| You've probably heard, or uttered, those words. | | | | * long hours by the TV |
| Doctors hear them often. Back pain is one of the most | | | | * obesity |
| common complaints in medical practice. | | | | * pregnancy |
| Causes of Neck and Back Pain | | | | Causes of Back Pain in the Upper Back and Neck |
| What would cause a sharp searing pain on my right | | | | Some people refer to this as upper back shoulder pain |
| back side? What causes upper back shoulder pain | | | | and neck pain. This pain is felt in the area between the |
| and neck pain? What causes neck and back pain? | | | | back of your chest and the base of your skull. |
| These are but a few of the questions asked by | | | | Causes of back pain in your upper back, unrelated to |
| millions who suffer back pain each year - about 6 | | | | the shoulders and neck, are usually muscular irritation |
| million in the U.S. alone. An estimated 80% of us will | | | | and joint dysfunction. |
| experience back pain sometime in our lives. It may | | | | Shoulder and neck pain are more common than pain in |
| occur by itself, or be accompanied by other symptoms | | | | the center of your upper back. Your neck supports |
| such as fever and chills. | | | | your head. Made of seven, stacked vertebrae bones |
| The causes of back pain are many, making diagnosis | | | | that are cushioned by cartilage discs bound together |
| difficult and critical. We recommend that you see your | | | | with ligaments, your neck is very mobile. Muscles |
| doctor for all back pain. Most causes of back pain | | | | provide movement and support to your neck. |
| involve no serious underlying problem, and the pain can | | | | Your neck is more susceptible to injury than the rest |
| be relieved in a few days or weeks. If the causes of | | | | of your upper back. Trauma, poor posture, and |
| back pain you experience involve other symptoms, the | | | | degenerative diseases such as arthritis, are the most |
| tips offered here are not to be followed without | | | | common causes of back pain in the neck area. |
| medical advice. | | | | Whiplash is another cause of back pain in the neck. |
| Causes of Back Pain in the Lower Back | | | | If you were a vehicle passenger involved in a rear end |
| Low back pain affects the lower part of your back - | | | | collision, you may have suffered whiplash injury to your |
| between the bottom of your ribs in back down to the | | | | neck. The impact of the collision would force your |
| top of your legs. | | | | head back and then forward at a great speed. This |
| Doctors break down low back pain into three | | | | would stretch your neck and upper back too much |
| categories according to how long you have had it: | | | | and too quickly, resulting in a strain or tear to supporting |
| 1. Acute Low Back Pain - you have had it less than 6 | | | | ligaments, muscles and discs. It could even irritate your |
| weeks | | | | upper back nerves. |
| 2. Sub-acute Low Back Pain - you have had it 6 to 12 | | | | Your shoulder is a ball and socket joint that offers a |
| weeks | | | | large range of movement. Like your neck, this mobile |
| 3. Chronic Low Back Pain - you have had it longer | | | | joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. Your |
| than 3 months | | | | shoulder joints depend on shoulder muscles to keep |
| Causes of back pain in the lower back are most often | | | | them stable. Causes of back pain in the shoulder area |
| linked to strain of back muscles, ligaments, or tendons. | | | | usually involve these muscles. |
| Sometimes the cushion between the bones is strained. | | | | Incorrect posture can cause both neck and shoulder |
| Sometimes you will know the exact causes of back | | | | pain. |
| pain in your lower back. Other times, it may hit without | | | | * Standing with your shoulders slouching, chin jutting |
| warning. | | | | forward, can put extra strain on your ligaments and |
| Causes of back pain in the lower back include: | | | | muscles. |
| * past injuries that are not fully healed | | | | * Sitting with your head down for long periods of time |
| * incorrect lifting techniques | | | | as you work at a desk or read can exert similar strain. |
| * incorrect posture | | | | * Slumping in your seat is another cause of shoulder |
| * little exercise | | | | and neck pain. |
| * vehicular accidents | | | | * If you tend to sleep on your stomach, your sleeping |
| * improper setup of your work area | | | | posture could be the cause of back pain. |
| * long hours at a desk | | | | Other Causes of Back Pain |
| * long hours by the TV | | | | As shown above, causes of back pain are most often |
| * obesity | | | | linked to strain of back muscles, ligaments, or tendons. |
| * pregnancy | | | | There are many conditions other than strain, however, |
| Causes of Back Pain in the Mid Back | | | | that can cause back pain. Below is a partial list: |
| The causes of back pain in the mid back usually fall | | | | * Arthritis - causing joint inflammation |
| into the category of irritation or injury to muscles and | | | | * Herniated disc - irritating nearby nerves |
| ligaments of your middle spine - the area along the | | | | * Spinal stenosis - spinal canal narrowing that |
| backs of your ribs. | | | | compresses nerves |
| Some or all of the following may be causes of back | | | | * Spondylolisthesis - slipped vertebrae resulting in |
| pain in your mid back: | | | | pinched nerves |
| * past injuries that are not fully healed | | | | * Vertebral fractures - resulting from trauma or |
| * incorrect lifting techniques | | | | osteoporosis |
| * incorrect posture | | | | * Degenerative disc disease - aging process that |
| * little exercise | | | | breaks down discs |
| * vehicular accidents | | | | Whatever the causes of back pain, the most effective |
| * improper setup of your work area | | | | prevention is to overcome incorrect posture and |
| * long hours at a desk | | | | incorrect lifting techniques. |