Have you ever hurt your ankle and noticed that your foot or leg hurts? That phenomenon is known as referred pain, and it occurs when pain is perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus. This type of pain can be confusing and frustrating because the area that hurts is not necessarily the area that needs treatment, which may make it harder to find relief. Billings chiropractors like Dr. Thomas Keogh are skilled at finding the underlying cause of pain and addressing it effectively.
About Referred Pain
Referred pain happens because the brain misinterprets the location of the pain signal, which occurs because sensory nerves from different parts of the body converge on the same nerve pathways in the spinal cord. As a result, pain signals from one area can be interpreted as coming from another area. For example, a person experiencing a heart attack might feel pain in their left arm rather than their chest.
Other common examples of referred pain include:
- Gallbladder Issues: Pain in the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades.
- Kidney Stones: Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or groin.
- Sciatica: Pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg.
- Heart Attack: Pain in the left arm, neck, jaw, or back.
Referred pain can be caused by various factors, including:
- Pressure on nerves due to herniated discs, bone spurs, or other spinal issues
- Overused or strained muscles
- Problems with internal organs, such as the heart, liver, or kidneys
- Inflammatory conditions like arthritis due to spreading inflammation
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Manage Referred Pain
Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to managing referred pain by addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms. The adjustments that a Billings chiropractor can provide can help alleviate nerve compression and improve spinal alignment, reducing referred pain. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic care can relieve pressure on nerves and improve overall function.
Poor posture can further contribute to referred pain by putting additional strain on muscles and joints. Dr. Thomas Keogh can provide guidance on proper posture and ergonomic adjustments to help prevent and manage referred pain and improve your posture holistically.
When to See a Chiropractor for Referred Pain
If you’re experiencing unexplained pain that doesn’t seem to originate from the area where it hurts, it might be referred pain. Chiropractors are trained to recognize patterns of referred pain and use various diagnostic tools to pinpoint the true source of the issue.
At Bare Chiropractic, we specialize in identifying and treating the root causes of pain, including referred pain. Our comprehensive approach to chiropractic care ensures that you receive personalized treatment tailored to your specific needs.
Contact Bare Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards effective pain management and improved well-being. Let us help you find relief and regain control of your health.
Sources
Jin, Q. Chang, Y., Lu, C., Chen, L., Wang, Y. “Referred pain: characteristics, possible mechanisms, and clinical management.” Frontiers in Neurology, 2023; 14: 1104817. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10338069/
Noda, K., Nosaka, N., Hara, N., Yokota, T., Shigemitsu, H., Takahashi, H. “We Should Pay Attention to “Referred Pain” – A Case of Acute Myocardial Infarction That Masked and Delayed the Diagnosis of Esophageal Perforation.” The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, 2022 Apr 15; 61(8): 1295–1298. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9107967/
