
Common Causes
As signified in the term, this category of dorsalgia encompasses cervical and thoracic spinal regions as the cervical spine is the topmost section of the vertebrae that is a part of the neck region. While the thoracic spine is the second part of the spinal column, it occurs between the cervical spine and lumbar spine.
Related Conditions
Dorsalgia may also occur after an injury or be the result of overuse, such as in the case of extensive manual labor ( 3, 4 ). Stress-related disorders can also result in dorsalgia ( 5 ). Dorsalgia can result from bulging or herniated discs, injury, overuse, and stress.
What is dorsalgia and where does it occur?
Physiotherapy or physical therapy is usually recommended as an initial treatment opinion for dorsalgia. Your physiotherapist or chiropractor might hold regular sessions with you and monitor how your body reacts to physical therapy and exercises. 2. Medications Medications may also be recommended to you along with physical therapy and exercise.
Can stress cause dorsalgia?
Bulging or herniated discs can cause dorsalgia. Dorsalgia may also occur after an injury or be the result of overuse, such as in the case of extensive manual labor ( 3, 4 ). Stress-related disorders can also result in dorsalgia ( 5 ). Dorsalgia can result from bulging or herniated discs, injury, overuse, and stress.
What are the treatments for dorsalgia?
Can a herniated disc cause dorsalgia?

What does dorsalgia mean in medical terms?
For starters, dorsalgia is severe back pain, which could be coming from different parts of the spine. Depending on the specific section of the spine where the pain is coming from, there are six types of dorsalgia. These are: Cervical. Cervicothoracic.
Where is the dorsalgia located?
As signified in the term, this category of dorsalgia encompasses cervical and thoracic spinal regions as the cervical spine is the topmost section of the vertebrae that is a part of the neck region. While the thoracic spine is the second part of the spinal column, it occurs between the cervical spine and lumbar spine.
Is dorsalgia a neuropathic pain?
In our analysis, patients affected by dorsalgia in various spinal regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) all suffered from neuropathic pain.
What are the 6 types of dorsalgia?
Following are the 6 main types of Dorsalgia:Thoracolumbar dorsalgia: Thoracolumbar dorsalgia is characterized by upper and lower back pain. ... Thoracic dorsalgia. It is a rare type of dorsalgia occurring in the thoracic region of the spine. ... Cervical dorsalgia. ... Cervicothoracic dorsalgia. ... Lumbosacral dorsalgia. ... Lumbar dorsalgia.
Is dorsalgia low back pain?
Dorsalgia generally refers to back or spine pain (1). However, while dorsalgia includes spinal-related pain like lower back pain, mid back pain, and sciatica pain, it does not include pain from conditions like scoliosis or lordosis. Dorsalgia includes back pain that begins in the back muscles, nerves, and joints (2).
What is dorsalgia m549?
Backache (postural) M54.9. Dorsalgia M54.9.
How can I get disability for lower back pain?
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, chronic back pain sufferers must prove they have a medically determinable impairment. Additionally, the impairment must last or be expected to last for a minimum of one year.
What is Cervicogenic dorsalgia?
Cervicogenic dorsalgia is pain expressed in the dorsal region and having its genesis in a disordered cervical spine. Although this descriptive phrase locates the anatomic region from which the patient's symptoms originate, the term cervicogenic dorsalgia is seldom an adequate diagnosis for the doctor of chiropractic.
What does paresthesia feel like?
Paresthesia refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. The sensation, which happens without warning, is usually painless and described as tingling or numbness, skin crawling, or itching.
How do you relieve lumbar radiculopathy pain?
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?Protect the area by avoiding activity that causes worsening symptoms, such as heavy lifting.Avoid too much bed rest.Stay active around the house, and go on short walks several times per day. ... Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.Sit in firm chairs.More items...•
Is lumbar spondylosis arthritis?
This age-related condition is called lumbar spondylosis. It's also frequently called arthritis of the lower back and results in chronic lower back pain that worsens with age and increases with movement. When this condition occurs in the neck, it's called cervical spondylosis.
What do about back pain?
Acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy, laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation and other nonsurgical spine treatments can also make a difference for chronic back pain. Talk to your spine specialist about alternative treatments that could benefit you.
What tests can be used to diagnose dorsalgia?
Summary. Physical examinations, neurological tests, and imaging can all be useful in determining a dorsalgia diagnosis.
What is the term for back pain that begins in the back muscles, nerves, and joints?
Dorsalgia includes back pain that begins in the back muscles, nerves, and joints ( 2 ). Dorsalgia means back or spine pain, including low back, mid back, and sciatic pain. It does not include pain related to scoliosis, lordosis, or other specifically classified conditions.
What is dry needling?
Dry Needling. Dry needling can be used to treat pain in the thoracic spine (the spine in the upper back and abdomen) ( 15 ). Often used in sports medicine, physical therapists perform dry needling to relieve muscle pain.
What is the word for sciatic nerve pain?
If you’ve ever typed “pain in the upper back” into a search engine or talked to a doctor about your sciatic nerve pain, you may have come across the word “dorsalgia.”. But what is dorsalgia?
Can you use muscle relaxers for dorsalgia?
Injections or surgeries may be necessary for the most severe cases of dorsalgia. The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Is back pain a dorsalgia?
Dorsalgia generally refers to back or spine pain ( 1 ). However, while dorsalgia includes spinal-related pain like lower back pain, mid back pain, and sciatica pain, it does not include pain from conditions like scoliosis or lordosis. Dorsalgia includes back pain that begins in the back muscles, nerves, and joints ( 2 ).
What Is Dorsalgia? What Does It Mean?
The word dorsal is a word of Latin origin and means ” back “. Dorsalgia , on the other hand, is a general name given to pain in the back as a result of various reasons.
