I have some terrible pain in my back, it may be a pinched nerve, what do I do?

Question

I've had some terrible pain in my back for 3 weeks. I went to see my doctor twice and she insisted that it was only some muscle pain which could be relieved by doing some sports, swimming for example. I tried sports but it didn't help. I had my chest X-rayed and it said there was nothing wrong. Then I tried an analgesic rub used by athletes for muscle and joint pain and it worked very well but didn't give me a permanent relief. I suspect that it might be a pinched nerve and I don't know what to do with it.

It usually starts in the afternoon, getting worse and worse before I go to bed.

I've felt some tingling and burning sometimes, but not always.

Answer 1

Try heat and ice. I would suggest visiting a chiropactor who will determine if it is muscular, which it probably is if analgesics helped. A pinched nerve can be relived with regular chirpractic visits. Or you may want to see an acupuncturist who can help with either. But either specialist you choose will require regular visits.

Answer 2

Hmmmm, it's in your upper back then?

What is it about the pain that makes you feel it is a pinched nerve. Is the pain sometimes tingly or burny.

The thing is when you pinch a nerve, it makes your muscles tighten up and do all sorts of painful things too -which could be why you keep getting that diagnosis.

I have a slightly pinched sciatic nerve (goes from my back to my toes) and that causes muscle spasms and all sorts of pain. They found the bulging discs that are pinching the nerve through a CT scan (not the x-rays), so you may want to consider requesting one.

Oh, but your doctor was right about exercising and stretching - it's the exact right thing to do for pinched nerves too.

good luck

Answer 3

I had the same problem and ended up finding my own specialist, to find that I had a herniated disk. Two surgurys later the pain is almost gone.