Orthopedics-Online

Symptoms of back pain

introduction

Many people suffer from back pain these days.
However, these are not a clinical picture per se, but the result of another underlying disease, such as a herniated disc or a disease of the spine, or from physical malpositions.
The back pain that occurs is in itself the symptom, but due to the different causes of the back pain, it can also have different characteristics and may be accompanied by other specific symptoms such as a burning sensation.

Read more on the topic:

Pulling in the back
Burning in the lower back

What other symptoms can I experience with back pain?

Most people with back pain report pain in the lower back (lower back pain). However, these are often not limited to the back, but radiate into the buttocks or thighs.

It is not uncommon for other symptoms to occur in parallel or even before the back pain manifests itself, which should be recognized as a warning signal, but are ignored by many because they can be reversed through a certain behavior and are not permanently present. These include symptoms such as:

a general exhaustion
a morning stiffness of the back and other joints
a brief, painful stinging with particularly heavy loads or with certain movements and
a feeling of tension

The symptoms of muscle tension are typical for people with back pain and are a problem mainly because they represent the entry into a difficult-to-break cycle.
The aching muscles mainly trigger two reactions: On the one hand, pain always strains the psyche (back pain and psyche) of those affected, which means that they often move into the so-called "relieving position" (the shoulders are pulled up, the head and upper back are slightly bent forward ), which in turn represents a bad posture and increases the back pain.

On the other hand, chronic pain patients tend to become passive because they are tired and exhausted, often cannot sleep well and feel unable to perform.
This results in a breakdown of muscle tissue, which the body needs to maintain a correct upright posture: tension and pain become worse.

If you don't do anything, the symptoms of back pain will usually get more frequent and intense over time. Sudden shooting extreme pain (lumbago) occurs.

However, pain is usually not the only symptoms that patients have to complain about. Disorders in the area of mobility and sensation can also be an indication of symptoms of back pain that arise when nerves are pinched or damaged, for example due to a herniated disc or bony structures on the spine. Those affected then perceive a feeling in the corresponding extremities that feels similar to when a part of the body "fell asleep"Is, so a tingling sensation that can also be called"Ant running" referred to as. If this persists regularly and occurs during activity, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Apart from these symptoms, pain that is not in the back can also be the result of pathological processes in the spinal column. The so-called sciatic nerve, which is responsible for a large part of the lower body area, can lead to pain when irritated, which is reminiscent of menstrual pain or damage to the ovaries or uterus and is often misinterpreted by patients.

Headaches can also be caused by back pain and are then called tension headaches, which typically have a dull character and radiate from the neck to the back of the head and temples.
Even dizziness can be caused by processes in the spine. When nerves are acutely pinched, severe pain occurs, known as lumbago. This pain is often so acute and stressful for those affected that it literally takes their breath away. So there are breathing difficulties that are so frightening and represent such a serious problem in themselves that the actual pain in the back is sometimes no longer consciously perceived.

Fortunately, most back pain symptoms can be eliminated with simple measures, as they are usually not triggered by serious illnesses, but rather by muscular tension or poor posture.
In many cases, sports, physiotherapy, targeted relaxation techniques such as yoga or autogenic training or simply a proper mattress are enough to make the back pain disappear or at least significantly improve it.

Figure back pain

A - neck pain
B - upper back pain
C - lumbar spine pain
Lumbago (lumbago)
D - lumboglutealgia
(Radiating into the buttocks)
E - Lumboischialgia
(Radiating into the leg)

First cervical vertebra (carrier) -
Atlas
Seventh cervical vertebra -
Vertebra prominent
Trapezius -
Trapezius muscle
Broad back muscle -
Muscle latissimus dorsi
First lumbar vertebra -
Vertebra lumbalis I
Fifth lumbar vertebra -
Vertebra lumbalis V
Sacrum - Sacrum
Tailbone - Os soccygis
Iliac crest -
Iliac crest
Gluteus Middle -
Muscle gluteus medius
Gluteus Muscle -
Muscle gluteus maximus
Big Dresser -
Adductor magnus muscle
Two-headed hamstrings -
Biceps femoris muscle

a - Disc prolapse -
Nucleus pulposus prolapse (from above)
b - vertebral fracture
(Vertebral fracture)
c - spinal osteoarthritis -
(Joint wear)

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

Appointment with a back specialist?

I would be happy to advise you!

Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)

The spine is difficult to treat. On the one hand it is exposed to high mechanical loads, on the other hand it has great mobility.

The treatment of the spine (e.g. herniated disc, facet syndrome, foramen stenosis, etc.) therefore requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of diseases of the spine.
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

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Back pain and nausea

If back pain occurs along with nausea, there can be several causes.
It is often a combination of several factors. This often includes stress and excessive physical exertion. This makes the body more susceptible to infection or other diseases. Symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, for example caused by irritated stomach lining, can often lead to nausea. However, this can also affect the back and lead to pain due to the strain on the body.

Occasionally, inflammation of the pancreas is also the cause of back pain with nausea. This is also known as pancreatitis and often leads to severe complaints that affect digestion.Since some nerves that run along the pancreas also run in the area of the back, this can cause discomfort in both regions. But even if the nerves in the back are irritated, this can lead to nausea and vomiting.

