How to treat myositis of the back muscles with traditional and folk remedies. How does myositis of the lumbar muscles manifest itself? How to relieve inflammation in muscles
Problems with the spine can cause a lot of trouble, and anyone who has ever encountered them knows this firsthand.
One of the most unpleasant diseases in this category is back muscle myositis.
It is one of the pathologies in which inflammation originates in the skeletal muscles.
Symptoms, causes, course and localization of the disease may vary.
As a rule, the pain is localized in the affected muscles, worsening during palpation and movement.
What it is
Myositis of the back muscles is called inflammation of the muscle fibers., in which hard, painful nodules form in the muscles - foci of inflammation. Often the pathology becomes chronic and leads to a serious complication - muscle atrophy.
Clinical picture
Back muscle myositis characterized by the appearance of local aching pain in the back with increasing intensity, which intensifies with movement. In some forms of the disease, dense cords and nodules can be found in the affected muscles - sources of inflammation that respond with severe pain upon palpation. Swelling and swelling of the muscles may also occur.
As for purulent myositis, it proceeds completely differently. In this case, the inflammatory process is accompanied by fever, chills, and a gradual increase in pain. In this case, the muscle often becomes denser and remains in a state of constant tension.
Classification
There are two main forms of the disease:
- Acute. It comes up unexpectedly. Characterized by the appearance of severe pain. It develops against the background of sudden muscle tension, acute infections, and injuries. If left untreated, it can become chronic.
- Chronic. The danger of chronic myositis is that it is practically asymptomatic, so a person may not be aware of the presence of the disease for a long time. Pain in this form of the disease occurs rarely, intensifying with adverse effects - hypothermia, changes in weather conditions, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position.
The following forms of myositis are also distinguished::
Myositis of the back muscles is a fairly common pathology.. The disease can occur in a person of any gender and age. Most often, myositis develops in the lumbar spine, less often in the thoracic and cervical regions. Treatment is carried out by traumatologists and orthopedists.
Risk factors, causes
The inflammatory process can occur for the following reasons:
Most often, myositis occurs due to prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, tension of individual muscle groups. Therefore, violinists, drivers and PC operators have a much higher chance of getting myositis than representatives of other professions.
Consequences
The most unpleasant manifestations of myositis are pain and muscle tension. When the first signs of the disease appear, exposure to the cold and physical activity should be minimized. Otherwise, the disease may develop into a protracted form.
Lack of treatment leads to inflammation of new muscle groups and skin, the appearance of intense weakness in the muscles and their shortening. The most dangerous consequence of the disease is muscle atrophy.
Video: "Myositis and myalgia"
Symptoms and diagnostic methods
Symptoms of the disease depend on the cause of myositis.. However, the most striking sign of myositis is pain in the back, which sharply intensifies with physical activity. Sometimes, upon palpation of the affected muscle areas, dense cords or nodules are detected.
| Symptoms of acute infectious (purulent) myositis include: | Symptoms of chronic myositis include: |
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Other signs of myositis include severe headaches, increased skin sensitivity, low-grade body temperature. Sometimes there is a general malaise, accompanied by pain when turning and bending the body.
Diagnosing myositis is not easy, because... The most pronounced manifestation of symptoms occurs during the period of exacerbation of the disease. This is why doctors recommend making an appointment when you notice the first symptoms of the disease. You cannot postpone treatment until later, because... acute myositis can develop into chronic.
To make a diagnosis and draw up a treatment plan, the following examinations are prescribed::
- antibody tests;
- biochemical and general blood tests;
- electromyography;
- back muscle biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment of myositis should be carried out by an experienced doctor. In this case, you should not practice self-medication, because it is necessary to eliminate not only the pain, but also the cause of its occurrence.
Drugs
Did you know that...
Next fact
The following drugs can be used to treat myositis of the back muscles::
Also used to treat back muscles ointments that have analgesic and warming effects.
| Anti-inflammatory drugs |
| Anti-inflammatory gels and ointments can be used for most types of myositis, starting from the first day. They have anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous and analgesic effects. |
| Warming ointments |
| Warming ointments are prescribed if the disease is caused by prolonged static loads. They are used to warm up muscles and relieve spasms. |
Such ointments must be applied very carefully so as not to cause skin burns.
Surgery
Surgical treatment of the disease is practiced if the patient suffers from purulent myositis. In this case, the doctor opens the infectious focus, removes the purulent contents from it and applies a drainage bandage. In parallel, local and parenteral antibiotic therapy is carried out.
Exercises, exercise therapy, massage
To treat the disease it can be prescribed course of massage treatments. A massage performed by a qualified specialist can relieve muscle spasms, warm up muscles and improve blood circulation. It should be remembered that massage is contraindicated in patients with dermatomyositis and purulent myositis.
Exercise therapy helps well with myositis(therapeutic gymnastics) and yoga. The latter includes physical exercises aimed at improving the body. Regular exercise helps develop stretching, strengthen muscles, and increase resistance to physical activity.
