Back & Neck Pain

What is back and neck pain?

Back and neck pain are common complaints ranging in severity from mild to severe and sometimes disabling when left untreated. If conservative back or neck pain treatments haven’t relieved your discomfort, see Dr. Verma for an evaluation. He diagnoses and treats common spinal concerns likely responsible for the pain, restoring your mobility and quality of life. 

What does it feel like to have back or neck pain?

Back or neck pain may present as:

• Dull aching
• Shooting pain
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Radiating discomfort to your arms or legs
• Burning
• Pain that comes and goes
• Excruciating discomfort
• Weakness
• Cramping

The pain might worsen when lifting something heavy, exercising, standing or sitting for long periods, coughing, or sneezing.

What are the risk factors for back and neck pain?

Back and neck pain could stem from one or more of the following risk factors:

• Physically demanding job
• Carrying excess body weight
• Heavy lifting
• Disc herniation or bulging disc
• Sciatica (pinched nerve)
• Scoliosis (abnormal sideways spinal curvature)
• Spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal)
• Spondylolisthesis (slipped spinal vertebrae)
• Flatback syndrome (flattening of the spine)
• Kyphosis (excessive rounding of the upper spine)
• Traumatic injuries
• Compression fractures
• Sports injuries
• Disc degeneration
• Arthritis
• Whiplash and other traumatic injuries
• Overuse
• Bone spurs

You might develop back and neck pain because of pulled ligaments, tendons, or muscles, a sports injury, being in a car accident, or other types of trauma. 

How is the cause of back and neck pain diagnosed?

Dr. Verma uses innovative techniques to pinpoint the underlying cause of back or neck discomfort. He completes a physical exam, reviews your medical history and symptoms, and orders nerve testing or imaging procedures to create a personalized treatment plan. 

How is back and neck pain treated?

Treating the cause of back or neck pain may involve:

• Rest
• Ice or heat packs
• Bracing
• Physical therapy
• Temporary immobilization 
• Corticosteroid injections 

Minimally invasive surgeries and procedures that may relieve back or neck pain include:

• Spinal fusion 
• Traditional growing rod placement
• Magnetically controlled growing rod placement
• Vertebral column resection 
• Pedicle subtraction osteotomy
• Complex spinal deformity surgery
• Vertebral body tethering
• Expanding rods
• Discectomy 
• Disc replacement
• Laminectomy 
• Foraminotomy 
• Decompression surgery
• Revision spine surgery

Dr. Verma uses computer-assisted spine surgery and real-time CT scans to achieve superior spinal surgery outcomes. Every patient experiences back and neck pain differently. He first suggests conservative treatments before recommending spine surgery and follows up to ensure long-lasting outcomes.

To experience back or neck pain relief, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Verma at Advanced Spine Care by phone or request one online today.