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Neck and Back Pain
Navigating Neck and Back Pain
Neck and back pain is on the rise without our population. A staggering 49% of people are suffering from either. In addition, the number of people suffering from a monthly episode of back or neck pain has increased by 16%. Neck and back pain usually involve some of the following symptoms:
Stiffness. Soreness and difficulty with movement especially when turning or bending.
Sharp pains. The pain may be localised to one spot, it may feel sharp or stabbing. Typically this effect the lower back and lower neck.
General soreness. A more broad area of pain, it is usually achy or tender. Typically effecting across the shoulders, mid back or lower back.
Radicular pain. Pain can radiate along a nerve into the arms, buttocks or legs. It is typically described as burning and the pain level is very intense. When this occurs in the legs it is known as sciatica
Radiculopathy. If the problem with the nerve deteriorates leaving neurological deficits it is called a radiculopathy. This can result in numbness, pins and needles. There may also be weakness or loss of coordination of areas of your body. The pain with this is extreme.
Headaches. Irritation of tissues in the neck can cause any type of cervicogenic headache.
Some of the major causes of neck and back pain are posture, technology and trauma.
Posture
Prolonged postures such as rounded forward shoulders, forward head carriage, anterior pelvic tilt and increase spinal curves can all cause back and neck pain. With the increase in sedentary lifestyles and working from home as well as increased screen time recreationally these are all becoming more common. 45% of people identify these issues as the source of their neck or back pain.
Technology
As mentioned above increased screen time, time sat at desks, videos game, phones and tablets all have an impact on the structure and tissues of the back and neck. The forward hanging head increases the strain put on the surrounding musculature and over time leads to tightening and weakening of muscles. These imbalances can grow over time eventually causing compression of nerves. This can cause painful spasms or neurological dysfunction.
Trauma
Any form of contact sport, fall or car crash can cause structural changes to the neck or back. This can cause associated injury to the soft tissues and over time the problems can become chronic. Often with such injuries show little to no symptoms for years due to the body compensating for such imbalances in the tissues. Eventually the body cannot compensate anymore and people end up with pain and neurological dysfunction. In some cases the underlying dysfunction causes early signs of wear and tear (arthritis).
Neck and back pain can be acute or chronic. If the onset is sudden it is described as acute. Chronic issues have been around for more than 4 weeks. This includes problems that are intermittent.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Neck and Back Pain
A chiropractor will listen to the history of your problem, so they understand your symptoms and how they are affecting your day to day life. Next, they will perform some tests to assess the underlying function of the spine. This will help the chiropractor determine if you suitable for Chiropractic care. Once the chiropractor has determined whether Chiropractic care is the best option for you, they can begin your care. They will then use specific chiropractic techniques to manage and correct the underlying cause of the problems. Chiropractic adjustments restore the motion, improve the alignment and remove the stress and tension in the surrounding tissues. Your neck or back will function much better as a result and you will feel better as a result.
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