What is Causing My Back Numbness?

Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi

causes of back numbness

Many people complain of aches or shooting pains in their backs, but another condition that affects millions of people is sporadic back numbness. For some, the sensation in their back seems to come and go, and others experience numbness for hours on end.

In the medical world, numbness and tingling sensations on the skin is classified as paresthesia, and typically it is caused by some sort of sensory issue. Today, we’re going to explain why you experience intermittent bouts of numbness, and how paresthesia is treated.

Causes of Back Numbness

Causes of back numbness typically depend on the location of the paresthesia sensation, but oftentimes the numbness is caused by a physical nerve injury. A pinched nerve, inflammation near the nerve or pressure on the nerve roots can all cause numbness. These causes are typically brought on by trauma from an acute injury, or over time as we age.

Additionally, back numbness can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Here’s a list of some health conditions that cause back numbness.

Treatment for Back Numbness

The key to treating back numbness is to address the underlying cause. This can be done using non-operative and surgical techniques. If you’re dealing with back numbness, the first thing you should do is visit a back specialist. They’ll evaluate your spine and figure out exactly what is causing the issue.

In the event your back numbness is being caused by a pinched nerve or inflammation, your doctor will likely try a couple of non-invasive techniques. Typically this involves physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and stretching techniques. Sometimes they’ll also recommend that you visit a chiropractor to help free the pinched nerve.

If conservative treatments fail, your doctor will likely sit you down to talk about your surgical options, assuming a physical issue is causing the numbness, not a condition like diabetes. If you’re dealing with a pinched nerve or nerve compression from a herniated disc, your doctor will explain how minimally invasive decompression surgery works. As the name implies, the doctor would make a very small incision in your back in the affected area. From there, he’ll work to decompress the nerve or free it from its pinched state. Your surgeon may also address the spinal disc if it played a role in the numbness.

So if you’re dealing with bouts of problematic back numbness, consider visiting a back specialist. They’ll be able to figure out the root cause, and walk you through a host of treatment options.

Comments are closed.

Make an Appointment