Monday, March 25, 2024
HomePopularHow Do You Know If Lower Back Pain Is Muscular

How Do You Know If Lower Back Pain Is Muscular

What Can Cause Lower Back Pain

Low Back & Hip Pain? Is it Nerve, Muscle, or Joint? How to Tell.

Most acute low back pain is mechanical in nature, meaning that there is a disruption in the way the components of the back fit together and move. Some examples of mechanical causes of low back pain include:

Congenital

  • Skeletal irregularities such as scoliosis , lordosis , kyphosis , and other congenital anomalies of the spine.
  • Spina bifida which involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord and/or its protective covering and can cause problems involving malformation of vertebrae and abnormal sensations and even paralysis.

Injuries

  • Sprains , strains , and spasms
  • Traumatic Injury such as from playing sports, car accidents, or a fall that can injure tendons, ligaments, or muscle causing the pain, as well as compress the spine and cause discs to rupture or herniate.

Degenerative problems

  • Intervertebral disc degeneration which occurs when the usually rubbery discs wear down as a normal process of aging and lose their cushioning ability.
  • Spondylosis the general degeneration of the spine associated with normal wear and tear that occurs in the joints, discs, and bones of the spine as people get older.
  • Arthritis or other inflammatory disease in the spine, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as spondylitis, an inflammation of the vertebrae.

Nerve and spinal cord problems

Non-spine sources

Arthritis Pain Or Muscle Pain: How To Tell The Difference

As a Good Samaritan, you helped your neighbour who was moving his couch up to the third floor. The result: your back is throbbing with pain.

Most active people sometimes come up against a few obstacles that can temporarily affect their ability to move and require taking pain medication. A wrong move, a fall or an injury are a few events that can be a source of muscle pain or inflammation. When these events occur, it seems a lot of us line up to read the dizzying selection of product packages on display in the analgesics and anti-inflammatory section at the pharmacy. Faced with such a wide choice of products, it is normal to get confused, especially when we are not exactly certain just what kind of pain is bothering us.

Find Out How To Spot Red Flags That Can Indicate A Serious Condition

In many cases, back pain can be as commonplace as a mild headache, a sneeze here and there, or eye strain. In fact, non-specific low back pain is a frequent ailment. One study reports that the lifetime prevalence of chronic low back pain is as high as 84%, making ones chances of experiencing discomfort at one time or another pretty high.

Here’s how to tell if your back pain may be something serious

Then there are those other times, when the back pain just doesnt feel right and your gut is saying that something more is going on. Many people have been known to go to the emergency room when experiencing low back painin 2012, a study found that low back pain accounted for 3.15% of all emergency visits in the United States. When you consider how many conditions can land someone in the ER, that number is fairly substantial.

Lets say that youre experiencing a significant amount of back pain, wondering, How do I know if my back pain is serious? This guide will help you decide if it warrants a trip to your doctor or the emergency room.

Read Also: Back Pain Cleveland Clinic

Or You Could Be Dying What Are The Odds That Back Pain Is Something Scary

Of course there are cases of low back pain that have alarming causes, but its reassuringly rare. Once in a while back pain is a warning sign of cancer, autoimmune disease, infection, or a handful of other scary culprits.7 Over the age of 55, about one in twenty cases turns out to be a fracture, and one in a hundred is more ominous.8 The further you are from 55, the better your odds.

But how can you tell? It can be tricky. This is a concise, readable guide to symptoms that need better-safe-than-sorry investigation with your doctor. In other words, this article explains the difference between dangerous and just painful as clearly as possible. Tables, checklists, and examples ahead.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Lower Back Pain

7 Simple Ways to Treat a Strained Back Muscle

Lower back pain usually gets better with rest and pain relievers. Back pain that doesnt go away may be a sign of a more serious condition.

See your provider if you have:

  • Pain that doesnt get better after about a week of at-home care.
  • Tingling, numbness, weakness or pain in your buttocks or legs.
  • Severe pain or muscle spasms that interfere with your normal activities.
  • Fever, weight loss, bowel or bladder problems or other unexplained symptoms.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Millions of people live with low back pain. Stiffness, pain and limited movement can have a major impact on quality of life. But you may be able to avoid lower back pain by maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. Talk to your provider if back pain doesnt go away or if youre unable to do the activities you enjoy. Several treatments can relieve pain, help you move better and get more out of life.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2021.

References

Recommended Reading: Exercise For Lower Back Pain Mayo Clinic

Causes Of Muscle Vs Nerve Pain

According to the Cleveland Clinic, musculoskeletal pain is primarily caused by injuries, like car accidents, falls or direct blows to the muscle. It can also be caused by overuse of the muscles and improper alignment or posture.

Nerve pain, or neuralgia, can be caused by chronic diseases like diabetes, chronic kidney disease or infections like herpes zoster or Lyme disease. Trauma can also cause neuralgia, as well as pressure from other parts of the body. These can all result in pain in the nerves.

