Sharp back pain - Things You Should Know To Get Relief

Sudden, medically referred to as "acute,” sharp back pain can be a symptom of a myriad of conditions or even a sign of injury. Very different from the gradual and dull ache one feels from sitting for for too long in front of their computer at work, the reason for sudden shots of pain in the back can be a little more difficult to diagnose. There are a number of common and uncommon culprits for acute back problems, both medical and mechanical in nature, ranging from life-threatening diseases to a pulled muscle. As with any other condition, it is always a very good idea to consult your doctor with any ailments that you may have.

Sharp back pain that is sudden can be a symptom stemming from many different conditions and injuries. Finding the root cause of the pain is dependent on the location of the pain. Mechanical problems, meaning ones that arise due to muscles, ligaments, bones, or spinal discs, are the most common. More specifically, sharp back pains can stem from muscle spasms, pinched nerves, compression fractures, herniated discs, or infection. The best way to pinpoint the reasons for such pain is to consulting your physician.

A muscle spasm is a prolonged stiffening or contraction within the muscles of the back. Muscle spasms can be triggered by injury, trauma, or continuous and repetitive strain. A muscle spasm is actually a bodily mechanism which indicates an attempt to protect the spine from any further injury. Muscle spasms can result in sharp back pain that can be located in either the lower or upper back.

A herniated disc can also be referred to as a bulging disc, a slipped disc, a ruptured disc, or even a pinched nerve. These can also cause sudden sharp back pain. This is usually caused by improperly lifting heavy objects and other such strenuous activity. Sharp pain that shoots down through the buttocks and into the lower extremities is called sciatica and is a very common symptom of a herniated disc.

A compression fracture refers to a fracture of the vertebrae, usually caused by some sort of trauma or by weakened bones. This pain is usually very sharp. Weakened bones are usually a result of a condition very common with higher age groups, osteoporosis. Sometimes the spinal bones can also become infected in a very rare condition referred to as osteomyelitis. Due to the infection, symptoms such as fever may arise as the body's immune system battles with the infection.

A common misconception is that the location of the pain indicates the location of the injury or medical condition. Sudden sharp back pain may not even be related to the back, but is often a symptom of a heart attack. For this very reason, those having heart attacks do not get the proper medical attention because they think they just pulled a muscle in their back. This also applies to injuries. A herniated disc may result in pain that is felt in a completely different are from the back, such as the leg.