Back and Neck Pain

What Is Back and Neck Pain?

Back and neck pain is common among people of all ages. Overuse of muscles and repetitive actions can cause and prolong back and neck pain. It’s important to distinguish whether it is temporary back and neck pain or potentially something more serious. If you are concerned your back and neck pain is out of the ordinary, be sure to ask your doctor about it.

Causes of Back and Neck Pain

The complexity of the spine and neck coupled with the number of muscles and tendons in the back can make finding the cause of pain difficult. Back and neck pain can be caused by:

Infection
Poor muscle tone
Muscle tension or spasm
Sprain or strain
Ligament or muscle tears
Injuries or conditions in other areas of the body
Overuse

Less common causes of neck and back pain include:

Degeneration of vertebrae, often brought on by stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine or the effects of aging
Obesity
Protruding or herniated (slipped) disc, which may be pinching a nerve, such as the sciatic nerve
Degenerative disc disease – Wear-and-tear on the spinal discs that causes chronic lower back pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Systematic problems – Diseases, tumors, bone spurs or cysts can cause problems with the joints, muscles or nerve roots in the neck and back

Types of Back and Neck pain

There are two types of back and neck pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain typically lasts for a short amount of time, usually 4 to 6 weeks. Chronic pain lasts for longer, usually more than 3 to 6 months.

Back and neck pain can come in many forms, including:

Herniated disk
Pinched nerve
Nerve pain
Neuropathy
Bulging discs
Synovial cyst (common in the lumbar spine)
Arthritic cysts that are filled around certain joints in the back
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal deformities, such as spina bifida
Spinal stenosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Kyphosis
Osteoporosis
Scheuermann’s kyphosis
Scoliosis
Spinal cord cancer
Spondylolisthesis
Arthritis
Spinal tumors
Spine trauma

Symptoms of Back and Neck Pain

Symptoms can differ depending on the condition and whether it affects the nervous system or muscles. Symptoms related to neck and back pain may include:

Dull, sharp or burning pain in the back or neck that can either be isolated to one area or spread over a large area
Leg pain, numbness or tingling
Sharp radiating or shooting pain in the lower back that moves down the buttocks and down into the leg
Aches and stiffness that occurs anywhere along the spine, especially when sitting for extended periods of time
Arm numbness or tingling
Headaches
Shooting pain or dull aches in the neck

Testing and Diagnosing Back and Neck Pain

No matter how much pain you may be in, it’s important to take the steps to determine an accurate diagnosis. Spine diagnostic testing can help pinpoint the condition or disorder which will determine the best treatment option for you and your needs.

Learn more about spine testing and diagnosis to get you on the path to back and neck pain relief.