My back hurts a lot, the pain radiates to my arms and head, what could it be? and got the best answer

Answer from Igor Bozhko[guru]
There could be many things - a pinched nerve due to osteochondrosis, sciatica, a herniated disc, a displaced injury - you need to see an orthopedist

Reply from Petersburg woman[guru]
The answer can be given by a qualified physician.

Reply from Alena Shatalova[guru]
Well, you've been thoroughly blown away... Apply Doctor Mom ointment or go to the bathhouse...

Reply from Elena Kuchevskaya[guru]
There may be a pinched nerve.

Reply from Natalia Mylnikova[guru]
radiculitis, I think... but of course you need to see a doctor

Reply from Yvekreshcha[guru]
You definitely need to see a neurologist. It hurt like that at first too. Now I'm on disability. But it was necessary to treat on time!

Reply from WOMAN ANGEL[guru]
Back pain is varied, multifaceted, often incomprehensible, persistent and unpredictable. It may have deeply hidden sources that cannot be discovered immediately, but only as a result of a long, thoughtful search. Back pain can have such a source and be so severe that it cannot be eliminated with manual therapy techniques alone.
Taking this into account, the ON CLINIC MMC has organized a vertebrology office, in which manual therapy is only part of the possible methods that allow you to effectively deal not only with back pain of any intensity, but also with any other pain.
Syndromes (characteristic combinations of symptoms) that can be treated in a vertebrology office
Anterior scalene muscle syndrome is pain and a feeling of heaviness, numbness, tingling in the arm, which intensifies at night, with a deep breath and tilting the head to the healthy side. This pain can radiate to the shoulder, armpit and chest. Along with it, swelling may appear above the collarbone on the side of pain, blueness (or pallor) and swelling of the hand, a decrease in its skin temperature, and brittle nails.
The source of the disease is a painful tension in the scalene muscle, which starts from the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae and attaches to the first rib. By straining, the muscle compresses the neurovascular bundle leading to the arm - hence the pain and numbness of this arm. Tension of the scalene muscle is caused by joint problems in the cervical spine, abnormal development.
Syndrome of the inferior oblique muscle of the head is pain in the cervical-occipital region - constant, aching, which intensifies when turning the head in the healthy direction. Starting at the base of the skull, it “spreads” along the back of the head, “creeps” to the crown and develops into a headache.
The source of the disease is the painful tension of the inferior oblique muscle of the head, which, with its constant tension, compresses the main artery supplying the brain. Tension of the inferior oblique muscle of the head is caused by problems in the cervical spine, its abnormal development.
Levator scapulae syndrome is pain in the neck and in the area of ​​the upper angle of the scapula, which is closer to the spine. This aching, cerebral pain, which often “radiates” to the shoulder joint, to the shoulder, and intensifies when lowering the head and placing the arm behind the back.
Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis is extremely persistent pain in the shoulder joint when the freely hanging arm is moved to the side. This pain makes it difficult to hold on to the handrails in transport; it intensifies in a disadvantageous position, at night. When you touch the area of ​​the shoulder joint, individual, especially painful points are identified, in the center of which hard muscle ridges are felt.
Brachial epicondylosis (tennis elbow) is pain in the elbow joint that is aggravated by turning the arm in a suppliant gesture. This intense, tingling pain prevents you from using a screwdriver or holding a filled glass.
Coccydynia is pain in the coccyx area, which occurs both after injury and for no apparent reason. The pain does not allow me to sit on a regular chair, but only on a very soft one, and even then not for long.
Examination for the listed syndromes involves:
-examination by a vertebroneurologist with a functional study of the spine and range of muscle movements
-functional x-ray examination of the spinal column
-ultrasound scanning of the brachiocephalic arteries of the cervical spine

