Treatment of lumbalgia in a sanatorium

Lumbago

Stress, hypodynamia (lack of physical activity), obesity, and improper nutrition cause irreparable harm to the body. For many people, lumbago becomes a common occurrence — for some it appears as a single episode, while for others it turns into a constant source of pain, poisoning their entire life. Symptoms can be triggered by cold exposure, prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable posture, walking in individuals suffering from flat feet, heavy impact on the leg, tight shoes, and other factors.

In 80% of cases, the cause of lumbago (lower back pain) is spinal problems. In the remaining 20%, it may be due to pathologies such as kidney stones, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or prostate diseases. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is essential to determine the cause and choose an effective treatment plan. A more precise diagnosis can be made after MRI or CT scans.

Main Types of Lumbago

Depending on the origin and localization, three types of lumbago are distinguished:

• Localized lower back pain. Occurs due to irritation of lumbar structures (muscles, bones, tendons, joints). The pain is not very intense and clearly localized.
• Referred lower back pain. Arises as a result of non-spinal disorders (e.g., kidney stones, etc.). It may radiate to the thighs and buttocks. If the problem lies in the sacral region, the pain may spread to the groin and upper thigh area. In rare cases, pain may extend below the knee and into the feet.
• Radiculopathy-related lower back pain. Caused by irritation or compression of nerve roots. In most cases, radicular pain is more intense than referred pain and extends distally. The pain spreads throughout the nerve root innervation zone affected by compression. Radicular pain intensifies with certain movements.

Diagnosis

In the majority of cases (90%), acute radiculopathy attacks are associated with compression at the spinal levels **L4-L5** and **L5-S1**. Compression of the **L4** nerve root causes pain along the lateral side of the shin, weakness of the quadriceps muscle, and reduced knee reflexes. Pain increases when sitting or standing up. Compression of the **L5** root results in pain in the sacrum, posterior thigh, dorsal part of the foot, and lateral part of the shin. Hypotrophy and weakness are felt in these areas. A characteristic sign of L5 involvement is the patient’s tendency to adopt a forced flexed trunk position. Damage to the **S1** segment is accompanied by pain in the buttocks, posterior thigh, calf, and foot.

Acute and Chronic Lumbago

Even without existing spinal pathology, acute lumbago may develop as a result of trauma, lifting heavy weights, sudden unprepared movements, long stays in unnatural positions, or cold exposure. However, lumbago often occurs against a background of degenerative processes in the spine. Pain localized solely in the back is not related to nerve root damage.

One of the reasons for acute lumbago can be the impaction of a disc nucleus fragment into the fibrous ring tissue, causing overstretching of its outer edges. Displacement of the entire disc may also occur, stretching the posterior longitudinal ligament. Often, acute lumbago resolves spontaneously within hours, days, or even weeks just as suddenly as it appeared. However, complications can lead to the development of lumboischialgia.

Chronic lumbago may develop either following the resolution of acute pain or independently. Common causes include myofascial syndrome, facet joint arthritis, instability of the posterior dynamic segment (PDS), spondylosis, and less frequently, spondylolisthesis.

Symptoms of Lumbago

Lumbago manifests as dull, aching pain that worsens with movement. Patients typically experience discomfort characterized by:

• Limited torso mobility sideways;
• Pain intensification during prolonged standing (the person feels the need to sit or lie down);
• Muscle tension in the lower back;
• Increased pain when attempting to change body position.

Lumbago, as a benign condition, responds well to treatment. The effectiveness and duration of therapy largely depend on the severity and progression of the underlying pathological process.

Treatment

Treatment schemes for lumbago follow an algorithm aimed at managing pain caused by spinal instability or nerve root compression in the lumbar-sacral spine. Comprehensive treatment must address not only temporary pain relief but also eliminate the root cause of the condition.

In cases of severe pain syndrome, medication therapy may be recommended to relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms in the paravertebral muscles. If the pain in the lumbar-sacral region has become chronic, comprehensive treatment may include:

• Favorable manual therapy techniques;
• Acupuncture sessions;
• Pharmacopuncture;
• Vacuum therapy courses;
• Spinal traction procedures;
• Therapeutic exercise programs.

Berezoviy Gai Sanatorium

The “Berezoviy Gai” sanatorium offers all necessary conditions, technical equipment, and professional expertise for qualified diagnostics and comprehensive treatment of lumbago. We invite you to combine pleasure with health improvement — take advantage of this unique opportunity to recover, relax, and recharge with positive energy for the whole year ahead.