Conditions
Neck and Back Pain
Neck and back pain can be caused by many different factors such as overuse, strenuous activity, improper use, trauma, injury or fractures. Neck pain occurs in the area of the cervical vertebrae in your neck. Pain in your back or neck area can come on suddenly and intensely. Chronic pain lasts for weeks, months, or even years. The pain can be constant or come and go.
The symptoms of neck and back pain include stiffness, aching, sharp pain, burning sensation, muscle spasms, tingling or numbness in arms or legs. The causes of neck and back pain include herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis.
The treatment options for neck and back pain include physical therapy, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants or opioids; surgery; alternative therapies such as acupuncture; lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss.
Cervical Myelopathy
Cervical Myelopathy is a condition that involves compression of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include problems with fine motor skills, pain or stiffness in the neck, loss of balance, and trouble walking. Cervical Myelopathy produces two types of symptoms: the ones you may feel in the neck, and the ones appearing elsewhere in the body at or below the compressed area of the spinal cord. As the disease progresses, one may experience shooting pain the originates in the neck and travels down the spine
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy, often called a pinched nerve, is the damage or a change in the way a nerve works resulting from one of the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae being compressed. This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder and/or arm, as well as muscle weakness and numbness. Most cases of cervical radiculopathy go away with nonsurgical treatment. In some cases, certain medications can help alleviate (relieve) symptoms of cervical radiculopathy.
Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a condition that occurs when your spinal canal narrows. The narrowing can put pressure on the spinal cord, which can lead to myelopathy, which is damage to the spinal cord. Cervical stenosis is when the neck area of your spine is narrow. Lumbar stenosis is when the lower back area of your spine is narrow. You can have one or both types of spinal stenosis. Stenosis in the neck, also called the cervical spine, affects the upper part of the body including the arms and hands. Stenosis is the narrowing of the bony canal that protects the spinal cord and its branching nerves to the point where it injures the spinal cord or nerves.
Compression Fractures
A compression fracture is a type of broken bone that can cause your vertebrae to collapse, making them shorter. This often happens to the front of the vertebrae but not the back, causing you to stoop forward over time. Compression fractures are small breaks or cracks in the vertebrae (the bones that make up your spinal column). The breaks happen in the vertebral body, which is the thick, rounded part on the front of each vertebra. Compression fractures can occur suddenly and cause severe back pain. The pain is most commonly felt in the middle or lower spine and can also be felt on the sides or in the front of the spine. Pain can be disabling and take weeks to months to go away.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that affects the intervertebral discs in the spine. These discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, providing flexibility and shock absorption to the spine. With degenerative disc disease, these discs gradually break down and wear out over time, leading to various symptoms and changes in the spine.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (discs) that sit between the bones (vertebrae) that stack to make your spine. A spinal disk has a soft, jellylike center (nucleus) encased in a tougher, rubbery exterior (annulus). Disc herniation is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disc degeneration. As people age, the discs become less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing with even a minor strain or twist.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a pain that originates along your sciatic nerve. This nerve extends from the back of your pelvis down the back of your thigh and is the main nerve in your leg. Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The telltale sign of sciatica is pain that starts in your lower back and shoots down one leg, sometimes all the way into your foot. Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disc or an overgrowth of bone that puts pressure on part of that nerve. Treatment for sciatica depends on what is causing the symptoms but may include physical therapy, medications, and surgery.
SI Joint Disorders
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is located between the sacrum and ilium bones of the pelvis. SI joint disorders can occur due to osteoarthritis, injury, or other health conditions. Symptoms of SI joint disorders include pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, and pelvis. Pain may be limited to just one of the SI joints. Each person experiences symptoms of SI joint disorders somewhat differently. Common symptoms include sharp or tingling pain that radiates from your hips and pelvis up to the lower back and down to the thighs. Treatment includes medication such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, physical therapy, rest, ice and heat therapy.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which spaces in the spine narrow, compressing the spinal cord. This process is typically gradual and can occur anywhere along the spine. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. Symptoms are typically gradual in onset and improve with leaning forward. Causes of spinal stenosis include bone spurs, a herniated disc, thick ligaments, tumors, and spinal injuries. Treatment for spinal stenosis depends on how severe your symptoms are and may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, surgery, and clinical trials.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal disorder in which one vertebra (spinal bone) slips onto the vertebra below it. This can cause pain in the lower back or legs. Spondylolisthesis is graded based upon the degree of slippage of one vertebral body relative to the subsequent adjacent vertebral body. Causes of spondylolisthesis include an injury, a birth defect called congenital spondylolisthesis which affects movement between L5-S1, growth during adolescence especially when one has a family history of the condition, and playing sports that require physical activities like football and weight lifting. Symptoms of severe spondylolisthesis include lower back pain, thigh pain, tenderness in the lower back, tightness in the hamstring and buttock muscles, and leg stiffness. Treatment includes medication and rest. Surgery may be required in severe cases.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition characterized by sideways curvature of the spine or back bone, often noted during growth spurt just before a child attains puberty. If untreated for a prolonged period it may lead to severe spinal curvature that reduces the chest space, making it difficult for the lungs and heart to work normally. Resulting in increased distance between ribs on each side of the chest, rotation or twisting of the spine, and chronic back pain, particularly in people who had scoliosis during childhood.