Different Types of Back Pain

Back pain is a fairly common medical condition, with most people, have experienced it at some point in their life. There are different types of back pain, and knowing what kind of pain you have developed can help your chiropractor better diagnose and treat you for it.

Acute vs. Chronic Pain

Acute pain comes in short, searing bursts and is usually short-term. Chronic pain is a long-term condition that can persist for weeks, months or even years. Chronic pain can either be sharp or dull.

The Three Classifications

There are three classifications that help describe the symptoms of your back:

• Axial pain (also known as mechanic pain) is often related to muscle strain. This condition can be dull or sharp.
• Referred pain is dull and achy, and it typically affects the lower back, hips, and thighs. Referred pain could be caused by degenerative disc disease.
• Radicular pain comes as a searing sensation pain and usually follows the path of a nerve. Radicular pain is caused by inflammation, compression or damage to a spinal nerve root.

Location of Back Pain

Back pain can also be divided into different areas of the back. There is a cervical pain (affecting the neck), thoracic pain (which causes upper back pain) and lumbar pain (which causes lower back pain). Because the lower back supports more of the body's weight, it is more susceptible to disease or injury. Lower back pain right side or lower back pain left side are common conditions for those with back problems.

Causes of Back Pain

This condition could be caused by neuropathy, degenerative spinal disease, injury, herniated discs, tumors, arthritis, osteoporosis, ureteral colic, abdominal aortic aneurysm. Any pain the touches the spinal cord, nerve roots, back muscles, tendons, or blood vessels can cause pain in the back.

Finding a Chiropractor Atlanta

Senft Chiropractic is a healthcare center serving the area of Atlanta. We can help you recover from back pain through a variety of treatment methods, from massage therapy to stretches for lower back pain. Call us at 404-633-6787 for more information.