Reply from AntiPsychoVirus[guru]
Physical blockage The back is made up of many muscles, but when we talk about back pain, we primarily mean the spine - the long flexible column of bone that runs from the head to the pelvis that supports it. The spinal column consists of thirty-three vertebrae, forming five sections: cervical, dorsal, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal. The description of back pain below concerns the sacral, lumbar and spinal regions. Everything related to the coccygeal region is described in the article COCCYX (PROBLEMS), with the cervical region - in the article NECK (PAIN). Emotional blocking Pain in the SACUM area, the LOWER part of the back, indicates that a person values ​​his independence above all else. afraid of losing freedom of movement at the moment when others need his help. As a rule, such a person is afraid of death and life after death. Pain localized between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the eleventh vertebra of the spinal region, that is, BETWEEN THE SACUM AND THE WAIST, is associated with the fear of poverty and material disadvantage. Since the back supports the entire human body, any pain in it indicates a feeling of uncertainty, a lack of support. The lower back is associated with the area of ​​having - material goods, money, a partner, home, children, work, diplomas, etc. Pain in this area indicates that a person wants to have something in order to feel more confident, but does not dare admit it to yourself or others. As a result, he is forced to do everything himself, to put everything on his back. Such a person is very active in the physical sphere, as he is afraid of poverty and believes that the feeling of well-being depends primarily on material wealth. He doesn't like to ask others for help. When he finally does this and is refused, he becomes even more embarrassed, the back pain intensifies. Pain in the UPPER BACK, between the tenth spinal vertebra and the cervical vertebrae, that is, between the waist and neck, speaks of uncertainty, emotional instability. For such a person, the most important thing is to do, since it is action that gives him confidence. He feels loved. He, in turn, shows his love for others by doing things for them. In addition, back pain may indicate that a person wants to find an excuse not to do some work because he is afraid that people will stop helping him if they see that he is doing a great job on his own. Thus, he expects too much from others, and when his expectations are not met, he has the feeling that everything is being put on his back. He finds it difficult to express his wants and needs, but when he eventually does and is rejected, he feels even worse and his back pain worsens. Back pain can also occur when a person feels like someone is doing something behind his back. Mental blocking If you feel pain in your LOW BACK, in the sacral area, you feel like you will lose your freedom if you help someone ; but you could be wrong. Try to first objectively assess your capabilities; explain them to the person who asks you for help, and act consciously. Don't forget: what goes around comes around. If you refuse help to everyone, they will not help you in difficult times either. Perhaps you once decided to help someone, but later it turned out that you were simply used, and now you don’t want to meet anyone halfway, because you’re afraid of being made a fool again. But if you don't give anything, you won't get anything. If your fear is about survival, understand that only part of you believes that you cannot survive alone. In fact, you have everything you need to survive. As for the pain between your lower back and waist, you must realize that you have the right to have, to enjoy the possession of material goods and everything else that gives you confidence. If you convince yourself of this, your life will become much more enjoyable. Even if deep down you think that it’s not good to do this

In most cases, the back hurts exactly in the place where the pathological process is located

Every person has back pain from time to time at least once in their life. Most often, this symptom does not cause any concern and goes away on its own. But there are times when it is not so easy to ignore it.

Back pain on the right may indicate more serious illnesses than ordinary physical strain.

In each case, in order to prevent disaster, it is necessary to analyze all possible causes of back pain, and if necessary, seek medical help.

What types of pain may bother us?

In most cases, the back hurts exactly in the place where the pathological process is located.

Accordingly, pain in one place or another, with knowledge of the basics of anatomy, can tell us which structure of the body is damaged or where to look for a solution. For example, with dry pleurisy, the pain will be localized above the affected area, usually under the shoulder blade or in the side, it appears at the depth of inspiration, and is stabbing in nature.

In other cases, the pain may not coincide with the location of the lesion.

There are 2 types of such pain:

• projected– radiates from the site of origin along the nerve fibers to distal parts of the body, for example, with osteochondrosis of the lower back, pain can be felt not only in the lower back on the right or left, but also radiate to the leg;

• reflected– develops due to damage to internal organs (usually the gastrointestinal tract), but is localized in remote and superficial areas of the body. Its occurrence is based on the sensitive innervation of the skin in the form of individual dermatomes; the painful zones are called Zakharyin-Ged zones.

