FlexifyMe Advanced Physiotherapy Clinic, New Friends Colony, new delhi

“It just hurts.”
That’s what most patients say.
But as a Pain Specialist, I need the details because muscle, disc, and nerve pain speak very different languages.
Here’s the quick Diagnostic Cheat Sheet I use to start differentiating the dominant pain generator:
1️⃣ Muscle Pain (The “Ache”)
The Feeling: Dull, aching, tight, or “grabbing.”
The Behavior: Usually localized. Often worse with direct use or stretching of that muscle, and may feel better with rest or gentle unloading.
The Pattern: You can often point to it with one finger. “It hurts right here.”
2️⃣ Disc Pain (The “Pressure”)
The Feeling: Deep, central, and heavy or throbbing. Patients often describe it as feeling like their spine is in a vice.
The Behavior: Commonly hates flexion. Sitting, bending forward, or putting on socks makes it worse. Standing up can feel like “unfolding” a rusty hinge.
The Pattern: It feels structural to the patient - not because the spine is unstable, but because deep spinal tissues are sensitized.
3️⃣ Nerve Pain (The “Electricity”)
The Feeling: Sharp, burning, shooting, buzzing, or zapping. Often described as water running down the leg or an electric shock.
The Behavior: It travels. Rarely stays in one spot. Shoots into the glute, thigh, calf, or foot.
The Sign: The “Sneeze Test.” If coughing or sneezing sends pain down the leg, this is suggestive of nerve root irritation, often related to disc or foraminal pressure.
The Reality:
It’s often a combination.
A disc problem (structure) irritates a nerve (electricity), causing surrounding muscles to spasm (ache) to protect the area.
Identifying which signal is dominant helps us treat the cause - not just numb the symptom.
⚠️ SHARE this with your friend who complains about “Sciatica” (it might not be sciatica).
COMMENT "HEALTH" and we will guide you
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