The Difference Between Neck/Back Pain and Arm/Leg Pain

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• Axial Pain vs. Radicular Pain

• News: Expert Advice for Treating Back Pain at Home

Axial Pain vs. Radicular Pain

Let’s briefly discuss the difference between two main types of pain originating from the spine. Doctors use the terms “axial” and “radicular” to describe the type of pain that a patient is having or to describe the type of pain that a certain procedure or injection may treat. Let’s review the difference between the two.

Axial pain and radicular pain are terms used to describe different types of pain that originate from distinct anatomical locations within the body and have different characteristics.

Axial Pain:

Axial pain is localized pain that arises from structures within the axial skeleton, which includes the head, neck, spine, and pelvis. Axial spine pain specifically refers to localized pain that originates in the structures of the spine itself. This pain is typically felt in the midline of the back or neck and is often described as a dull, aching, or sore sensation. It is confined to the spinal column or the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Common causes of axial spine pain include arthritis, muscle strain, ligament sprain, facet joint pain, and degenerative disc disease. The pain remains primarily in the back or neck region without radiating down the arms or legs.

Radicular Pain:

Radicular pain, on the other hand, is pain that radiates along the course of a nerve due to irritation or compression of the nerve root. Radicular arm and leg pain, also known as radiculopathy, is characterized by pain that radiates from the spine down into the arms or legs. This type of pain follows a specific nerve pathway and is often described as sharp, shooting, burning, or electric shock-like. It is caused by compression or irritation of a nerve root, typically due to conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, or bone spurs. The pain travels along the nerve's distribution and may be accompanied by sensory changes, weakness, or tingling in the affected limb.

In summary, axial spine pain is localized to the midline of the back or neck, originating within the spine or its surrounding structures, and does not radiate into the arms or legs. On the other hand, radicular arm and leg pain involves pain that radiates down the arms or legs due to nerve compression or irritation, often associated with specific spinal conditions.

Laugh through the pain…

In the news…

Check out this updated article from the New York Times about home treatments for back pain.

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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