Treatment at home
In acute course of the disease patients must observe strict bed rest with limited physical activity. If there is a strong increase in body temperature, the patient is prescribed antipyretic drugs. The affected area of the back should be kept warm; For this you can use warm scarves, woolen headbands, etc.
You can also resort to using traditional medicine recipes:
- Cabbage leaf compress. Take two leaves of cabbage, sprinkle them with soda and soap them. Apply the sheets to the affected area, wrap your back with a woolen scarf or handkerchief. This compress has an analgesic effect.
- Treatment with potatoes. Boil three or four potatoes in their jackets, mash for better contact with the affected area. Through several layers of gauze, apply the resulting mass to the affected area. The compress is kept on the back until the potatoes have cooled. Then it is removed, and the compressed area is rubbed with vodka and wrapped in a woolen scarf. This procedure should be carried out for several days in a row.
- Compress with burdock leaves. Scald burdock leaves with boiling water, apply them to the sore spot and cover with a flannel diaper.
- Rubbing with bodyaga. Lightly melt 1 tsp. butter, mix with 1/4 tsp. tramps. Rub the prepared mixture into the affected area overnight and cover with a flannel diaper. This should be done no more than once a week. Otherwise, the skin may become irritated.
Most of the recipes listed above are suitable for the treatment of diseases caused by overexertion, hypothermia, and sometimes ARVI.
As for bacterial myositis, they cannot be heated to avoid the development of a purulent process. Therefore, before using any folk remedies, it is better to consult a doctor so as not to aggravate the situation with improper treatment.
Video: "Treatment of myositis"
Prevention
There are several preventive measures to prevent the development of myositis:
- avoid hypothermia and drafts, wear warm clothes in the cold season;
- warm up more often;
- give preference to healthy foods rich in vitamins;
- stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- lead a healthy lifestyle.
To avoid the development of myositis, you need to move regularly.
You cannot sit or stand in one position for a long time, even during so-called sedentary work.
Those who spend a lot of time driving or working on a computer should take short breaks every 1-2 hours (get up, do a light warm-up, turn your body and tilt your head).
It would be a good idea to diversify your diet by including fish, dairy products, vegetables and fruits.
These products contain vitamins C, A, E, potassium, iodine, vitamins B12 and D, polyunsaturated acids. They are necessary for the body to strengthen and maintain health, especially the muscular and skeletal systems.
Recovery prognosis
With prompt diagnosis and treatment of myositis, the prognosis is favorable. It is important to remember that the disease can become chronic with subtle symptoms. That is why you should contact your doctor when the first signs of illness appear and follow the recommendations he gives. If preventive measures are taken after therapy, the risk of recurrence of myositis will be minimized.
Conclusion
- Back muscle myositis is a serious disease - inflammation of muscle fibers.
- The causes of myositis are: bacterial and infectious diseases, hypothermia.
- Among the symptoms are back pain, with localization depending on the affected muscles.
- Treatment is based on taking anti-inflammatory drugs and rubbing with warming ointments.
- For purulent myositis, surgical intervention is used.
- To prevent myositis, it is enough to simply avoid hypothermia.
Take the test!
How well did you remember the important nuances from the article: What is myositis and what are the reasons for its development? How is myositis treated?
Conducts complex therapy and prevention of spinal diseases, interprets radiography and MRI images. She also provides rehabilitation and restoration of physical condition after injuries.
Myositis is an inflammatory muscle disease that occurs for various reasons. Symptoms of inflammation of the back muscles are very variable, but more often pain occurs in the affected area, which intensifies with movement and palpation, and body temperature rises.
Causes
Inflammatory processes occur for various reasons:
The most severe form of the disease is considered to be purulent myositis, which occurs as a result of bacterial infection of wounds.
Infectious myositis often occurs as a complication of acute respiratory infections.
The most common form is myositis, which occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to a forced position and tension of certain muscle groups (violinists, drivers, PC operators).
The following may predispose to the occurrence of this pathology:
- various traumatic injuries;
- convulsive conditions;
- hypothermia.
With an autoimmune lesion, the disease most often occurs in the form of polymyositis, with the appearance of severe weakness in many muscle groups. The pain syndrome in this case may not be expressed.
There are acute and chronic myositis .
Spicy More often it is the result of viral infections, hypothermia, and injuries.
It lasts from several days to several weeks, and goes away with timely and correct treatment.
Chronic myositis is the result of improper treatment of acute myositis. The pain syndrome becomes periodic and often occurs after being in an uncomfortable position or hypothermia.
Treatment of back muscle myositis
As a rule, all methods of treating back muscle myositis are aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, as well as treating the underlying disease or cause that provoked the inflammatory process.
Traditional medicines
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are good medications for any inflammation:
- diclofenac;
- ketorolac;
- ibuprofen;
- Movalis et al.
It is better to use them in the form of injections. However, the duration of use should be no more than a week, as they can cause drug ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract.
