Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Perhaps the most debilitating back pain is the type you could describe as sharp, shooting or intense. These strong sensations can stop us in our tracks and keep us from pursuing all of the activities we once loved. In order to effectively treat these sharp pain sensations, we first must understand the underlying cause.

So what are some of the most common causes of sharp and intense back pain, and better yet, how can these issues be treated? We tackle those questions and more in today’s blog about sharp back pain causes.

Causes Of Sharp Back Pain

The following conditions oftentimes present with sharp or intense pain, but not always, especially if the issue is in an early stage. Don’t wait until the condition has increased in intensity, because putting off care can sometimes make effective treatment harder to achieve. With that in mind, here’s a look at a few conditions that commonly present with sharp or intense back pain.

• Bulging Or Herniated Discs – When a disc ruptures and the soft inner nucleus breaks through the harder outer ring, the disc material can compress nearby nerves, causing shooting or intense pain sensations. Herniated discs can oftentimes be treated with conservative care techniques, but they aren’t likely to resolve if you just keep trying to go about your day. Treat these compressed and pinched nerves with rest, controlled exercise, physical therapy, posture improvements and oversight by a spine specialist.
• Soft Tissue Tear – If your sharp pain is felt in your back but not necessarily along your spinal column, the problem may lie in a soft tissue and not in a vertebrae or disc. If you lifted a heavy object or stressed your body during athletic activity, it’s possible that you strained or tore a muscle, ligament or tendon in your spine. These soft tissue injuries typically respond well to rest in the short-term and then physical therapy and gradual return to activity in the long-term.
• Sciatica – If you’re experiencing shooting or sharp pain in your hip, buttocks or down one or both legs, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with sciatica. Sciatica describes an issue with your sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. If this nerve becomes compressed, irritated, impinged or otherwise damaged, you may experience sharp pain anywhere along the nerve. While a herniated disc in your lower back could contribute to your sciatic nerve pain, other risk factors include being overweight, lacking strong supportive core muscles, having poor posture or leading an inactive lifestyle. Sciatic nerve impingement can oftentimes be treated with conservative treatments like physical therapy, core strengthening and posture improvements.
• Spinal Infection – Finally, a spinal infection can also sometimes cause sharp, radiating or throbbing back pain. Infections are more common in the wake of a previous spine surgery or after a spinal injection, but infections can also spread from other parts of your body. If you are experiencing sharp back pain and other symptoms like nausea, fever or chills, you need to reach out to a medical professional right away.

These are just a few of the most common conditions that can present with sharp back pain, and it’s important to realize that sharp back pain should never be ignored. Sharp pain needs to be addressed sooner rather than later if you want the best chance at fully treating the issue. If you put off treatment, there’s a higher likelihood that your condition could become chronic.

If you want to overcome whatever is causing your sharp back pain, connect with a spine specialist who can help you figure out what’s going on in your spine, and set you up with an individualized care plan for helping you overcome your issue. For more information, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Sinicropi, reach out to the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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