What Causes Back Neck Pain
Common Causes Of Back And Neck Pain
Issues with neck and back pain are pervasive problems. Of adults, 60%-80% experience back pain during their lives, and 20%-70% experience neck pain, both of which can interfere with your daily activities and lead to disability if not treated.
At Santa Cruz Osteopathic in Capitola, California, osteopathic physician Dr. Richard Bernstein uses cutting-edge integrative care to give you long-term relief from your back and neck pain. Heres what he wants you to know about some of the most common causes of back and neck pain.
Sharp Stabbing And Shooting Neck Pains Are Usually False Alarms
Sharp neck pain is not in itself a red flag. Believe it or not there is no common worrisome cause of neck pain that is indicated by a sharp quality. In fact, oddly, sharp pains are actually a bit reassuring, despite how they feel. In isolation with no other obvious problem they usually indicate that you just have a temporary, minor source of irritation in the cervical spine. Serious causes of neck pain like infections, tumours, and spinal cord problems tend to grind you down with throbbing pains, not stab you.
Sharp, shooting pains are mostly neurological false alarms about relatively trivial musculoskeletal troubles: your brain reacting over-protectively to real-but-trivial irritations in and around the spine. The brain takes these much more seriously than it really needs to, but evolution has honed us to be oversensitive in this way. Thats not to say that the brain is always over-reacting, but it usually is. Most of the time, a sharp pain is a warning you can ignore.
Headaches Caused By A Neck Problem
Headaches stemming from a neck problem are usually chronic and vary in type depending on the cause. Common examples include:
- Cervicogenic headache . CGH usually begins as a dull ache in the neck and radiates upward along the back of the head, almost always affecting just one side. Pain may also spread to the forehead, temple, and area around the eyes and/or ears. CGH is caused due to an underlying disc, joint, muscle, or nerve disorder in the neck.
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Whiplash Or A Sudden Jolt To The Neck
Whiplash describes an injury to the neck where the head jolts forward and then back into place very quickly.
The movement resembles the crack of a whip. People tend to think of whiplash in relation to car accidents, but it can also occur as a result of sporting activities and other sudden movements.
Nature Of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain arising due to neck pain often has characteristic features, which when present, involvement of the neck should be suspected.
- Pain in the neck region, radiating to the shoulders, arms and hands.
- Burning, tingling sensation or shooting pain in shoulders and arms.
- Shoulder and neck pain worsens on movement of neck.
- Shoulder pain is relieved when neck is supported, rested or when lying down.
- Using a neck brace, cold or warm compresses to the neck, provide relief to shoulder pain and reduce stiffness.
Some features that may be noted when shoulder pain is more local and may not be necessarily related to the neck include:
- Dull aching shoulder pain, may be around arms but not the hands.
- Shoulder pain worsens on movements of the shoulder and not of the neck.
- Pain in shoulder is experienced after a fall or blow to the shoulder.
- Shoulder pain is relieved after resting or supporting the arm.
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Other Causes Of Neck Pain
There are numerous other medical conditions unrelated to cancer that cause pain in your neck, such as:
- Strained muscles. Overuse, poor posture at work, or an awkward sleeping position can strain your neck muscles and cause discomfort.
- Cervical spondylitis. When the spinal disks in your neck experience wear and tear, which generally occurs as you age, you may experience pain or stiffness in your neck.
- Herniated discs. When the soft interior of a spinal disk protrudes through a tear in the tougher exterior, its called a slipped disc.
Other common causes of neck pain include:
- injuries, such as whiplash
Home Remedies For Neck Pain
If you wake up with a sore neck, there are several remedies you can try to help ease the pain. You likely dont need to see a doctor, especially if you dont have any other symptoms, and you havent had a sore neck for long. Here are some self-care options you can try:
- Apply ice or a cold pack to the sore part of your neck for 20 minutes at a time. This can help reduce inflammation in your neck muscles.
- If youve had pain for a day or more, apply a heat pack to the sore area for 20 minutes at a time. This can help to soothe and relax the muscles.
- Try over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen , naproxen , or acetaminophen .
- Do some gentle exercises, like walking or yoga. This can help keep the blood flowing to your neck. Dont stop moving altogether. Not moving can cause your muscles to tighten up.
To help prevent neck pain when you wake up, there are steps you can take to support your neck and reduce the strain on your neck muscles.
A couple of simple exercises can help keep your neck muscles strong and limber, which may reduce the risk of waking up with pain in your neck.
