Did you know that 8 out of 10 Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their life? Back pain is one of the most common types of pain, and it is one of the biggest causes of missed days at work.
Whether you deal with back pain all the time or you injured your back, it’s essential to know about the different types of back pain. Understanding your back pain can help you treat it and prevent future pain.
What are some different types of back pain? Keep reading to learn more about kinds of back pain and their causes.
Chronic Back Pain
One of the most common types of back pain is chronic back pain. If you have been suffering from back pain for more than a couple of weeks, you could be dealing with chronic pain.
Some causes of back pain include sitting all day, poor posture, or injuring your back while working out. Seeking a professional can help you determine the cause of your chronic back pain and find a solution.
Acute Back Pain
While chronic back pain is pain that has lasted at least a few weeks, acute back pain is new and sudden pain. Most of the time, you can identify the cause of your acute back pain.
Some common causes include lifting a heavy object, straining your back while exercising, or sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
If your back pain is severe and interfering with your daily life, you should visit the doctor. Acute back pain will normally go away on its own with stretching and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Axial Pain
If you have pain in one spot in your back, you could be dealing with axial pain. You may hear some doctors refer to axial pain as mechanical pain.
Some causes of axial pain include pulling a muscle, poor posture, or lifting an object awkwardly. Axial pain can indicate that there is a problem with your soft tissue, discs, or joints.
Many people experience axial pain in different ways. For some people, axial pain may be a dull and throbbing pain, while others may have a sharp pain in their back.
Referred Pain
Another common type of back pain is referred back pain. If you are dealing with referred back pain, the pain isn’t caused by your back.
Referred back pain happens when you have pain in your back, but it is caused by other variables. Some common causes of referred back pain are gallstones, kidney stones, and prostate issues.
Referred back pain can turn into a serious problem if you don’t see your doctor right away.
Do You Have These Different Types of Back Pain?
If you are suffering from back pain, make sure to visit your doctor to determine the type of pain you are dealing with. Some different types of back pain include chronic, acute, axial, and referred pain.
Did you enjoy reading this article on getting rid of back pain? If so, check out the health and wellness category to learn more about treating back pain.
