Neck & Back Pain

What Causes Neck Pain?

Several injuries and conditions cause neck pain. One of the most common causes of neck pain is a strain, which occurs when a muscle or tendon has been overextended or overused. You might also strain your neck during a sports injury, by sleeping in the wrong position, or with poor posture.

If you spend a lot of time working at a computer on a desk that isn't arranged ergonomically or if you spend hours of your day with your head tilted down to look at your phone, your posture is the likely culprit of your pain.

Other causes of neck pain include:

• Whiplash
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain has a variety of potential causes. Poor posture, especially if you spend your days at a poorly set-up desk, can lead to back pain. Improper lifting technique or overuse can cause painful back injuries. Injuries from an auto accident or sports-related collision can also cause back pain.

Other causes of back pain may stem from conditions such as:

• Herniated discs
• Compression fractures
• Arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Facet joint issues
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis

How is the Cause of Neck or Back Pain Diagnosed?

The doctors at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy use a variety of diagnostic tools to identify the cause of your pain, including physical exams, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. An accurate diagnosis provides your doctors with the information they need to implement effective treatment for your back or neck pain.

Which Treatments are Available for Neck and Back Pain?

The doctors at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy customize their treatments to address your specific needs. The available options include, but aren't limited to the following:

• Physical Therapy: Using supervised exercises and stretches, the physical therapists help you correct body mechanics, muscle imbalances, and posture, and help you improve your strength, flexibility, and range of motion. You also receive homework (exercises to do at home to maintain improvement between sessions).
• Regenerative Medicine: Regenerative medicine treatments support the healing process by triggering your body’s natural healing response. Platelet-rich plasma injections can help strengthen weakened or injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments to reduce your discomfort and reduce your chance of reinjury.
• Surgery: When other less invasive treatments aren’t successful, or your injury is severe enough to require surgical repair, the surgeons offer surgeries to repair your back and neck.

Call or schedule an appointment online to learn more about how the physicians and staff at Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy can help your neck and back pain.