Often, back or neck pain comes down and puts cushions like a gel that stays between the vertebrae. They help maintain the natural curvature of your spine, and allow your spine to bend or bend. And most importantly, the disk absorbs shock when walking or running.
When a disc ruptures, it leaks its jelly center and irritates nearby nerves, called a herniated disc. Although herniated discs are probably the most common cause of back pain in adolescents, they are still the most common cause of pain in elderly patients.
The spinal column is made up of small bones arranged on top of each other, forming the natural folds of the spine. The spine has three groups: cervical, thoracic and lumbar.
- The cervical spine includes the neck and has seven small vertebrae, starting at the bottom of the skull and ending at the upper chest.
- The thoracic spine has 12 vertebrae and begins at the upper chest, extending to the middle of the back and connecting to the rib cage.
- The lumbar spine has five vertebrae located on the lower back; The lumbar vertebrae are larger because they carry more body weight.
Between the vertebrae are flat, round, rubber pads that work to absorb shock and allow the back to bend or bend. The disc on the lumbar spine is made up of a thick outer ring of cartilage (annulus) and an inner gel substance.
Where is the pain located?
Back and neck pain occurs when it occurs because of a specific area of the spine that has been affected. The location of your symptoms is often a good place to start when you are considering a possible cause.
- The middle and upper spine are the next, extending from the lower extremity of the seventh cervical vertebra to the lower 12th vertebra of the chest, which corresponds approximately to the tenth rib.
- The lower spine is the area corresponding to the lumbar spine, which begins below the 12th thoracic vertebra and extends to the top of the sacrum bone, almost in the middle of the lower extremity between the two posterior hip bones.
- Sacroiliac and coccyx pain may also contribute to different types of back pain; Sacroiliac pain mainly takes the form of dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints. The coccyx bone is your tail.
Although most people experience back pain at some point in their lives, the pain varies, from person to person, and from one event to another. Back pain can be minor to severe, moderate or recurrent, have a gradual onset or sudden appearance, and can be short-lived or long-lasting.
Symptoms of neck and lower back pain with headache
Back pain varies, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the injury. The pain can be described as sharp or stabbing, careless, stinging, or feeling like stomach pain. Leaning or sleeping often improves back pain, regardless of the cause. It doesn’t matter your age or symptoms, if you experience back pain
- Swelling, burning, or severe pain in your back. Pain can be placed in one place or cover a large area
- Leg numbness or tingling above or below your knee
- Stiffness or stiffness that occurs anywhere on your back (from neck to tail)
- Severe shooting pains extending from the back to the buttocks, below the thigh, to the calf and your toes.
- Frequent pain in the middle or lower back, especially after standing or sitting for a long time
- Sciatica-related pain, including pain that extends from the back to the buttocks and leg, which may or may be accompanied by numbness, tremors or weakness that goes down the leg.
- Loss of control of the bladder and intestines, as well as weakness in both legs, are symptoms of a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
Pain that occurs suddenly in the back or neck, due to an injury, is considered acute pain. Acute pain comes on quickly and can go away faster than chronic back or neck pain. This type of pain should not last more than 6 weeks. Pain that can come quickly or slowly and lasts for weeks, 3 months or more, is considered chronic pain. Chronic pain is less common than acute pain.
Causes of neck and lower back pain with headache
The most common cause of acute back or neck pain is muscle injury, in which muscle fibers become very stretched and ruptured. Muscle injuries can be caused by overuse, such as lifting heavy objects, as well as by repetitive movements that put constant stress on the back or neck muscles.
Degenerative changes can lead to instability or abnormal movements between the vertebrae. These changes in the lower part of the spine can lead to slipping of one vertebra in another, a painful condition called spondylolisthesis.
Spinal stenosis; A narrowing of the spinal canal due to bone strain, herniated disc, or other irritation can cause leg pain. Although back pain can occur with spinal stenosis, it is usually not as severe as leg pain caused by irritation of the nerve roots.
Disc herniation; is one of the most common causes of back and neck pain. It may have many different names, such as cracked nerves, and a ruptured or burning disc, but no matter what you call it, the pain it experiences can be intense and permanent.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction; The sacroiliac joint connects the hip bone with the sacrum, a triangular bone below the spine. When the sacroiliac joint moves too much or too little, it can cause pain in the hips, pelvis, and lower back.
Sprains and Strains; If you have sudden pain or discomfort in your back or neck, the problem could be a simple sprain or complications. Multiplying an exercise regimen, moving in the wrong direction, or falling can lead to shock or stress.
Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis of the spine involves wear and tear on the joints of the spine, causing excessive friction when bending or twisting the spine. This friction can cause bone spurs that weaken nerve roots and produce sciatica pain.
Fracture of vertebral compression; it can be a serious condition that creates pain in your back or neck, depending on where the fracture occurs. Compression fractures occur as a result of small cracks in the vertebrae; spinal cord.
