|  | Conditions Treatments | Back Pain

Differences Between an Injured Back and Back Pain

The difference between chronic back pain and symptoms of an injured back can largely be determined by the type and origin of the pain you are experiencing. Burning or stabbing pain, as experienced with a pinched nerve, is defined as neuropathic pain and is usually the result of damaged nerve tissue. Pain that is a result of injury or disease usually presents as a dull ache or pressure sensation, is ongoing, and falls under the category of nociceptive pain, meaning pain that occurs as a result of tissue injury in the bones, muscles or joints.

  1. Chronic Pain

    • Symptoms of back pain are diverse, and the location as well as the type of pain you are experiencing greatly determines the underlying cause. For example, chronic burning pain (neuropathic) that is accompanied by numbness, tingling and a pins-and-needles sensation in the legs is usually indicative of nerve damage. Arthritis is a non-injury form of back pain that is also chronic and is an example of nociceptive pain.

    Acute Pain

    • Located usually in the lower back, acute pain is often displayed as a very sharp pain or deep dull ache. It is not uncommon for acute pain to be felt more severely on one side or the other. This type of pain is usually a result of an injury or trauma such as a torn muscle or strained joint and is constant, with a range or spikes of severity.

    Mechanical Pain

    • Rest alleviates mechanical pain

      Acute pain that worsens with movement or coughing is called mechanical pain. It is the type of pain that is reported with a herniated disc or a stress fracture. If you have trouble bending forward or changing position, or experience pain with sneezing or coughing, it may be the result of an injured disc in the lower back area. Mechanical pain is usually reduced with rest.

    Diagnosing Back Pain

    • Diagnostic Tests May Be Necessary

      To get a proper diagnosis and treatment protocol, your physician may request further diagnostic testing. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is considered to be the most useful test available for diagnosing spinal problems. Other tests used to diagnose back issues include X-ray, CAT scan, myelogram and bone scan. If a ruptured disc or nerve damage is suspected, your physician is likely to order a myelogram test, where a dye is injected into the spinal canal, allowing the technician to see nerve root damage.

    Treatment and Therapy

    • According to information provided by the Mayo Clinic, most back pain improves with a few weeks of rest and home treatment. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, such as ibuprofen or naproxin. Physical therapy involving heat, ice, electrical stimulation and targeted stretching may also relieve back pain. Cortisone injections are another form of treatment that may be necessary to find pain relief. Only in the most extreme cases is surgery required for back pain or healing of back injury.

Back Pain - Related Articles