What causes back and neck pain?
Even with today’s technology, the exact cause of back and neck pain can be found in very few cases. In most cases, back and neck pain may be a symptom of many different causes, including any of the following: • overuse, strenuous activity, or improper use such as repetitive or heavy lifting • trauma, injury, or fractures • degeneration of vertebrae, often caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine, or the effects of aging • infection • abnormal growth such as a tumor or bone spur • obesity due to increased weight on the spine and pressure on the discs • poor muscle tone • muscle tension or spasm • sprain or strain • ligament or muscle tears • joint problems such as arthritis • smoking • protruding or herniated (slipped) disk and pinched nerve • osteoporosis and compression fractures • congenital (present at birth) abnormalities of the vertebrae and bonesHow can back and neck pain be prevented? The following may help to prevent back and neck pain: • practice