Learn more at:

Inflammation of the pancreas
When abdominal pain and back pain occur together

Back pain with dizziness

It is not uncommon for attacks with dizziness to occur with long-standing back pain. These can often depend on the body position and thus the tension of certain muscles. Often, back pain is caused by tension and hardening of the muscles in the back.

The muscles also play an important role for the body in terms of balance and orientation in space. Through their tension or relaxation, the brain receives information about the current position of the body. If these muscles are now excessively tense, false signals are passed on. As a result, the brain is no longer able to correctly classify the position of the body in space. The balance is upset and the body reacts with dizziness.

Often this is what is known as vertigo. This means that those affected feel as if they are sitting in a carousel. Since different muscles are subjected to greater stress depending on the movement, the occurrence of dizziness is often dependent on different movements.

To relieve these complaints, it is helpful to release the tension in the muscles. Physiotherapy, various relaxation and strengthening exercises, as well as heat compressions can be very helpful for this. If the dizziness persists, an ear, nose and throat doctor should be consulted if necessary.

Back pain and shortness of breath

If you experience shortness of breath while you have back pain, there are various possible causes. Regardless of this, depending on the severity, a doctor should be consulted to alleviate the shortness of breath and clarify the cause.

A herniated disc in the thoracic spine area can lead to breathlessness due to the trapping of nerves running there.
In the so-called angina pectoris, i.e. chest tightness, there is not only a sudden onset of shortness of breath and a tightness in the chest, but also occasional pain in the back area.
Tensioning of the back muscles, especially the auxiliary breathing muscles, can lead to shortness of breath in back pain.

Back pain and diarrhea

Back pain occasionally occurs with diarrhea. Although the two symptoms can be independent of each other, they are often mutually dependent. The nerve tracts that supply the digestive tract and most of them come from the spinal cord are responsible for this. If the bowel is irritated and under stress, diarrhea is common. Due to the close connection of the nerves, this can also affect the back and manifest itself in the form of back pain.

You can also find out more at: diarrhea

Back pain with fever

If back pain occurs together with a fever, there is often an inflammatory reaction in the body. This can arise, for example, directly in the spine through an infection. Bacteria are often responsible for this. This often leads to severe acute pain, which occurs mainly at night or at rest.
In addition, there is often a fever and fatigue. But other infections, such as the stronger flu, can lead to back pain and fever.

You might also be interested in: What are the causes of fever?

Backache and headache

If back pain occurs with a headache, there are several possible connections. If the back pain occurs mainly in the area of the cervical spine, the associated headache can be caused by tension in the muscles in the neck area. This is because the neck has many nerves and muscles that connect the back to the head.

Mental stress can also cause back pain with headaches. Often a so-called tension headache occurs, which is usually perceived as oppressive.

Back pain and abdominal pain

There are many possible explanations for back pain associated with abdominal pain. In women, this may be due to hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy. Gastrointestinal complaints can also be felt in the abdomen and lead to back pain. Inflammation or overloading of the muscles in the lower back can also be painful in the abdomen. The so-called iliopsoas muscle, the strongest hip flexor, plays an important role here.

Back pain during your period

Many women experience back pain during their period. These occur mainly in the lumbar spine area. The reason for this is the release of hormones, the so-called prostaglandins. These primarily have a stimulating effect on the muscles in the uterus. Often, however, there is an excessive production of prostaglandins and this leads to various complaints, including in the back.
In many cases, warm compresses and drinking tea are enough to relieve the pain. If necessary, relaxation exercises can also be helpful.

That might be interesting for you too: Period pain

Back pain from inflammation

In rare cases, back pain can be caused by inflammation directly on the back. Infections, mostly caused by bacteria, are responsible for this. Both the bones and the muscles can be affected. Every now and then the intervertebral discs can become inflamed. This inflammation in the back is usually based on another inflammation in the body. This allows the pathogens in the body to reach the back via the blood and lead to pain there.

These are usually of a very strong character and occur particularly when the back is relieved, i.e. especially at night. Depending on the exact location of the inflammation, pain or paralysis in the muscles of the back can also occur. Often there is also a fever and a feeling of fatigue. See a doctor if these symptoms occur, as inflammation caused by bacterial infection should be treated with antibiotics.

Back pain from the bile?

Occasionally, back pain can be caused by gallbladder problems.
This can be explained by the fact that the internal organs, which are located near the back, can cause pain that radiates into the back. Back pain can also result from complaints of the gallbladder, for example gallstones.

Certain nerves also ensure that the complaints are transmitted to the body surface. Gallbladder problems, for example, often lead to pain in the shoulder and upper back.

also read: These are the signs of gallstones

Back pain and heart attack

If there is acute back pain, it should not automatically be assumed that it is a heart attack. It is usually much more likely that other causes, such as tension or a pinched nerve, are causing the back pain.

In the case of a heart attack, however, it can happen that a strong pain is felt in the back, especially between the shoulder blades. Usually other symptoms, such as shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, occur as well. If a heart attack is suspected, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Find out more at: Symptoms of a heart attack

Back pain and palpitations

When the heart is stabbed, there is a very strong stabbing sensation in the chest. This can arise from a wide variety of causes and is often accompanied by pain in the back and shoulder blades. Occasionally there is also nausea or shortness of breath. Since a heart attack can also be present in addition to more harmless causes, a doctor should be contacted to clarify the cause.