What Are The Causes Of Dorsalgia?
There are many different causes that can cause pain in the back area . Some of these causes originate from bones, while others originate from muscles.
What Are Dorsalgia Symptoms?
Symptoms due to dorsalgia may vary depending on the underlying cause and the characteristics of the person.
How Is Dorsalgia Treated?
For the treatment of dorsalgia, the underlying cause should be known first. As we mentioned in the previous parts of our article, there are dozens of different reasons that can lead to this pain.
How to treat a dorsalgia?
Treatment for Dorsalgia can be both conservative and surgical. Mild cases of Dorsalgia can be treated conservatively with physical therapy and NSAIDs for pain relief. Additionally, muscle relaxants may be prescribed for pain and muscle spasms which tend to occur as a result of Dorsalgia. For radiating pain affecting the nerves, ...
What does it mean when you have a dorsal nerve?
The pain may also radiate to other parts of the body, especially the upper or lower extremities depending on the area of pathology in the spine along with numbness and tingling sensation. Since dorsal means back and algia means pain then medically speaking Dorsalgia actually means back pain or pain around the back region.
What causes a disc to protrude from its normal anatomical place?
Advertisement. As stated above, Dorsalgia can be caused by a variety of medical conditions like osteoporosis which is quite common in menopausal females, disc herniation or bulge in which a vertebral disc tends to protrude from its normal anatomical place and impinges on the surrounding nerve roots causing Dorsalgia.
What is the name of the condition that causes pain in the spinal column?
What is Dorsalgia? Dorsalgia is a collective name given to a group of conditions that produce moderate to intense pain in the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures which are associated with the spinal column of the body. This pain can be intermittent or constant depending on the type of injury or pathology and it can be localized ...
Why do my hands and arms tingle?
This type of Dorsalgia occurs in the neck due to an injury or degeneration of the cervical spine causing pain in the neck. If the nerve roots of cervical spine get affected then the pain may radiate down the arms and hands with numbness and tingling in the arms and hands. It is also known by the term of Cervicalgia.
Does a dorsalgia sting?
The pain caused by Dorsalgia can be burning or stinging at times. It tends to radiate from the vertebral column to other areas of the body especially the upper or lower extremities depending on which area of the spinal column is affected. Advertisement. Osteoporosis, kyphosis, lordosis, sciatica, lumbago, disc herniation, ...
Is thoracic dorsalgia rare?
Since the thoracic spine is one of the least used spinal structures of the body hence Thoracic Dorsalgia is a rare occurrence.
What Is Dorsalgia?
For starters, dorsalgia is severe back pain, which could be coming from different parts of the spine. Depending on the specific section of the spine where the pain is coming from, there are six types of dorsalgia. These are:
Best Treatment for Dorsalgia
There are two treatment options for dorsalgia: conservative therapy and surgical treatment. A doctor pegs the choice of treatment for dorsalgia on the diagnosis and etiology. Etiology is the determining of the cause of a given condition and its severity.
Conservative Therapy for Dorsalgia
A doctor elects to use conservative therapy to treat dorsalgia if the conditions are not very severe, and it is in its initial stages. The treatment involves the use of over the counter pain killers, physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, massage therapy and pain management interventions for possible injections.
Surgical Treatment for Dorsalgia
A doctor chooses to use surgery to treat dorsalgia if, after close examination of the diagnosis report, he/she determines that the condition behind the pain is severe and needs surgery to rectify the condition. Surgery also comes into the picture if therapy is not working, and the condition is worsening.
What are the Types of Dorsalgia?
Cervical dorsalgia, also regarded as cervicalgia, is a condition that causes spinal pain. If you feel my back is killing me, then your cervical spine might have some problem. Pain in your neck portion that might follow after an injury is usually due to cervical spine degeneration.
What are the Symptoms?
Fluctuating among the six dorsalgia categories, the symptoms of this ailment are usually common in the majority of patients. So, if you experience shooting spinal pain or neck pain, along with a burning sensation, you might be suspected of dorsalgia. However, a strong back can prevent it.
What is the Treatment?
If you are looking for urgent care for back pain, you may visit the most trusted and renowned Premier Pain Center for the best treatment. You might have to choose from two endorsed treatment options: conservative therapy and surgery. Though, your physician will determine the treatment option based on diagnosis or etiology.
What are the Risks and Side Effects of These Treatments for Dorsalgia?
Many patients may develop gastrointestinal or stomach-related issues or cardiac (heart) ailments after consuming Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). While acetaminophen intake is likely to cause nausea and potential liver problems.
Best Treatment for M54: Dorsalgia
There are two treatment choices for dorsalgia: conservative therapy and surgical treatment. A doctor pegs the option of treatment for dorsalgia on the diagnosis and etiology. Etiology is the determining of the cause of a provided condition and its severity.
Conservative Therapy for Dorsalgia
A doctor elects to use conservative treatment to treat dorsalgia if the conditions are not very critical, and it is in their first stages. The treatment includes the use of over-the-counter pain killers, physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, massage therapy, and pain management attacks for potential injections.
Surgical Treatment for M54: Dorsalgia
A doctor selects to do surgery to treat dorsalgia if, after a close review of the diagnosis report, he/she determines that the condition after the pain is severe and wants surgery to improve the condition. Surgery also comes into the photo if therapy is not operating, and the condition is worsening.
What causes back pain?
Conditions commonly linked to back pain include: Muscle or ligament strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you're in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back can cause painful muscle spasms. Bulging or ruptured disks.
What is disk disease?
Disk disease is often found incidentally when you have spine X-rays for some other reason. Arthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
What does it mean when your back hurts?
Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. In addition, the pain may radiate down your leg or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking.
