Chronic pain is the type of pain that limits your ability to carry out your activities of daily living and affects your overall quality of life.  It is at this point that you should contact a specialist to diagnose your specific condition. There are many different conditions that cause or contribute to low and lower back pain. Some of these spinal conditions are listed below.

• Bulging or herniated disc. A disc may bulge outward. A herniated disc occurs when the soft interior matter escapes through a crack or ruptures through the disc’s protective outer layer. Both disc problems can cause nerve compression, inflammation, and pain.
• Spinal stenosis develops when the spinal canal or a nerve passageway abnormally narrows.
• Spinal arthritis, also called spinal osteoarthritis or spondylosis, is a common degenerative spine problem. It affects the spine’s facet joints and may contribute to the development of bone spurs.
• Spondylolisthesis occurs when a lumbar (low back) vertebral body slips forward over the vertebra below it.
• Vertebral fractures (burst or compression types) are often caused by some type of trauma (eg, fall).

In most cases, neck pain is attributed to muscle strain or a soft tissue sprain (ligaments, tendons), but it can also be caused by a sudden force (whiplash). But if neck pain continues or worsens, there is often a specific condition that requires treatment. The causes of neck pain are as varied as the list is long. Some of these conditions are listed below:

• Injury and Accidents: Whiplash is a common injury sustained during an auto accident. This is typically termed a hyperextension and/or hyperflexion injury because the head is forced to move backward and/or forward rapidly beyond the neck’s normal range of motion. The unnatural and forceful movement affects the muscles and ligaments in the neck.
• Aging: Degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease often affect the cervical spine.

Other Disease Processes: Although neck pain is commonly caused by strain, prolonged pain and/or neurologic deficit may be an indication of something more serious. These symptoms should not be ignored. Spinal cord compression, spinal tumors, fractures and other disorders can occur.

Whiplash is a common term used to describe a neck sprain and is common after an auto accident or sudden trauma that quickly forces the neck forward then backward.  In many instances, symptoms may not appear for up to 24 hours after the initial trauma has occurred.

Whiplash may also be used as a term to describe an injury to the neck wherein the ligaments, muscles or tendons of the neck may be overstretched and strained.

Symptoms of Whiplash can include:

• Pain in the neck
• Decreased range of motion or stiffness in the neck
• Pain when move the head from one side to the other
• Headaches that radiate from the back of the neck to the forehead

A Neck Strain (more often referred to as a “pulled neck muscle”) is the result of damage to the muscles or ligaments in the cervical area of the spine.  When these structures are strained they become inflamed and often cause neck spasms and pain.  

These injuries commonly occur when the muscles and ligaments of the neck are overexerted, such as sleeping in a position that strains the neck or cradling a phone crook of the neck for a prolonged period.  In other instances, a sudden over rotation of the neck can cause a strain.

Symptoms of Neck Strains can include:

• Soreness of the neck
• Pain when rotating the neck
• Stiffness of the neck

A Back Strain (more often referred to as a “pulled back muscle”) is the result of damage to the muscles or ligaments in the lower back that surround the spine.  When these structures are strained they become inflamed and often cause back spasms and lower back pain.  

These injuries commonly occur when the muscles and ligaments of the back are overexerted, such as poor lifting form or excessive weight at the gym.  In other instances, a sudden over rotation of the lower back can cause a strain.

Symptoms of Back Strains can include:

• Soreness of the lower back
• Back spasms
• Lower back pain
• Difficulty bending forward

A Disc Herniation occurs when the fibrous cartilage that surrounds the spinal discs becomes torn and the gelatinous fluid inside the disc begins to press on the nerve roots of the spine.  Disc Herniations can occur in both the cervical and lumbar spine and can cause pain to radiate into the shoulder and arms (cervical herniation) or buttocks and legs (lumbar herniation).

In most cases, Disc Herniations are the result of prolonged deterioration of the disc as a result of a Degenerative Disc Disease.  However, this injury can also occur as a result of a traumatic incident such as a car accident or sports injury.

Symptoms of a Disc Herniation can include:

• Pain in the neck or lower back
• Pain that radiates into the shoulders or arms
• Pain that radiates into the buttocks or legs
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
• Numbness or tingling in the foot

The Sciatic Nerve is the longest continuous nerve in the body and Sciatica is the term used to describe the pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttocks and legs.  However, Sciatica is not an actual condition but rather a symptom of an underlying condition, such as a disc herniation.

Symptoms of Sciatica can include:

• Pain that radiates through the lower back into the buttocks and legs
• Difficulty going from a seated to standing position
• Pain that is worse when sitting
• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot