Back and Neck Pain
Diagnosing the cause of any pain will depend on assessment of where it occurs and the type
of pain. Pain in both the back and neck may point towards some diseases or problems rather than
others.
Though
we make a clear distinction between the back and the neck, they are both part of the spine and are not that
different. The spine consists of thirty-three vertebrae, in several sections. The vertebrae in each section
are anatomically a little different and adapted for slightly different
functions.
The
neck, or cervical spine, consists of five vertebrae. In descending order, the other areas of the vertebral
column are the thoracic spine, lumbar spine and the sacrum. The areas of the spine where problems most often
arise are the neck and the lumbar spine, the area towards the base of the vertebral column, corresponding to
the small of the back and beneath. The reason for this is simple: these are the areas of the spine that are
most mobile and are therefore also more prone to injury and certain diseases. Lower back pain is by far the
most common, whereas pain distributed throughout the spine is rarer.
If you
suffer from pain in both the back and neck, then it is possible that the problem lies in one of the
conditions that can affect any area of the vertebral column. Osteoporosis is a condition associated with
advancing age in which the bones of the spine become brittle and crumble. This can lead to trapped or
compressed nerves that cause pain. In theory, this can affect any area of the spine although problems are
still more likely to arise in the more mobile neck and lumbar regions. Slipped (or herniated) discs are also
an age-related problem and can occur throughout the spine, though they are more common in the lumbar area
than elsewhere.
Arthritic conditions and some related immune system diseases (spondylosis and ankylosing
spondylitis) also primarily cause problems in areas that are involved in movement. However, the physical
effects of these diseases, which include both bone degeneration and bony growths, can affect any part of the
spine. The middle spine (thoracic vertebrae) is less involved in movement but has joints with the ribs that
can also be affected by arthritis and other conditions. Osteomyelitis and other diseases of bone, such as
some cancers, can also potentially occur in any section of the spine.
Widely
distributed pain can also result from fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndromes, in which muscle irritation
and ‘tender spots’ occur. Though in these conditions pain, and sometimes inflammation, occurs throughout the
body and not just along the spine, this is a possible cause of pain in both the neck and the
back.
Back and
neck pain need not be the sign of something serious or sinister. Bad posture or sleeping in particular
positions can cause discomfort that is not localised to one place. Similarly, injuries or muscle strains in
one area of the back can lead to over-compensation and stress or damage in adjacent
areas.
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