Why does my spinal column feel bruised?

Hard to say: There are multiple potential causes of back pain that feels like it is up and down the spinal column. A detailed exam and perhaps an MRI will usually determine the cause. Potential causes can include multi level degenerative disc disease, muscle spasm, or multiple level facet arthritis thy to name a few. There are also inflammatory conditions that affect the spine such as ankylosing spondylitis.