75-85% of the people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Understanding the symptoms associated with different types of back pain can help us seek treatment at the right time. There are many people who just ignore their back pain thinking that it’ll go away. However, this is not how we should treat back pain.There are various indicators of back pain and some of them are quite similar. A careful analysis of the symptoms that you are experiencing can help you understand the type of backache you are suffering from.
Let’s look at some of the back problems and their symptoms.
Spinal Stenosis Symptoms
Spinal stenosis is caused due to narrowing down of your spinal canal. This puts a lot of stress on your spinal cord and results in sharp pain. Symptoms associated with spinal stenosis can gradually get from bad to worse. In some people, symptoms come and go as they walk, sit or move around.
The symptoms associated with spinal stenosis include:
• Lower back pain accompanied by sciatica pain or leg pain.
• Feeling of numbness and weakness in one or both the legs.
• Pain travels down to the foot and one might have trouble walking.
• There is pain in the neck, arms, back, hand and shoulder while moving them.
• Weakness, numbness and cramping in the arms.
• Bowel and bladder activities are also affected.
Those experiencing these symptoms should immediately consult a doctor.
Back Pain Due To Pressure On the Sciatic Nerve
When there is pressure on the sciatic nerve due to a herniated disk or some other condition, one usually experiences back pain. The symptoms of back pain associated with the sciatic nerve are as follows:
• Mild pain in some part of the leg or hip which might be accompanied by a tingling sensation in the hip or leg.
• Sharp and severe pain traveling to the lower part of the leg. You might experience a feeling of numbness in certain parts of the leg.
• Localized back pain that radiates down in both the legs.
• The pain gets worse due to sitting or standing for a long period of time.
Chronic Back Pain
Occurrence of chronic back pain is quite common. According to statistics, nearly half the American population suffers from chronic pain. Understanding the symptoms associated with chronic back pain can help us treat backache on time and prevent further damage.
• Having trouble sleeping due to the pain.
• Coughing and sneezing causes pain to become unbearable
• The pain interferes with the bowel and bladder activity.
• The pain causes numbness in your legs.
• Inability to control your urination due to pain.
• Inability to lift any weight.
• Pain or stiffness in the neck, hips or spine that is persistent.
Symptoms Of Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain can be experienced in the upper back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Upper back trouble could be caused due to wrong posture, disc injuries, excessive exercise, no exercise or improper muscular movements.
Symptoms associated with upper back pain include:
• Acute or chronic pain
• Sudden weakness which might make it hard for the person to stand properly or lift any weight.
• Bowel problems
• Pain accompanied by fever and weight loss.
• Stiffness in the muscles after waking up in the morning.
• Numbness
• Feeling of sudden tightness in your neck, arms, back or legs
Back pain should not be neglected because if left untreated it can get worse. It can also indicate some other serious condition. So it is always better to consult a doctor for your back pain.