How do you tell if lower back pain is muscle or disc?

Your spinal disc
spinal disc
Spinal disc herniation is an injury to the cushioning and connective tissue between vertebrae, usually caused by excessive strain or trauma to the spine. It may result in back pain, pain or sensation in different parts of the body, and physical disability.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Spinal_disc_herniation
is at the bottom of your back, so if you have pain in your lower back, you may assume it is a slipped disc. Furthermore, the feeling of pain will differ between the two. Muscle pain will feel like post-workout soreness, while disc pain will feel debilitating and tingly.


How do you know if back pain is muscular or spinal?

If the pain you feel extends to your arms, forearms, and hands, the source may be your cervical spine. On the other hand, if you feel the pain radiating to your legs, it may be a problem with the lumbar spine.

How can you tell the difference between a herniated disc and a sore muscle?

The lower back and neck are the most flexible parts of your spine, and they're also where most herniated discs occur. While pain in your mid-back may be related to a disc, it's more likely caused by muscle strain or other issues. Your symptoms feel worse when you bend or straighten up from a bent position.

What does a slipped disc feel like in lower back?

If you have a herniated lumbar disc, you may feel pain that radiates from your low back area, down one or both legs, and sometimes into your feet (called sciatica). You may feel a pain like an electric shock that is severe whether you stand, walk, or sit.

How do I know if my lower back pain is a disc?

If your herniated disk is in your lower back, besides pain in your lower back, you'll typically feel pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf. You might have pain in part of the foot as well. For a herniated disk in your neck, you'll typically feel the most pain in your shoulder and arm.

How to identify what's causing your back pain



How does a slipped disc feel?

What does a slipped disc feel like? A slipped disc can cause sharp and severe back pain, which worsens when you're active. It might feel better when you're lying down. However, small motions like coughing or sneezing may cause the pain to return.

Can massage make herniated disc worse?

“There are some types of back pain that can get worse when you get a massage,” says Walsh. Specifically, he says, sciatica (sudden-onset pain that extends down the back and into the butt or legs) stemming from a herniated disc can be aggravated by deep tissue stimulation.

Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?

According to Spine Universe, chiropractic care is a non-surgical option for herniated disc treatment. This makes choosing a chiropractor to address problems with a herniated disc a viable option if you want to avoid undergoing any surgical procedures.

Can you still walk with a slipped disc?

While it may be tempting to refrain from all physical activity while you're experiencing the pain or discomfort of a slipped disc, this can lead to muscle weakness and joint stiffness. Instead, try to remain as active as possible through stretching or low-impact activities such as walking.

Can a chiropractor fix a slipped disc?

It can get to the point where many patients mistakenly believe surgery is the only option. But it's not. Chiropractic care may be effective in the treatment of slipped discs, no matter the severity.

How do I know if lower back pain is serious?

When should I see a doctor if I have lower back pain?
  1. If the pain lasts four weeks or longer.
  2. If the pain keeps getting worse as time goes by.
  3. If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, major weight loss or weight gain, loss of function or weakness in extremities, bladder problems, etc.


What are the symptoms of L5 nerve damage?

L5 NERVE ROOT DAMAGE

This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle. Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve may also cause loss of coordination in the foot and toes.

Is walking good for lower back pain?

The simple movement of walking is one of the best things we can do for chronic lower back pain. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking twice a day will help ease lower back pain. Substitute this activity for a more vigorous type of exercise if you prefer and/or are able.

How do I know what kind of back pain I have?

Your physician will take a thorough medical history, discuss your symptoms, and conduct a physical exam in order to accurately diagnose the cause of back pain. Sometimes diagnostic tests—such as X-rays, MRI scans, or diagnostic injections—are needed when trying to locate or confirm the underlying cause of pain.

What does a pulled muscle in back feel like?

Symptoms of a Pulled Back Muscle

If you have pulled a muscle in your back, you will probably feel it as a sudden sharp pain when you lift, bend, or twist. The pain can range from mildly irritating to intense and debilitating depending on how badly the muscle is strained.

How can you tell the difference between nerve pain and muscle pain?

It's important to note that one of the biggest differences between nerve pain and muscle pain is chronic pain. Chronic pain is ongoing and constant. The damaged tissue that causes nerve pain often leads to chronic pain, leaving many patients to endure long-lasting side effects.

Can you feel a herniated disc with your fingers?

Sensations of tingling and numbness

Patients with herniated discs located in the neck can feel numbness and tingling in the hands, fingers, and arm.

What activities should you avoid with a herniated disc?

Everyday Activities to Avoid with Herniated Disc
  • Sitting too much. Sitting puts more stress on your spinal discs, especially when slouching forward in a seat. ...
  • Doing laundry. ...
  • Vacuuming. ...
  • Feeding a pet. ...
  • Strenuous exercise. ...
  • Shoveling snow or gardening. ...
  • Learn more:


Does a herniated disc hurt to touch?

This herniation of the disc can result in a large bulge that can press on nearby nerve roots, causing pain. However, herniated discs don't always hurt. In fact, it's entirely possible to have a herniated disc and not know it. Herniated discs only cause pain when the herniated area pushes on a nerve root in the spine.

Is L4-L5 disc bulge curable?

L4-L5 disc bulge, slipped disc, spondylosis, bone-spur, and joint pain is treatable without injections or surgery.

Will xray show herniated disc?

Imaging tests

Plain X-rays don't detect herniated disks, but they can rule out other causes of back pain, such as an infection, tumor, spinal alignment issues or a broken bone.

Does massage help herniated disc?

Deep Tissue Massage: There are more than 100 types of massage, but deep tissue massage is an ideal option if you have a herniated disc because it uses a great deal of pressure to relieve deep muscle tension and spasms, which develop to prevent muscle motion at the affected area.

Does a heating pad help a herniated disc?

For mild herniated disc pain, relieve the inflammation to decrease pain. For instance, applying a heating pad or ice pack to the affected area may be a good way to temporarily relieve your pain and reduce inflammation.

How do you sit with a disc bulge?

A standing desk is a great option, but if you must sit, rest your spine firmly against the chair back, sit up straight, and don't slouch (which strains the spinal ligaments and aggravates a herniated disc). Your knees should be level with your hips, or slightly above the hips if you're seated at a desk.

Can you pop a disc back into place?

Non-surgical treatments can include physical therapy or bracing to try and gradually ease the bulging disc back into its rightful place. When these conservative options fail, and there is still a lot of pain, a minimally invasive surgical procedure can be used to correct the bulging disc.