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How do I know if back pain is muscle or bone?
It can be difficult to differentiate between bone and muscle pain, because they affect similar parts of the body. The pain may also be similar in intensity. However, in general, bone pain feels sharper, deeper, and more debilitating than muscle pain. Bone pain may also last longer than muscle pain and require greater medical attention.
In contrast, muscle pain feels more “generalized,” and its exact location is difficult to pinpoint. People should visit a specialist if the pain is unbearable, or if it lasts longer than 48 hours. Doctors who specialize in the musculoskeletal system are called orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons, Keep reading to learn more about the various causes of bone and muscle pain.
The following are some potential causes of bone pain. Osteoporosis, like the name suggests, is a disease of “porous bones.” It is more common in older adults, resulting from a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D. Other causes include hyperthyroidism, menopause, and a family history of osteoporosis.
- However, it is important to note that osteoporosis is not painful until it causes a collapsed vertebrae, or a fracture.
- Osteoporosis makes the bones thin, weak, and brittle.
- This increases the risk of bone injuries.
- The International Osteoporosis Foundation say that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will experience a broken bone because of osteoporosis.
Most people do not show symptoms, making osteoporosis a “silent disease.” Watch out for early signs such as:
severe back painloss of heighta stooped or hunched posturea bone injury caused by minor falls or bruising
Osteoporosis is treatable if a doctor diagnoses it early. Treatment includes medicines that slow down bone loss and support bone growth. This may be accompanied by nutritional supplements, exercise, and a balanced diet. A bone injury can result in partial or complete breaking of the bone.
trauma that results from a road accident, a hard fall, or a sports injuryosteoporosisbone stress caused by muscle overuse (called a stress fracture)
Symptoms of a fracture include:
intense sharp pain at the site of injuryan inability to move the injured areabruisingdeformity (a limb that looks out of place or protrudes from the skin)
The doctor will do an X-ray to confirm if a bone is broken. Treatment for a fracture includes cast immobilization, where the injured site is wrapped with a plaster or fiberglass cast. This helps the bone heal, which could take several weeks. Some people may require invasive surgery to internally adjust the bone fragments.
osteosarcoma non-Hodgkin lymphoma multiple myeloma chondrosarcoma giant cell tumor of the bone
Bone cancer is rarely seen in adults. According to the American Cancer Society, osteosarcoma is more common in younger people between the ages of 10 and 30. Just over 10% of cases are seen in people in their 60s and 70s. Some people develop bone cancer due to hereditary conditions.
pain that feels like a dull, deep ache in a bone or bone region (arms, legs, back, ribs, or pelvis)swelling or inflammation, as if a mass or lump is presentsudden and unexplained weight lossfatigue, especially as the cancer begins to spread
Surgery is the usual treatment of choice for bone cancer, where the doctor removes the entire tumor. Other types of bone cancer may require a combination of treatments that include chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy. Learn more about bone cancer here.
- Muscle pain is more common than bone pain, but its cause may not always be clear.
- Also called myalgia, muscle aches and pains can involve the joints, ligaments, tendons, and the soft tissues that connect these with bones and organs.
- Muscle injuries are common in athletes and people involved in high demand sports.
Research shows that muscle injuries make up 10–55% of all acute sports injuries. A muscle can be injured as a result of the impact from a fall, or from an external force such as a sports tackle, or road accident. Muscles can also get stretched — what most people call a muscle strain,
stinging pain at the site of injury, which may become duller with timesorenessinflammation or swellingrednessreduced movement of the affected area
A muscle injury is diagnosed by physical examination, and may require imaging tests such as an ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Treatment for muscle injuries involves heat or cold therapy to soothe the affected muscle, light stretches if the pain is tolerable, over-the-counter pain relievers, and rest.
Fibromyalgia is an increasingly common type of muscle pain that causes widespread intense pain across the body. It also affects a person’s sleeping habits, and is known to cause mental and emotional distress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia affects over 4 million adults in the United States, which is about 2% of the adult population.
Most people are diagnosed during middle age. People with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. Other factors that increase a person’s risk are obesity, a family history of fibromyalgia, and certain viral infections.
body pain that lasts more than 3 monthsfrequent fatigue and tirednessanxietydepressionsleep problemsheadaches and migrainestingling feeling in the hands or feet
Fibromyalgia is treated with a combination of prescription medicines and pain relievers, muscle strengthening exercises, and stress management activities such as yoga, massages, and meditation. These are a group of diseases that cause long-term muscle inflammation, weakness, and pain.
So far, researchers have identified four myopathies: polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis, and necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. Although their names may seem confusing, all the inflammatory myopathies are a kind of autoimmune disease, An autoimmune disease occurs when a person’s immune cells (that are supposed to fight infections) begin to attack the body’s own tissues, muscle fibers, and blood vessels.
This leads to symptoms such as:
muscle weaknessfatigue or tiredness after standing or walkingmuscles that feel tender to touchmuscle pain
There is currently no known cure for inflammatory myopathies, but some treatments may help to reduce symptoms. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommend physical therapy, exercise, medication, heat therapy, and rest, to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Learn more about myalgia, or muscle aches, here. It is best to consult a doctor if the pain lasts longer than 48 hours, or if it interferes with daily life. Contact a doctor immediately if the pain is unbearable, if a limb looks odd or out of place, or if fever accompanies the pain. Several short-term and chronic conditions can cause muscle pain and bone pain.
Many of these conditions can be treated with simple over-the-counter medicines, heat therapy, and rest. However, some may require urgent medical attention. It is important to closely observe symptoms over a 24–48-hour period. If the pain persists, contact a doctor.
What type of back pain should I be worried about?
