Pain felt in other areas of the body may originate in spine

FALLBROOK – Contrary to popular belief, the spine can cause pain in other parts of the body, not just the back!

Pain, unfortunately, is a very complicated experience that differs for everyone. Although pain can be difficult to accurately diagnose and treat, there are a wide variety of techniques and treatments that can effectively mitigate symptoms. At American Spine Group, treatment typically includes steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency neurotomy, and minimally-invasive procedures, but more on that later.

In regards to the spine, many people don’t realize symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling in other parts of the body can indicate a problem with their spine. When seeing a spine specialist, it is vitally important that one describe the type of pain they are experiencing, as well as any related symptoms. Why? Because there are three common classifications of spinal pain: axial pain, referred pain, and radicular pain.

Axial pain is pain or discomfort felt in the back. A muscle strain or trigger point usually causes this type of pain.

Referred pain is pain felt in an area of the body other than its source. For example, pain felt in the groin, buttocks, and upper thighs may be caused by degenerative disc disease.

Radicular pain is characterized as a deep radiating pain that travels to other extremities (arm and legs), causing symptoms of numbness and tingling. This type of pain is also called sciatica and it’s usually caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

The anatomical structure of the spine is complex, which means there is a lot of overlap of nerve supply. This prevents the brain from being able to distinguish the source of one's pain. Fortunately, the team at American Spine Group can help bridge this gap. Through comprehensive physical exams and diagnostic tests, American Spine Group specialists can identify the underlying condition causing the pain and related symptoms.

At American Spine Group, experts use a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach when treating patients in pain. From injections and platelet-rich plasma therapy to spinal cord stimulation and minimally-invasive endoscopic discectomy surgery, they utilize the newest, most cutting-edge treatment modalities to get patients moving again with little to no downtime.

Call (951) 734-7246 to schedule an appointment today! To read more, visit www.Americanspinegroup.com.