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5 Back Pain Warning Signs

People have been complaining about back pain for as long as there have been people, but most of us think it’s just a natural part of aging or living a sedentary lifestyle. The truth is, back pain has a lot more to do with your own actions than with the situation you are in.

In order to understand why people get back pain, you have to understand the structure of our bones. Our spine is built out of vertebrae that are made of small blocks of bone. Each vertebra is shaped differently and is joined to the next vertebra by a disc, which acts as a shock absorber. The discs are cushioned by a fluid-filled sac called the spinal canal, which is located between the vertebrae. The nerves that run from the spine are contained in tubes called the spinal cord. These nerve tubes are filled with a liquid that allows electrical signals to travel from the brain to the rest of the body.

People get back pain for all kinds of reasons. Some people experience back pain from an injury. Others simply develop muscle strain and discomfort from overexerting themselves physically. And for some people, it’s due to a combination of both. Whatever the cause, many people experience back pain for several reasons. And for many people, back pain is one of the most common and most disabling health issues. But what exactly are the warning signs of back pain?

Here are 5 signs that you may be experiencing back pain:
  1. Numbness
  2. A tingling sensation along the spine
  3. Loss of bladder control
  4. Pain radiating down the leg
  5. Swelling
  1. Numbness

  2. When someone is numb, he or she cannot feel pain, pressure, or temperature. Numbness in your back may not be an immediate sign that you have a serious injury, but it’s still a red flag. It could be caused by many things, including disc damage. There are many reasons why your back might hurt. If you notice that you feel numbness, or you feel a tingling sensation or an electric shock-like feeling in your lower back, that could mean that you have a herniated disc. When you have a herniated disc, it is a very serious condition. It can be painful and cause other health problems. If you suspect that you have a herniated disc, you should visit your Medical professional immediately.

  3. A tingling sensation along the spine

  4. When you notice a tingling sensation along the spine you should see it as a warning sign that you should pay attention to. It can indicate that something serious is wrong. People with back pain often feel a tingling sensation along the spine, particularly when they lie down, sit, or get up from sitting.

  5. Loss of bladder control

  6. Loss of bladder control could be one of the warning signs of a back problem that needs immediate medical attention, people who suffer from back pain should always be checked by their medical professional. It’s not uncommon for some people to have back problem and not have any symptoms. When you experience loss of bladder control, remember that your back might be the problem area. If you’re someone who must go to the bathroom several times a day, or suddenly must go more frequently than normal, you should pay attention to these symptoms.

  7. Pain radiating down the leg

  8. Pain radiating down the leg or into the foot or ankle is the most common symptom of back problems. If the pain occurs at night, or after exercise, or while sleeping, it could be due to muscle strain or sprain. A warning sign for back pain is the presence of pain radiating down the leg. A classic example of this is sciatica. Pain radiates down the leg because there is a pinching nerve between the lower spine and the hip. In this case, pain radiates down the leg because of a pinched sciatic nerve. When a nerve is pressed due to whatever reason, the nerve will tell the brain that pressure has been applied to the nerve, thus creating pain radiating down a limb. This will be accompanied by tingling and numbness in the limb.

  9. Swelling

  10. If you think you might have a problem with your back, then take note of the swelling because it’s a very good indicator of what’s going on. It’s a sign that the disc in your lower back is getting compressed and irritated. Swelling is a key indicator of inflammation, which is a very common cause of back pain. Inflammation occurs when cells and tissue become damaged and start producing enzymes to help the healing process. As long as you don’t have any signs of inflammation, the swelling will subside within a day or two. If you notice a large, tender knot in your lower back, that’s a good indicator that inflammation is likely causing the swelling.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, you must never ignore or discount the back pain warning signs. If you have back pain, the warning signs might include pain in your arms, legs, or shoulders. You might be experiencing it at night or during the day. If you notice any of these warning signs, seek a medical attention right away. Pain can be a symptom of many conditions, but it can also be a symptom of something much more serious.

    Pain is an incredibly complex neurological issue that we still have a lot to learn about. It’s important to have a basic understanding of what are the early warning signs so you can take appropriate measures to avoid it. Even after a thorough evaluation, there could be other underlying signs. Back pain can be the result of many factors, including muscle spasm, arthritis, stress, tension, poor posture, injury, nerve damage, infection, and structural issues. So it’s important to seek a medical opinion and follow up with treatment if you suspect that your back pain is due to something more serious.

    Get started for self-help pain management at https://www.ptx.co.za

    Ryk Eksteen is an experienced and qualified physiotherapist with practices in Pretoria area of South Africa doing what he passionately love most, helping patients relieving pain and regaining their lives.

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