains in the back muscles are a common cause of lumbago © bilderzwerg / Fotolia
Occasionally, lumbar syndrome is caused by a blockage of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). The SIJ, also known as the sacroiliac joint, is a joint between the sacrum and the ilium.
This plate joint is the stabilized yet flexible connection between the spine and the pelvis. The sacroiliac joint ensures the mobility of the pelvis when walking.
If it is blocked, it can no longer follow the normal movement sequences. You feel this SIJ blockage as a painful and frozen immobility. The slightest movements then cause stabbing pain.
The sacroiliac joint is a connecting joint and susceptible to blockages © Marinesea | AdobeStock
Without constant countermeasures, chronic lumbago can develop - even after healing.
It is important to distinguish lumbago from a herniated disc . In fact, more serious injuries to the musculoskeletal system, such as
often have similar symptoms. For this reason, a careful medical diagnosis is of great importance. The correct diagnosis ensures the best possible treatment.
A slipped disc requires different treatment to lumbago. In some cases, surgery may even be necessary.
In some cases, herniated discs in the lumbar spine (lumbar spine) also manifest themselves in nerve failure symptoms. This results in paresthesia, such as a feeling of heat or cold or paralysis (paresis) in the lower body.
Are you experiencing these symptoms? Then it is not a simple case of lumbago, but possibly a slipped disc with nerve damage.
First of all, the doctor will take a medical history and ask you about possible events or activities prior to the lumbago. This is followed by motor and neurological examinations. This allows the doctor to rule out more serious problems, such as a slipped disc.
If these examinations do not lead to a clear diagnosis, doctors resort to imaging procedures, such as
These can be used to detect disc damage or diseases of the bony spine, such as spondylosis.
Whether you have lumbago or a slipped disc is important for the subsequent treatment. These criteria help to differentiate between the two:
Many people tend to take it easy on their bodies when they suffer from lumbago. The acute pain also makes it almost impossible to do anything other than rest. An initial short break is of course allowed, but you should be active again as soon as possible. It is very important for recovery to keep moving and activate the body.
After an initial break, exercise loosens the cramped muscles and releases the blockage. Easy walks are ideal. A little time out in nature also relaxes and mobilizes the sacroiliac joint.
If your back hurts, heat applications are very beneficial, such as
Rest and gentle exercise will further promote your recovery.
Local analgesics such as diclofenac are suitable for acute pain. The preparation is available as an ointment, for example, which can be applied to the affected area. For more severe pain, doctors also use injections, for example with cortisone. This is injected directly into the area of pain to relieve it.
If exercise and painkillers alone are not enough, doctors sometimes prescribe muscle relaxants. These drugs relax the muscles and make it easier to loosen the cramped muscle tissue. However, they are associated with temporary
and are therefore used with caution.
Once the acute lumbago has subsided, active prevention is the best strategy for your back. This definitely includes exercise, from simple walking to fitness training.
Strong core muscles, including the abdominal and back muscles, protect your back. You should also stretch all parts of your body regularly. Stretching loosens the muscles and makes them supple. Supple muscles are more functional and less likely to cramp.
With the help of stretching exercises and regular exercise, you can significantly minimize the risk of lumbago.
Lumbago is usually a harmless syndrome. With the right treatment, the pain subsides after a few days to a few weeks. Lasting damage to the lumbar spine is unusual.
Measures such as
help to prevent lumbago in the future.
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