When is Chronic Back Pain or Tenderness a Symptom of a Spinal Tumor?

Everyone is likely to experience back pain at some point in their life, whether it is due to poor posture at work, an athletic injury, or a pain disorder. When patients begin to notice that their pain symptoms are not going away, concern settles in. One of the major fears patients often have when chronic back pain begins is that they are developing cancer and spinal tumors.

Spinal tumors are made of cells that multiply rapidly, growing larger on or in the complex system that helps connect your body and brain. Tumors growing in the spinal column can lead to weakening of the bones, nerve compression, and instability of the spine – all of which cause long-term back pain.

However, primary spinal tumors are rare, and there is a good chance your chronic pain is due to another problem within the spine. It may help to discuss your chronic back pain with a chiropractor trained through Ideal Spine’s Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) approach, which focuses on holistic patient wellness through chiropractic application. An experienced chiropractor may help you determine the true cause of your pain and ascertain whether you have a spinal tumor.

Understanding spinal tumors and how they develop

Spinal tumors can grow in numerous places around the spinal column, including within the vertebral column, within the spinal canal but away from nerves, and inside the spinal cord or nerves. The type and placement of the tumor will determine what kind of treatment plan your doctor will recommend, so it’s important to be diagnosed early.

In general, spinal tumors are rare unless they have spread from another part of the body. Primary tumors, or tumors that originate in the spine, are most common in young adults and are usually benign. However, even if a tumor is benign, it can still cause discomfort or pain in the back because of how it affects the many nearby spinal components.

Malignant, metastasized tumors are more common and occur mostly in older adults.

If you have already been diagnosed with cancer and are suddenly experiencing back pain, there is a possibility that your cancer has spread and caused tumor growth on your spine, and you should seek medical assistance immediately.

Recognizing the signs of spinal tumors

Not all chronic back pain is indicative of a spinal tumor. In fact, most back pain is not due to a spinal tumor. Knowing what signs to look for can help you stress less about your condition and focus on finding an effective pain management program. Signs of spinal tumors include:

• Chronic pain in the back;
• Tingling or numbness in arms and legs;
• Severe pain if affected area is compressed or manipulated;
• Pain that is worse at night;
• Persistent pain that does not go away with rest;
• Symptoms of major illness including a loss of appetite, fever, chills, and nausea;
• Scoliosis or another spinal deformity;
• Loss of bowel or bladder function;
• Already diagnosed form of cancer.

Pain stemming from spinal tumors will often be centralized to the back and will slowly begin to affect other parts of the body. As the tumor grows, it may begin to compress nerves, leading to tingling sensations, weakness, or paralysis in the arms and legs. Physical spinal deformities may also become present as the tumor alters the shape of your spine.

Spinal tumor back pain cannot be attributed to an injury or strain and is persistent, often continuing regardless of pain management methods like chiropractic. If you experience chronic back pain and have attempted to identify the cause to no avail, you may want to speak with your physician about the possibility of cancer.

During this process, it’s important that you document your symptoms, so you maintain an accurate record of how long certain symptoms last and when new ones begin to occur. This can help your doctor more easily diagnose your condition.

Working with a licensed chiropractor to diagnose and treat chronic back pain may help you get the answers you need quickly. Cancer is a scary disease that should be addressed as soon as possible, and a medical professional may be able to help you identify the signs of a spinal tumor, so you can begin treatment.

Contact Ideal Spine to learn more about our Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) approach and to find a trained chiropractor who may be able to help you treat your chronic back pain.

Chiropractic BioPhysics® corrective care trained Chiropractors are located throughout the United States and in several international locations. CBP providers have helped thousands of people throughout the world realign their spine back to health, and eliminate a source of chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and a wide range of other health conditions. If you are serious about your health and the health of your loved ones, contact a CBP trained provider today to see if you qualify for care. The exam and consultation are often FREE. See www.CBPpatient.com for providers in your area.