My Back hurts

[rm_dimns]

Hey um. I have a problem with my body. Sometimes my back really hurts like I have a big bruise in my backbones and the pain would last 1-10 minutes. I didn’t mind it even it hurts a lot. But now, my teeth were affected and every time I open my mouth, my jaws do some cracking sounds. Hell, I got toothache and cracking sound in my jaws every time the pain will start. After or during the pain, I go burp like I want to burp. What is this kind of problem? I really need some advice before coming to a doctor. Thank you.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

You probably have both back and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The doctor won't really do much for you. Go visit a physical therapist - they should be able to treat both the TMJ dysfunction and the back pain.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

You probably have both back and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The doctor won't really do much for you. Go visit a physical therapist - they should be able to treat both the TMJ dysfunction and the back pain.

I know you are a PT but I think it's incorrect that you always try to steer people away from doctors. Doctor's have a much broader level of training and are supposed to do the initial diagnosis. Additionally, many people need to the have PT prescribed by a doctor in order for insurance to cover it.

I'm not knocking physical therapists. They are an important part of the system and truly help people, but they are not a substitute for doctors.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

TMJ is a clicking jaw. I have that. Had some sort of inflamation where my jaw meets my skull and it has never been the same since. It's gotten better over the years though. I think it was triggered by lyme disease which I was diagnosed with years later.

Back pain from execise or just back pain? Could be diet. There is some sort of food additive that some people get stomach pain (intestinal) from. For years (like 20), I thought it was muscle pain in my back and stomach muscles. Some sort of strained muscle or something. Turns out it is some damned additive in some foods. It is an additive that makes things taste better. I can't have beef jerky anymore which pisses me off.

Might want to start with your PCP and have them direct you to the proper specialist.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I know you are a PT but I think it's incorrect that you always try to steer people away from doctors. Doctor's have a much broader level of training and are supposed to do the initial diagnosis. Additionally, many people need to the have PT prescribed by a doctor in order for insurance to cover it.

I'm not knocking physical therapists. They are an important part of the system and truly help people, but they are not a substitute for doctors.

My reasons are different than you think. Even if I didn't have stock in the PT field, I would suggest this patient see a physical therapist. My reasons, in this case, are as follows: doctors cannot actually evaluate the TMJ or low back (unless they are an orthopedic specialist or chiropractor), physical therapists can evaluate and treat all at one place (if the state doesn't require you see a physician beforehand), and it is the most effective conservative care option out there. The TMJ's pain is likely mechanical in nature. PTs are trained to evaluate and treat the TMJ, while most healthcare professionals are not. The low back pain - yes, I agree that the OP could see more than one practitioner for this. However, since he may already be going for a TMJ issue, it is cost effective and convenient for him to visit the same person for the back problems. I worry about a general practitioner throwing a lot of antiinflammatories or pain killers at the OP, him running out of the drugs, and the symptoms coming back. The doctor, in that case, wouldn't do anything but minimize the symptoms without addressing the mechanical issue.

If the OP had other signs, such as migraines, upper motor neuron signs, weight loss, etc, then I would definitely suggest he see a physician at once. These are things I don't evaluate or treat (without a diagnosis and other intervention). I understand what you're saying and I make an honest effort not to be "that guy" who just sees everything as a PT problem. I would (and frequently do) refer patients to neurologists, internists, orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, in a heartbeat if they're displaying symptoms that warranted it

 

[rm_dimns]

Thank you to all. Sorry for late reply.

Conclusion: I guess my problem is not any sign of diseases like cancer and it’s just a physical problem.

Additional info: My tooth aches only when my back pain starts. And my jaw always does the cracking sound even if no pain in my back.

I don’t properly sit or lie down if i was at home while watching TV or reading.

I also have tuberculosis when I was young (Hehe), but it was a 15 years ago, I don’t have TB anymore. No more cough and no more blood coming in my mouth. I never smoke. Therefore no more TB I guess.

Question: Is my today’s problem connected to my old disease - Tuberculosis?

I guess I have to consult a doctor or maybe I only need Physical Therapy- massage. I’ll try both of them.