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from 111 if: – You have back pain and:
a high temperatureyou’ve lost weight without trying tothere’s a lump or swelling in your back or your back has changed shapethe pain does not improve after resting or is worse at nightthe pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooingthe pain is coming from the top of your back (between your shoulders), rather than your lower back
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online,
How long does it take for a back strain to heal?
Recovery and Outcome – Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.
What kind of back pain should I see a doctor for?
Other Causes – Back pain can indicate the presence of serious conditions in special cases. The AAOS website instructs you to consult your primary care physician if you have lower back pain that doesn’t go away, or if you an arterial or vascular disease.
When should you not ignore back pain?
6 Back Symptoms You Should Never Ignore Silver Spring, Maryland (MD), Holy Cross Hospital 03/05/2019 Back pain is one of the most common conditions in America. Experts estimate that up to 80 percent of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. You may suffer from back pain as a result of an injury at home or while playing sports, or you could even experience it from simply bending over and picking up a pencil from the floor.
Persistent back pain. Back pain often goes away in a few days on its own or with treatment at home. If your symptoms don’t go away after a week or two, you should see a doctor. Extreme pain. The severity of back pain can vary greatly, but if you experience sharp, shock-like pain that radiates from your lower back or neck, don’t hesitate to talk to a doctor. Sudden back pain. Back pain often settles in gradually. But if you experience pain that appears very suddenly, go to a doctor. Pain radiating down your legs. Sometimes pain can start in the area of your buttocks and radiate down your legs. It may even lead to pain in the feet. Nerve-related issues. If your pain is accompanied by weakness in your arms or legs, tingling, difficulty walking, or other nerve-related issues, you should see a doctor soon. Bladder or bowel issues. If you are experiencing pain along with loss of bowel or bladder control, this is possibly a serious situation and you should see a doctor immediately. Don’t wait to see if it goes away.
Finding the source of your back pain can be a challenging process. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat your symptoms. Holy Cross Health’s team of and surgeons provides patients with the for a wide range of spine conditions. There are many different conditions that can cause back pain, but here are just a few of the most common conditions that our spine specialists treat.
Spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition that typically occurs in people over 60 years old. It is caused by arthritis and the normal wear-and-tear effects of aging. Herniated discs (also known as slipped or ruptured discs) occur when the small discs that cushion the bones in the spine are pushed out of place. They are more common in the lower back but can also occur in the neck. Compression fractures commonly occur in people who have osteoporosis, especially post-menopausal women. They occur when the bony blocks of the spine become weak and break. Spinal tumors develop on the spinal cord or spinal column. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Spinal cord injuries can occur from a number of issues that impact the back and spine, including traumatic events like automobile accidents.
: 6 Back Symptoms You Should Never Ignore Silver Spring, Maryland (MD), Holy Cross Hospital
Should I ignore my back pain?
1. Continuous pain – Continuous pain in your back that interferes with daily activities including work and sleep, should never be ignored. When this pain doesn’t go away on its own or start to subside after a week of home treatment, get checked out by a medical professional. You should never ignore pain that radiates beyond your back, such as pain that shoots down your arm or leg.
Why you shouldn’t ignore back pain?
Published on July 7, 2015 by Dr. Frank Batson Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide–according to the American Chiropractic Association –yet many people still ignore their symptoms. That’s a bad idea. There are a few things that can happen if you decide against a simple treatment like a chiropractic adjustment or non-surgical spinal decompression.
Here are 3 reasons why you shouldn’t ignore back pain: The pain will likely get worse. If you ignore your back pain, it could become worse. If the pain goes away, it could easily return. But even in the absence of pain, your body could be experiencing stress, causing it to function poorly without you realizing it.
This could cause you to get sick more often or make you more susceptible to injury. The costs could be very high. Eventually, an untreated spinal problem could require medical intervention. With surgical costs, imaging, medications, and other expenses included, the price of waiting could be tens of thousands of dollars, even as high as $100,000 or more.
A lumbar fusion can cost as much as $169,000. It doesn’t have to get that far. It could indicate a disease. Back pain isn’t always caused by an injury. It can sometimes be caused by diseases of the internal organs. Kidney infections, blood clots, and kidney stones are among the conditions that can cause back pain.
A chiropractor can determine the reason for your pain and offer a solution. There are a few different treatments for back pain, like massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, or non-surgical spinal decompression. Some people respond better to certain treatments, and the person’s condition will often determine the treatment type.
Symptoms of disc problems – The symptoms of an irritated disc can vary according to its location and severity. Back scans are often unhelpful for determining whether a person’s back pain is coming from a disc issue, as discs change with aging and with use. However, symptoms may include:
back pain increased back pain when repetitively bending or with prolonged sitting increased back pain with coughing, sneezing, laughing or straining pain, numbness or pins-and-needles radiating into an arm or leg if a disc has caused irritation of a nearby nerve.
What kind of back pain should I see a doctor for?
What Doctor Should I See for Back Pain? – Content If your back pain is from a recent strain or mild injury, your primary care doctor can probably help. But if the pain is severe, ongoing, or accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, it may be time to see a back doctor.
How does a slipped disc feel?
Some common symptoms of a herniated or slipped disc include: Pain that occurs on one side of the body. Sharp pain in one part of the leg, hip, or buttocks and numbness in other parts. You may also feel pain or numbness on the back of the calf or sole of the foot.
Symptoms of disc problems – The symptoms of an irritated disc can vary according to its location and severity. Back scans are often unhelpful for determining whether a person’s back pain is coming from a disc issue, as discs change with aging and with use. However, symptoms may include:
back pain increased back pain when repetitively bending or with prolonged sitting increased back pain with coughing, sneezing, laughing or straining pain, numbness or pins-and-needles radiating into an arm or leg if a disc has caused irritation of a nearby nerve.
