Neck and Back Pain

Lower back pain is very common, affecting at least 80% of the general population at some time. While neck pain is less common than lower back pain, millions of people will experience neck pain at some point in their life. Here are some common neck and back problems that respond to conservative treatment.

Strain/Sprain
Most episodes of acute pain are due to a muscle strain or joint sprain. This type of injury can be caused by a sudden force (such as from a car accident or a sudden awkward movement), or from faulty posture or long periods of excessive stress (such as from sleeping in the wrong position or carrying something heavy). Local pain will be reproduced by movements of the neck or back that stress the injured tissue. Sometimes a dull ache may be felt in another area. This is because during early development, bones, muscles and joints came from the same tissue. Therefore, it is difficult for the brain to determine the source of an injured tissue and we often see pain referred to different structures. Conservative care, such as ice, stretching, trigger point therapy or manipulation can help alleviate this painful condition. Spinal rehabilitation is also necessary to restore the previously injured tissues to their original functional state.

Osteoarthritis (Spinal degeneration)
There are patients who feel their worst when they first rise in the morning and at the end of the day. These people often feel best when they are moving, and they often prefer warm, sunny days to cool, rainy days. Such symptoms parallel those experienced by patients with degeneration of the weight-bearing joints (e.g., hips and knees). Degeneration in the cartilage of the facet joints can produce pain and tends to occur in older adults (over 60 years old). The facet joints are designed to move against smooth surfaces, but as the cartilage degenerates it develops a lot of friction and there is accompanied loss of motion. The degeneration may produce bone spurs that can cause narrowing of the space where the nerve exits the spine. This would result in pain, tingling or numbness radiating into the arm and hand for the neck, or the leg and foot for the back. The types of treatment that are helpful mainly center on keeping the normal motion of the joint. Range of motion exercises and manipulation can all help preserve motion and lessen the pain. Traction may be beneficial in relieving any compression of the nerve.

Herniated disc
Similar to the nerve compression seen in osteoarthritis, discomfort that radiates into the arm or leg can also be caused by a herniated disc pinching a nerve in the neck or back respectively. There is hardly any discomfort in the neck or back and the majority of the pain, tingling or numbness will be found in the extremities. Most of the symptoms are temporary and can be treated successfully with conservative care.

The vast majority of episodes of neck or back pain will get better with time and can be addressed with conservative care. However, there are a few symptoms that are possible indications of a serious condition and may require immediate attention.

1.  History of cancer with/or recent unplanned weight loss

2.  Significant arm or leg weakness

3.  Sudden bowel and/or bladder incontinence

4.   Fever and chills

5.   Severe, continuous abdominal and back pain

6.   Severe trauma

Copyright ©  lee chiropractic and sports therapy clinic    Site Map