It is also good to use drugs with venotonic and angioprotective effects. An example of such a drug would be L-lysine escinate. It removes swelling of soft tissues, relieves inflammation and reduces pain.
If the disease is caused by bacterial flora, then antibiotics are indispensable. Sometimes surgical intervention is even necessary if there is pus in the interfascial spaces.
Ointments in the treatment of back muscle myositis are used for both a warming and analgesic effect.
Warming ointments (“ Finalgon», « Zostrix», « Apisatron», « Capsicam", etc.) are used to relieve spasm and warm up the muscle. They are good to use if myositis is caused by prolonged static loads.
It is necessary to apply the ointment very carefully so as not to cause a burn to the skin.
Anti-inflammatory ointments and gels can be used for almost all types of myositis, starting from the first day. They relieve pain, have anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects.
These include ointments:
- Diclofenac or Indomethacin;
- Ketonal gel;
- Bystrum gel;
- Nise gel and many others.
Traditional methods
Treatment with folk remedies is very popular. In many cases, with their help it is possible to quickly reduce pain.
The most popular treatment recipes using traditional methods are presented below:
1. Cabbage leaf compress. To prepare it you need 2 cabbage leaves. They are sprinkled with soda and soaped. Apply to the affected area and wrap with a woolen scarf or scarf. This compress relieves pain well.
2. Rubbing with bodyaga. You need to melt the butter, about 1 tsp. and mix it with 1/4 tsp. tramps. The resulting mixture is rubbed into the affected area at night no more than once a week to avoid skin irritation. The area of rubbing is covered with a flannel diaper.
3. Burdock leaf compress. This compress is made from fresh, pre-scalded burdock leaves, which are applied to the sore spot and covered with a flannel diaper.
4. Treatment with potatoes. Pre-boil 3-4 potatoes in their jackets; for better contact with the surface, it is recommended to mash them. Through several layers of tissue, the resulting mass is applied to the affected area. When the potatoes have cooled, they are removed. Next, it is recommended to rub the compressed area with vodka and insulate it well. It is advisable to carry out this procedure over several days.
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Photo: massage for sore back muscles |
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These are some of the many recipes for getting rid of this disease. But all of them are more suitable for the treatment of myositis caused by hypothermia, overexertion, and partially for myositis caused by ARVI.
For example, bacterial myositis cannot be heated, otherwise it can lead to the development of a widespread purulent process!
Therefore, it is always better to consult a doctor so as not to aggravate your condition with improper treatment.
Yoga
Yoga includes physical exercises aimed at improving your body. They promote stretching, resistance to static physical activity and strengthening muscle strength.
Therefore, Yoga, like any other gymnastics, is suitable for the treatment of myositis caused by prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position.
FAQ
How is the disease diagnosed?
Myositis is diagnosed based on patient complaints of muscle pain during movement and at rest, the appearance of compactions and muscle soreness on palpation. Body temperature may rise. It is necessary to study the medical history, which may be associated with trauma, injury, convulsive syndrome, or exposure to toxic substances.
Are you suffering from coccydynia? You may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with traditional and folk methods.
Do you have vertebrogenic lumbodynia? Then you should have an MRI of the cervical spine, read about it.
Knowing the symptoms of a lumbar disc herniation will prevent the disease from progressing. Useful information is located.
Is massage beneficial?
Yes, massage is really useful for relieving muscle spasms, warming up muscles and improving blood circulation.
Contraindications: purulent myositis and dermatomyositis.
During pregnancy
Ordinary myositis, not associated with infections, toxic effects, or autoimmune diseases, is not dangerous during pregnancy, but is quite unpleasant. The list of medications that can be used is also limited. You should definitely consult your doctor.
What should the diet be like?
It is useful to include foods containing salicylates in your diet - beets, carrots, sweet peppers, potatoes. Sea fish will also help fight inflammation. It is recommended to consume 2-2.5 liters of liquid; rosehip decoction and sour fruit juices are good options.
Prevention
To prevent myositis, it is recommended to warm up more often and avoid hypothermia. It is recommended to eat food rich in vitamins, maintain personal hygiene, give up bad habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The cost of treatment depends on a number of factors - the method, the chosen clinic, and others. Below are the prices for the main diagnostic and treatment procedures necessary for this disease.
Or inflammation of the back muscles. The disease is quite common when nodules appear in the muscles and atrophy over time if treatment is not promptly applied. It is imperative to treat back myositis, even if you cannot get rid of the disease forever, but you can at least achieve a stable and long-term remission.
The reasons for the development of myositis are different. The inflammatory process can be of the following types:
The pathological process in the muscles is more often associated with professional activity: when working in drafts, staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, for example, sitting at a computer, when a person is tense for long hours.
The back muscles become inflamed in the following conditions:
- frequent stress;
- working in the cold;
- scoliosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- lifting weights;
- infectious diseases;
- mechanical damage due to injuries and bruises;
- constant influence of negative weather conditions.
