As we get older, back and neck pain becomes more common. Our bodies change. And once routine tasks can become painful. Unfortunately, pain in the back and neck not only affects our physical health. But it can disrupt work, exercise, and other daily activities you engage in. In fact, the condition is one of the leading causes of doctor’s visits and one of the most common reasons why people miss work.

Fortunately, while back and neck pain can make your life awfully difficult, many cases are treatable without resorting to surgery. There are certain steps you can take in order to handle the issues that may arise as a result of back and neck pain. These measures will not only help relieve the pain but also help you reduce the likelihood of recurrences of this condition. And if you haven't gotten to the point of serious pain yet, there are ways to keep your condition from getting worse.

What Causes Upper Back And Neck Pain?

In most instances, back and neck pain is caused by strains or other injuries to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spinal column. These, in turn, may be worsened by sports injuries or a sudden increase in physical activity to which you are not accustomed. Or because your body does not react the same way to activities you've done in the past without problem.

Another possible cause of your back and neck pain is the degenerative change that your spine undergoes as we age. Your spinal column is made up of individual bones (vertebrae) that are joined together by the discs, joints and ligaments. All these combine to form the strong but flexible structure of your spine.

But as a person ages, your ligaments and muscles can become less flexible. And your discs can become less soft and provide less cushioning. So back and neck pain occurs as a result of the wear and tear of your body over time. The number one cause of these degenerative changes is movement. Motion causes the neck (cervical) and the lower parts (lumbar) of the spine to gradually break down. Since you can't stop moving, you need to find ways to help support yorr back during these movements.

Treatment

Make sure to check with a medical professional or back specialist before taking any action on your own. Your back is a vulnerable part of your body, and you don't want to mess around with it!

Back and neck pain is a highly treatable condition. The most common therapy used to treat back and neck pain is medications with pain-killing or anti-inflammatory properties. However, a regular routine of exercise and stretching can also help reduce the pain. And stregthen your back so the pain won't come back, or get worse. There are also natural pain killers that can help reduce the pain and improve the healing process.

Physical therapy is also another option. Hot or cold compresses may be applied to the area affected in order to alleviate the pain. Other modalities may also be used, including the application of electric impulses in order to override the muscular spasms that so often characterize back and neck pain.

Kris D. Bickell