Neck Pain & Low Back Pain

Neck and low back pain are common problems. They are among the major causes of lost time at work, decreased productivity and chronic disability in the United States. It is estimated that 80 percent of all people in the United States will suffer from at least one episode of back pain in his/her lifetime. For many this can be a recurrent problem. For some, it can be a chronic ongoing pain disorder. With proper medical evaluation, appropriate treatment, and selective use of diagnostic studies, the majority of patients with neck or lower back pain can be effectively treated without any invasive or surgical treatment.

It is important for patients with these problems to seek out medical attention early on and not let the problem persists for weeks or months without treatment.

Below is an MRI image of the cervical (neck) region of the spine:

MRI of the Cervical Spine

Quick Facts

• 85-90% of neck and lower back pain sufferers will never require surgery.
• Treatment options vary depending upon the source of the neck or lower back pain.
• Only a thorough neurological examination can effectively determine the cause and treatment of neck and lower back pain.

Learn More About Back Pain