Medical Conditions That Cause Back Pain

Conditions that can cause back pain include:

  • a slipped disc this can cause back pain and numbness, tingling and weakness in other parts of the body
  • sciatica this can cause pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the lower back, buttocks, legs and feet
  • ankylosing spondylitis this causes pain and stiffness thatâs usually worse in the morning and improves with movement
  • spondylolisthesis this can cause lower back pain and stiffness, as well as numbness and a tingling sensation

These conditions are treated differently to non-specific back pain.

Very rarely, back pain can be a sign of a serious problem such as:

  • a broken bone in the spine
  • an infection
  • some types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma

If you see a GP with back pain, theyâll look for signs of these.

Page last reviewed: 14 January 2020 Next review due: 14 January 2023

Also Check: Advil Vs Ibuprofen For Back Pain

When To See A Healthcare Provider

If your muscle pain is worsening or persistent, itâs important to promptly see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Itâs also important to seek immediate medical attention if you have muscle pain along with any of the following symptoms:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Muscle weakness in the head or neck

How Are Back Injuries Treated

How to treat a pulled muscle in lower back | B Episode 43

Your doctor will examine you to check whether the nerves from your spinal cord are working properly. Make sure you tell them if you have any problems with going to the toilet.

Most minor back injuries get better by themselves within 6 weeks. Usually you will not need any other tests or treatment. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists recommends that an x-ray for low back pain is only needed if you have other significant symptoms such as problems with bladder and bowel control, severe pain or weakness or numbness in one or both legs. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

The most important thing you can do is to continue to stay active. A common myth is that bed rest will cure back pain. In fact, bed rest slows down the recovery period and can add to your pain.

Simple pain relief, such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories, may help. You can talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or call healthdirect for advice on 1800 022 222.

You can help ease injuries to your back by:

  • using cold compresses for 20 minutes at a time every 3 to 4 hours for the first day these will ease pain and swelling
  • using warmth after the first day showers, baths or hot moist towels can help ease pain and help recovery
  • avoiding activities involving bending, lifting and twisting until you feel better

Depending on your job, you may need time off work to allow your back to heal.

Don’t Miss: Is Aleve Good For Lower Back Pain

Forward Head And Neck

If youre wondering what muscles cause neck pain, these are some of the culprits. Forward head posture and shoulders rounded forward are common signs of this set of muscle imbalances.

For every inch your head moves forward out of alignment from your shoulders, your neck effectively carries an additional ten pounds of weight. Forward head and neck postural dysfunction is a frequent cause of neck and upper back pain, not to mention headaches, shoulder pain and more.

Persistent Low Back Pain

Nonspecific low back pain is classed as chronic if it lasts for longer than six weeks. In some people it lasts for months, or even years. Symptoms may be constant. However, the more usual pattern is one in which symptoms follow an irregular course. That is, reasonably long periods of mild or moderate pain may be interrupted by bouts of more severe pain.

You May Like: Will Naproxen Help Back Pain

The Different Types Of Back Pain

Your back is made up of many interconnected and overlapping structures such as spinal nerves, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and large muscles. Back pain is the bodys signal that there is something wrong with one of these parts. Back pain comes in three major types: neuropathic pain, bone and cartilage pain, and muscle and ligament pain.

Symptoms Of Strained Back Muscles

How To Treat a Back Injury

It can be difficult to tell whether your back hurts because of a problem with your muscles or your spine. However, determining which type of pain it is can help your doctor figure out the best way to treat it.

In most cases, back muscle strain can disappear within a few hours to a couple of days. Back pain is also unlikely to cause any long-term problems but you should be wary if the pain continues for over two weeks and is severe enough to disrupt your daily activities. The most common symptoms of a strained back muscles include:

You May Like: How Does A Diuretic Help Back Pain

Is Lower Right Or Left Back Pain Worrisome

Pain on one side of the back is not particularly more worrisome than central pain. There are three main kinds of one-sided back pain:

  • Back pain that could occur on either side, but just happens to be on the right or the left exclusively. This is very common. Most ordinary back pain dominates one side of the back.
  • Back pain that comes specifically from structures that exist only on one side. This is a small category.
  • Most of the anatomy of the low back and abdomen is symmetrical. Some of the guts are not symmetrical, and only some of those is a plausible cause of back pain on one side. Heres some of the key anatomy to consider:

    The side of the pain on its own doesnt tell us much, and most of the one-sided sources of pain are viscera that usually cause abdominal pain instead of back pain, or in addition to it. In other words, the only reason to worry about right or left lower back pain is if it is otherwise worrisome: if you have other red flags or significant non-back symptoms.

    Did you find this article useful? Interesting? Maybe notice how theres not much content like this on the internet? Thats because its crazy hard to make it pay. Please support independent science journalism with a one-time donation or RECURRING donation.

    See the donation page for more information & options.

