Are you experiencing persistent discomfort in your back that seems to radiate down your legs or arms? You might be dealing with nerve root pain in your back.
Understanding the symptoms and causes is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective treatment. Here’s a detailed guide on how to recognise and address nerve pain in your back.
Understanding Nerve Pain in the Back
Nerve pain in the back, commonly known as radiculopathy, occurs when a spinal nerve gets compressed, leading to discomfort that can appear in your back or neck, and extend to other parts of the body, such as the shoulders, arms, or legs.
Radiculopathy can affected nerve roots in anu of the three regions of the back, and there are three types of radicular pain, based on the three main regions of the back. Namely, they are cervical radiculopathy (affecting the cervical spine nerves), thoracic radiculopathy (affecting the nerves in the thoracic spine) and lumbar radiculopathy (affecting the lumbar nerves).
This condition often emerges due to various factors such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, muscle-related issues, or compression of the spine.
Recognising the Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
Some of the most notable ways to recognise this type of spine problem include symptoms such as:
- Radiating pain. Typically, nerve pain in the back exhibits a type of pain that may originate in one of the back regions but can be felt in the limbs, for example.
- Intense discomfort or back pain in the lower back that causes walking difficulties and leg pain. The pain associated with a pinched nerve in the lower back, most commonly the sciatic nerve (which leads to sciatica), can be excruciating, potentially making it difficult to stand or walk.
- Sensations of tingling or numbness. A sensation of prickling or tingling that runs down the back or limbs might be experienced.
- Potential bladder or bowel control issues. Severe cases of nerve compression might affect one’s ability to control the bladder or bowels.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
For a precise diagnosis, seeking medical advice is crucial. This usually involves a physical examination and, in some cases, imaging tests like MRI scans to confirm the condition.
When it comes to treatment, common options include:
- Pain medications that offer temporary pain relief.
- Physical therapy to help in the remobilisation of the spine.
- Pain relievers in the form of injections targeting the affected area to provide temporary relief.
- Surgical options to be considered only in extreme cases or as a last resort.
Alternative Solutions for Nerve Pain in Your Back
If conventional treatment options do not resonate with you, exploring alternative, non-invasive therapies could be beneficial. Among these, spinal decompression therapy can prove highly beneficial for individuals suffering from a compressed nerve.
A great way to decompress the spine and release any pinched nerve is through performing a series of simple exercises with the Backrack.
Backrack Spinal Decompression Device
Author: Spinal Backrack