The development of myositis can be caused by a common cold, a long stay in drafts, or other infectious diseases: influenza, ARVI, acute respiratory infections. Infection is possible during medical procedures performed by a doctor, for example, when giving an injection and introducing an infection with a non-sterile syringe.
Symptoms of back muscle inflammation
Myositis develops in acute or chronic form. Its manifestations, as a rule, gradually intensify. When the back muscles are inflamed, the symptoms are very pronounced and cause discomfort to the patient. Main signs of the disease:
- pain on palpation;
- swelling of inflamed areas;
- increased body temperature;
- headache, creating a feeling of a hoop on the head;
- limitation of joint mobility.
Often inflammation in the muscles is provoked by the entry and spread of infection into them, less often by pathogenic bacteria, which lead to a purulent course of the disease. At the same time, the temperature rises sharply to 38-39°C, and attacks of nausea and vomiting are possible.
The main symptom is local pain in the back muscles, aggravated by bending, moving, applying pressure, and even at rest at night. The pain becomes unbearable when the weather changes, it often radiates to the lower limbs and pelvis. The affected area visibly swells, turns red, and skin sensitivity increases.
Often a severe headache occurs, joint movements become constrained and limited. There may be loss of skin sensitivity, increased pain when moving or touching muscles. The patient begins to feel feverish, the muscles are very tense and stiff, they are not allowed to even take a step.
As the inflammatory process progresses, loss of elasticity and muscle weakness are observed. Over time, their atrophy develops, and pain spreads to the thoracic spine and abdominal cramps similar to intercostal neuralgia, if you do not consult a doctor and ignore the disease.
The inflammatory process during myositis develops rapidly, gradually leading to damage to the lumbar region, when it begins to hurt in the lower back, radiating to the leg, and the lumbar muscles spasm. The condition threatens loss of limb mobility. 
A stiffening sensation can occur unexpectedly, which often happens in patients due to old untreated injuries or bruises of the back, in particular with the development of intercostal neuralgia.
If the disease is not treated, the transition to a chronic form with a sluggish course and regularly recurring unpleasant symptoms is inevitable. Constant muscle spasm will eventually lead to the appearance of nodular seals in areas of inflammation, swelling and swelling of the muscles.
Purulent myositis is dangerous when pus accumulates in muscle structures. The patient is very chilly, the temperature rises to 40°C, and inflammation in the muscles progresses. Over time, the symptoms will subside, but myositis will most likely become chronic. Sometimes unpleasant symptoms will appear again, and treatment of the disease will become difficult.
Diagnosis of myositis
Myositis during an exacerbation is fraught with complications, so acute back pain should be a reason to consult a doctor for examination and a correct diagnosis. As a rule, diagnosis begins with the collection of complaints and medical history of the patient, and analysis of existing symptoms. The set of basic studies includes the following:
- electromyography;
- back muscle biopsy;
- blood test for antibodies;
The first unpleasant signs in the back should already be a reason for a visit to specialists.
Treatment
Myositis can have a different course, so treatment of the back muscle is selected individually, taking into account the shape, degree of damage to the back and the cause of inflammation. Patients are recommended to remain in bed for the entire period of therapy, eliminating all stress and pressure on the back.
The main treatment for myositis is medication with the following groups of drugs:
The behavior of the following courses is also useful:
- physiotherapy;
- hydrotherapeutic;
- mud therapy;
- thermal procedures with the addition of ozokerite and paraffin;
- electrophoresis;
- light back massage;
- therapeutic exercises, but only during remission.
Folk remedies are also applicable to eliminate inflammation of the back muscles; for this, the following compresses are applied to the affected areas:
- from boiled hot potatoes wrapped in gauze;
- from white cabbage, burdock or honey cakes;
- from infusion with bodyaga and melted butter.
Doctors recommend that in case of myositis, you undergo a course of electrical stimulation of nerves and muscles to restore their conductive and contractile abilities, respectively, and improve capillary blood supply. In severe cases, when the disease is purulent, surgical treatment is prescribed: the doctor opens the inflamed area and removes the pus using drainage.
During the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is necessary to observe a rest regime, lubricate the affected areas with essential oils of eucalyptus, marjoram, and lavender.
Myositis can significantly worsen a patient’s life. As a preventative measure, it is useful to take care of your back and avoid being exposed to drafts. You need to do a warm-up when sitting for a long time at the computer or in the office, include vitamins, fruits, vegetables in your diet and lead a healthy lifestyle. This will help avoid the development of serious complications.
According to statistics, almost everyone experiences back pain of varying severity, and frequently recurring pain occurs in almost 20% of adults. However, there are not many patients diagnosed with back myositis.
Inflammatory processes that occur in human skeletal muscles and manifest themselves in the form of muscle pain (myalgia) of various localizations are combined into one broad group of diseases - myositis (from the Greek myos - muscle). With myositis of the back, inflammation and associated pain are concentrated in the tissues of the striated muscles of the back.
