A burning sensation in the back occurs in a large number of women and men; very often this symptom is formed due to sudden movement, lifting a heavy load, muscle spasms, increased body weight, a sedentary lifestyle, an unbalanced and monotonous diet. Painful sensations are periodic; they can arise suddenly and also fade away unexpectedly. The patient begins to experience severe burning and paralysis in the affected area.
The burning sensation in the back in the area of the shoulder blades is most pronounced and intense in sensation. In this situation, the sick person does not pay attention to this condition and uses available means to eliminate the pain syndrome. Unfortunately, the reason that led to the development of painful urges can be very serious and sometimes fatal. As a result, it turns out that the burning sensation is caused due to disturbances in the functional activity of the heart and stomach.
Varieties of sensations
Painful urges in the back can have different localization, and, accordingly, this can indicate a variety of pathological processes. In addition, the nature of the burning sensation may differ, namely:
- local, that is, in a clearly indicated place;
- permanent;
- diffuse, painful urges affect several areas at once;
- loss of sensitivity in the burning area;
- with clear time intervals.
Each patient has clear boundaries of sensitivity, and what is normal for one and he does not pay attention to discomfort, for another it is an unbearable sensation. Each patient has his own idea of what is happening to his back; some say that it begins to “burn,” while for others it “burns.” Burning pain in the back is often caused by spinal pathologies.
People may experience soreness in different areas of the back. For example:
- behind the sternum;
- cervical-collar area;
- on the sides of the back;
- lumbar region;
- space between ribs.
In rare cases, a slight change in discomfort and burning in the back may occur, leading to the patient developing emotional instability and decreasing performance.
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Causes of back discomfort
Pain and burning in the back are more often experienced by older people. As mentioned above, painful spasms can be localized in different parts of the back, which is why they are directly associated with diseases of the spine. The main deviations of the spinal column include:
- dystrophic changes in articular cartilage;
- intervertebral hernia;
- spinal deformity (kyphosis, scoliosis);
- spondyloarthrosis;
- previous spinal injuries;
- • protrusion of the wall of the intervertebral disc.
Not only spinal pathologies can lead to a burning sensation in the back
All of the above pathological conditions arise due to increased physical stress on certain areas of the spine. This problem occurs in both men and women, but in the former they develop more often, since their work involves hard work. In addition, there are a number of predisposing factors: sedentary work, wearing uncomfortable shoes, improperly selected physical exercises, myositis, exposure to high temperatures.
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A burning sensation in the back is not an independent disease, but a symptom that may indicate a more serious pathology. Any person should know that sharp pain in the back muscles does not just happen. At the first stages of the disease, the burning sensation is mild, but over time it gradually intensifies, and for some patients, the pain even becomes unbearable. The mechanism for the development of burning sensations is based on the fact that the spine cannot fully cope with the assigned load, and as a result, a redistribution of powers occurs, part of the muscle tissue is stretched, and the other half is tense, and as a result - a burning sensation.
In case of previous injuries, or in a situation where the strength of the capsular-ligamentous apparatus is impaired, damage to the muscle structures occurs. Since the intensity of the painful sensations does not subside, in order to reduce their manifestation, the patient tries to somehow redistribute the load on other muscles, and as a result, the burning sensation becomes chronic.
Burning in the chest
In addition to spinal pathologies, pain can also occur for other reasons, so if such a condition develops, you should urgently consult a doctor and do a full examination of the body. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude not only spinal pathologies, but also other serious diseases, such as gastric ulcers, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis and myocardial infarction.
Pathologies that can cause burning in the thoracic spine include:
Back pain when taking a deep breath
- disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- deviations in the performance of the gastrointestinal tract.
All people know that chest pain can cause myocardial infarction. Each person tolerates this condition differently, some can tolerate it on their feet, while others, at the first signs of abnormalities, feel severe discomfort in the sternum and want to take a horizontal position. At the first sign of a burning sensation in the chest, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The doctor recommends an ECG, as this will help make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, the doctor must exclude pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract that have similar symptoms. The patient must be under the strict supervision of several specialists, since at home a person may not pay much attention to the symptom and cause pathology.
