Your spine is a very complex system consisting of a plethora of muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones, so sometimes it’s hard to determine exactly what’s causing your pain. Spinal muscle issues are a very common cause of back pain, and typically they respond well to treatment, but it’s not always easy to determine if your pain is the result of a muscular issue. In today’s blog, we share some tips for helping to identify if your back pain is the result of a muscular issue.
Muscular Spinal Pain
A number of spinal problems present with similar symptoms, so it’s not always possible to diagnose a muscular condition with certainty unless you visit a specialist, but here’s a look at some of the most common symptoms associated with a muscular back pain issue:
- Pain that worsens with movement, especially with bending.
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty standing up
- Limited range of motion
- Localized spasms or cramping sensation
- Localized swelling
It’s also important to recognize what signs and symptoms suggest that a more serious spinal issue may have taken place. If you have any of these symptoms, you’ll want to head to a spine specialist sooner rather than later, because it may be more than a muscular issue:
- Fever
- Chills
- Bowel or bladder issues
- Pain that travels down an arm or leg
- Severe pain
- Leg or arm weakness
Even if your symptoms don’t reach this threshold, it’s a good idea to connect with a spine specialist if you’re dealing with new or chronic back pain. You may suspect that it’s a muscular issue, but your spine specialist will be able to confirm it and pinpoint its location. Moreover, they’ll be able to set you up with a treatment plan designed to target your specific muscle issue. This ensures that you’re targeting the correct underlying issue and not putting your spine at risk by pursuing suboptimal treatments.
So if you or someone you know has tweaked their back or is having difficulty moving normally because of back pain, consider setting up an appointment with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. We’d be more than happy to provide a comprehensive examination and get to the heart of the issue so that we can set you up with a treatment plan that suits your needs. For more information, or for help with your spinal discomfort, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi today at (651) 430-3800.
