Back & Neck Pain

An estimated 31 million Americans or more experience low back pain at some time in their lives. Oftentimes, it is due to an injury or a condition affecting the vertebrae (bones) in the lumbar region (the lower back), which support the weight of the upper body. Among these are:

Low Back Pain Causes

• Arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated or ruptured discs
• Osteoporosis
• Sciatica
• Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis)
• Spinal stenosis
• Sprains and strains
• Stress fracture (spondylolysis)

Depending on its underlying cause, back pain may vary from relatively mild to severe and last just a few days or linger for months. It can also worsen during certain activities, such as walking, standing, sitting for long periods of time, or bending and lifting.

Moderate to severe neck pain can be just as uncomfortable and debilitating as back pain. Acute neck pain is sudden and typically the result of an injury. Acute neck pain often subsides as the damaged tissue gradually heals. Chronic neck pain, however, is discomfort that does not improve and lasts for more than three months.

While your neck is a durable area of your anatomy with muscles, tendons, ligaments, vertebrae, and discs that work in tandem to allow you to move your head normally, it is vulnerable to bone or tissue damage, as well as degenerative conditions that cause structural changes to your spine.

Common Neck Pain Sources

• Bone spurs
• Cervical myelopathy
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Degenerative disc disease
• Falls
• Herniated discs
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Pinched nerves
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sports injuries
• Whiplash

Neck Pain and Back Pain Treatment in New Britain, CT

At Central CT Neurosurgery & Spine, our highly trained and experienced providers can help relieve your back or neck pain. They will begin by reviewing your medical history and assessing your symptoms. Then, they will perform a physical examination and test your range of motion, reflexes, and nerve responses to help identify the exact location and cause of the pain. Using a wide range of diagnostic tools and imaging technology – including X-rays, myelogram, bone scan, CT scan, discography, MRI, electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests – they can diagnose and assess the extent of damage and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include the use of:

• Pain pumps
• Pain management
• Spinal stimulators
• Minimally invasive spine surgery

To learn more about the conditions that cause neck and back pain, visit our Patient Education Library.

To find out how the experts at Central CT Neurosurgery & Spine diagnose and treat neck and back pain, contact our office today at (860) 225-1227 and schedule a consultation. You can also use our convenient online Request an Appointment form.