Table of Contents
The last National Health Interview Survey found that 39% of U.S. adults experienced back pain in the prior three months, making it the most common site for pain. The data analyzed also found that 8.2% of U.S. adults live with chronic severe back pain that interferes with their ability to work and maintain a lifestyle. The three main types of back pain are referred back pain, axial back pain, and radicular back pain.
Primary Types of Back Pain
People experience back pain differently depending on their location. There are three main types of back pain.
Referred pain
Referred pain originates in one part of the body but is perceived in another. For example, when an inflamed organ in the pelvis or abdomen causes pain in the back, it is back referred to as pain. Conditions like lung disease or an aortic aneurysm may cause back pain. Lumbar spine diseases like spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis can cause pain in the abdomen, groin, buttocks, thigh or leg.
Back pain that moves around is usually referred to as pain. The body has a complex network of nerves, and pain signals can travel anywhere in the network and do not necessarily follow a pattern. In addition, some visceral (internal) organs share nerve pathways with the back. The pain may be dull, aching, or diffuse, and there is no pattern. Besides conditions affecting internal organs, causes include spinal degeneration and muscle trigger points.
Axial pain
Axial pain is also called mechanical pain. It is pain that is localized to the central axis of the body. This means it is normal a pain in the spine, including the lower back. Axial pain is commonly associated with conditions like ankylosing spondylitis. The pain does not radiate outwards. A common symptom of axial pain is morning stiffness in the spine that improves through movement.
Axial pain can be sharp or dull, but it may fluctuate in intensity when doing some activities. The causes include degenerative disc disease, muscle strains or sprains, and facet joint dysfunction.
Radicular pain
Radicular pain is related to nerves. Pain radiates from the spine to other parts of the body when a spinal nerve root is compressed, inflamed or damaged. The pain signals can radiate along a nerve path, frequently into the legs. Some of the typical causes of nerve issues include herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and nerve root compression due to bone spurs or tumors.
Tips for Managing Back Pain
There is a difference between nerve pain and muscle pain in the back. Nerve pain in the back is caused by irritation, compression, or nerve damage from a herniated disc or sciatica. Muscle pain develops from overuse, strain, or injury to back muscles.
Nerve pain may radiate, while muscle pain is usually localized. Nerve irritations or damage can cause a weakness in an affected area, like a leg or foot, loss of sensation or discomfort that worsens when moving. Muscle pain is marked by stiffness, swelling or spasms.
Following are some tips for managing back pain, no matter the source of the pain.
- Maintain good posture when sitting and standing
- Follow an exercise program that involves doing regular light exercises like walking, stretching muscles and strengthening core muscles
- For muscle pain, rest the muscle and apply ice and heat
- Take over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications
- Lift items correctly, engaging the leg muscles instead of the back muscles
- If overweight, lose some weight to reduce the load on the spine
- Get physical therapy for chronic back pain
- Manage stress because stress can impact nerves and muscles due to increased tension
Consult a Doctor When Back Pain Persists
If back pain develops suddenly or is persistent despite home therapies, it is essential to see a pain doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. A doctor can perform a physical examination and conduct various tests, like X-rays and MRIs. It is often impossible for someone to know what is causing the pain because it may be radiating or referred pain. Even if it is axial pain, it will take diagnostic testing to determine if persistent pain is caused by a muscle strain, sprain, spinal condition, or disease.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db415-h.pdf
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/research-results/us-national-survey-identifies-associations-between-chronic-severe-back-pain-and-disability
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538173/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10338069/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8612900/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10126028/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/