Chest pain may cause myocardial infarction
Burning on the sides of the back
“The back is burning” - this is how most patients express themselves, since they cannot clearly describe the location of the painful urge. Only after examining a doctor can you get an accurate diagnosis and find out the exact location of the pain. A burning sensation can occur in both the left side and the right side. This condition can be caused by the following pathologies:
- herpes zoster;
- intercostal damage to peripheral nerves;
- rib injuries and fractures;
- the development of neuropathies against the background of an unhealthy diet and impaired metabolism.
Intercostal damage to the peripheral nerves (neuralgia) is a pathological process in which there are no skin rashes, and body temperature does not change, but the burning sensation in the intercostal space is constant. This condition is due to the fact that nerve endings are compressed, and over time this process becomes chronic.
When the patient changes body position, the pain may subside or go away completely, but for a short period of time. If it hurts on the sides, and there are rashes on the skin, then this may indicate herpes zoster (shingles), which is characterized by manifestations on one side.
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Pain in the shoulder blades
When your back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades, this indicates degenerative changes in muscle tissue. Burning in this area is not an independent disease and can be observed in a wide variety of pathological conditions in the area between the shoulder blades. All office workers and people whose work involves constant sitting very often complain of pain in the interscapular area.
The cause of the burning sensation may be due to dysfunction of the muscle tissue located along the spine, but, in some situations, it is associated with ischemia, angina and scoliosis. Painful urges can be localized both on one side and between the shoulder blades. If it “burns” on the right side, this may indicate osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or a pinched nerve. This pain is chronic and aching in nature. With a change in body position, the burning sensation may increase or, conversely, decrease.
In addition, colic in the liver and abnormalities in the functioning of the biliary system should not be ruled out. The inflammatory process under the diaphragm leads to similar symptoms and the process of inhalation becomes unbearable. If the pain is located on the left side of the back, then this may be a sign of a stomach ulcer. And you may notice that discomfort begins to occur after eating. This may also be a signal about abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys and liver.
Scoliosis
A burning sensation in the spine can be a symptom of scoliosis; with this pathology, its curvature occurs. This condition can develop due to staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, lifting heavy loads and sudden movements. The muscle tissue of the back experiences excessive strain and can pull the vertebrae with it.
Scoliosis can have different localizations; when it appears in the sternum area, the pain begins to pulsate from behind, in the area of the shoulder blades. Therapeutic exercise is one of the methods of treating this pathology; it is supplemented by physiotherapy, swimming and wearing special orthopedic devices. Over time, a curved spine begins to deform itself on its own, as a result, thinning of the intervertebral discs, tissue and bone structures occurs, and the rapid development of the inflammatory process.
Scoliosis is one of the most common causes of back pain.
Scapular-costal syndrome
Overexertion or hypothermia of the muscles leads to the fact that the muscles stop working normally, especially those located in the cervical-collar area. Inflammation actively develops, and the patient cannot normally rotate the head or lift the scapula. This pathological process can cause painful aching urges in the scapular region and shoulders, sometimes radiating into the chest. When you rotate your hands, you can hear a slight crunching sound.
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Diagnostic measures
To determine the cause of a burning sensation in the lumbar region, and the back as a whole, it is necessary to undergo a series of diagnostic procedures. At the same time, it is worth visiting specialists whose work is not related to disorders of the musculoskeletal system; this will help to exclude more serious diseases. Doctors who should be visited without fail include: pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist and traumatologist.
Interscapular burning may be a signal of the development of osteochondrosis and impaired blood circulation in the muscular structures of the back. Osteochondrosis is characterized by nagging or dull pain; this is associated with deformation of the intervertebral discs. In case of lung diseases, the pain acquires a pressing character, and in pathological conditions of the kidneys it becomes pulling.
If pathological changes in the cardiovascular system (CVS) have been detected, then, in addition to burning, the patient will experience compression behind the sternum. This is due to the fact that painful heart attacks will thaw in the region of the ribs, as they are reproduced on the right side. Pain and burning in the back may indicate a pinched nerve or displacement of an organ.
Cold and numb extremities are a diagnostic sign that may indicate a pinched nerve.
