What are the different types of referred pain?

In some cases, if it is a nerve that is sending the pain signal, then pain can be felt all along the length of the nerve. Patients often describe this as a sharp burning pain along the skin.

One of the most common examples of this is
sciatica, where the large nerve that runs down the back of the leg is irritated around the lower back. The source of the pain signal is near the spine. However, that pain follows a distinctive pattern down the leg.

In other cases, it is the muscles and not the nerves that are referring pain elsewhere. Muscular trigger points are taut bands that develop within muscle tissue that is undergoing abnormal stress.

Poor posture, lack of movement, and overuse
can cause muscles to develop areas of dysfunction. These trigger points can
cause pain that radiates out in distinctive patterns. Trigger points are diagnosed as the source of pain if symptoms are reproduced when a therapist presses on a specific point.

If that wasn’t confusing enough, we know that our internal organs also refer pain. Pain referred by internal organs is frequently described as a deep ache, and usually not influenced by movements of the limbs or back.

Organs often distribute pain in patterns that are very obscure and sometimes don’t even create any pain at their location. For example, kidney pain often feels like lower back pain. Tragically there have been patients who have failed to seek treatment in time as they mistook a  erious condition for a simple
backache.

Disclaimer

None of the information in this newsletter is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual condition.