If you have lower back pain, you may wonder if your back pain is from muscle or disc.
Watch this video to learn the difference. Plus, learn tips to relieve back pain from either muscle or disc.
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How to Tell If Back Pain Is From Muscle or Disc
Many people wonder whether their back pain is from a muscle or disc issue.
Often, their REAL concern is:
How serious is my back pain?
Most people tend to think that muscle strains will heal over time, but disc injuries may feel more alarming.
The good news is that discs can heal with time!
However, back pain is rarely caused by just one issue.
Most cases involve both muscle and disc factors.
Understanding the differences can help you take the right steps for recovery.
Features of Disc Pain
Disc pain often involves sudden, sharp pain in the spine, especially when bending over to pick something up.
You might experience a feeling of your back "going out" or being unable to straighten up.
If a disc herniates, it can pressure nearby nerves, causing pain down the leg or even numbness, tingling, or weakness.
These symptoms can indicate a more serious problem and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Again though, disc injuries often heal with time and proper care.
Features of Muscle Pain
Muscle pain is usually localized to one side or both sides of the lower back. It often feels like a deep ache or spasm.
After a disc injury, muscles may spasm to stabilize the spine. Over time, these spasms can become the primary source of pain.
Muscle spasms also occur if there is slight instability from a past disc injury as lower back muscles have to kick in to stabilize the spine.
Relieving Acute Lower Back Pain
In the acute phase of back pain, the goal is symptom control. Several physical therapy techniques can help:
- Spinal manipulation: Effective for pain that doesn’t radiate down the leg.
- Directional exercises: Backward-bending exercises, like prone press-ups, help if standing feels better than sitting. Forward-bending exercises are better if sitting relieves pain.
- Modalities: TENS units and traction can reduce pain and inflammation.
These techniques manage pain until you can address the underlying mechanical issues.
Treating Subacute Lower Back Pain
Once symptoms are under control and daily activities are manageable, it’s time to focus on spinal stability.
This involves stabilization exercises to support the spine.
Strengthening these muscles is essential, whether the pain originates from a muscle or disc issue.
Check out these posts to learn lumbar stabilization exercises:
Returning to Exercise and Higher-Level Activities
When most daily functions no longer cause pain, but higher-level activities like exercise or heavy lifting still do, conditioning exercises are the next step.
Aerobic activities and weightlifting (with proper technique and loads) can safely improve back strength.
Yes, exercises like squats and deadlifts can be part of your routine if done correctly.
Start light and focus on form to avoid aggravating your back.
Need Help For Lower Back Pain?
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