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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes neck pain?

Center for Spine Care - Frequently Asked Questions About Bac...
There are many causes of neck pain, and the pain itself can be divided into the categories of: mechanical, coming from the joint or the disc; radicular, coming from a nerve or nerve root; or myelopathic, coming from the spinal cord. The spine is composed of segments that have essentially three joints, the disc in the front and two facet joints in the back.
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Chris Urban M.D.
There are several causes of neck pain. The most common cause is strain on the muscles and ligaments that support the neck. Usually this is attributed to overuse, poor posture, or minor injuries. Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, heat, and a short period of rest are usually helpful in reducing the pain. This type of pain often resolves within a few days. Arthritis is another potential cause of cervical pain.
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Joe Hornberger, Hornberger Chiropractic Center
There are many causes for neck pain. Some causes result from acute injuries which cannot be avoided, such as an automobile accident resulting in a whiplash-type injury. Other causes can be avoided and result from the use of "bad" or improper habits and techniques, such as poor posture and improper lifting.
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What causes pain?

NetofCare E-Newsletter - October 2003
In the simplest case, something dangerous -- heat from the stove, the cut of a knife, electricity from an outlet, an object colliding with your toe -- damages or threatens to damage tissue in your body. Pain receptors, called nociceptors, send signals to your brain via your spinal column telling you of the danger, so you can take measures to protect yourself or prevent further injury. This type of pain, called nociceptive pain, is the most common.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cervical Spine Surgery
Neck pain has a variety of causes. Poor body mechanics, herniated discs, spinal fracture, muscle spasms, spinal deformity, and osteoarthritis are a few reasons. Your physician will determine if the pain is mechanical, (coming from the joint or the disc); radicular, (coming from a nerve or nerve root); or myelopathic, (coming from the spinal cord) and determine a treatment plan.
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RETURN to TOP What is neck pain?

Frequently Asked Questions
Neck pain can be so mild that it is merely annoying and distracting. Or it can be so severe that it is unbearable and incapacitating. Most instances of neck pain (and stiffness) are minor and commonly caused by something you did. That is, if you keep your head in an awkward position for too long the joints in your neck can "lock" and the neck muscles can become painfully fatigued.
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Who suffers from neck pain?

Frequently Asked Questions
Almost everyone experiences some sort of neck pain or stiffness at one time or another. Because you are human and walk upright, your head is "balanced" atop your spinal column. If the muscles that support your head are not kept strong and in good condition, the upper part of your spinal column is vulnerable to strains and injuries. Older people, whose joints have been worn by much use over time, are subject to osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative joint disease or DJD).
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What can chiropractic do for neck pain ?

Frequently Asked Questions
Doctors of chiropractic have the training and skills to relieve your neck pain, overcome stiffness, and restore the mobility and range of motion of any frozen neck vertebrae. They are devoted to helping you get back to your normal pursuits and start feeling like yourself again. Perhaps their most important contribution is their ability to bring their specialized diagnostic skills, techniques, and equipment to bear in assessing what is causing your neck problems.
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Do I need surgery for my neck pain?

Non-Surgical Frequently Asked Questions
The majority of patients with neck pain do not require surgery. The most predictable and safe treatments for most causes of neck pain do not involve surgery. Surgery is occasionally required for patients with arm pain that does not recover after appropriate non-operative management, or rare conditions causing neck pain.
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What causes neck pain and why is seen so commonly these days?

All rights Reserved Bombay Spine Center
What is slipped disc? Our back is made up of small bones piled up one and other with intervening soft cushions known as intervertebral discs or discs for short. These discs are soft structures with balloon like tendencies, i.e. they are tense and pressurized. When the disc (balloon) ruptures the contents go out of place and in the bargain cause back pain or pain in the legs (or in the arms and hands in case of neck problems) if it happens to irritate or pressurize the nerves that pass nearby it.
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How does the neck cause shoulder pain?

Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....
There are many nerves that come off of the cervical (neck) vertebral bodies that pass down in front of the shoulder heading towards the arm. Irritation of these nerves can refer pain to the shoulder.
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What would my symptoms be if my neck was causing shoulder pain?

Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....
Rotation of the neck or tilting of the neck can create your shoulder pain if these nerves are involved. There may also be numbness, tingling, weakness, and difficulty with motion/movement.
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WHAT CAUSES MOST LOWER BACK PAIN?

Dr.Gross is a respected Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon speci...
There many causes of lower back pain. The lower back called the lumbar spine is made up of 5 vertebrae with their ligamentous attachments and small facet joints. The vertebrea surrounded by muscles and nerves and are separated by shock absorbers called lumbar discs. The most frequent cause of lower back pain is micro trauma to the muscles and ligaments. This type of injury almost always heals itself within about 6 weeks.
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What are some of the most common causes of knee pain?

FAQ Knee - Howard J Luks,MD
Most patients who present with knee pain will have a ligament sprain, a ligament tear, a meniscus or "cartilage" tear, loose bodies, or osteoarthritis.
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What causes my heel pain?

PGOA - FAQ
The most common cause of heel pain is incorrect foot movement during walking or running. This can place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. An example of incorrect foot movement is excessive pronation - leaning inward as each step is completed.
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What are the causes of hip pain?

