Two Types of Pain in Vacaville

Though there are many back pain conditions in Vacaville like sciatica, scoliosis, and a herniated disc, they can be narrowed down into two basic categories: nerve-based pain and tissue-based pain.

You may have one or the other, or you can have both at the same time. There are treatments that can address nerve pain and there are those that can help improve tissue pain. Some might, in some cases, work for both. However, determining the right treatment for your specific case may require some investigation. This is one of the reasons why some back pain sufferers find inconsistent relief.

Nerve-based Back Pain in Vacaville

As the name suggests, nerve-based back pain is caused by a nerve that has become problematic. In most cases, it has been compressed, pinched, pressured, or bone.

For example, a nerve that is surrounded or next to a muscle that is unusually tight and inflexible can press on the nerve and will make it hurt. This commonly happens when a person has sciatica.

If a nearby piece of bone, like a vertebra in your spinal column, is out of position, it can press on the nerve and will cause pain in the process. These bones are out of position because of an overly tight or inflexible muscle nearby. In short, the entire process will begin with a tight muscle but end up with the bone causing irritation on the nerve.

Nerve pain can usually cause a burning, electrical, sharp, shooting, tingling, or numb sensation that can be best described as being poked by "pins and needles."

Tissue-based Back Pain

Tissue-based pain starts in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissues in the body. Think about the last time you provided someone with a neck or back massage. You will feel one or more "knots" in the muscles. These knots could be the main reason why someone is having tissue-based pain. One of telling if a knot is indeed a knot, or just a bone, is by seeing if it exists on both sides of the body in the same exact position. If it is there on both sides, it could be a bone or part of a joint. But if it appears only on one side, then it is more likely a knot.

This knot is formerly known as a "trigger point." These trigger points can trigger pain in areas of the body and if it can also be located somewhere, then it is called "referred pain."

A trigger point is caused in part by the gathering of toxins in your muscle tissue-which, in turn, is due to diet imbalances, excess negative stress, and/or damage to the actual muscle fibers due to an injury and/or excessive physical activity.

If you're under a lot of stress, the natural reaction of your body is to shift to more shallow breathing and to "freeze" parts of your upper body. This occurrence can reduce the amount of oxygen in your body and could slow blood circulation in certain areas like your back. Without the optimal level of oxygen from deep breathing and without natural body movement to circulate the blood, these toxins will become "stuck" within tight muscle tissue. If it continues for a long time, a trigger point will develop and will cause pain in the process.

So, if you think that you are experiencing any of these types of pain and no home treatment you did has provided you relief, then get it checked by us. You can visit our clinic here at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA for a thorough assessment of your condition. Just call us at (707) 474-5688 to reserve yourself an appointment at the soonest possible time.