In general, all myositis, and, first of all, myositis of the back, are still poorly understood diseases.
ICD-10 code
M60 Myositis
M60.0 Infectious myositis
M60.1 Interstitial myositis
M60.8 Other myositis
M60.9 Myositis, unspecified
M63.0* Myositis in bacterial diseases classified elsewhere
M63.2* Myositis in other infectious diseases classified elsewhere
Causes of back myositis
The list of causes of back myositis is extremely extensive. This disease can be a consequence of hypothermia or the result of an injury. Although, according to experts, myositis of the back muscles of traumatic origin does not happen very often, and the most common cause of back myositis is considered to be muscle overstrain from a long stay of the body in an uncomfortable position or prolonged tension of the spinal muscles during forced standing, sitting or repeated movements. This is known firsthand to professional drivers, seamstresses, assembly line workers and control panel operators in various production areas, etc. And this is professional back myositis, the etiology of which is not inflammation, but a violation of microcirculation in muscle tissue. At first it gives a feeling of heaviness in the muscles, then pain, and in the end atrophic changes and functional disorders of both the superficial and deep muscles of the back are quite possible.
The causes of back myositis include metabolic pathologies, as well as some systemic and infectious diseases. For example, myositis of the muscles on the back - in the lumbar region - can occur with chronic forms of brucellosis - a zoonotic infection that is transmitted to humans from sick animals.
There is a version according to which inflammatory processes in muscles arise as a result of autoimmune reactions of the body or as a result of autoimmune processes in the skeletal muscles themselves.
One way or another, one should distinguish between pain in the back muscles caused by various reasons and inflammation of the skeletal muscles accompanied by pain - back myositis.
Symptoms of back myositis
The key symptoms by which doctors recognize back muscle myositis include:
- aching pain in the back (most often in the lumbar muscles),
- increased pain when moving and pressing on muscles,
- constant nature of the pain, which can persist at rest,
- muscle tension and limited mobility,
- the presence of painful nodes and compactions in the thickness of the muscle (with diffuse lesions of muscle tissue).
Significant swelling, hyperemia of the skin in the area of inflammation and an increase in temperature may be observed, which indicates purulent myositis. Patients may also complain of a general deterioration in well-being and fatigue - due to the reflex contraction of the inflamed muscle and its tension, especially in the morning. Experts explain this manifestation of back myositis by the fact that at night, at rest, the inflamed muscle tissue swells, its blood supply deteriorates, which leads to spasms.
Acute myositis, if untreated, becomes chronic, when the pain becomes more severe, especially with hypothermia and prolonged stay in the same position. In this case, inflammation can spread to other muscle groups.
Diagnosis of back myositis
Identifying back myositis is not as easy as it might seem. Firstly, the symptoms of this disease develop slowly and clearly appear only during exacerbations. Secondly, patients often mistake back pain for muscle pain, while the pain syndrome can be caused, for example, by an exacerbation of low-grade inflammation of one of the intervertebral discs. In addition, pain and spasm in the back muscles can be reflected and associated with many other pathologies of both the musculoskeletal system and internal organs.
So the diagnosis of back myositis is carried out not only on the basis of anamnesis and clinical picture of the disease, but also on data from studies such as:
- clinical blood test;
- blood tests for autoantibodies and muscle enzymes (eg, creatine kinase);
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI determines the exact location of muscle inflammation);
- electromyography (EMG, measures bioelectric potential in skeletal muscles);
- muscle tissue biopsy (the most accurate diagnostic method that determines the degree of damage to muscle fibers).
Some cases of back myositis go undiagnosed for many years and are mistaken for other conditions that cause pain and muscle weakness.
Treatment of back myositis
For acute non-purulent myositis of the back, doctors recommend disturbing the muscles as little as possible and maintaining bed rest. To relieve pain, painkillers are used - external and oral.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen and Febrofid are widely used in the treatment of back myositis. Ibuprofen (synonyms - Brufen, Ibuprom, Ibusan, Ibufen, Nurofen, etc.) has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effect and is available in the form of tablets, capsules, syrup, suspension for oral administration, as well as for external use - in the form of gel and cream . It is recommended for adults to take ibuprofen in tablets and capsules in a daily dose of 400-1200 mg in 3-4 doses. The course of treatment is no more than 7 days. Ibuprofen syrup or suspension is prescribed to children - 10-20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The cream or gel is applied to the skin in the area of the painful area (a strip 5-10 cm long) 3-4 times a day and rubbed in until the drug is completely absorbed.
Contraindications for this drug include: bronchial asthma, gastric and duodenal ulcers, optic neuritis, thrombocytopenia, liver and kidney dysfunction, severe heart failure, pregnancy and lactation, childhood (syrup, suspension - with body weight up to 7 kg; tablets or capsules - up to 12 years).