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Common Causes Of Chronic Back Pain
Underlying changes in the spines anatomy and mechanics are usually the cause of chronic low back pain.
The most common source of chronic back pain is a lumbar spinal disca sturdy, fibrous structure that acts as a ligament between vertebrae. A spinal disc can cause pain from:
- Lumbar disc herniation. A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like interior of a disc bulges or leaks outward, irritating nearby muscles, joints, or nerve roots. A herniated disc typically causes sharp, stabbing pain down the backs of the legs , which is usually more pronounced than low back pain.
- Lumbar degenerative disc disease. Wear-and-tear on the spinal discs that causes chronic low back pain is called lumbar degenerative disc disease. This condition typically causes chronic, low-level low back pain that intermittently flares up for a few days or weeks before returning to normal.
Necks Just Hurt Sometimes
The neck is one of a few areas of the body along with the low back, jaw, and bowels that is vulnerable to bouts of unexplained pain, sometimes quite stubborn. In most cases, the pain goes away. Pain is weird and unpredictable, and is often the result of the brain being overprotective and paranoid.
Worrying about the pain may be literally the worst thing you can do not just a poor coping mechanism, but a genuine risk factor. Like noise pollution, the more you focus on it, the worse it gets. Thats why this article is focused on rational reassurance.
If you want more, carry on with my huge neck crick tutorial, for people with a frustrating sensation of mechanical stuckness. Or read about the weirdness of pain and learn more about how to tame your brains false alarms.
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How Are Neck And Shoulder Pain Diagnosed
- X-rays: Plain X-rays can reveal narrowing of the space between two spinal bones, arthritis-like diseases, tumors, slipped discs, narrowing of the spinal canal, fractures and instability of the spinal column.
- MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging is a noninvasive procedure that can reveal the detail of neural elements, as well as problems with the tendons and ligaments.
- Myelography/CT scanning: This is sometimes used as an alternative to MRI.
- Electrodiagnostic studies: Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity are sometimes used to diagnose neck and shoulder pain, arm pain, numbness and tingling.
What Are Possible Complications Of Neck And Back Pain
Complications of back and neck pain may include:;
- Loss of productivity. Back pain is the most common reason for disability in working adults.
- Nerve damage. If your back pain is from a herniated disk, pressure on the spinal nerves may cause a variety of problems, such as weakness, numbness, or severe shooting pain that travels from the back to the leg.
- Depression. Back or neck pain can disrupt all aspects of life. This includes work, physical exercise, social activities, and sleep. The anxiety and stress caused by the change in movement and pain can lead to depression.
- Weight gain. Loss of movement and inability to exercise can lead to weight gain and the loss of muscle strength.
It is a good idea to see a healthcare provider if you have numbness or tingling, or if your pain is severe and does not get better with medicine;and rest. If you have trouble;urinating, weakness, pain, or numbness in your legs, fever, or unintentional weight loss, call your healthcare provider right away.
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Treating Headaches Caused By Poor Posture
Headaches caused by poor posture can be treated immediately with acetaminophen. In the long term, you can treat or try to prevent these headaches by improving your posture. Purchase an ergonomic work chair with good lumbar support, and sit with both feet on the ground.
Why Chronic Neck Pain Should Never Be Ignored
Neck pain is one of the most common medical complaints among both women and men, and thanks to an increasing use of computers and mobile phones for just about any activity under the sun, those complaints are becoming more common. Lots of factors can contribute to neck pain, including spending hours hunched over electronics.
Sometimes, neck pain is a minor nuisance that can be remedied with a few lifestyle changes and maybe some gentle stretching. But other times, chronic neck pain can be a sign of a more serious issue thats just not going to clear up on its own. Unless youre a doctor, it can be difficult to tell when persistent neck pain is due to minor strain and when its being caused by a serious underlying problem that needs immediate care. Heres why chronic neck pain shouldnt be ignored and how the chiropractors at Premier Spine Institute can help you find welcome relief.
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Diagnosing And Treating Neck Pain And Headache
Clinicians use information from the features of headache, physical examination, and diagnostic tests to make an accurate diagnosis of the type of headache. It is also possible for two headaches to occur together. Treatment of primary headaches include medications for both immediate relief and sustained relief . Treatment of secondary headaches focuses on the underlying condition to control symptoms.
Keeping Your Neck Pain Free
With the tips and information here, you can keep your neck pain-free. You can also alleviate pain when it occurs, making life more comfortable. Theres no way to know when neck pain will occur, so knowing what to do to get rid of it can be extremely beneficial. Keep the tips above in mind to enjoy a pain-free day.
