Neck and Back Pain Q & A 

What are the symptoms of neck and back pain?
When you suffer from neck and back pain, you can experience a wide variety of other symptoms associated with your condition. Neck and back pain can cause:

• Pain that’s dull and aching or sharp and jolting
• Sciatica that travels across the buttocks and down the back of your leg
• Limited range of motion in the spine
• Leg or arm tingling or numbness
• Headaches and/or migraines
• Muscle weakness or loss of strength
• Loss of bladder and bowel control (extreme cases that need immediate medical attention)

Depending on the cause, your neck and back pain may come and go or may last for weeks or months with little improvement.

What causes back and neck pain?Back and neck pain can manifest from a variety of causes. Sometimes, a specific event may trigger your pain, such as a fall or lifting an object that’s too heavy. Other times, the pain develops slowly over time and, one day, it becomes so significant that it impairs your daily activities. 

Although many things can lead to acute neck and back pain, some of the most frequent causes of chronic spinal pain include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Back strain
• Injuries in the muscles, joints, ligaments, or bones
• Herniated, bulging, or ruptured disc
• Pinched or compressed nerve
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column)
• Radiculopathy (issue with the nerve root)
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Spinal scoliosis (side-to-side curvature of the spine)
• Abnormal growths (like tumors or bone spurs)

How is back and neck pain treated?

Dr. Singh determines how to treat your back and neck pain by addressing the underlying cause of your pain. He may opt for medications to reduce inflammation or pain, such as over-the-counter NSAIDs or corticosteroids.

He also advises patients to rest the spine from strenuous activities while still moving, as laying around can often make your back and neck pain worse. Hot and cold treatments, as well as massage and physical therapy, can also relieve your pain.

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

If you have back or neck pain, seek the care of Dr. Singh. Call the office today or go online to book your initial consultation.