Every person needs a strong and healthy spine, yet so many of us take it for granted. Virtually every movement we make, from the time we wake up to the moment we turn out the light, involves the use of the neck and back. That's why, when neck and back pain strikes, it affects everything we do.

As we age, neck and back pain become more common occurrences. This condition affects not only our personal health, but also our social, emotional and economic well being. Even one episode of neck and back pain is enough to completely disrupt your daily tasks, employment, leisure activity and routines. Life comes to a standstill, bringing a flood of doctors' reports and missed employment.

Without question, neck and back pain can make life downright miserable. Still, there is no reason to panic and rush into surgery. Many other treatment options are available and there are pain management steps that you can take to overcome your obstacles. These non-surgical measures can not only help your pain, but also reduce the likelihood of recurring episodes.

Causes

Most occurrences of neck and back pain are brought on by strains or other injuries to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spinal column. Pain can be caused by a sports injury or a sudden increase in unaccustomed physical activity, such as heavy lifting.

Sometimes, viral infections can bring about flu-like symptoms accompanied by muscular pain in the neck and back. This condition is known in medical circles as myalgia.

The natural degeneration of the spine is another possible cause of neck and back pain. Your spinal column is made up of individual bones called 'vertebrae' that are joined together by the intervertebral discs, joints, and ligaments. These components are combined to form the strong and flexible structure of your spine.

As we age through middle life into the golden years, the wear and tear of your intervertebral discs and other associated components of your spine can also cause neck and back pain. Movement is a common cause of these degenerative changes. With time, motion will create a breakdown of the cervical (neck) and the lumbar (lower back) areas of the spine.

Ligaments and joints are biological structures that try to heal and repair themselves. This self-healing can result in deformities of the spine, such as bulging discs, buckling ligaments and bone spurs. These changes can also cause a pinching of the canals through which nerves pass, with painful results.

Treating Neck and Back Pain

There is no definitive cure for neck and back pain, but this condition is easily and effectively treatable. Pharmaceutical medications with pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties are the most common therapies.

If you'd like to avoid medications, there are alternative treatments available. Passive physical therapy can be used in conjunction with active physical exercise. Hot and cold compresses can be applied to the painful area to alleviate the discomfort. Other options include the use of electric impulses to override the muscular spasms that cause neck and back pain.

When neck and back pain strikes, it can seem impossible to lead a normal, productive life. Still, surgery is not always the answer. Don't be a slave to your neck and back pain. Speak with your doctor about the many alternative treatment options for neck and back pain, and get your life back.