Back Pain Symptoms Could Signal Nerve Damage Or Other Problems
When you have back pain, it is really a reaction to signals transmitted throughout your body. These signals are sent from the source of pain source such as a sore back, through the nerves in the spinal cord, and up to the brain, where they are perceived as pain.
When you experience back pain symptoms, you should never turn a blind eye towards them. Most people don’t know that low back pain, specifically, is the leading cause of disability in people under 45. However, whether it’s low back pain, or any other pain associated with the back, you should have a specialist examine you immediately to ensure that you aren’t getting worse, for the pain may be an indicator of worse things to come.
See Your Doctor Immediately
Experts suggest that you see your doctor immediately if you experience the following back pain symptoms, which could indicate some underlying condition. For example, if your back pain gets worse when you cough or sneeze, if you experience numbness down either or both legs, if your back pain symptoms keep you from getting a good night’s sleep, or if your back pain causes you to urinate or make a bowel movement, you should definitely see a specialist right away as these are not symptoms of normal back pain.
If you are experiencing one or more of the above listed symptoms, this could indicate that you are experiencing nerve damage. However, if you are experiencing nerve damage, only a doctor or back specialist will be able to determine the true cause. If you are diagnosed with nerve damage, you may be eligible for surgery or some other procedure, but that, too, will only be determined by a back specialist.
Different Types of Pain
Nociceptive pain is caused by an injury or disease outside the nervous system. It is often an ongoing dull ache or pressure, rather than the sharper, trauma-like pain that is characteristic of neuropathic pain. One example of nociceptive pain is arthritis pain.
The origin of some pain is neuropathic, while other pain is nociceptive. This is important to know because different treatments work better for each type of pain.
Some people experience mixed pain, which is a combination of neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
What Caused Your Back Pain?
When you first experience back pain, think back to what you may have done to cause it. If you recently worked out, for instance, you may have just pulled a muscle that will go away in a couple of days. If you recently moved furniture, or exerted your body in any way, your back pain symptoms may be normal. Wait to see if it goes away in a few days or try a muscle cream such as those sold in your local drug store. If it doesn’t recede, however, and it lasts longer than a week or more, then it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor or a chiropractor.
Back pain symptoms can make any movement or activity almost impossible. For this reason, you want to be especially perceptive to any back pain. If you recently did something that pulled a muscle, it might be nothing to worry about. Chronic back pain and back pain symptoms that seriously hinder most activities, however, are nothing to ignore, not if you don’t want to be one of those who are disabled because they ignored their back pain symptoms.
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