Could your nerve pain be something else?
Diagnosing Nerve Pain
Experiencing pain can be more than just uncomfortable; it can also be confusing, especially when trying to understand its source. Two common types of pain that people often get mixed up are myofascial referred pain and radicular nerve pain. Both can significantly impact your daily life, but they have different causes and treatment approaches. This blog post aims to help you differentiate between the two at home, providing a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Understanding the Pain
Myofascial Referred Pain originates from trigger points in the muscles. These are tight, tender areas within muscle tissue that can cause pain in other parts of the body when pressed or strained. For example, a trigger point in your back might lead to pain in your shoulder.
Radicular Nerve Pain, on the other hand, is caused by compression, irritation, or injury to a spinal nerve. This type of pain is often described as sharp, shooting, or electric shock-like and can travel from the spine down to the arms or legs, following the path of the affected nerve. It's commonly associated with conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Differentiating at Home
Signs of Myofascial Referred Pain
Localized Tenderness: You may find specific spots in your muscles that are particularly tender or tight, known as trigger points. Applying pressure to these can reproduce your pain or cause it to radiate to a different area.
Consistent Pain Pattern: The pain is usually aching and can be chronic. It follows specific patterns and can be reproduced by pressing on the trigger point or engaging in activities that strain the affected muscle.
Limited Range of Motion: Myofascial pain often leads to stiffness and restricted movement in the affected muscles, without affecting the nerves or causing tingling and numbness.
Signs of Radicular Nerve Pain
Pain Distribution: Radicular pain follows the path of the nerve from the spine to your extremities. It might feel like an electric shock and can be accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve's path.
Worsened by Spinal Movements: Activities that compress the spine, such as sitting down, bending forward, or coughing, can exacerbate radicular pain.
Specific Nerve Root Symptoms: Depending on which nerve is affected, you might experience symptoms in specific areas. For example, sciatica (a form of radicular pain affecting the sciatic nerve) causes symptoms along the back of the leg and into the foot.
Simple Tests to Try at Home
While these tests are not definitive diagnoses, they can provide clues:
Press and Release: Gently press various muscle groups to identify tender trigger points indicative of myofascial pain. Release quickly to see if the pain lingers or refers elsewhere.
Stretch and Move: Gently stretch or move different parts of your body. Radicular pain will often worsen with certain spinal movements, while myofascial pain may feel somewhat relieved by stretching.
Neurological Symptoms Check: Note any areas of numbness, tingling, or weakness. These symptoms are more aligned with radicular nerve pain.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you're experiencing persistent or severe pain, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide a thorough assessment, possibly including imaging studies or nerve conduction tests, to accurately diagnose your condition and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Physical therapists can play a crucial role in managing both myofascial and radicular pain through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education on pain management strategies and ergonomic adjustments.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between myofascial referred pain and radicular nerve pain can help you communicate more effectively with healthcare providers and take the first steps toward managing your pain. Remember, this guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, but it can help you start the conversation about your pain with informed questions and observations. Pain relief and recovery start with understanding the cause of your pain, so don't hesitate to reach out to a professional for help.
