What is back pain?

Back pain is a common issue that can significantly impact quality of life. Understanding its causes and symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management. Seeking medical evaluation is essential, especially for persistent or severe pain. Treatment may involve pain management, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and surgical intervention. Preventive measures like good posture, an active lifestyle, and avoiding straining activities can reduce the risk of back pain.

Causes of neck and back pain:

• Muscle strain:

• Neck: Improper use of neck muscles, including poor posture, repetitive motions, or sudden movements, can result in muscle strain and pain.
• Back: Overuse, improper lifting techniques, or sudden movements can strain back muscles and ligaments, causing pain.

• Poor posture:

• Neck: Prolonged sitting or standing with incorrect head and neck alignment can strain muscles and ligaments, leading to neck pain.
• Back: Improper alignment during prolonged sitting, standing, or lifting can strain muscles and cause back pain.

• Trauma or injury:

• Neck: Neck soft tissues can be damaged by accidents, falls, whiplash injuries, or sports-related trauma, causing pain and inflammation.

• Herniated discs:

• Neck: Spine discs can bulge or herniate, causing neck pain and radiating symptoms down the arms, putting pressure on nearby nerves.
• Back: Spine discs can bulge or herniate, causing back pain and sciatica, which radiates symptoms down the legs.

• Degenerative conditions:

• Neck: Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, or cervical spondylosis can cause cervical spine deterioration, leading to neck pain and stiffness.
• Back: Over time, the wear and tear on the spinal discs can cause degenerative changes, leading to back pain and stiffness.

1. 1. Spinal abnormalities: Back pain can be caused by conditions like scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, abnormal spine curvatures, and excessive outward or inward curvature of the upper or lower back.

• Spinal stenosis:

• Neck: The narrowing of the cervical spinal canal can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing neck pain, weakness, and numbness.
• Back: The narrowing of the spinal canal can compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing back pain, weakness, and numbness, especially in the legs.

• Infections: 

• Neck: Neck pain can be a symptom of infections of the spine or surrounding tissues, such as meningitis or osteomyelitis.
• Back: Spinal infections, like spinal osteomyelitis or discitis, can cause back pain as a symptom.

• Tumors: 

• Neck: Neck pain and other neurological symptoms may be caused by tumours in the cervical spine or adjacent structures in rare cases.
• Back: Spine tumours can cause back pain, neurological deficits, and unexplained weight loss in rare cases.

• Joint disorders: 

• Neck: Rheumatoid arthritis or facet joint dysfunction can cause inflammation and pain in the cervical spine joints.

• Osteoarthritis: 

• Back: A common degenerative disease can cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the spine’s joints.

• Vertebral fractures:

• Back: Spine fractures, particularly in older adults with osteoporosis, can cause the sudden onset of severe back pain.

Symptoms of neck and back pain:

• Pain: 

• Neck and back pain are primarily characterized by discomfort in the neck region, ranging from mild to severe, and pain in the back region.

• Stiffness: 

• Neck and back stiffness can cause discomfort in head and neck movement and spine bendability.

• Radiating pain:

• Pain can spread from the neck to the shoulders, arms, hands, or upper back, and vice versa, if nerves are involved or compressed.

• Headaches:

• Neck pain can be accompanied by tension or cervicogenic headaches originating from the neck.

• Numbness or tingling:

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet may be caused by nerve compression or irritation, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

• Muscle spasms:

• Involuntary muscle contractions in the neck and back can cause pain and stiffness.

• Difficulty with fine motor skills:

• Severe neck and back pain can significantly impact fine motor skills, making it difficult to stand upright or walk without discomfort.

• Difficulty swallowing:

• Neck pain is often linked to swallowing difficulties, suggesting more severe underlying issues.

• Bladder or bowel dysfunction:

• Severe nerve compression can lead to back pain and urinary or faecal incontinence, requiring immediate medical attention in rare cases.

• Pain at res:

• Pain that worsens when lying down or at rest may indicate a more severe underlying condition, such as a spinal infection or cancer.

Diagnosis of neck and back pain:

• Medical history:

• Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms, medical history, and recent injuries.

• Physical examination:

• Involve evaluating your mobility, muscle strength, and reflexes.

• Imaging tests:

• Spine structures can be visualized using X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to identify abnormalities.

• Electrodiagnostic tests:

• EMG, or nerve conduction studies, can be used to evaluate nerve function.

Treatment for neck and back pain:

• Pain management:

• Pain and inflammation can be effectively managed using over-the-counter or prescription medications.

• Physical therapy:

• Exercise, stretching, and manual therapy can enhance strength, flexibility, and posture.

• Heat and cold therapy:

• Heat or cold packs can effectively alleviate pain and inflammation.

• Massage therapy:

• Massage therapy has been proven to alleviate muscle tension and enhance circulation.

• Chiropractic care:

• Spinal manipulation and adjustments can provide relief for specific individuals.

• Acupuncture:

• This therapy involves the use of thin needles inserted into specific body points to alleviate pain.

• Injections:

• In severe cases, nerve block injections can be utilized for targeted pain relief.

• Surgery:

• In rare instances where conservative treatments fail to provide relief, surgical intervention may be necessary to address the underlying structural issues.

Precautions to be taken for neck and back pain:

• Maintain good posture:

• Proper alignment of sitting and standing is crucial to minimizing neck and back strain.

• Stay active:

• Regular exercise is essential for strengthening the muscles that support the spine.

• Use ergonomic furniture:

• Maintain spinal alignment by using supportive chairs, pillows, and mattresses.

• Take breaks:

• It is advised to avoid prolonged sitting or standing and, instead, take breaks to stretch and move around.

• Lift properly:

• Utilize appropriate lifting techniques to prevent back strain.

• Manage stress:

• Use stress-reducing techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to manage stress levels.

• Stay hydrated:

• Maintaining adequate water intake is crucial for the hydration and health of the spine’s discs.

Neck and back pain significantly impact quality of life, but proper diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures can improve overall well-being. Consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for personalized recommendations based on specific conditions and needs.

Proficiency of Dr Vishakha:

Hydrocephalus (increased fluid in the brain): The procedure involves an endoscopic third ventriculostomy and CSF diversion (VP shunt) to treat complex hydrocephalus.

1. Craniosynostosis (abnormal head shape due to untimely cranial sutures fusion) surgeries: Helmet therapy is a technique that is used in both endoscopic and open surgery.
2. Spinal dysraphisms(Spina Bifida)- (spinal abnormalities present by birth) – surgical repair
3. Encepahaocles repair surgery.
4. Vascular conditions and stroke surgeries: revascularization surgeries for moya moya disease.
5. Pediatric brain and spine tumour surgeries.
6. Pediatric brain and spine infection surgeries: Endoscopic and open surgeries for brain and spine infections.
7. Pediatric traumatic brain and spinal injury.
8. Antenatal counselling for congenital fatal neurosurgical conditions.

Dr Vishakha is the best neurosurgeon in Hyderabad, specializing in craniosynostosis surgery, which is only done in a few centres in India. Dr Vishakha Patil, M.B.B.S, DNB (AIIMS) New Delhi, M.Ch (IPGMER SSKM) became a Member of  “The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh” (U.K.) a highly successful and best pediatric neurosurgeon in Hyderabad, Telangana with 13 years of experience, is among the topmost pediatric neurosurgeons in the Rainbow group of hospitals at Hyder Nagar and Banjara Hills.