Back pain on the right has a different character:

cramping– it appears and then disappears, characteristic of damage to the genitourinary organs during contraction of their smooth muscles;

growing– the intensity of pain progressively increases, characteristic of inflammatory lesions (pneumonia, subphrenic abscess);

dagger– such pain indicates an emergency condition (rupture of some formation, organ, thromboembolism, intra-abdominal bleeding);

in the form of a lumbago– characteristic specifically for diseases of the spine involving the nerve roots of the spinal cord in the pathological process;

constant and monotonous– typical for damage to a parenchymal organ, for example, in liver diseases;

nagging pain in the back characteristic of traumatic and other injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

Household reasons

Everyday causes of pain under the shoulder blade or in the lumbar region on the right include all traumatic injuries (bruise of the soft tissues of the back, sprain of the spinal muscles, etc.). This group also includes painful sensations after prolonged physical labor, being in an uncomfortable non-physiological position, or carrying heavy objects.

This group of causes of back pain does not pose a serious danger, As a rule, it goes away on its own after rest. But still These signs should not be ignored, because serious illnesses can be hidden under the mask of the most common symptom.

Spinal diseases

This is the most common group of diseases that lead to the development of back pain. If your right back hurts for a long time, then you need to think about a possible pathology of the spine.

The main culprit of back pain is osteochondrosis. The localization of pain will depend on which part of the spine is pathologically changed. The lumbar spine is most often affected. In this case, a constant aching pain occurs in the lower right or left. If the thoracic region is affected, pain may be localized above the lower back or under the scapula.

With the development of complications of osteochondrosis (pinched nerves, their inflammation - radiculitis), the pain takes on a different character.

R projected pain syndrome develops– painful sensations radiate along the involved nerve endings (in the arm, in the leg). Such pain can be constant (lumbodynia, thoracalgia) or in the form of a lumbago (lumbago, thoracago).

Pathology of the digestive organs

When the liver or gallbladder is damaged, the pain is often localized in the right side of the back, right hypochondrium. Often such pain develops in diseases of the pancreas (the nature of the pain is girdling).

Pain on the lower right side can also occur with appendicitis, especially if the location of the appendix is ​​atypical (retrocecal position - it hides behind the cecum).

Painful sensations under the right shoulder blade can often indicate acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Here is the Zakharyin-Ged zone. Often acute cholecystitis begins this way.

Painful sensations may appear at a distance from the affected organ due to the characteristics of the innervation (Zakharyin-Ged zone)

Cardiovascular diseases

Although heart disease is characterized by irradiation of pain to the left half of the body, in some cases it can radiate to the right.

Atypical manifestations of myocardial infarction, when pain is localized under the right shoulder blade, are considered a very dangerous condition. Patients in such cases do not even think about possible heart damage, endure pain, and in the meantime, precious minutes are lost that could save a person’s life.

Kidney diseases

Kidney diseases often manifest as pain in the lumbar region. In conditions that are accompanied by an increase in the size of the kidney (polycystic disease, hydronephrosis, kidney tumors), a constant, nagging pain appears in the lower back.

Pain becomes cramping in nature with pyelonephritis and urolithiasis. A typical example of such pain is an attack of renal colic. The pain begins in the lumbar region, radiates to the abdomen and external genitalia.

Gynecological reasons

If a woman has a nagging pain in the lower back and abdomen, then first of all it is necessary to exclude gynecological pathology.

The following pathological conditions may be the causes:

ectopic pregnancy;

ovarian cyst;

tumor of the internal genital organs;

painful menstruation;

inflammatory lesions of the reproductive system;

If a woman is pregnant, then such symptoms may indicate a threat of miscarriage.

