What does neck and back pain feel like?
Neck and back pain are common types of discomfort that can appear in your spine, muscles, or surrounding tissues in your neck and back. If you have a neck or back injury, your pain could appear as:
- Sharp pain
- Numbness
- Tinging
- Dull, aching discomfort
- Burning pain
- Muscle tenderness
- Muscle tightness
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Decreased range of motion
- Reduced mobility
- Discomfort while driving
- Pain with movement
The pain could be mild and go away on its own over time, or it is severe and crippling in some cases. See the experts at Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers at the first sign of significant or ongoing neck and back pain.
What are common causes of neck and back pain?
A variety of factors can contribute to neck and back pain, such as:
- Whiplash
- Ligament, muscle, or nerve injuries
- Pinched nerves
- Herniated spinal discs
- Infections
- Tumors
- Age-related wear and tear
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Narrowed spinal canal
- Poor posture
- Prolonged computer use
- Scoliosis
- Other spine problems
- Fractures
You might have neck or back pain because of playing sports, lifting something heavy, being in a car accident, falling down, or getting injured at work.
How do providers diagnose the cause of my pain?
To find out what’s causing neck and back pain and develop an effective treatment plan, the experts at Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers discuss your symptoms and medical history with you.
They check your vital signs, complete a physical examination, and may recommend that you undergo diagnostic tests. Examples include blood tests, nerve testing, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, or other imaging procedures.
How are neck and back pain treated?
Common treatments for neck and back pain include:
Home treatments
Things you can do at home to relieve neck and back pain include using hot or cold packs, wearing a brace, resting the affected area, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is one of the best ways to strengthen painful tissues, speed up healing, and reduce your risk of future problems.
Medications
Taking medicines can diminish neck pain, back pain, and inflammation. Medications also reduce your risk of future tissue deterioration.
Injections
Steroid, stem cell, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections reduce pain and inflammation, as well as stimulate your body’s natural ability to regenerate cells and heal.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation uses a tiny needle and radiofrequency energy to damage nerves responsible for pain signals.
Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation sends electrical impulses to your spinal cord to alleviate discomfort. Your provider inserts a pacemaker-like device under your skin that sends the impulses using a remote control.
Surgery
Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers providers offer numerous surgical procedures to repair, remove, or replace damaged tissues responsible for neck and back pain.
To get relief from neck and back pain, call the Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers office or schedule an appointment online today.