Back pain can range from a mild, dull, annoying ache to persistent, severe, disabling pain. Pain in your back can limit your ability to move. It can interfere with normal functioning and quality of life. Always talk with your healthcare provider if you have persistent pain.\r\n\r\nNeck pain occurs in the area of the cervical vertebrae in your neck. Because of its location and range of motion, your neck is often left unprotected and at risk for injury.\r\n\r\nPain in your back or neck area can come on suddenly and intensely. Chronic pain lasts for weeks, months, or even years. The pain can be constant or come and go.\r\n\r\nWhat causes back and neck pain?\r\nEven with today\'s technology, the exact cause of back and neck pain is hard to find. In most cases, back and neck pain may have many different causes. They include:\r\n\r\nOveruse, strenuous activity, or incorrect use, such as repetitive twisting or heavy lifting\r\n\r\nTrauma, injury, or fractures\r\n\r\nBreakdown of vertebrae, often caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support your spine, or the effects of aging\r\n\r\nInfection\r\n\r\nAbnormal growth, such as a tumor or bone spur\r\n\r\nObesity, which puts extra weight on your spine and pressure on your disks\r\n\r\nPoor muscle tone or muscle weakness in the back and belly (abdomen)\r\n\r\nMuscle tension or spasm\r\n\r\nSprain or strain\r\n\r\nLigament or muscle tears\r\n\r\nJoint problems, such as arthritis\r\n\r\nSmoking\r\n\r\nSlipped disk (protruding or herniated disk) and pinched nerve\r\n\r\nOsteoporosis and compression fractures\r\n\r\nProblems of your vertebrae and bones that you were born with (congenital)\r\n\r\nAbdominal problems, such as an aortic aneurysm\r\n\r\nWhere Low Back Pain Begins\r\n\r\nWhere Neck Pain Begins\r\n\r\nWhat are the symptoms of back and neck pain?\r\nSymptoms linked to back pain may include:\r\n\r\nDull, burning, or sharp pain in your back. The pain can be limited to a single spot or cover a large area.\r\n\r\nLeg numbness or tingling above or below your knee\r\n\r\nStiffness or aching that occurs anywhere along your spine from your neck to your tailbone\r\n\r\nSharp, shooting pain that spreads from your low back to your buttocks, down the back of your thigh, and into your calf and toes\r\n\r\nConsistent ache in the middle or lower part of your back, especially after standing or sitting for a long period\r\n\r\nLoss of bladder and bowel control with weakness in both legs are symptoms of a serious condition that needs medical attention right away.\r\n\r\nSymptoms linked to neck pain can be:\r\n\r\nArm numbness or tingling\r\n\r\nHeadaches\r\n\r\nShoulder pain\r\n\r\nSharp shooting pain or a dull ache in your neck\r\n\r\nPain that occurs suddenly in your back or neck from an injury is acute pain. Acute pain comes on quickly and may leave sooner than chronic back or neck pain. This type of pain should not last more than 6 weeks.\r\n\r\nPain that may come on quickly or slowly and lingers for 3 months or more is chronic pain. Chronic pain is less common than acute pain.\r\n\r\nHow are back and neck pain diagnosed?\r\nYour healthcare provider will ask about your health history and do a physical exam. They may also do X-rays of the affected areas, as well as an MRI. This allows a more complete view. The MRI also makes pictures of soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels. The MRI can help spot infection, tumor, inflammation, or pressure on your nerve. Sometimes a blood test may help diagnose arthritis, a condition that can cause back and neck pain.\r\n\r\nHow are back and neck pain treated?\r\nIn many cases, acute back or neck pain may simply improve with some rest. Over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may also help with the discomfort. Try to move gently during this period, so that you won\'t become stiff and lose mobility.\r\n\r\nIf you have chronic pain of your back and neck, try several remedies before considering surgery. These include:\r\n\r\nHot or cold packs as advised by your healthcare provider\r\n\r\nCertain exercises to strengthen back and belly muscles and ease pain, such as stretching and flexing. Your healthcare provider can show you these exercises. Physical therapy can also help you find the correct exercises.\r\n\r\nAerobic exercise may help with your overall fitness and strength.\r\n\r\nCertain anti-inflammatory medicines or muscle relaxants may be used, as advised by your provider.\r\n\r\nSometimes your provider may suggest a brace or corset for extra support.\r\n\r\nShots (injections) for pain relief in the area\r\n\r\nNerve block. This eases pain signals from the affected nerve.