Neck And Back Pain Explained

A strong and healthy spine is, quite literally, the backbone of a vital life. Still, many of us take our backs for granted. Most every movement we make, from the time we wake up to the moment we turn out the light, is somehow related to the neck and back. When neck and back pain strikes, it affects everything we do.

Neck and back pain become extremely common as people get older. It's a condition that can affect not only your physical health, but also your emotional, social and economic well being. A single episode of neck and back pain can completely disrupt your daily tasks, routines, leisure activities and employment. It can bring life to a standstill, causing a flood of doctors' reports and missed days at work.

Without question, neck and back pain can make life downright miserable. Still, there is no reason to panic and rush into surgery. Many other treatment options are available and there are pain management steps that you can take to overcome your obstacles. These non-surgical measures can not only help your pain, but also reduce the likelihood of recurring episodes.

What Causes Neck and Back Pain?

Most occurrences of neck and back pain are brought on by strains or other injuries to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spinal column. Pain can be caused by a sports injury or a sudden increase in unaccustomed physical activity, such as heavy lifting.

Viral infections may also cause flu-like symptoms that may be accompanied by muscular pain in the neck and back. In medical circles, this type of condition is called myalgia.

There is a natural degeneration of the spine that can be another cause of neck and back pain. The vertebrae, or individual bones making up your spine, are joined together by the intervertebral discs, joints, and ligaments. These components are combined to form the spine's strong and flexible structure.

As we age through middle life into the golden years, the wear and tear of your intervertebral discs and other associated components of your spine can also cause neck and back pain. Movement is a common cause of these degenerative changes. With time, motion will create a breakdown of the cervical (neck) and the lumbar (lower back) areas of the spine.

Ligaments and joints are biological structures that try to heal and repair themselves. This self-healing can result in deformities of the spine, such as bulging discs, buckling ligaments and bone spurs. These changes can also cause a pinching of the canals through which nerves pass, with painful results.

Treatments for Neck and Back Pain

There is no one magical cure for every type of neck and back pain, but many conditions are can be treated easily and effectively. Most doctors choose to prescribe pharmaceutical medications for their pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Some patients would rather avoid medications in favor of alternative treatments. Passive physical therapy can be effectively combined with active physical exercise. You can try applying hot and cold compresses to relieve discomfort in the painful area. The use of electric impulses is another option used to override the muscular spasms that cause neck and back pain.

It can seem impossible to lead a normal, productive life with neck and back pain, but surgery is not necessarily the answer. If you suffer from persistent neck and back pain, speak with your doctor to learn more about the treatment options that can help you get your life back.