Is your back pain neuropathic (caused by damaged nerve tissue) or nociceptive (unrelated to the nervous system), or a blend of both?

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back is long-term (lasting more than three to six months) dull, aching pain in one area of the back that may move through the legs, sometimes accompanied by burning or pins-and-needles in the legs, and can prevent everyday activities, making even small movements unbearable.

It may be caused by arthritis, nerve damage or spine conditions like degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis, which can cause ongoing pain until successfully treated.

Another possible cause could be a previous injury, with the pain continuing even after the tissues has healed and there is no clear pain producer to explain it – the nervous system misfires and sends a pain signal despite an absence of tissue damage (neuropathic pain).

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is usually unrelated to an observable injury or condition. Nerves continue to send pain messages to the brain even though there is no ongoing tissue damage. It could feel like a stabbing, cold pain or could result in continual numbness and weakness.

The sensory or motor nerves in the peripheral nervous system could be damaged, possibly causing neuropathy.

Treatments include medications, nerve block injections, and chronic pain treatments.

Acute Back Pain

Usually felt in the lower back, acute back pain generally fluctuates between a sharp pain (like the kind felt when pricked with a pin or smashing a thumb with a hammer) and a dull ache, and can be most extreme in a particular area.

It may be caused by injury or tissue damage such as torn muscles, or may have no known cause at all, and is treatable with physical therapy. Pain usually lessens and disappears within three months.

If acute pain is more lengthy or occurs frequently (more than three times a year) a chronic pain problem is likely to develop, as well as influences such as a continuing pain signal to the nervous system even without tissue damage, lack of exercise and emotional problems like depression and anxiety.

Mechanical Back Pain

The most common type of back pain, mechanical pain is a kind of acute pain. Mechanical back pain is exacerbated by physical activity and coughing and often eased with rest. It is often caused by fractures or herniated discs.

When pain is severe and travels through the legs, it could be caused by lumbar disc disease, the most common cause of sciatica, another form of acute pain.