Medical City - Orthopedic Program - FAQ | Hip Replacement
Knee pain can result from many factors including osteoarthritis, fractures, dislocations, aseptic bone necrosis, avascular necrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
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What are common causes of back pain?

Back Pain Frequently Asked Questions - Back Pain FAQ's
The most common cause of back pain is muscle tension or spasm. This is generally caused by fatigue or overload of the back muscles associated with poor posture. Other causes are post traumatic in nature, where there are a range of injuries to soft tissue structures supporting the spine, including ligaments and intervertebral discs. A third cause are degenerative changes. These are injuries of the spine due to the wear and tear and degeneration of tissues.
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Chris Urban M.D.
Back pain is a very common and sometimes debilitating problem that thousands of people suffer from each year. Fortunately, a majority of patients experience relief within a few days to weeks. Muscle and ligamentous injury are often the main causes of pain. In my practice, I often see patients who have had back pain of longer duration. This may be caused by a variety of things such as degenerative facet joints, herniated or dehydrated intervertebral discs, or scoliosis.
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My neck pain is awful. What can you do to make the pain stop?

Body Fixes :: Frequently Asked Questions
Probably nothing. Purely passive treatment rarely has enduring effect. Massage, adjustment, cold-pack application, or prescription medication can produce short-term benefit, but by themselves they offer little hope of lasting improvement. In this scenario, even if I offer help, the person’s approach of asking what I can do portends a poor result. Neck pain can be managed; I have already made the point. But they require the active participation of the owner.
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What is neck pain?

Questions to Doctors
Neck pain can be so mild that it is merely annoying and distracting. Or it can be so severe that it is unbearable and incapacitating. Most instances of neck pain (and stiffness) are minor and commonly caused by something you did. That is, if you keep your head in an awkward position for too long the joints in your neck can "lock" and the neck muscles can become painfully fatigued.
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I was in a car accident a few days ago and am just now experiencing neck pain. What should I do?

Frequently Asked Questions about Soft Tissue Injuries
Unlike more visibly obvious physical injuries, soft tissue injuries may be apparent immediately after the accident or incident, but instead may show no symptoms for a few days. You should see your doctor as soon as possible and then consult an experienced attorney to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
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When do I need to go to a doctor for my neck or back pain?

Frequently Asked Questions
If you have just injured yourself or are getting continual soreness from an area of your body, then it’s a good idea to get it checked out by your own doctor. He/she can make sure there is no damage to any tendons or joints and could recommend physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture or something else.
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What must one do for neck or back pain?

Mahawar Medical Center | Frequently Asked Questions
The most feared complication of back injury is paralysis of the legs and or arms due to the fracture of the spine. The spinal cord injury may cause total paralysis, therefore after a fall or motor vehicle accident the injured person should be checked out by a qualified physician.
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Why is my back or neck pain worse in the morning?

My Pain: Back and Neck - FAQ
If your pain involves your intervertebral discs, it can worsen in the morning after lying down for the night. This is because your discs now have a chance to rehydrate (absorb fluids) and enlarge after being compressed from the weight of your body all day. This swelling tends to irritate any compressed nerve that is causing you pain. Similarly, if muscle pain is involved, the muscles can stiffen overnight, resulting in painful movement in the morning as the stiffness is worked out.
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If neck pain is so common, what hope do I have?

Body Fixes :: Frequently Asked Questions
The attacks may be inevitable, but the duration and intensity can be significantly reduced. Some attacks can be completely aborted by assuming a specific position or immediately carrying out a series of neck stretches. No one needs to accept the pain, and certainly no one should quietly endure the associated loss of function. We all have the ability to fight back.
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When I do a lot of lifting, my neck hurts. I am not lifting with my neck, so why do I get the pain?

Body Fixes :: Frequently Asked Questions
Lifting involves not only the muscles of your legs and low back, but the muscles in your arms and across the top of your shoulders as well. Jutting your head forward provides more leverage for the shoulder and upper back muscles and adds a little strength. When you watch people trying to lift heavy objects, you will notice that one of the first things they do is stick out their chin. Arching the neck and pulling the chin up tightens the small muscles at the base of the skull.
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What causes low back pain?

Frequently Asked Questions
Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors ranging from traumatic injuries to the natural effects of aging and gravity. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are liquid filled discs with a durable, yet flexible outer layer of cartilage. These discs function as protective cushions or "shock absorbers" to protect the vertebra, spinal cord and spinal nerves.
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What causes plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome?

Heel Pain Causes | Heel Spurs (Plantar Fasciitis) FAQ's
There are several causes of plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome. Poor footwear, sedentary lifestyles, obesity and sports injuries are the most common causes of chronic stress leading to heel pain. It is more common in women than men. People ages 40-60 are the most susceptible to developing plantar fasciitis.
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What other conditions are common causes of pain in the shoulder?

Sports Medicine, Therapy, Rehabilitation and Surgery- Mass G...
The acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) can cause pain. This joint can be felt under the skin on the top of the shoulder (often a "bump" marks the joint). Trauma or arthritis can cause AC joint tenderness or pain. Occasionally, surgery may be required for a severe injury or for long-standing pain. Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) can develop without trauma and most often affects females ages 40-60. There is a period of worsening once the onset of shoulder pain and stiffness begins.
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