Understanding Different Types of Back Pain

Seeking a solution for chronic back pain? Most of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our lives. It’s essential to remember that the intensity of pain varies from person to person.

For instance, both patients may be diagnosed with a herniated disc, but only one is complaining of excruciating back pain. So your pain, no matter how mild or severe, is valid. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Your back is filled with interconnected and overlapping structures, including the spinal nerves, large muscles, facet joints, and intervertebral discs. Injury to any of these structures can produce back pain. The location of pain and how you describe it are crucial in determining its classification.

Here are the three common types of back pain according to Dubai physiotherapy experts:

1. Axial Pain

The most common type of low back pain, axial pain, can range from mild to severe and can be sharp or dull, occurring intermittently or constantly. The pain is confined to the lower back and does not travel to the legs, feet, buttocks, or other areas of the body. The symptoms are often self-limited and resolve with time. Physical therapy may be recommended for lower back pain.

Also called mechanical pain, axial pain is characterised by low back pain that worsens with certain activities (such as playing volleyball or jogging) and positions (sitting or standing for extended periods), and pain that is relieved by rest. The anatomical structures associated with axial pain include facet joint problems, degenerated discs, and soft tissue damage.

2. Referred Pain

Referred pain is defined as “pain that is felt in an area at some distance from its cause”. For instance, low back pain can sometimes radiate to the buttocks, groin, and upper thigh. The pain tends to be dull, achy and moves around. This is due to the interconnection of sensory nerves that supply the tissues of the pelvis, thigh, and lower back.

Similar to axial pain, referred pain can be treated with non-surgical care. It can be through a short period of rest, physical therapy in Dubai, active exercise, stretching, ice packs, hot pads, and appropriate medications. However, a physician first needs to rule out any serious underlying medical condition (e.g. kidney stones or prostate problems) as the cause of low back pain.

3. Radicular Pain

This type of pain occurs when a spinal nerve root becomes inflamed or compressed. It is described as searing or electric-shock-like pain. This is because the pain travels the path of the spinal nerve and exits the spinal canal. If the compressed nerve root is in the lumbar spine, which is in the lower back, the pain may travel to the leg.

When pain is accompanied by neurological deficits, such as weakness and/or numbness, it is called radiculopathy. It can be caused by spinal stenosis or a herniated disc. Radicular pain and radiculopathy can occur together, and initial nonsurgical treatments are often the same.

The underlying cause of your back pain is hard to identify on your own. It’s always best to consult a physician who can accurately diagnose your symptoms and determine the underlying cause. If you have pain that isn’t going away, our team at Scandinavian Physiotherapy Center can help design a treatment plan for you. Call us at +971 4 551 6126 today!