Most Possible Causes of Upper Back Pain in Chicago
In most cases, neck pain is related to the muscles. Muscle contractures, whiplash, and strains can cause discomfort and pain. Neck pain can also be caused by compression of spinal nerves. Disc herniation or bone loss (osteophytes) caused by osteoarthritis can exert pressure against the nerves. In some cases, spinal fractures can reduce the space around the nerves as well. Additionally, this type of pain may not go away even after weeks.
- Among the most common causes of cervicalgia, or cervical pain, we find:
- Muscle contractures
- Osteoarthritis
- Cervical spondylosis
- Cervical (or spinal) stenosis
- Fibrous annulus rupture and disc herniation
- Muscle and ligament injuries
- Other diseases (for example fibromyalgia)
There are other less common causes of neck pain. Some of them can be:
- A tear in the lining of an artery in the neck
- Spinal cord tumor or infection
- Myocardial infarction or angina pectoris
- Meningitis: inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges
- Spasmodic torticollis. This is a spasm of a specific muscle in the neck that causes the head to tilt and turn into an abnormal position.
cervical pain
Injuries can occur during daily activities (for example, lifting objects, exercising, moving around unexpectedly) or be the result of trauma, such as a fall or traffic accident. Specific injured structures are often not identified on plain radiographs, but doctors assume that some muscles and/or ligaments have been affected.
Neck pain treatment in Chicago
In general cases of cervicalgia, its treatment will be carried out through:
- Analgesics
- Application of heat or cold to the area of pain
- Modification of activities
- Light exercise as tolerated
In most cases, the cause can be a muscle strain or other musculoskeletal injuries, and all that is needed is a pain reliever. It is important to maintain proper posture and body mechanics when standing, sitting, lying down, or doing any activity. It may be beneficial to avoid activities that aggravate the pain, such as sitting for long periods of time.
If necessary, people affected by neck pain can use a cervical collar to keep the body still and help relieve pain but for short periods of time. Similarly, it may be advisable to perform stretching and strengthening exercises, including exercises that strengthen the dorsal region.
If pain persists, with impairment of strength and sensitivity and conservative treatment has not worked, an assessment by a spine specialist will be necessary to determine the need for surgical treatment. People with spinal cord or spinal nerve compression due to a herniated cervical disc and severe pain or weakness may require surgery. Surgical removal of the disc (discectomy) and arthrodesis surgery (cervical fusion) or arthroplasty (mobile prosthesis) are the most common treatments. If you have questions or would like to meet with one of our doctors, please contact our chiropractors in Chicago to get the appropriate treatment for you. Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