\r\n\r\nAcupuncture\r\n\r\nOsteopathic manipulation\r\n\r\nHow are back and neck pain managed?\r\nAcute back pain usually gets better without special treatment. Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed will decrease pain and help you rest. Surgery and special exercises are generally not used with acute pain.\r\n\r\nFor severe, disabling, or chronic back and neck pain, rehabilitation programs can be designed to meet your needs. The type of program will depend on the cause and the type and severity of your pain, injury, or disease. Your active involvement is key to the success of rehab programs.\r\n\r\nThe goal of back and neck rehab is to help you manage disabling pain. It\'s also important to return you to your highest level of functioning and independence and improve your quality of life. The focus of rehab is on easing pain, improving movement. It also focuses on limiting any additional damage and increasing your functional ability.\r\n\r\nTo help reach these goals, back and neck rehab programs may include:\r\n\r\nExercise programs to improve range of motion, increase muscle strength, improve flexibility and mobility, and increase endurance\r\n\r\nHelp with assistive devices that keep you independent\r\n\r\nEducation and counseling\r\n\r\nPain management methods\r\n\r\nHelp to quit smoking\r\n\r\nGait (walking) and movement retraining\r\n\r\nStress management\r\n\r\nNutritional counseling\r\n\r\nErgonomic assessments and work-related injury prevention programs\r\n\r\nJob counseling\r\n\r\nWhat are possible complications of neck and back pain?\r\nComplications of back and neck pain may include: \r\n\r\nLoss of productivity. Back pain is the most common reason for disability in working adults.\r\n\r\nNerve damage. If your back pain is from a herniated disk, pressure on the spinal nerves may cause a variety of problems, such as weakness, numbness, or severe shooting pain that travels from the back to the leg.\r\n\r\nDepression. Back or neck pain can disrupt all aspects of life. This includes work, physical exercise, social activities, and sleep. The anxiety and stress caused by the change in movement and pain can lead to depression.\r\n\r\nWeight gain. Loss of movement and inability to exercise can lead to weight gain and the loss of muscle strength.\r\n\r\nIt is a good idea to see a healthcare provider if you have numbness or tingling, or if your pain is severe and does not get better with medicine and rest. If you have trouble urinating, weakness, pain, or numbness in your legs, fever, or unintentional weight loss, call your healthcare provider right away.\r\n\r\nCan I prevent neck and back pain?\r\nThe following may help to prevent back and neck pain:\r\n\r\nPractice correct lifting methods. Don\'t lift heavy items. When you do lift something, bend your legs, keep your back straight, and then slowly lift your body and the object.\r\n\r\nWear a seat belt in motor vehicles in case of a collision.\r\n\r\nUse telephones, computers, and other equipment correctly.\r\n\r\nMaintain correct posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping.\r\n\r\nExercise regularly. Learn back-strengthening exercises to keep your back and belly muscles strong. Warm up with stretching exercises before doing exercises.\r\n\r\nDo exercises that improve your balance.\r\n\r\nDon\'t smoke.\r\n\r\nStay at a healthy weight.\r\n\r\nReduce emotional stress that may cause muscle tension.\r\n\r\nGet enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet.\r\n\r\nWhen should I call my healthcare provider?\r\nSee your healthcare provider if you have:\r\n\r\nLoss of bladder or bowel control with weakness in either leg. These symptoms need attention right away.\r\n\r\nSevere back or neck pain that does not decrease with medicine and rest\r\n\r\nPain after an injury or a fall\r\n\r\nWeakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs or arms\r\n\r\nFever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your healthcare provider\r\n\r\nUnintentional weight loss\r\n\r\nKey points about back and neck pain\r\nBack and neck problems range from minor aches to severe, disabling pain.\r\n\r\nOften, the reason for your pain can\'t be found.\r\n\r\nSee a healthcare provider if you have numbness or tingling, severe pain that does not improve with medicine and rest, trouble urinating, weakness, pain, or numbness in your legs, fever, unintentional weight loss, or pain after a fall.\r\n\r\nOften, back and neck pain will improve over time. See your healthcare provider if your pain is not decreasing.\r\n\r\nUse prevention strategies to keep yourself healthy and injury-free.\r\n\r\nFor severe, disabling, or chronic back pain, consider an individualized rehabilitation program.