Sudden Back Pain: When It’s a Strain vs. a Slipped Disc

What you need to know

• Sudden back pain could be the result of a simple muscle strain, or it could indicate something more serious like a slipped or herniated disc.
• It’s essential to get a diagnosis for your back pain, as the treatment will vary depending on the issue.
• A back strain can often be addressed with rest and recovery, but you will need to see a physician for a slipped disc.

Sudden back pain can derail your day and leave you incapacitated.

Back pain could restrict your movement and make it very difficult to carry on with everyday tasks.

Learning how to identify different types of pain can help you to get to the bottom of the issue quickly.

In this short guide, we’re sharing some insight into the differences between a muscle strain and a slipped disc.

Signs of a muscle strain

If you are dealing with a muscle strain, you might first notice this after intense exercise or after lifting something heavy.

Look out for the following signs:

• The pain feels like an ache and is localised to one area.
• You can usually pinpoint the back muscles where the pain started.
• There should be no nerve symptoms, such as numbness, tingling or weakness in your limbs.
• A muscle strain should resolve within a few weeks following a period of rest.

Treatment for a muscle strain

You’ll need to rest the affected area until you start to feel an improvement.

This means that you’ll need to stop doing whatever activity caused the pain to start.

A massage from a trained professional might help to speed up the healing and provide you with some relief, but often rest is the only remedy.

You can use over the counter pain medication and topical pain relievers to help alleviate the symptoms.

Signs of a herniated disc

A herniated disc is when the soft, gel-like centre of the spinal disc bulges out through a tear in the tough outer layer.

Spinal discs provide cushioning support between the bones in your spine and they can become damaged by impact or strain.

To determine if you have a herniated disc, look out for the following signs:

• The pain will feel sharp and you will experience shooting sensations.
• Pain from a herniated disc will often radiate down the leg or along your arm.
• It will often be a debilitating pain and you might be unable to stand or walk.
• Nerve symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness in your limbs are common.
• This pain is likely to last longer than a simple muscle strain.

Treatment for a herniated disc

In mild cases, you’ll be able to manage the condition at home.

Over the counter pain medication can be used to manage your pain.

You’ll need to rest the area and avoid any strenuous activities including lifting, bending or twisting.

In the long term, physiotherapy may be necessary to help strengthen the area and avoid repeat issues.

In cases of repeated herniated disc injuries, surgery might be required.

When to visit a physician

Whether you have a herniated disc or a muscle strain, you should pay close attention to the healing process.

After a few weeks of self care, your strain or slipped disc should start to feel better.

If you haven’t noticed an improvement, or if the pain intensifies, it might be time to visit a physician.

You should also seek help if you are experiencing nerve symptoms or if the pain is preventing you from carrying out everyday activities.

Frequently asked questions