    Nerve Pain Vs Muscle Pain

    When attempting to diagnose your pain, your doctor will ask when and how your pain began. They’ll also ask you to describe the type of pain you’re experiencing. If the pain started after an injury and it’s a dull ache, it’s likely muscle pain. If your pain seemed to come out of nowhere or it’s been ongoing, and it feels like your skin is on fire, you’re likely experiencing nerve pain.

    If you’re experiencing any kind of pain, you’ll definitely want to contact your doctor. They can help you diagnose the type of pain you’re experiencing and work with you to create a treatment plan. They may prescribe some kind of pain medication or help you design an exercise plan to treat your pain. They may also refer you to a specialist or physical therapist.

    You May Like: Will Aleve Help With Back Pain

    Common Symptoms Of A Pulled Back Muscle

    Symptoms to expect from a pulled lower back muscleor any type of lower back straintypically include:

    • Dull, achy low back pain. Strained muscles usually feel sore, tight, or achy. Pain that feels hot, tingling, or electric is more likely caused by an irritated nerve root, not a pulled muscle.
    • Intensified pain with movement. Low back strain typically worsens with specific movements that activate the affected muscles. For example, there may be a flare-up of pain when getting up from a seated position, when bending forward, or when first getting out of bed in the morning.
    • Pain that is localized in the low back. Pain is usually concentrated in the lower back. It may also be felt in the buttocks and/or hips, as these muscles help support the low back. Rarely does pain travel down the legs and into the calves and feet, as in cases of sciatica.

    The Tricky One: Cancer As A Cause Of Low Back Pain And The Necessity Of Testing Just In Case When The Symptoms Justify It

    Tight Quad Muscles and How They Relate to Low Back Pain?

    Sorry I have to use the C word I know its kind of a bummer. But C happens.

    A few cancers in their early stages can be hard to tell apart from ordinary back pain a bone cancer in the vertebrae, for instance and these create a frustrating diagnostic problem. They are too rare for doctors to inflict cancer testing on every low back pain patient just in case. And yet the possibility cannot be dismissed, either! This is an unsolveable problem.

    Most cancers and ominous problems will inevitably start to cause other, distinctive, ominous symptoms, and it wont be long before someone catches on that theres more going on than just back pain. So it truly is an extraordinary circumstance for back pain to be ominous without causing other symptoms that raise the alarm.

    For example, in 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine reported on a creepy case of slowly growing neurological deficit caused by a very stealthy cancer, which took a lot of diagnostic effort to solve.25shudder So sneaky cancers happen but they are crazy rare.

    This is an unholy combination of factors: the exact same symptoms can have either an extremely rare but serious cause, or an extremely common but harmless cause that can be greatly aggravated by excessive alarm!

    My favourite epitaph: I told you I was sick!

    Also Check: Aleve Or Advil For Lower Back Pain

    Lower Back Pain: What Could It Be

    Do you have lower back pain? You are not alone. Anyone can experience lower back pain at any time, even if you dont have a prior injury or any of the risk factors. It is not always serious and can often get better on its own. But in some cases pain is your bodys way of telling you that something isnt right.

    Learn more about lower back pain and what causes it from rehabilitation physician Akhil Chhatre, M.D., who specializes in back pain in the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

    Can I Prevent Neck And Back Pain

    The following may help to prevent back and neck pain:

    • Practice correct lifting techniques. Donât lift heavy items. When you do lift something, bend your legs, keep your back straight, and then slowly lift your body and the object.
    • Wear a seat belt in motor vehicles in case of a collision.
    • Use telephones, computers, and other equipment correctly.
    • Maintain correct posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping.
    • Exercise regularly. Learn back-strengthening exercises to keep your back and belly muscles strong. Warm up with stretching exercises before doing exercises.
    • Do exercises that improve your balance.
    • Donât smoke.

    You May Like: How Does A Diuretic Help Back Pain

    Also Check: Aleve For Lower Back Pain

    Your Pain Becomes Worse With Certain Movements

    Pulled muscle pain will usually be more intense within the first few hours of sustaining this type of injury. You may also notice pain that gets worse with certain movements. For instance, discomfort may suddenly worsen if you bend, get up from a seated position to a standing position, or even with certain sleeping positions.

    What Can I Do For Low Back Pain At Home

    How to Loosen Tight Back Muscles for Lower Back Pain Relief

    If your lower back pain has just started, the best thing you can do is start a log. Record your symptoms, times, dates and which activities trigger the pain or make it worse or better. Take this information to your family physician if the pain doesnt resolve on its own. It will make diagnosing the cause much easier.

    Once you know which motion or position causes your lower back pain, try to avoid it and see if you get better. Icing the painful spot can also help. And so can over-the-counter pain relievers that help reduce inflammation. Just remember that pain killers treat only the symptom pain and not its cause.

    Don’t Miss: Back Pain Advil

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular