Back & Neck Pain

What causes back and neck pain?

The lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine) are vulnerable to most of the same conditions. However, you’ll only experience a whiplash injury in your neck, and your lower back has a much higher chance of age-related problems like herniated discs.

Low back and neck pain often develop as a result of:

• Arthritis
• Bulging and herniated discs
• Bone spurs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)
• Sports injuries
• Falls and car accidents
• Poor posture

The same conditions could cause thoracic pain, but that seldom happens. The thoracic spine (middle to upper back) is more stable and moves less because it supports your ribs.

Conditions causing pain in the thoracic area include scoliosis, kyphosis (rounded back), and compression fractures due to osteoporosis.

What symptoms occur along with back and neck pain?

Your back and neck pain may range from mild to severe. You may have occasional pain spasms or struggle with constant discomfort. Some patients describe their pain as dull; others suffer from sharp, debilitating pain.

Pinched nerves add to your symptoms. When you have compressed nerves, you may have pain, tingling, and burning sensations traveling down your arms or legs. Severely damaged nerves result in numbness.

Sciatica (a pinched sciatic nerve) causes back pain together with sudden, excruciating pain that shoots down one leg.

How does physical therapy treat back and neck pain?

Physical therapy is a gold-standard approach for treating back and neck pain. Medication only masks pain temporarily and often gives you minimal relief.

By comparison, a customized care plan created by the experts at Bowman Physical Therapy promotes healing, effectively relieves pain, and improves your ability to move and stay active.

Many physical therapy techniques effectively ease back and neck pain. A few foundational treatments include:

• Manual therapy
• Spinal decompression
• Therapeutic exercise
• Dry needling
• Trigger point therapy
• Myofascial release
• Posture training
• Training on proper lifting, bending, and sitting (ergonomics)
• Dynatron Solaris® Plus (delivers ultrasound, electric stimulation, light therapy, and tissue mobilization)

Your therapist also teaches exercises you can do outside the office to accelerate your treatment, keep your neck and back strong, and lower your risk of future pain problems.

Bowman Physical Therapy relieves back and neck pain even when other medical treatments fail. Call the nearest office or connect online today to start your journey toward healing, pain relief, and a better quality of life.