Causes Of Back and Neck Pain

By Mohamed Hassan, DC

Pain in the back or neck may be caused by normal daily activities, injury, trauma, illness, wear and tear of the spine, degeneration, dehydration of the discs, disc rupture or nerve root compression.

There could also be an underlying cause of the symptoms not menti-

oned above.

Common Causes of Back and
Neck Pain

Pinched Nerve (with neck pain) A pinched nerve in the neck (cervical nerve root compression) can cause shooting pain in the neck that spreads down the arm into the hand and fingers. Shooting pain in both arms and/or hands is more serious. Other symptoms may develop such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand.

Sciatica (with back pain) Sciatica is caused by lumbar nerve root compression, which may be associated with shooting pain that spreads down to the buttocks and/or legs and may include low back pain. Sciatica pain makes it hard to sit and/or stand. Other symptoms may develop such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet.

Herniated Disc (slipped disc, pinched nerve, sciatica) Discs are gel-like cushions that act as rubbery shock absorbers between the vertebral bones. They provide the neck and back (spine) with flexibility.

When the disc is herniated there is a small leakage of the gel. The gel causes a protrusion, which can put pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord and cause pain.

Torn or Ruptured Disc Severe trauma, injury, or illness may result in a torn or ruptured disc. If the tear is large enough (severely herniated), the jelly-like material inside the disc leaks out and presses against a nerve or the spinal cord causing shooting pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs. This requires immediate attention.

When you have any of these symptoms seek professional help from an expert so you can experience life without pain with functional chiropractic medicine and treatment approach.