If back pain is starting to wreak havoc on your quality of life, you will likely be determined to get to the root of the problem. Finding out what’s exactly causing it can take you closer to managing the god-awful symptoms.
Among the two most common causes of back pain are a pinched nerve and a degenerated disc. Let’s explore these two conditions—how they are related, their accompanying symptoms, and how they are diagnosed—and find out where to get high-quality back pain treatment in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.
Relationship Between a Pinched Nerve and a Degenerated Disc
A pinched nerve, also referred to as a compressed nerve, has various causes, among which is a degenerated disc. The spinal discs are rubbery shock absorbers between each vertebra that hold them together and provide mobility to the spine. The disc consists of the annulus, which is the tough circular exterior, and the nucleus, which is the central portion filled with a gel-like elastic substance that lubricates the disc.
Degenerative changes to the disc (a result of aging) can make the discs dry up and shrink, and this renders the annulus less able to withstand compression.
Degenerated Disc
As mentioned, a spinal disc may degenerate due to wear and tear, and the degeneration can cause the following symptoms:
- Back pain is worse when bending, lifting, sitting, or twisting. When you’re sitting down, your discs have three times more load on them than when you’re standing.
- Feeling better when changing positions often, lying down, walking, or running than while sitting or standing for long periods of time
- Periods of severe pain—ranging from nagging to disabling pain— that come and go, which may last from a few days to a few months before getting better. Depending on where the affected disc is, the pain can affect the neck or low back and may radiate down the buttocks and thighs
- Pain and numbness or tingling sensation in the extremities
- Foot drop or weakness in the leg muscles
To confirm whether a degenerated disc is causing your back pain, your doctor will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam along with diagnostic imaging tests. These may include an X-ray, a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan to get a better look at your discs.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve can occur in various sites in the body, and one of these is the spine. A pinched nerve in the back (radiculopathy) develops when a bone, disc, or muscle puts increased pressure on the nerve, thereby disrupting its normal function, and consequently, producing symptoms such as the following:
- Decreased sensation or numbness in the area supplied by the nerve
- Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”
- Muscle weakness in the affected area
- Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward
- Tingling sensation (paresthesia)
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms prior to conducting a physical examination. If your doctor suspects a pinched nerve, they will likely order some tests. These may include an MRI, ultrasound, a nerve conduction study (NCS), and electromyography (EMG).
Back Pain Treatment in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas
At Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine, our highly trained and experienced chiropractic specialists can provide effective treatment for a wide variety of spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disease and sciatica. We have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, allowing us to accurately determine the cause and recommend the best course of treatment for your condition.
If you have questions about our services or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractic specialists, call us at (972) 503-7272 or use our online request form. We’ve always got your back!
