Back and Neck Pain

Back pain typically ranges from mild aches up to extreme, disabling pain. Other symptoms vary and can include: 

• Stiffness
• Restricted mobility
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty performing certain activities
• Tingling or numbness, sometimes extending into the legs

Not all causes of back pain are severe. A significant number of acute back pain episodes can be attributed to basic muscle strain. Such conditions tend to recover quickly, as the muscles have a generally strong blood supply that aids the cells in their healing process.

Back pain can also be caused by physical trauma, which may have a higher likelihood of producing more serious and longer lasting complications. Severe impacts, such as from car crashes or hard hits during sporting events, can cause more direct injuries than typically found in strains. Nerves within the back may also become entrapped or injured.

There is no cause of persistent back pain too small to come in and see us about – and the sooner, the better. If numbness is a present symptom, you should seek immediate medical care.

Neck pain can often be sudden (acute) or chronic (lingering over time). Symptoms of a neck-related condition can include:

• Headaches
• Sharp, shooting pains
• Dull aches
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness or tingling that can extend into the arms

Although muscle strain can be a factor in causing neck pain, it does not tend to happen as frequently as it does with back pain. Physical trauma can, naturally, also be responsible. While the spine is fairly well protected in the back, it is more exposed and subject to injury at the neck.

As with back pain, any cause of neck pain is worth seeing us about promptly. Any severe injuries or problems causing numbness should receive medical attention as soon as possible.

The first step toward effective treatment is fully understanding the problem. 

Our orthopedic specialists will perform a thorough evaluation, including a review of your medical history and listening to you provide important information about when you started noticing your symptoms, how they are affecting your life, etc.

It is also common to expect testing or diagnostics to be ordered to confirm certain diagnoses. We may use X-rays or MRI equipment to get a clearer, fuller view of the situation.

Depending on what we discover about the condition, we may recommend several courses of treatment. While orthopedic surgery may be our recommendation in some cases, our goal is always to exhaust or rule out conservative options before reaching that point.

Nonsurgical treatments for neck pain and back pain may include:

• Heat or cold therapy
• Physical therapy – specific exercises and/or stretches to strengthen muscles and ease pain
• Anti-inflammatory medications and/or muscle relaxants
• Braces for extra support
• Injections for pain relief in the area
• Class IV laser therapy for pain relief and accelerated recovery
• Aerobic exercise (may be incorporated later in the treatment process)

When acute back pain is the culprit, simple medication, rest and hot/cold therapy tend to be sufficient. Special exercises are typically not necessary.

More chronic, severe, or incapacitating cases of back or neck pain will often require a stricter rehabilitation program suited to your needs. The goals will be to return you to the highest level of mobility and function possible, while still managing pain and discomfort effectively.