Neck and back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help or miss out on daily activities in life. The pain can range from a muscle ache to pain that radiates down the limbs.

Muscle or ligament strain: Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. For people in poor physical condition or with poor postures, constant pressure on the back can cause painful muscle spasms.

Spondylosis: A condition that happens over time as part of the natural ageing process. Some changes that take place due to this ageing process include:

> Bulging or ruptured discs: Discs act as cushions between the bones in the spine. The soft material inside a disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve. However, a bulging or ruptured disk might not cause back pain. Disc disease is often found on spine X-rays, CT scans or MRIs done for another reason.

> Bone Spurs: Degeneration of the spine often results in bone spurs appearing on the edges of the bones. This is the spine’s misguided effort to strengthen itself by producing extra bone. These bone spurs can compress and irritate the nerve roots in the spine or even the spinal cord.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.

Osteoporosis: The spine’s vertebrae can develop painful breaks if the bones become porous and brittle.

Spondylitis: This inflammatory disease can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse. This makes the spine less flexible.

If the pain is persistent, affecting your daily activities and does not improve with medications, you may like to seek medical help. During a consultation, a thorough neurological examination will be done to check:
Ability to move (range of motion)
Ability to feel (presence of numbness)
Ability to balance
Ability to control bladder and bowel sphincters

Diagnostic imaging might be carried out for further evaluation of the cause(s) of back pain such as:

– X-ray: To check for broken bones or dislocations. Dislocations refer to bones that are knocked out of their original location.
– CT (Computed Tomography): A non-invasive imaging that uses X-rays to create detailed 3-dimensional images of the spinal vertebrae, spinal cord, and nerves. It accurately identifies fractures and spinal alignment.
– MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A non-invasive imaging that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the spine structure and surrounding tissues. It helps to identify abnormalities or conditions such as herniated discs, soft tissue injuries, spinal stenosis and tumours that may not be visible through other imaging techniques.
– Other diagnostic tests include:
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Studies
Sensory and Motor Electrical Stimulation Test (NCS and EMG)
CT Angiography