What causes neck and back pain? A significant number of individuals will experience back and neck pain at some point in their lives. Both the neck and back provide support to your body and help in various body movements. Overstretching or overuse of their muscles causes muscle injury which leads to pain. Whether the pain stays temporary or more, it may affect your life quality. Talk to Albany neck and back specialists today for a thorough diagnosis and treatments. This blog post will discuss neck and back pain.

What causes neck pain?

The neck is responsible for your head’s support and movement. As a result, it makes it susceptible to soft tissue injuries. You may experience sprains and strains from sports accidents, whiplash injuries, and poor posture.

Neck pain may occur if you spend a lot of time holding your head down and looking at a computer, smartphone, or tablet. It may also result from degenerative problems such as herniated discs, bone spurs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.

What symptoms are associated with neck pain?

Besides pain in your neck, you may experience a tingling sensation and pain that moves down your arms to your hands. You may also develop a burning sensation, weakness, and numbness.

Treatment options for neck pain?

Your provider reviews your medical history and performs a comprehensive physical exam of your neck. They monitor your neck posture and range of motion. They also check your muscles and joints to create a personalized treatment plan.

Your provider may recommend joint mobilization, passive and active exercises, ice and heat therapy, ergonomic and body-mechanics training, and steroid injections. If your neck pain does not improve with these conservative treatments, your provider recommends surgery.

What causes back pain?

Back pain may result from an accident, injury, or repetitive movements. How you use your back determines the cause of most back injuries. Back injuries also result from falling, tripping, and poor lifting techniques.

Auto accidents may also result in back pain due to muscle tears or a bulging disc pressing on the spinal nerves. Spine disorders may also cause back pain, such as spinal stenosis, sciatica, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylosis.

How to handle back pain?

If your symptoms are mild and you know the cause of your back pain, you may try home remedies. Avoid exercises that increase the pain but do not stop moving. Over-the-counter medications or applying heat may help relieve pain and enhance the healing process.

Seek medical advice if your symptoms don’t improve or get worse.

Treatments for back pain?

The team at Orthopaedic Associates uses conservative techniques to treat back pain. The treatments include ice or cold therapies, heat treatments, ultrasound therapy, therapeutic massage, manual manipulation, and back braces. Your provider also offers electrical stimulation, steroid injections, and platelet-rich plasma therapy.

You may need surgery if your symptoms don’t improve or if you have a severe back pain case. The surgical procedures focus on repairing or replacing damaged discs and relieving pain.

Do not wait for too long to seek neck and back pain treatments. Call Orthopaedic Associates today to schedule your consultation.

One should read more about What are the best natural remedies for back pain and inflammation? to understand it better