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Signs Of Arthritis Are Not Red Flags
One of the most common concerns about the neck that is not especially worrisome: signs of wear and tear on the cervical spine, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease, as revealed by x-ray, CT scans, and MRI. Many people who have clear signs of arthritic degeneration in their spines will never have any symptoms, or only minor, and/or not for a long time.11 For instance, about 50% of fortysomethings have clinically silent disk bulges, and even at age 20 theres a surprising amount of spinal arthritis. The seriousness of these signs is routinely overestimated by patients and healthcare professionals alike.12
Signs of arthritis are almost never diagnostic on their own.13 Do yourself a favour: dont assume that you have a serious problem based only on pain plus signs of arthritis. Pain is common; serious degeneration is not.
but no pain
Percentages of people with various kinds of spinal degeneration . Source:
| Imaging finding |
|---|
| 83% |
Is neck pain a symptom of COVID-19?
All common aches and pains are more likely to be triggered or aggravated by any infection, but perhaps COVID-19 more than most simply because its unusually good at causing widespread body aching, and necks are included in that. But neck pain doesnt stand out any more than any other common locations for aching or soreness .
Sleeping And Lying Down
- Select a firm mattress and box spring set that does not sag. If necessary, place a board under your mattress. You can also place the mattress on the floor temporarily if necessary.
- If you’ve always slept on a soft surface, it may be more painful to change to a hard surface. Try to do what is most comfortable for you.
- Use a back support at night to make you more comfortable. A rolled sheet or towel tied around your waist may be helpful.
- Use a firm pillow that supports the curve of your neck.
- Do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest.
- When standing up from the lying position, turn on your side, draw up both knees and swing your legs on the side of the bed. Sit up by pushing yourself up with your hands. Avoid bending forward at your waist.
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Dos And Donts For A Stiff Neck
Oftentimes, taking it easy for a day or two is all that is needed to give the necks soft tissues a chance to heal. In cases where pain is significant, an individual may want to use an over-the-counter pain medication or apply ice and/or heat therapy.
Wearing a cervical collar to immobilize a stiff neck is not advised. Rather, an individual with a stiff neck should try to stick to normal activity levels if possible, especially after the first day or two.
Signs And Symptoms Of Neck Pain
Neck pain may be characterized by the following symptoms:
- Persistent aching
- Tenderness or sensitivity to mild pressure
- Pain that gets worse when you hold your head in one place for a while
- Muscle tightness or spasms
Neck pain can be axial or radicular . It may be accompanied by a headache, or by numbness or tingling in one or both arms.
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The 6 Most Common Causes Of Neck And Back Pain
Being a pain in the neck is better than having a pain in the neck.
These days, with more time in front of our computers and on our phones in not-so-ergo-friendly offices , were setting ourselves up for unwelcomed aches and pains.
With win
ter behind us and spring cleaning ahead of us, our backs are prone to the weekend warrior tweaks like a pulled muscle from moving heavy objects, extreme raking, or simply overdoing it.
Did you know that between 60-80 percent of adults in the United States will experience spine, back, and neck pain during their lives? According to OSMCs Dr. David Beatty, MD, an anesthesiologist and pain management physician, back pain is one of the most common medical conditions reported in the U.S.
We see many patients come into our clinic with a myriad of back pain symptoms, noted Dr. Beatty. Generally, their pain is a symptom of another medical condition. We peel back the layers to eventually identify the root cause of their pain.
The most common causes of neck and back pain include:
Arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate, or severe. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities, and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.
Rare Causes Of Right Side Neck Pain
There are less common causes of neck pain that may be more severe. These may include:
- damage to the nerves, vertebrae, or spinal cord
- infections
When neck pain is mild or moderate, it is usually possible to treat the symptoms at home. Some cases of neck pain will clear up quickly over the course of a day while others may require a few weeks to resolve fully.
A person may wish to use home remedies before seeking medical help. People can try the following methods to ease their pain:
- taking over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications
- applying heat using heating pads, baths, or warm, moist towels
- massaging and manipulating the neck
- stretching the neck
- applying ice to the injured area
- practicing good posture when sitting, standing, and walking
- sleeping in a position that supports the neck
- performing exercises to help keep the neck strong
However, home remedies may not always alleviate the pain. Some people will require medical treatment to achieve relief from their neck pain. The exact treatment will depend on whether or not any underlying conditions are causing the pain.
A doctor may try the following additional treatments:
- muscle relaxants
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