Respiratory lesions

When the respiratory system is affected, the pain is often localized in the back. The following diseases can cause pain:

dry pleurisy– pain is associated with breathing, intensifies at the height of inspiration, has a stabbing nature, is very strong, often, in order to reduce pain, the patient begins to breathe shallowly and frequently;

pneumothorax(rupture of lung tissue with air entering the pleural cavity) - sharp and sudden pain under the shoulder blade with the appearance of severe shortness of breath;

pneumonia with the involvement of the pleura in the pathological process - the pain is similar to that observed with pleurisy;

cancer of the bronchial tubes or lung tissue– painful sensations appear when the tumor spreads in a late stage; the nature of the pain and its localization depend on the degree of germination of cancer cells into neighboring organs and the pleura.

Whatever the nature of the pain in the right side of the back, first of all it should alert you. After all, this is a signal from the body about a violation, small or more serious. published

P.S. And remember, just by changing your consumption, we are changing the world together!

Back pain manifests itself in different ways and may have a number of specific accompanying symptoms. There are many nerve endings in the spine, and when they are involved in the pathological process, discomfort can be transmitted to different parts of the body and organs. To conduct self-diagnosis and determine the urgency of contacting a doctor, the patient should know the causes of discomfort. The material describes cases when the back and arm hurt - what are the causes of the phenomenon, is it dangerous, how to eliminate it.

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What could it be?

Most often, back pain radiates to the arm as a result of conditions that are not life-threatening and do not require immediate action. But it happens that its cause is a pathology of internal organs, which requires immediate treatment. Therefore, regardless of the suspected cause of discomfort or its intensity, the symptoms that arise should be treated carefully. It's better to see a doctor.

Pain in the back and right arm

When back pain radiates to the right arm, this usually does not indicate an acute situation. The most common causes of symptoms are:

• Spinal pathologies. The spinal column contains the spinal canal, which contains nerve tissue. The nerve roots from there come out between the vertebrae - therefore, they can be pinched by them in the presence of pathology. If a nerve root is pinched, the exit point of which is located in the right hand, then the discomfort will radiate there. Pinching can be caused by osteochondrosis, curvature, displacement of the vertebra, its trauma, incorrect posture, hernia, protrusion, and proliferation of bone tissue. Neoplasms, inflammation, and swelling of soft tissues sometimes also compress nerve tissue;
• Spasm, muscle hypertonicity. It occurs with pathologies of the spine, when the muscles have to maintain the normal physiological position of the vertebrae, straining excessively. During this process, a spasm develops, which pinches the nerve ending. Like the previous type of discomfort, this one intensifies with physical activity, physical inactivity, certain postures, and movements;
• Muscle injuries. They develop after road traffic accidents, falls, compressions, excessive abnormal training loads (rarely - physical inactivity). The muscle tissue itself is damaged, and the pain from it erodes along the nerve roots into the arm.

Much less often, discomfort is caused by diseases of the internal organs. Right-sided pneumonia, pleurisy, tuberculosis, and bronchitis sometimes involve nervous tissue in the pathological process. Unpleasant sensations can erode into the arm along the nerve roots.

Pain in the back and left arm

Most often, pain in the left arm and back occurs for the same reason as in the right. In first place in terms of frequency of occurrence in this case are pathologies of the spine, in second place are pathologies, injuries, hypertonicity, muscle spasms, and inflammatory processes in soft tissues. Much less often, the cause of symptoms is pathologies of internal organs. However, there is one feature due to which pain in the left arm should be treated with particular care - they may be a sign of myocardial infarction.

Although the appearance of back pain is not the most typical for a heart attack, pain in the heart can erode into the back. During a heart attack, there is a burning sensation, pressure behind the sternum, irregular heart rhythm, and cold sweat. The discomfort does not disappear after taking nitroglycerin, it has a wave-like course - it increases and decreases.

If you have such symptoms, you should immediately call an ambulance. The condition requires intensive care, hospital treatment, and threatens life and health.

