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Back pain with nerve pain

What is back pain with nerve pain?

Up to half of the population suffers from back pain some or all of the time. Back pain is often due to nociceptive pain related to disease near spinal nerve roots, discs, and muscles.1,2

Studies have shown that about 20-55% of people with chronic low back pain have more than a 90% chance of having part of their pain being neuropathic in nature. This neuropathic pain may be caused by compression of a nerve root from a herniated disk, damage to nerve fibers within a degenerated disc, or inflammatory compounds.3

What are the symptoms of back pain with nerve pain?2

  • Shooting, stabbing, or electric shocks
  • Thermal sensations (burning or ice cold)
  • Sensory losses
  • Motor weakness

How common is back pain with nerve pain?

Up to 1 in 10 adults suffers from chronic low back pain. In 20% to 35% of these cases there is a nerve pain component.2,3

What are the consequences of untreated back pain with nerve pain?

Untreated back pain with nerve pain can have an enormous negative impact on a person’s quality of life. People with chronic low back pain frequently suffer from loss of confidence and self-esteem. Low back pain can be disabling for some patients, who may feel they have “lost their life.” Depression, panic, and anxiety disorders, along with sleep disturbances, are frequently experienced by people who suffer from chronic low back pain.2

How can back pain with nerve pain be relieved?

Back pain with nerve pain is not ordinary pain that you can deal with by yourself. Conventional painkillers (analgesics) often don't work well for treating neuropathic pain.4

Relief of back pain with nerve pain starts with reaching out and asking for help.

You should see your doctor if you think you might have back pain with nerve pain. If you do have back pain with nerve pain, your doctor will work with you to develop an effective pain management plan. There are now safe and effective medications that can relieve your pain and your doctor will choose what is best for you.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

References:

  1. Cognos Study #72. Chronic low back pain. September 2003. Decision Resources, Inc. Waltham, Massachusetts.
  2. Freynhagen R, Baron R. The evaluation of neuropathic components in low back pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2009;13(3):185-90.
  3. Morlion B. Pharmacotherapy of low back pain: targeting nociceptive and neuropathic pain components. Curr Med Res Opin. 2011;27(1):11-33.
  4. Wong, S. New drug treatment reduces chronic pain following shingles. Available at: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_5-2-2014-12-24-59. Accessed 25 January, 2016.
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