Oh Your Aching Back...Or Is It? Other Sources Of Back Pain

Pain can originate in one part of the body and felt in another. This is true of back pain as well. Doctors call this "referred pain," which simply means that pain in one part of your body is felt in another. This happens because parts of the body share the same nerve pathways. A good example of referred pain is the pain felt in the left arm that accompanies a heart attack. So, what's causing your aching back? Here are a few source of referred back pain. 

The Heart

Just as you can feel pain radiating in your arm during a heart attack, the heart can also be the source of back pain, including the upper back and shoulders. Angina is pain caused by the heart not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. But the pain does not always occur in the chest; you can feel the pain in other parts of the body:

• Shoulders
• Back
• Jaw 
• Necks
• Arms

Angina causes other symptoms along with pain, such as nausea, indigestion, dizziness, sweating and shortness of breath. 

The Kidneys

Kidney trouble often causes pain in the back below the ribs, known as flank pain. Several kidney problems can cause pain in this area of the back:

• Infection
• Kidney stones
• Enlargement of the organ
• Injury
• Blocked urine flow from kidney(s)

The treatment options for kidney pain depend on the diagnosis by your doctor. 

The Abdomen

Pain originating in the abdomen can radiate to the upper back and right shoulder. Pancreatitis is one condition where pain originating in the abdominal often radiates to the back. 

Pancreatitis is made worse be eating foots with a high fat content and can also cause, nausea, vomiting, fever, and swelling in the abdomen. Most people who suffer with pancreatitis have gallstones or are alcoholics. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. 

The Lungs

Pneumonia is a common lung condition that also causes pain in the upper back. Lung cancer can also be a source of back pain in the mid or upper back. However, back pain in this area is not the only symptom of lung cancer. You should be concerned if your back pain accompanies other lung cancer symptoms:

• Shortness of breath and wheezing
• Persistent cough that does not go away
• Coughing up blood
• Weight loss
• Repeated lung infections
• Loss of appetite

Anytime you have back pain, it is important to see your family doctor first for a proper diagnosis. Once you know the underlying cause, you can seek proper treatment. For actual back pain due to spinal compression and other conditions that can be treated with spinal manipulation and decompression, contact Chiropractor Plus.