Neck and back pain treatments

Today on Dispotech's blog we are going to talk about back and neck pains which, as we know, affect a lot of people - some sporadically, others chronically. Among the many methods to relieve pain, we would like also to mention the hot/cold therapy, which can be performed by using compresses. But let's learn about causes and remedies in more detail, thanks to the support of an article posted on medicalnewstoday.com.

Unfortunately, we have all experienced back pain or neck pain at least once in our lives - perhaps simply from sleeping in a wrong position. There can be many causes for both of these pains, but in most cases they occur due to poor posture, incorrect weight lifting, obesity, sprains or injuries, crushed nerves, scoliosis.

Wrong posture

Neck and back pain can be caused by bad posture - usually because it is difficult to keep your back straight at all times. To relieve back pain due to bad posture, regular exercise would be necessary and, above all, use ergonomic chairs, (recommended for those with sedentary jobs requiring to be seated at a desk for extended periods of time).

Muscle fatigue

Back pain is a problem that athletes often suffer from - particularly those who practice throwing movements. Pulling your back muscles causes intense pain which reduces mobility.

Injuries of various kinds

Pains such as those in the back and the neck, can also occur as a result of car or sports accidents or minor injuries - falls, whiplash etc. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor and evaluate therapies in order to recover, or the pain may become chronic and cause further health problems.

Pinched nerves

It may happen that the discs in the spine may slip out, causing unnatural pressure on the spine. It may happen that the discs in the spine may slip out, causing unnatural pressure on the vertebral column.

Heart attack

Neck pain can also be the wake-up call before a heart attack. It usually occurs in conjunction with other symptoms such as sweating, arm pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as pain in the jaw If you experience these symptoms, you should seek immediate help and seek assistance from competent medical personnel.

Infections: abscesses and meningitis

Ultimately, let's talk about two rare (but possible) causes of neck and back pain.

The first is an epidural abscess - which is treatable by taking antibiotics. The difficulty in diagnosing this type of abscess, however, causes an initial misdiagnosis for most patients.

The second cause of back and neck pain can be bacterial meningitis, i.e. infection of the meninges (protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord). We are talking about a very serious infection, which must be detected and treated immediately; together with back and neck pain, those who suffer from it may have fever, vomiting and experience a sense of confusion, as well as sensitivity to light.

How to treat neck and back pain

We have just listed various causes for neck and back pain; each one of them should have a suitable treatment. Pain caused by muscle fatigue can be treated with simple over-the-counter medicines such as painkillers, while infections should be treated with antibiotics. Generally, here are some of the most common remedies to treat both back and neck pain:

• taking painkillers;
• heat or cold therapy with compresses;
• physiotherapy;
• rest;
• cortisone injections;
• Transcutaneous Nerve Electrical Stimulation (TENS);
• heat or cold compress therapy;

With the help of a physiotherapist it is possible to correct bad postures as well as stretching and strengthening exercises for the spine and neck muscles. In general, consistent exercise helps you feel better and prevents pain from recurring.

What do you think about this article? Contact Dispotech and have your say!