Gel for external use Febrofid contains ketoprofen lysine salt and also belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, providing anti-inflammatory, decongestant and analgesic effects. The gel is applied to the skin of the painful area (a strip of 3-5 cm) and lightly rubbed in 2-3 times a day. When using this drug, allergic reactions and skin hyperemia are possible. Contraindications to its use are weeping dermatoses, eczema, infected abrasions, wounds, burns, pregnancy (third trimester) and lactation, hypersensitivity to ketoprofen and other components of the gel.
It should be noted that very severe pain in the back muscles may necessitate a novocaine blockade, in which a medicinal composition of novocaine and a corticosteroid drug is injected intramuscularly into the inflamed area.
In addition to medications, treatment of back myositis is carried out using physiotherapeutic procedures (electrophoresis, UHF, phonophoresis, diadynamic currents), reflexology (acupuncture), physical therapy (not during an exacerbation), as well as therapeutic massage and hirudotherapy. These therapeutic methods allow you to activate blood circulation, improve lymph outflow and stimulate metabolic processes in muscle tissue.
If myositis is purulent, then antibiotics must be prescribed. This does not exclude situations where surgical treatment of purulent myositis of the back muscles is resorted to. This treatment involves opening the resulting suppuration and draining the wound with rinsing with antiseptic agents.
Treatment of back myositis with folk remedies
It must be remembered that during an exacerbation of inflammation of the back muscles, as with any other inflammatory process, heating is unacceptable. But applying cold to the painful area during the first 2-3 days from the onset of pain helps. The duration of one procedure is no more than 20 minutes, the intervals between them are 1.5-2 hours. You can try hydrotherapy: alternate showers on the lumbar region: hot for 2 minutes, cold for 30 seconds. And heat can be used only after 72 hours from the onset of an exacerbation.
Treatment of back myositis with folk remedies is carried out by rubbing the painful area of the back with essential oils of fir, pine, chamomile or rosemary. To prepare a homemade rub, just add 10-15 drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of any vegetable oil and gently rub the skin with this mixture 2-3 times a day.
Myositis of the back muscles is a serious disease, and in its chronic form, back pain can occur in the most unpredictable situations. Therefore, it is imperative to treat acute myositis.
And tips for preventing back myositis are as follows: do not sit or stand in the same position for a long time; when working sedentarily, get up at least once every one and a half to two hours and do a warm-up (bending forward and backward and turning left and right). During the cold season, wear outerwear with insulated lining and try to stay away from drafts.
In addition, you need to include in your daily diet fresh vegetables and fruits containing vitamins A, E and C, as well as calcium-rich whole milk products. Don’t forget to arrange “fish days” for yourself, because sea fish contains a lot of iodine, potassium, sodium, magnesium, vitamin D and B12, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. All these substances are necessary to improve health, in particular, the musculoskeletal system.
Prognosis of back myositis
Myositis of the back generally has a positive prognosis, provided that it is detected in a timely manner and treated well. However, it should be borne in mind that myositis can progress, involving new muscles in the inflammatory process.
According to pathophysiological indicators, myositis refers to progressive muscular dystrophy, since it is based on primary inflammation of the muscle fiber with subsequent disruption of the trophism of muscle tissue. Newly diagnosed myositis usually has a local course, that is, the pathology affects only one muscle. When it becomes chronic, the inflammatory process may involve neighboring muscles and even muscle groups (diffuse form). Clinically, myositis is manifested by severe pain, stiffness in the back and a decrease in the range of motion in the affected segment of the spine. Diagnosing inflammatory processes in muscles at an early stage is difficult, since intense pain usually appears when the disease becomes chronic.
Muscles (the more common name is muscles) are one of the parts of the musculoskeletal skeleton, formed by elastic tissue and capable of contracting under the influence of nerve impulses. Muscle tissue has a fibrous structure and consists of myocytes, a special type of cells that mature from myoblasts and form the basis of skeletal and smooth muscles. The muscles perform the function of flexion-extension, abduction-adduction of limbs and joints, and also allow you to change the position of the body in space and carry out the most important functions: breathing, heart contractions, moving food through various parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
The back muscles are represented by three groups, each of which performs its own functions:
- superficial muscles of the back and neck;
- deep muscles of the back and neck;
- suboccipital muscles.
By their structure, the spinal muscles, which can also be called paravertebral or paravertebral, belong to the skeletal (striated) muscles. Their mass can reach 38-40% of a person’s body weight, and in professional athletes, people who regularly give their muscles sufficient physical activity and eat rationally, this figure can be even higher - about 53-59%.
The chemical and protein composition of muscle fiber is quite diverse, so one of the factors in the prevention of myositis and other muscle diseases is proper, regular and balanced nutrition. In a healthy person with sufficiently trained muscles, muscle tissue contains salts of organic and inorganic acids, proteins (actin, myosin and actomyosin), glycogen, phospholipids, creatine, ash and free amino acids. The level of uric acid should not exceed 0.02% of wet weight, and the volume of water is normally at least 70-80%.
What is myositis?