For a more detailed diagnosis, it is worth taking a number of tests and undergoing several procedures:
- clinical blood test, as well as platelet content in it;
- ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract;
- clinical examination of urine;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- X-ray of the back from all angles;
- fluorography;
- cardiogram.
After a complete examination of the body, you can find out the exact cause of the pathology.
After a complete examination of the body, the doctor will be able to make a verdict and say why the back is burning, and based on this, prescribe the appropriate treatment. The most important thing is that the earlier the pathology is detected, the faster its elimination will begin.
Diagnosis of diseases with burning in the lumbar region
Symptoms in each specific case are studied very carefully, and only a doctor can determine what diagnostic methods will subsequently be used to identify health problems. First, the expected area of violations is determined, after which a comprehensive examination with a focus on a specific profile is prescribed. In most cases, blood and urine tests are mandatory, and sometimes stool tests (if there is a suspicion of gastrointestinal diseases). Also, if problems with the musculoskeletal system and internal organs are suspected, ultrasound and x-rays are prescribed.
In case of heart problems, an electrocardiogram can be performed when the patient enters a medical facility or during an ambulance call, then the patient is under constant supervision of specialists. In case of injuries and skin rashes, a visual examination of the damaged area of the body is carried out, and additional types of examination may also be prescribed.
Therapeutic measures
To eliminate burning in the lower back, and not only, you should strictly adhere to the treatment regimen and follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Therapy includes medication and physiotherapeutic procedures. Experts believe that the best effect is observed from physical therapy.
Lumbar pain and burning in the interscapular region can be eliminated with the help of drug therapy, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics (Ketonal, Imet, Diclofenac sodium). The effect of physiotherapy will be more noticeable if you combine it with taking medications and therapeutic exercises.
Physiotherapy includes:
- electrophoresis with novocaine;
- ultrasonic influence;
- shock waves;
- magnetic influence;
- acupuncture.
You can add massage sessions, as well as diagnostics and procedures from a chiropractor. Preventive measures to suppress pain in the interscapular area include arm swings, especially for office workers, because they constantly sit. In most cases, it is a violation of blood microcirculation, with subsequent stagnation, that leads to a burning sensation in the back. From all of the above, we can conclude that burning in different parts of the back may be a symptom of a fairly serious disease. Therefore, you should not neglect this sign and immediately run to the doctor.
Treatment methods
It should be borne in mind that in most cases, burning in the lumbar region is a consequence of a certain disease, and not the root cause. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the source of the problem must be eliminated. Simply put, in urological diseases, the burning sensation on the skin disappears after undergoing a course of treatment aimed at stopping the inflammatory process of the bladder. The burning sensation in the lumbar region is not specifically treated, but the patient’s condition can be alleviated through the use of analgesics.
There is no single treatment regimen for burning in the lower back, since the source of the problem can be a variety of diseases. Therefore, to eliminate itching, or rather, its root cause, medications, heating, acupuncture, mangitotherapy, and reflexology can be used. When it comes to serious injuries and damage to the spine, a decision is often made to undergo surgery.
Since burning in the lower back is just one of the symptoms of any disease, it is a kind of marker of the success of treatment. That is, if this symptom goes away thanks to a set of therapeutic measures, we can judge that the patient’s condition has improved. But in some cases, when the back is very painful, the attending physician may prescribe additional types of therapy that will help get rid of this unpleasant feeling.
In case of injuries and bruises, topical ointments are often used along with oral anabolics, thanks to which not only the burning sensation, but also the swelling can be removed. For irreversible processes in the spine, in addition to painkillers, muscle relaxants are often prescribed. The complex of procedures, thanks to which you can quickly get rid of the burning sensation, includes massage sessions, manual therapy, and physical therapy. If problems with itching and burning are associated with inflammatory processes of infectious origin, patients are often prescribed antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs can also be used.
Thus, you need to understand the main thing: burning in the lower back in most cases indicates serious health problems. Self-medication in such a situation is ineffective and often even dangerous. The best option is to seek medical help as soon as possible, undergo a comprehensive examination and begin treatment for the identified illness. As health is restored, the burning sensation in the back will disappear on its own, but the attending physician, if necessary, can prescribe medications that relieve the unpleasant symptom.
