How to Tell if Your Back Pain is Caused by a Pinched Nerve or Degenerative Disc

Do you suffer from back pain? If so, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It can be caused by a variety of things, including pinched nerves and degenerative discs. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between these two conditions and how to tell which one is causing your back pain. We will also provide tips for how to manage each condition. 

Causes of Back Pain

For some patients, there is no clear cause behind their symptoms. Others have a definite issue that we can pick up on with proper testing. Some spinal abnormalities may require immediate treatment, such as advanced cauda equina syndrome. Other causes that respond well to more conservative care include:

• Injuries to the spine during a car accident or football game
• Activities like running and jumping that put a lot of wear and tear on the back
• Degeneration due to aging, osteoarthritis, or excess stress on the joints of the spine
• Scoliosis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia
• Nerve compression or a herniated disc

Risks of Developing Back Pain

The actions you are taking right now might be putting you at risk for back pain in the future. Many of these risk factors also irritate back issues further to cause more pain. Try eliminating bad habits like:

• Poor posture, especially when seated
• Pushing yourself too hard when exercising, playing sports, or doing physical labor
• Lifting heavy boxes or unbalanced loads
• Lifting with your back instead of your legs
• A sedentary lifestyle that allows the major back muscles to weaken
• Untreated depression or anxiety

What is a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve is when there is too much pressure being placed on a nerve by surrounding tissues or structures. This can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the area that the nerve supplies. It can occur anywhere along the spine and often occurs due to injury, posture changes, or long-term stress on the nerves. Pinched nerve symptoms include:

• Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve
• Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward
• Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)
• Muscle weakness in the affected area
• Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”

The problems related to a pinched nerve may be worse when you’re sleeping.

What is a Degenerative Disc?

Degenerative discs are discs in your spine that have experienced wear and tear due to aging, or from an injury or strain. This can cause the disc to bulge outwards, pressing on surrounding nerves and causing pain.  This condition can also be the result of a herniated disc, where the jelly-like material inside of the disc has leaked out, pressing on nerves and causing pain. The most common symptoms of degenerative disk disease are neck pain and back pain. You may experience pain that:

• Comes and goes, lasting for weeks or months at a time.
• Leads to numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
• Radiates down your buttocks and lower back.
• Worsens with sitting, bending or lifting.

How to Tell if Your Back Pain is from a Pinched Nerve or Degenerative Disc

The best way to determine what is causing your back pain is to visit your doctor. They will be able to diagnose the condition and suggest an appropriate treatment plan. However, there are some signs that can indicate which of these two conditions you may have:

• Pinched nerves typically cause sharp or radiating pain along with numbness or tingling in the affected area.
• Degenerative disc typically causes a deep and dull ache.

Treatment

The treatment for pinched nerves typically involves physical therapy, over-the-counter medications, or steroid injections. If your condition is severe enough, your doctor may suggest surgery as an option. At Texas Spine Sports Therapy Center, we offer treatments for back pain, such as:

• Electrical stimulation to calm irritated or damage nerves
• Spinal alignment therapy to straighten out slipped vertebrae and relieve pressure on discs
• Recommendations for braces or other support appliances to protect the back during activities that put it at risk
• Steroid shots to reduce pain in one specific area

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you’re experiencing back pain, it’s time to find a solution. At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center, we are dedicated to providing the best care for your back pain needs. Our team is experienced in treating pinched nerves and degenerative discs using our state-of-the-art therapies. Contact us today to make an appointment and begin your journey to a pain-free life.