Myositis is a group of inflammatory diseases of skeletal muscles, in which secondary pathogenetic changes are progressive myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness) and impaired neurotrophic parameters of muscle fiber. In the chronic course, morphological changes are manifested by pronounced cell proliferation, as well as the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the affected tissues, which determines the high risks of secondary infection of healthy muscles and the development of a systemic inflammatory reaction (sepsis).
The disease can be characterized by an aggressive and progressive course, and the clinical symptoms of myositis are determined by pathogenetic and pathophysiological changes. These include:
- diffuse inflammation of the spinal muscles with the formation of abscesses, cysts and foci of fibrous exudate;
- severe circulatory disorders in the affected muscles (hemorrhages, partial or complete cessation of blood and lymph flow in the microvasculature);
- development of a reactive inflammatory reaction (a similar course is typical for myositis developing against the background of tumor diseases and extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis);
- trophic changes in the muscles and surrounding tissues and structures, including the perineurium - the perineural sheath around the nerve bundles of the spinal nerves.
The prognosis for timely detection and treatment of myositis is favorable in the vast majority of cases. Certain categories of myositis, for example, progressive fibrodysplasia, can pose a deadly danger, as they cause irreversible changes in musculoskeletal structures. In particular, with polyfibromyositis, muscle fiber is replaced by bone or bone-like tissue, which irreversibly leads to disability of the patient and further death (in cases of spread of the pathological process to the muscles of the larynx or diaphragmatic tube).
Note! Unlike other diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which mainly affect people in the older age group, myositis is considered a disease of athletes, since one of the main factors of inflammation in skeletal muscles is excessive physical activity (especially if it does not correspond to the degree of training of the athlete).
Causes
There are many reasons for the occurrence of striated muscle myositis, and in most cases it is possible to determine what exactly provoked the inflammatory or reactive reaction only after a comprehensive diagnosis. There is even a separate classification of myositis, which is carried out taking into account the cause of its occurrence.
Classification of myositis by cause of occurrence
| Type of inflammation | Possible reasons |
|---|---|
| Infectious | Various infectious diseases (sore throat, flu, tonsillitis, intestinal infections, etc.), in which exudate begins to be released from inflamed blood and lymphatic vessels, which can accumulate between muscle fibers and cause secondary inflammation of muscle tissue. The main pathogens in infectious myositis are staphylococci and streptococci (especially hemolytic streptococcus - the causative agent of sore throat and tonsillitis), but myositis, which develops against the background of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is classified into a separate group. Lack of treatment for this type of myositis can lead to the death of a person, since some types of helminths (for example, roundworms) are able to penetrate vital organs: the heart, respiratory tract and even the brain |
| Toxic | This type of inflammation develops against the background of prolonged intoxication of the body with toxic substances: tobacco smoke, ethyl alcohol, drugs, carcinogens contained in some foods. In people with chronic addictions, toxic substances accumulate in the blood, from where they are distributed throughout the body, including muscle tissue. As a result, instead of oxygen, essential minerals, amino acids and proteins, oxygen-poor blood with a large amount of toxic and toxic substances enters the muscles. The risk group includes not only smokers and people with alcohol addiction, but also residents of environmentally unfavorable areas, as well as workers in hazardous industrial production |
| Hypodynamic | Hypodynamia is a disorder of digestion, breathing, blood circulation and other important functions of the body, provoked by a sedentary lifestyle. People who are obese and are forced to move little, workers in sedentary positions, patients with insufficient physical activity are at increased risk for the development of inflammatory and atrophic processes in skeletal muscles |
| Traumatic | This is one of the most common types of myositis, resulting from mechanical and physical impact on the back muscles (falls, blows, bruises). It responds well to treatment, and the inflammatory process is provoked by excessive swelling and increased tonic tension |
| Stressful | Muscle tension is a natural reaction of the body to stress factors, so severe emotional shocks and chronic stress can be a powerful catalyst for inflammation in the back muscles |
| Professional | Occupational myositis is diagnosed in people who, due to the nature of their work, are forced to spend most of their time in a static or uncomfortable position (cleaners, drivers, gardeners, etc.) |
Symptoms and features of the course
Myositis of the back muscles is dangerous because for a long time it can occur with mild or erased symptoms (less often, without any manifestations at all). Timely diagnosis of myositis is especially difficult in patients with chronic spinal diseases. For example, with an intervertebral hernia or osteochondrosis, the appearance of characteristic points (nodes) of muscle tension is one of the manifestations of myofascial syndrome, so this clinical sign may not be immediately associated with myositis.
Pain due to inflammation in the muscles usually has a burning, aching or pulling character and at an early stage is of weak or moderate intensity. If therapy is not carried out at an early stage, muscle tension increases, the muscles become dense and swell. A typical sign of the inflammatory process in skeletal muscles is the formation of trigger points - muscle tension nodules. Trigger points are painful on palpation, have clear contours and take part in the formation of autonomic and muscle-tonic reactions.