Diagnostic methods

Pain in the spine that radiates to the arm is a common occurrence, so doctors quickly diagnose its cause. The following methods are used during diagnosis:

1. Taking an anamnesis, during which the presence of predisposing factors for the development of pathology is determined;
2. Analysis of symptoms and clinical picture to determine the degree of their correspondence to pathology;
3. Checking reflexes and sensitivity at control points to assess the degree of involvement of nervous tissue in the pathological process;
4. Manual examination to determine the presence of curvatures, scoliosis, displacements, tissue growths, neoplasms, and the presence of inflammation;
5. X-ray to visualize indirect or direct signs of pathology;
6. Electroneurogram to assess the condition of the nervous tissue and its damage during the pathological process;
7. CT to assess the condition of the joints, the structure of the spinal tissues;
8. MRI to assess the condition of soft tissues, confirm/refute the presence of an inflammatory process.

Not every case shows the use of all of the methods listed. In most cases, a manual examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis, and radiographs to confirm it.

Treatment

If back pain extending to the arm is a symptom of spinal pathology, then exacerbation is relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve pain and inflammation. They are prescribed for a course of 5 to 14 days, during which time the exacerbation passes. Usually Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Ortofen tablets are prescribed to take 1 piece 2-3 times a day. In the first few days, Diclofenac can be administered intramuscularly in individual dosages to more effectively relieve discomfort.

In case of intense discomfort, analgesics are prescribed to relieve them. Analgin is taken in tablets, Baralgin is taken intramuscularly, but strictly as needed. The drugs have many unpleasant complications, side effects from the stomach and hematopoietic system, blood circulation, therefore their use should be agreed with a doctor.

Additionally, chondroprotectors (Chondroxide) are prescribed in tablets (1-2 pieces per day) and ointments (apply to the painful area of ​​the back 3-4 times per day). Physiotherapy (magnetic therapy, microwave, UHF, electrophoresis) is prescribed to relieve muscle hypertonicity, inflammation, and pain. After the exacerbation is relieved, the patient undergoes a course of therapeutic professional massage and exercise therapy.

If you suspect a pathology of the cardiovascular system, you must immediately call an ambulance, as the condition can be life-threatening. His treatment is carried out in intensive care, then in hospital. If you suspect a pulmonary pathology, you should contact a general practitioner or phlebologist to prescribe treatment. For muscle injuries, there is usually no specific treatment - rest is indicated, and pain can be relieved with the same NSAIDs.

Conclusion

The described symptoms can signal a serious problem that threatens life or significantly reduces its quality. Therefore, specific discomfort cannot be ignored. If it rapidly intensifies and is accompanied by other severe symptoms, then you should consult a doctor immediately. It is worth consulting a specialist even when the unpleasant sensations do not disappear for several days.

The pain often occurs in the morning, immediately after waking up. Sensations of compression, not so much in the bones, but also in the muscles or joints (shoulder joint). Sometimes the pain is sharp and very strong. As a rule, the patient complains not only of pain, but also of numbness or burning of the shoulder and arm. Sometimes there is a feeling of weakness in the muscles (patients say that “the hand has become weaker”), and there is a limited ability to grasp and make precise movements with the fingers. Loss of control can affect the shoulder or elbow, or more precisely, their joints.

Possible reasons

Cervicobrachial (radicular) syndrome is a phenomenon in which the nerve roots are affected by intervertebral discs. This is not so much an independent disease, but a symptom (pain syndrome), as a rule, indicating degenerative changes in the upper part of the spine.

What are nerve roots and why are they damaged? In order to protect against whiplash injuries, which are possible in the event of a sharp extension and contraction of the spine, the nerve roots grow outward from it. In the cervical region, they contain nerve plexuses that cover the entire upper limb (arm). They form peculiar weaves, emerging through narrow intervertebral foramina. This place is especially susceptible to back problems and pain in places where the spine is overloaded. These plexus sites are also susceptible to pain in the event of a slipped disc. And when the nerve plexuses suffer, the pain manifests itself not only in the back, but also problems and discomfort arise in the limbs where they pass (in this case, the upper limbs).

Also, the cause of radicular syndrome, in addition to disc displacements, can be a herniation of the nucleus pulposus - this is one of the manifestations of already severe degeneration of the intervertebral disc. It usually penetrates the posterior side of the weakest part of the annulus fibrosus and goes to the beginning of the nerve root, which is irritated. It is a type of myelopathy (damage to the spinal cord).

