What are the differences between lumbago and sciatica?

When we talk about low back pain We are referring to one of the reasonsás frequent by whicháconsultations are made in the áovercome de la traumatologistía, además of the cause máIt is common for which limitations occur in daily activity in people over the age of 40 años. The lumbago It is a pain that originates in the regionón lumbar, that is to say, in the lower back, and that it can become a big problem due to the pain it causes and the lack of mobility that it may cause.á provoke in the person who suffers it.

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¿CuáHe is the difference between lumbago and ciática?

It is important to know how to distinguish between lumbago and ciática. While in the case of low back pain the pain is totally focused in the regionón lumbar, without irradiation taking placeón defined in other areas of the body, in the case of the ciática it is lumbar pain due to irritationóno in some wayínervous z of this región and irradiates to affect other areas of the body, like the gl areaúteos or the lower extremities.

Causes of low back pain

In regards to the low back pain, It is necessary to know the causes that can cause it, and it is that in the 50% of the occasions have their origin in contractures or degenerative alterations of the lumbar spine, and send in an approximate period of time between 7 and 10 días. The type of low back pain that lastsón less than 6 weeks is called acute low back pain.

can talk about subacute low back pain in those cases in which it evolves in a time of 6 a 12 weeks, while it is considered that we are facing a lumbalgia crónica when the 12 weeks longón. On these types of occasions, a study with complementary tests is necessary that can help us find the reasons for the pathology.ía.

in addition, low back pain can be caused by different alterations in anat structuresómicas of the regionón lumbar spine, let it take place in vévertebrae, ligaments, musculature, intervertebral discs, facet jointsías, etcétera.

To distinguish the origin of low back pain, can be classified into two, Which are the following:

low back pain mechánica

The lumbago mecánico it comes because of a dysfunctionómusculoskeletal n in the lumbosacral spine, that causes functional or structural alterations:

  • Herniated discs.
  • Scoliosis.
  • spondylolysis / Spondylolisthesis
  • traumatic vertebral fracturesáticas or patholócool (osteoporosis o metástasis)
  • segmental instability (spondyloarthrosis)
  • Sígl space syndromeúdeep teo (síndrome piramidal)
  • canal stenosis / Estenosis foraminal

low back pain not mechánica

The lumbago no mecánico is less frequent and the origin can be given by:

  • Diseases óseas
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • circulatory disorders
  • Dolores neuropáticos
  • infectious spondylitis
  • Visceral
  • Tumors

Sísymptoms of low back pain

The main síntoma of the low back pain is the pain. When this pain of the regionón lumbar is from origen mecánico, which is characterized by increasing considerably when an activity occurs física and that goes less when resting, analgesic treatmentépsycho-anti-inflammatory, and the progressive increase in activity.  It is not frequent that low back pain causes disorders when it comes to falling asleep.ñO, although in some cases it can make sleeping comfort completely difficult.ñO.

When it comes to a lumbago no mecánico morning pain and sleep disorder presentñO. In this type of case, rest is not usually enough to improve the patient, and the diagnosisóStico is essential to be able to treat the lesion correctly.ón.

Diagnólumbago stico

To make a correct diagnosisólumbago stico, it is necessary to have a clinical historyíunique detailed viaéit's one exploración fícomplete physical.

To do this, observeá the history ofíinvestigating personal history and pathologiesíthose in progress, además to identify the causes of pain and having to discriminate between low back pain and lumbocyática, además of contrasting different variables such as the evolutionóno pain.

During the explorationón física is evaluatedúto the patient, with aspects such as the type of gait, postural attitude and functional limitations. If tenderá to assess active mobility at all levels, además to evaluate possible root damage, perform elongation testsón root and strength alterations, atrophies or alterations in reflexes.

Low back pain treatment

The treatment of the low back pain can be conservative or wantúrgic. To choose one or the other, it is decisive to take into account the pathologyíwhat triggers it, así such as intensity and durationóno pain, since the operationón wantúrgic takes place when the pathologyía is a ciática or lumbar hernia.

In principle, Low back pain is usually treated with analgesics.ésick, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants, with the support of a rehabilitationón fíactive physics. In this case, Contrary to what you might think, absolute bed rest should be avoidedí like passive maneuvers, the bad hápostural bits, lowering body weight and smoking. Similarly, it is necessary to maintain an adequate effective muscle tone of the back, lumbar and abdomen, so as to avoid relapsing into the same problem.

in functionóno of the durationón of the process and its intensity, así as the recurrence of the problem and if conservative treatment fails, mayíto become necessary to opt for the realizationón of a surgical treatmentúrgic.

Secondly, There are different sports activities that are recommended to be able to deal effectively with low back pain.. to get started, It is advisable You need to know how to do in order to promote recoveryón del lumbago, but alsoén practice swimmingóny yoga. It's advisable, in any case, resort to the services of professionals who can offer the appropriate advice and indications to be able to deal with this health problem.

In each case it is necessary to treat the pathologyíin a particular and personalized way, además to indicate the different exercises that can be performed at home in order to deal with low back pain that can cause significant problems and pain. In certain cases alsoén can be reached to indicate the use of lumbar belts for recoveryón del lumbago.