A majority of Americans suffer back pain at some point or another during their lifetime. Yet, nine out of ten patients never know the primary cause. This is because they've become so conditioned to suffering pain, they've stopped looking for solutions.
Not only can this put a serious damper on their lifestyle, but it can be incredibly dangerous. When your body is in pain, it's trying to tell you something. Pain is indicative of an underlying problem. While your lower back can hurt, that's simply a symptom - not a cause.
Before you slap on another pain patch or gulp another pain medication, stop to ask yourself, "Is my pain a symptom of something serious?"
Listening to Your Body's Messages
Though we might not always listen, our bodies do their best to let us know when something is wrong. Typically pain is a very general term for the discomfort we can experience, including:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Stabbing Pain
- Throbbing Pain
- Radiating Pain
- Burning Pain
While these sensations can occur simultaneously or vary throughout the day, they can be indicative of a variety of issues that need to be addressed to prevent further damage.
Interpreting Pain Sensations
When something is wrong in our body, the way our brain interprets pain can vary dependent on the issue. The above list is reflective of the various sensations one could experience when suffering from back or neck pain. Now, let's dive into what some of them could possibly mean.
Tingling Pain and Numbness
Tingling pain is typically reflective of nerve pain. Tingling is a sensation that many of us temporarily experience. We normally refer to it as "pins and needles." This is the sensation we feel if we have our legs crossed for too long, or rest too much pressure on our hands or feet. However, sometimes this effect occurs even we are not physically placing pressure on the nerves.
In this case, pressure on the nerves indicates that something within your body is out of place or damaged, and is causing the pain.
Tingling Pain and Numbness is a Symptom of:
- Herniated Disc
- Slipped or Bulging Disc
- Pinched Nerve
- Subluxation of the Vertebrae
- Spondylolisthesis (Displacement of vertebra onto the vertebrae below it)
- Sciatica
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathy
Stabbing Pain
Sharp, stabbing pain is often caused by a mechanical problem within the back. This refers to a problem within the components of the back that aid in movement, such as the bones, discs, ligaments, or muscles of the back.
Stabbing Pain is a Symptom of:
- Muscle Spasms
- Herniated Disc
- Compression Fracture
- Osteomyelitis (Infection of the vertebrae)
- Ruptured Artery
- Kidney Infection
Throbbing Pain
Throbbing pain sometimes feels like it mimics that constant rhythm of our heartbeats - but with pain, instead of rhythmic beats. Throbbing pain is very common in those who have suffered injuries or have existing conditions. When these are left untreated, you pay a high cost - physically and financially.
Throbbing Pain is a Symptom of:
- Overuse or Overexertion
- Untreated Sports or Car Accident Injuries
- Poor Posture
- Muscle Weakness
- Muscle Strain or Sprain
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Subluxation of the Vertebrae
Radiating Pain
Radiating pain can make enjoying every day life difficult. Pain can begin at the base of skull, and radiate down to the coccyx. No matter the direction, radiating pain is hard to self diagnose. Radiating pain requires medical imaging and testing to determine its source, to properly treat the underlying cause.
Radiating Pain is a Symptom of:
- Compressed Nerves
- Bone Spurs
- Spinal Stenosis
- Radiculopathy
- Sciatica
- Spondylosis (degenerative osteoarthritis of the spinal joints)
Burning Pain
It can seem impossible to get comfortable with burning pain. Feeling a hot, fiery sensation deep in the muscles or between vertebrae is not something you should ice and hope it goes away. When burning pain persists, it can be a sign that something is wrong within the spine.
Burning Pain is a Symptom of:
- Sciatica
- Fibromyaglia
- Slipped or Bulging Disc
- Neuropathy
- Spondylosis
- Herniated Disc
- Strained or Sprained Muscle
- Inflamed Joints
When your body tries to talk to you, listen. At ChiroCare of Florida we care for your health and wellness. Contact us today for the peace of mind and security that your pain symptoms are not indicative of a serious problem.
