Where does it hurt?

The difference between acute and chronic back pain is time you allow the condition to go untreated. Acute symptoms usually indicate that there is one of many underlying problems waiting for diagnosis. Symptoms range from dull to sharp pains and aches, which may include radiating symptoms, down the arms and legs. Temperature changes in the area of these symptoms may also be experienced. A chronic condition may result in dull and constant pain.

Though pain may decrease or disappear and give a person a false sense of well being, those who have experienced chronic back pain should consult with our physician who will diagnose the condition and prescribe, if necessary, a recommended treatment plan with our team of chiropractors  and massage therapists .

Neck Pain
Pain in the neck should not be left undiagnosed and untreated. Problems in the cervical spine, the first seven bones (vertebrae) in the neck running from the base of the brain to just past the shoulder blades, requires assessment and treatment to prevent permanent damage.

There are two distinct types of cervical pain. The first other involves a dull pain in the neck that radiates down the shoulders and arms. Patients may also notice weakness in the specific muscles in the arms.

A herniated disk, also known as a bulging disc, in the spine pinching a nerve root in the neck often causes this type of neck pain. Discs are found between each vertebrae or bone, in the spinal column. They serve as shock absorbers within the spine and have a gel like center that makes it flexible, allowing the spine to bend and move.

However, because the discs are soft, they can bulge. When this happens, they can place pressure on the spinal cord or irritate one of the nerves leading from the spinal cord out to the arms and upper torso. If the bulge becomes severe, the disc may herniate and push out into the spinal canal. The result can be weakness, tingling, and numbness in the arms and hands. Bulging discs can be caused by injuries like whiplash, stress on the spine, or by arthritis degeneration in the spine.

A second type of neck pain often isn't experienced as pain by patients at all. It usually involves numbness or weakness in arms or hands. In this case there is pressure on the nerves. Because pain is not felt directly in the neck, it is easily misdiagnosed.

Many neck injuries are caused by some sort of accident (whiplash injury) or it maybe caused by overuse such as working at a computer for endless hours.

The patient may experience muscle spasm, neck stiffness, shoulder, arm pain, headache, facial pain and dizziness.

The doctor will review the full medical history and current symptoms. The doctor will perform a full orthopedic and neurological exam and order x-ray, MRI and or CT scan when necessary. The doctor may also seek the opinion of other specialists to reach the proper diagnosis.

When you feel pain, it is really a reaction to signals transmitted throughout your body. These signals are sent from the pain source -- such as a sore back, through the nerves in the spinal cord, and up to the brain, where they are perceived as pain.

There are two different types of pain. The origin of some pain is neuropathic, while other pain is nociceptive. This is important to know because different treatments work better for each type of pain.

Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to nerve tissue. It is often felt as a burning or stabbing pain. One example of neuropathic pain is a "pinched nerve."

Nociceptive pain is caused by an injury or disease outside the nervous system. It is often an ongoing dull ache or pressure, rather than the sharper, trauma-like pain that is characteristic of neuropathic pain. One example of nociceptive pain is arthritis pain.

Some people experience mixed pain, which is a combination of neuropathic and nociceptive pain.

Chronic neck or back pain is commonly described as deep, aching, dull or burning pain in one area of the back or traveling down the legs. Patients may experience numbness, tingling, burning, or a pins-and-needles type sensation in the legs. Regular daily activities may prove difficult or impossible for the chronic back pain patient. They may find it difficult or unbearable to work, for example, even when the job does not require manual labor. Chronic back pain tends to last a long time, and is not relieved by standard types of medical management. It may result from a previous injury long since healed, or it may have an ongoing cause, such as nerve damage or arthritis.

Acute neck or back pain is commonly described as a very sharp pain or a dull ache, usually felt deep in the lower part of the back, and can be more severe in one area, such as the right side, left side, center, or the lower part of the back. Acute pain can be intermittent, but is usually constant, only ranging in severity.

Sometimes, acute pain can be caused by injury or trauma to the back, but just as often has no known cause. Patients with acute back pain, even when it's severe, will typically improve or completely recover within six to eight weeks.

Approximately half of all back pain patients have acute pain caused by trauma. A contusion, torn muscle or strained joint resulting from a back injury can cause acute pain. Patients with any of these conditions typically exhibit pain, muscle spasms, and decreased functional activities. Treatment is short-term and usually successful. With physical therapy, follow-up treatment, and prevention practices, these patients typically return to full functionality in a few weeks. Occasionally, these patients will re-injure themselves and have to return for a short course of treatment. Patients with acute pain occurring more than three times in one year or who experience longer-lasting episodes of neck or back pain that significantly interfere with functional activities (e.g., sleeping, sitting, standing, walking, bending, riding in or driving a car) tend to develop a chronic condition.

Mechanical neck or back pain - a form of acute pain - is aggravated by movement and worsened by coughing. This type of pain is usually alleviated with rest. Mechanical back pain is typical of a herniated disc or stress fracture. For patients with this condition, forward movements of the spine usually cause pain. In addition, posture, coughing, sneezing, and movement can all influence pain coming from the spine.

When acute pain is severe and travels down both legs, it could be caused by lumbar disc disease - the most common cause of true sciatica, another form of acute pain.

Call us now to get in for an immediate appointment at 770-614-6630. Most insurance plans are accepted with no outside referral needed.