Being a pain in the neck is better than having a pain in the neck.
These days, with more time in front of our computers and on our phones in not-so-ergo-friendly offices (aka the sofa), we’re setting ourselves up for unwelcomed aches and pains.
With win
ter behind us and spring cleaning ahead of us, our backs are prone to the weekend warrior tweaks like a pulled muscle from moving heavy objects, extreme raking, or simply overdoing it.
Did you know that between 60-80 percent of adults in the United States will experience spine, back, and neck pain during their lives? According to OSMC’s Dr. David Beatty, MD, an anesthesiologist and pain management physician, back pain is one of the most common medical conditions reported in the U.S.
“We see many patients come into our clinic with a myriad of back pain symptoms,” noted Dr. Beatty. “Generally, their pain is a symptom of another medical condition. We peel back the layers to eventually identify the root cause of their pain.”
The most common causes of neck and back pain include:
Arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate, or severe. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities, and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.
Inflammation. Inflammation is part of your body’s natural immune response, but it can still cause discomfort and pain. If inflammation is persistent due to an injury or disease, it can cause chronic soreness in your back and spine.
Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bone mass to decrease significantly in the spine. This reduced mass makes bones weaker and can lead to painful fractures.
Damaged discs. Discs are cushions of tissue that separate the bony vertebrae of your spine. When these discs bulge, move out of place or are injured, they can become painful.
Strain and stress. Your spine has an essential job in keeping your body upright. Extra weight and less than stellar posture can both cause additional strain on your spine.
Pulled muscle or tendon. It doesn’t take much to pull a muscle or tendon. The simple act of throwing a heavy bag of trash away, overdoing it at the gym, or a bad night’s sleep can lead to a sore back.
Dr. Beatty explained that back and neck pain could be treated and managed, despite the cause. “Sometimes it’s a simple change to your lifestyle — managing a healthy weight, knowing how to move heavy objects, and committing to exercises to strengthen your core.”
If your back or neck pain has you sidelined or impacts your quality of life, help is just a phone call away. Call OSMC at 574-264-0791 or schedule an appointment online with one of our orthopedic specialists.
This blog post is not intended to provide personal medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment to you or to any other individual. It is information for educational purposes only. You should not use this information in place of a consutatation or the advice of a healthcare provider.
