Do you remember that strange headache that comes from the inside of your head after drinking a cold drink? It's very strange, isn't it? Because even though the cold is felt in your mouth and throat, the pain is felt in your head. Similarly, sometimes your shoulder suddenly starts to hurt for no reason. The pain is actually in one place, but the cause is in a completely different part of the body. In medicine, we call this 'Referred Pain' . This can sometimes be a symptom of a serious illness, so it's important to be aware of this.
What does referred pain feel like?
Referred pain can be experienced differently by each person. It's hard to say exactly what it is. But there are a few common ways to experience it.
| Nature of pain | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Sharp | A sudden, sharp pain, like a stab. |
| Dull | A constant, dull, heavy pain. |
| Radiating | A pain that feels like it starts in one place and spreads to other places. |
| Like a burning (Burning) | A burning sensation. |
| Like a tingling sensation (Tingling) | A pain that comes with a tingling sensation, like ants running around. |
| Constant | A constant pain. |
| Fluctuating | A pain that is intense for a while, then subsides and then increases again. |
Many people describe this pain as a squeezing pressure . As the pain spreads, it becomes more difficult to pinpoint where it is coming from.
How do you know if this is referred pain or normal pain?
It's not easy to tell the two apart. But think about it this way: If you have pain in a place where there is no injury, you should be concerned. For example, if you have a torn cartilage in your shoulder, it's normal to feel pain. But if you suddenly start to feel pain in your shoulder for no apparent reason , it's more likely to be referred pain. Maybe the pain is actually coming from something in your stomach. It's your body's way of telling you something.
If you experience back or shoulder pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain without any injury, see a doctor immediately . These could be signs of a heart attack or other heart condition.
Why does this referred pain occur?
The reason for this is the complexity of our nervous system. Simply put, every nerve in our body is like a big network of interconnected nerves. When there is a problem somewhere, those nerves send signals to the brain saying, "There is something wrong here, there is pain!"
However, sometimes these nerves act as if they have been switched . Even though the cause of the pain is in one part of the body, the pain signals in the brain are sent to a completely different place. This is why the pain is in one place, and the cause is somewhere else.
What are the most common places where referred pain occurs?
Referred pain is very common in certain parts of the body. So common that doctors consider it a symptom of diseases elsewhere in the body.
| The place where the pain is felt | Suspected underlying cause |
|---|---|
| Back pain |
|
| Shoulder pain | It could be a sign of a lung or liver problem or a heart attack. |
| Hand pain | It can be caused by conditions such as a heart attack, angina, shingles, or fibromyalgia. |
| Pain in the teeth and jaw | It is commonly caused by a nerve condition called trigeminal neuralgia. It can also be a symptom of a heart attack. |
These are just a few examples. Referred pain can occur anywhere in the body. It's best to see your doctor for advice to find out exactly what your pain is trying to tell you.
How does a doctor find this?
When you see a doctor, he will first examine you physically. Then he will ask you some questions about your pain.
- When did the pain start?
- How long has this pain been there?
- Where do you feel the pain?
- Is the pain constant? Or does it come and go?
- Have you had any accidents or injuries before?
Based on your answers to these questions, further tests may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other diseases.
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound scan
- CT scans
- MRI scan (MRI)
How is referred pain treated?
To treat referred pain, you can't just apply medication to the area where the pain is felt. You definitely need to treat the underlying condition that is causing it.
For example, if you have hand pain due to a condition called fibromyalgia, the doctor will treat the fibromyalgia. When that is treated, the hand pain will also go away.
If the pain persists to some extent after treating the underlying cause, your doctor may recommend other treatments to reduce the discomfort.
- Painkillers
- Acupuncture
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy
Things you can do at home
There are several ways to relieve pain and swelling at home, but before doing these, it's essential to talk to a doctor to make sure it's not something serious like a heart attack.
- Apply alternating hot water and ice to the painful area.
- Soaking in a tub of warm water with Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) can help relieve muscle pain.
- Have a good rest.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
If you have pain that you can't understand or explain, don't ignore it. Talk to a doctor right away. Referred pain is your body's way of asking for help.
Especially, if there is chest pain along with pain radiating to the shoulder, arm, teeth or jaw, it could be a sign of a heart attack. In such a case, it is very important to call 911 or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
Are Referred Pain and Phantom Pain two different things?
Although they are somewhat similar, they are two different symptoms. Phantom pain is the feeling of pain in a part of the body that has been removed (for example, an amputated leg). Referred pain is a connection between two existing parts of the body.
Take-Home Message
- Referred pain is real pain, but it's caused by a problem in a completely different part of the body.
- Pain in the back, shoulder, arm, or jaw for no apparent reason can be a symptom of a serious illness.
- If you experience unexplained pain like this, never ignore it. Definitely see your doctor.
- Referred pain is treated not at the site of the pain, but at the underlying cause.
- If you have chest pain that radiates to your arm, shoulder, or jaw, go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
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