A Guide on the Different Types of Back Pain
Did you know that four in five Americans will suffer from back pain at least once?
If your back has been hurting you, remember that you are not alone. People of all ages and backgrounds experience back pain. And if you want to get better, it’s important to know about the different types of back pain so that you can find the right treatment.
To help you out, we’ve written a guide. Read on if you want to find out more.
Nerve Pain
Those who experience nerve pain in their backs will probably feel intense sensations that radiate or shoot across the back. The pain tends to start at a certain location on the spine and radiates along the path of a particular nerve. A doctor who diagnoses you with nerve pain might call it radicular pain or radiculopathy.
The most common place on the back to experience nerve pain is near the lumbar spine and in the legs. It’s also possible that you’ll feel shooting pain that moves from your cervical spine to your arms and hands.
One common cause of nerve pain is disk herniation, which puts pressure on your nerve roots.
The best way to treat this condition is to eliminate the pressure that’s being placed on the nerve root. Many people choose to get surgery to clear out the part of the disk that is herniated. But most cases get better on their own in a matter of weeks.
If you have chronic nerve pain, consider making use of our top chronic pain management tips.
Muscle and Ligament Sprains and Strains
Chances are that you’ve strained at least one muscle in your body in the past. For example, maybe you’ve overextended your ankle or twisted your wrist.
Strains happen when your muscles or tendons get irritated. Strains are similar, but they involve ligaments, which are strong tissues that hold bones together.
There are many muscles and tendons in the back, so it can often be difficult to pinpoint the exact locations where strains happen.
Two of the largest ligaments in the back are the anterior longitudinal ligament and posterior longitudinal ligament. These don’t get sprained very often. When they do, the condition is often linked to other types of injuries in the spine.
If you feel pain in the muscles in your back that get more intense when you move, it’s likely that you have a muscle strain. Along with using natural treatments for pain management, you should also get plenty of rest, put ice on the parts of your body that hurt, and elevate the affected areas as often as you can.
Bone Spurs and Fractures
The least common reason for back pain is bone pain. If you break a bone in your back, the pain will be so intense that you’ll know that something is wrong.
Those who experience bone pain in their back struggle to find options for relieving back pain. It’s likely that they’ll feel a constant ache that won’t go away.
It’s also common to feel pain in your back if you have osteoporosis. This condition makes people’s bones become weaker and more brittle. Those who have osteoporosis in the spine are more likely to suffer from compression fractures.
Structural Problems in the Back
There are many kinds of structural problems that you can have in the back, which create pain. Since this kind of pain can be so intense, those who have structural problems with their backs are constantly looking for back pain treatment.
If you’ve ruptured a disk, you’ll feel lots of nerve pain. Since the spine’s disks protect bones from rubbing against one another, when you rupture a disk, you’ll feel a sharp pain that often won’t go away.
Those whose spines have abnormal curvatures might also experience back pain symptoms.
Poor Posture and Unnatural Movements
If you work at an office and hunch over when you are working on the computer, it’s possible that you’ll experience back pain from time to time. Therefore, it’s so important to be aware when you are slouching at your desk. When you recognize that you’re doing this, always remember to correct your posture.
Many people who make unnatural movements also develop back pain. If you overstretch while doing your morning yoga, it’s possible that you’ll experience pain in your back. This also happens to people who push, pull, carry, or lift heavy objects.
Inflammatory Back Pain
Inflammatory back pain is less common than other kinds of conditions, and doctors sometimes misdiagnose it. It’s characterized by excessive inflammation in the spinal joints. This inflammation happens because of a secondary condition where the immune system attacks the spine’s joints.
People who suffer from inflammatory back pain are usually under forty years old. The pain will feel most intense early in the morning and at night when you’re about to go to bed. People can often start feeling better by doing gentle exercise and taking anti-inflammatory medications.
Relief From Back Pain Is Within Your Reach
If you’re not sure why your back is bothering you, it’s important to know about all the different types of back pain. Once you know what the cause is, it will be easier for you to get treatment.
You shouldn’t have to live in pain. If you’re experiencing back pain because of an injury, we can help you get better. Please contact us today when you are ready to get started.