In general, the clinical picture of spinal muscle myositis is represented by the following symptoms:
Diagnostics
The initial diagnosis of “dorsal muscle myositis” can be made based on the results of a physical and visual examination, in which palpation of trigger points and the force of tonic muscle tension when pressing on hypersensitive areas are of great importance. Clinically significant complaints in the diagnosis of myositis when collecting anamnesis are muscle pain that does not go away after eliminating stress factors and long rest.
Palpation is the primary diagnosis for myositis
Laboratory diagnosis may include tests to rule out autoimmune factors. Typical signs of the inflammatory process, regardless of its location, are an increase in ESR and a shift in the leukocyte formula, which, together with muscle pain and spasms, allow one to suspect inflammation of muscle tissue. If the cause of inflammation is helminthic infestation, the number of eosinophils in the blood will be increased - non-dividing granulocytes that mature in the bone marrow, after which they circulate freely in the blood and destroy foreign protein in the body.
The minimum required diagnostic scope for suspected myositis includes the following studies:
- measuring the strength of electrical activity of muscles in response to excitation of muscle fibers under the influence of current (electromyography);
- muscle fiber biopsy using standard eosin and hematoxylin staining methods, as well as specific histochemical staining;
- Serum CPK enzyme testing.
If the inflammation is of a traumatic nature, additional diagnostic methods are used: radiography, MRI, computed tomography.
Basic therapy for myositis of the back muscles
Treatment of spinal muscle myositis is carried out comprehensively and includes both medication and physiotherapeutic methods.
Drugs (first stage of treatment)
To destroy pathogenic microorganisms during infectious inflammation, basic eradication therapy is carried out, the basics of which are given in the table below.
Video - Myositis of the back and neck
"Levamisole"
"Azithromycin"
"Clarithromycin", "Tsiprolet",
"Ciprofloxacin"
To relieve pain and stop the inflammatory process, drugs from the NSAID group are used (combinations with paracetamol are the most effective). To combat pain, restore blood circulation and improve the functional activity of muscles, ointments and gels containing bee or snake venom (Apizartron, Viprosal), formic or camphor alcohol (Capsicam) are applied topically.
Supportive therapy (second stage)
After regression of acute symptoms, the second stage of conservative treatment is carried out, which includes the following procedures:
- Massage. Improves blood circulation, eliminates stagnation of lymph in blood vessels, normalizes muscle tone.
- Exercise therapy. Therapeutic exercise improves the mobility of the spine by strengthening the paravertebral muscles that support it.
- Reflexology. Acupuncture treatment is indicated to restore normal tonic muscle tension and improve blood and lymph flow in the microvasculature.
- Physiotherapy. The most effective for myositis are warming and stimulating procedures: electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, ultra-high frequency therapy, ultrasound.
Electrophoresis is the most effective physiotherapy for myositis
Note! In the absence of severe blood pathologies and malignant diseases, the doctor may recommend the patient a course of hirudotherapy (leech treatment), but it is important to understand that this method refers to alternative medicine and cannot be considered as primary or replacement therapy.
Prevention
Regular and balanced nutrition is of great importance for the prevention of myositis. It should contain a sufficient amount of foods with vitamins, magnesium, zinc, calcium, easily digestible proteins and amino acids. Every day you need to eat high-quality meat and fish, vegetables, fruits, liver, eggs, and dairy products. The diet should regularly include greens and leafy salads, as well as foods containing natural anti-inflammatory substances - salicylates. These include beets, herbal teas, carrots, spinach, raspberry juice and leaves.
Drinking regime is also of great importance for the prevention of inflammatory processes in muscles, since almost 80% of muscle mass is water. The best drinks for everyday use are herbal teas, natural fruit juices, plain drinking water, compotes and fruit drinks made from berries and dried fruits. Consumption of coffee, strong tea, industrially produced sweet juices and carbonated drinks should be limited to 1-2 times a week.
Other preventive measures for those at high risk of neuromuscular diseases are recommended:
- quitting smoking and drinking alcohol (especially for patients with metabolic diseases);
- sufficient physical activity (daily morning exercises, walking, swimming, sports and physical therapy);
- compliance with the work and rest regime (breaks every 1-1.5 hours during sedentary work, industrial gymnastics, proper organization of the workplace taking into account physiological indicators).
It is equally important to control your emotional state, since stress is one of the main catalysts for muscle tension. Long walks in nature, aromatherapy, yoga, and audiotherapy will help you cope with stress and chronic fatigue. As quick measures, you can use herbal teas and infusions, as well as various baths with the addition of essential oils and salts.
Video - Exercises for hypertonicity of the spinal muscles
Myositis is a fairly common disease of skeletal muscles, which has a favorable prognosis subject to timely diagnosis and treatment. The main symptoms of myositis are pain and stiffness in the back, which does not go away or even gets worse at rest. Conservative treatment is effective in most cases, but after relief of acute symptoms, the patient will have to adhere to special recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle. Failure to comply with medical prescriptions can lead to relapse and serious complications, such as calcification of muscle tissue or infection of healthy muscles.
