Is My Back Pain Serious? Check How, Its Cause, Type, Tests
Have you ever felt pricking pain in your back, which has started affecting your lifestyle? There could be many possible reasons for the same. Pain in the back has become extremely common these days. Regardless of the type, the condition may be annoying and intrude on your daily habits. As per studies, back pain is the second most common reason people visit their healthcare providers. While many people overlook the cause of pain, it adds insult to injury, transforming it into a more serious form.
It is vital to learn about the causes of the back pain and find the treatment to improve your quality of life.
What are the Different Types of Back Pain?
The different types of back pain are characterised by their distribution location and the symptoms causing the condition. In general, back pain has three major classifications.
Axial Pain
Axial pain or mechanical pain is confined to one region only. It may be described in several ways, including sharp or dull. This kind of pain appears and disappears. It may be constant or throbbing. The most common cause of axial pain is muscle strain. Other causes of this type of pain include facet joints and annular tears in the disc.
Referred Pain
This kind of pain is defined as dull and achy. It tends to move around and vary in terms of intensity. The most common type of referred pain is the one caused by a degenerative disc. It may further spread to the hips and posterior thighs.
Radicular Pain
Radicular pain is commonly described as electric shock-like pain. This kind of pain follows the path of the spinal nerve as it exits the spinal canal. It is caused by compression or inflammation of the spinal nerve root. After developing in the lower back, it may travel to the leg and lead to extreme discomfort. This type of pain is also called radiculopathy or sciatica. It may be caused because of several conditions, including herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis.
What are the Causes of Back Pain?
Back pain may result from many factors, including injuries, conditions, diseases, and lifestyle habits.
Sprains and Strains
Back sprains and strains are the most common cause of back pain. You may injure your ligaments, muscles, and tendons by lifting heavy objects or not focusing on form during exercise. Some people strain their back by twisting, sleeping in the wrong position, coughing, sneezing, and more.
Fractures
The bones in your spine may break during emergencies like accidents or falls. These events may lead to fractures, thereby causing back pain.
Disc Problems
Discs cushion your small spinal bones and may bulge from their position in the spine and press on a nerve. They may also tear. As you age, discs may get flatter and offer less protection.
Structural Problems
A condition known as spinal stenosis leads to immense back pain. It is caused when the spinal column is too narrow for the spinal cord. Something pinching the spinal cord may lead to severe nerve pain and lower back pain.
Arthritis
Back pain may also be the result of arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis leads to intense lower back pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the spine.
Illness
Several types of infections, spine tumours, and cancers may also lead to immense back pain. Other diseases or health conditions leading to back pain include kidney stones, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and spondylolisthesis.
What Tests are Used to Diagnose Back Pain?
Upon experiencing extreme pain in the back, it is advised to schedule an appointment with your doctor. As different conditions may lead to this discomfort, the doctor will take a thorough medical history as a part of examining your back pain.
The following examinations will be recommended:
The doctor will give you a thorough physical examination to check for signs of nerve damage while you walk on heels, toes, and soles of your feet. They will also ask you to elevate one leg at a time while you lie flat. They will test the sensation using a pin, paper clip, etc., to assess the sensation in your legs and back.
If a physical examination fails to find the cause of the back pain, they may recommend an imaging test, including an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. As plain X-rays are not considered useful in evaluating the condition, they may be done with a CT scan.
The doctor will also suggest an electromyogram or EMG test, which involves placing tiny needles into the muscles. Electrical activity is monitored throughout the test. This test helps the doctor distinguish between nerve root disease and muscle disease.
Takeaway
If you feel any strain or stress in your back, visit your doctor to diagnose your condition. Depending on the test result, they will recommend a suitable treatment.