Isthmic spondylolisthesis; A spinal condition that occurs when one vertebral body slides forward over the vertebra below it, filtering discs and joints in the spinal cord. Slip is caused by a fracture in the back of the vertebrae.
Habits and aging; Degenerative changes in spinal structures that occur as a result of temporary wear and tear are common causes of chronic back and neck pain. These can lead to spinal osteoarthritis and possibly spinal stenosis. Osteoporosis can cause compression fractures of the vertebrae.
Understanding the causes of back and neck pain can give you a head start on the right treatment. If you suffer from any type of discomfort in your spine or neck, please consult a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating spinal disorders.
Diagnosis of neck and lower back pain
If you experience neck or back pain, you should see your healthcare provider for a medical and physical examination. He can also do X-rays of the affected areas, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This allows for a more complete view. MRI provides images of soft tissues as well, such as ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels.
MRI may cause a diagnosis of infection, tumor, inflammation, or pressure on your nerve. Sometimes a blood test can help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that can lead to back and neck pain. Your healthcare provider will check your medical history and perform a physical examination.
- Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays and sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are done if the health care provider feels the need to dig deeper. However, this complete improvement can be an unnecessary expense if it is not proven.
- Interestingly, a 2016 study published in Permanente Journal found that people with public insurance received spinal MRIs more often than those who did not have insurance or personal insurance.
- Blood tests can be performed to detect suspected fractures of compression or swelling.
- Electromyography (EMG) neurological studies may be performed if there are symptoms of radiculopathy.
An orthopedic examination may be performed to detect suspected fractures of compression or swelling. If there are symptoms of radiculopathy, electromyography (EMG) nerve examination may be performed.
complications of neck and lower back pain
- Loss or productivity: Back pain is the most common cause of disability in working adults.
- Nervous damage: If your back pain is caused by a herniated disc, pressure on the spinal cord can 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 affect all aspects of a person’s life: work, physical activity, social activities, and sleep. Anxiety and stress caused by changes in mobility and pain can lead to depression.
- Weight gain: Decreased mobility and inability to exercise can lead to weight gain and loss of muscle strength.
It is best to see a health care provider if you are numb or irritated, or if your pain is severe and does not occur with medication and rest. If you have difficulty urinating, weakness, pain, or numbness in your legs, fever, or involuntary weight loss, you should call your healthcare provider right away.
Prevention of neck and lower back pain
The following may be helpful in preventing back and neck pain:
- Learn the correct lifting techniques: avoid heavy lifting; when you lift something, bend your legs, straighten your back, and then slowly lift your body and object.
- Make good use of phones, computers and other devices.
- Maintain an upright posture while sitting, standing, and lying down.
- Exercise regularly. Learn special spine strengthening exercises to keep your spine muscles strong. Warm up with stretching exercises before doing back exercises.
- Do exercises that improve your balance.
- Avoid smoking.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Reduce emotional stress, which can lead to muscle tension.
- Make sure you have enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet.
Treatment of neck and lower back pain with headache
In many cases, severe back or neck pain can be relieved with a little rest. In-store medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also be helpful with discomfort. If you have chronic back and neck pain, try several treatments before considering surgery. These include:
1. Over-the-counter medications
Inflammation is the body’s immune response to irritation or injury and is characterized by redness, heat, swelling and pain. To help with healing and pain relief, the use of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, aspirin or ketoprofen is often recommended.
These drugs are called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and can effectively reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Long-term use of NSAIDs can cause digestive problems, so it is wise to consult your healthcare provider before using NSAIDs or any other medication.
In-store NSAIDs are intended for short-term use, so do not use one for more than a week unless recommended by your healthcare professional.
2. Ice, heat and other modalities
Applying ice or some other type of cold pack immediately after an injury can help reduce inflammation. After 48 hours, your doctor may recommend lower back pain as a long-term treatment to stimulate blood flow and healing in the injured area.
The correct method of ice injury is to apply crushed ice directly on the injured area, but on a thin cloth. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin and should be applied for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, waiting at least an hour between periods of icing. Cold chemical products should not be applied directly to the skin and are ineffective.
3. Massage
By stimulating blood flow to the lower back, massage can promote healing, as well as help to relax the muscles of the lower back and release endorphins, which act as painkillers. If you have a friend ready, a gentle massage can provide relaxation by stretching the muscles and nerves.
4. Rest
If lower back pain is severe, rest may be recommended, but only for 1 or 2 days. For periods lasting more than 2 weeks, the natural habit for most patients is to avoid use. This lack of activity can lead to muscle weakness and lack of atrophy, which leads to more back pain because the muscle is unable to support the spinal cord.
5. Do not stop moving
Studies maintain that small muscle and joint movements are better at treating simple back pain than relaxation techniques such as relaxation and medication. Restraining your activity is important, but when the pain subsides, you should move your muscles and joints beyond the initial barrier level.
Following a consultation and treatment session with one of our experienced practitioners, you will likely understand the cause of your pain, the possible time and the next steps needed to resolve your condition. We will always start treatment, where appropriate, in your initial consultation.