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Neck & Back Pain

Neck and back is a very common problem for the majority of the population.  It is a symptom that many of cannot escape.  The challenge is discovering the cause for the pain and determining how best to manage the symptoms.

NECK & BACK PAIN

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INTRODUCTION

Neck pain, also called axial neck pain, is localized from the base of the head to the lower part of the neck level with the shoulders.  The causes of neck pain can be difficult to sort out as there is often more than one cause of the pain.  To discover a cause for the neck pain, a comprehensive history and physical examination, appropriate investigations and sometimes diagnostic blocks are required.

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How common is neck pain?

  • Approximately 60% of adults (6 out of 10 adults) will have neck pain during their lifetime

    • Approximately 5% of the 60% (1 in 12 adults) with neck pain will be disabling (1)

 

Lower Back Pain, also called axial back pain, is localized from the lower chest to the tail bone region.  The causes of lower back pain can be difficult to sort out as there is often more than one cause of the pain.  To discover a cause for the lower back pain, a comprehensive history and physical examination, appropriate investigations and sometimes diagnostic blocks are required.

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How common is lower back pain?

  • About 8% of the global population and is the leading cause of disability globally (2)

  • MRI observed disc bulge or herniation was observed in 30% of adults with no back pain. (3)

COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT

DR. IRVINE'S TOOL BOX

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REFERENCES

1. Nandyala SK, J; Hassanzadeh, H. Pathophysiology, Natural History, and Clinical Syndromes of Cervical Disc Disease.  Rothman and Simeone The Spine. 7th ed2018. p. 677-87.

2. A W. Global low back pain prevalence and years lived with disability from 1990 to 2017: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Ann Transl Med. 2020;8.

3. Boden SD, Davis DO, Dina TS, Patronas NJ, Wiesel SW. Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation. JBJS. 1990;72(3):403-8.

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