There is also such a thing as sciatica. It is similar to the above-mentioned cervical-brachial syndrome, only pain and other unpleasant sensations appear in the lower extremities (legs), respectively, the cause is the impact of other nerve roots located lower in the spine (in the lumbar region).

Diagnostics

First of all, its goal is to discover the specific cause of cervical-brachial syndrome. Usually this is not difficult to do for a neurologist, who will be referred to by a therapist if such symptoms occur. During the examination, it is important to determine the severity of pain, its type, factors that increase symptoms and that reduce them.

Accurate determination of the location of pain makes it possible to say with a high degree of probability which nerve roots are irritated. A detailed neurological examination can assess the degree of weakening of the muscle strength of the limbs, as well as the presence of other symptoms indicating the so-called possible myelopathy, which in this case is a radicular syndrome caused by pressure on the spinal cord. The most complete picture is provided by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). In the case of radicular syndrome, it is more effective than X-ray computed tomography (CT), which better reflects changes in the bones (for example, after injury). Electromyography (EMG), which assesses nerve conduction, may be helpful.

Treatment

Myelopathy detected during a neurological examination requires urgent treatment and, as a rule, surgery is necessary. In less developed countries, they are limited to physiotherapy and drug treatment: taking painkillers, anti-edema and drugs that relieve muscle tension (antispasmodics). But nowadays, similar operations are performed in many countries; it is not necessary to fly to one of the European countries or Israel. For problems with spinal stability, it is sometimes necessary to use orthopedic braces, but this is recommended only in the acute phase of the disease, and in situations of particular exposure to vibration.

Find out other types of back pain and their causes:

Neck pain radiating to the back of the head
Pain in the upper back, usually radiating to the neck or shoulder Pain in the scapula and shoulder Pain in the upper back Pain in the back at and above the sacrum. Pain in the back below the waist, radiating to the hips, often felt in the leg Pain associated with poor posture Pain radiating to the back

Sketch on pain in the arm and chest

Briefly, the story of a man who suffered from...physical trauma in the summer and almost made its consequences chronic. But he came in time for a cure.

"Physical Trauma"

At the beginning of August, a healthy, strong man was lifting something like a barbell with outstretched arms. I should have put the “barbell” on the top shelf of the pantry.

The posture is uncomfortable (bent over, arms raised, almost on tiptoes), the load is far away and, according to the rule of leverage, created a high load. Well, the man himself - although strong, was detrained at that time.

Three components coincided - and he was shot. Sharp pain, it was only through an effort of will that he did not drop the “bar” down onto something valuable. I stuffed it in somehow, waved my arms, warmed up, applied ointment - and it became easier.

Then the pain again, no longer with such an extreme load.. Warm-up again, ointments again. Summer. He swam a lot and took up physical education, which is actually good. But the pain was annoying at times.

I went to the hospital, they did an x-ray - they didn’t seem to find anything criminal. Good too. But there is pain!

I can't raise my arms - they hurt

At the time of examination, upward movements of the arms are limited due to pain. There is strength up to the horizontal, but beyond that the strength disappears and the pain “paralyzes” the arms. By the fall, the pain in my arm went down, and almost my entire arm began to hurt - from the elbow to the shoulder joint. Especially at night!

Upon careful examination, chest pain was also found. When breathing, with uncomfortable movements. It’s good that he’s not a hypochondriac, otherwise he’d already be in the cardiac center.

Quick results in a week

During the examination, I found several old triggers, painful lumps in the shoulder girdle. And I found the probable immediate cause of this unpleasant condition to the right of the shoulder blade. The muscle running along the lateral surface of the chest from the shoulder blade was injured and signaled its troubles.

It is clear that we have just begun therapy, and that for a cure it would be necessary to remove all possible weak points and inflamed areas in his back and neck. But he can now raise his arms freely, without pain! And he breathes easily too