• Neck pain and stiffness, which may worsen with activity.
• Numbness and weakness in arms, hands and fingers.
• Trouble walking, loss of balance or weakness in hands or legs.
• Muscle spasms in neck and shoulders.
• Headaches.
• Grinding and popping sound/feeling in neck with movement.
• Pain may worsen when looking up or down for a long time, or with certain activities.
• Pain may improve with rest or lying down.
Treatment : Rest, bracing and physical therapy is needed. Sometimes Surgery (Decompression & Stabilization) is a needed especially when instability or neurological deficit is noted.
HERNIATED LUMBAR / CERVICAL DISK
• Low back pain or neck pain resulting from a fall or a blow to the back.
• A sharp, often shooting pain that extends from buttocks down back of one leg.
• Weakness in one leg or one arm in severe cases.
• Tingling, “pins-and-needles” sensation, or numbness in one leg or buttock or in one arm.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Treatment : Rest, bracing and physical therapy is needed. When weakness or bladder involvement is present, urgent Surgery (Discectomy & Decompression) is a must.
NECK / LOW BACK SPRAIN
• Pain in back of neck or lower back that worsens with movement.
• Pain becomes more as day passes by.
• Headache in back of head.
• Stiffness or decreased range of motion (side to side, up and down, circular).
• Tingling or weakness in arms and legs in severe cases.
• Sometimes numbness.
Treatment : Rest, heat, medicines and physical therapy and ergonomic care is sufficient.
SCIATICA
• Some medical conditions that can cause sciatica include herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, spondylolisthesis, or degenerative disc disease.
• Sharp, intense, shooting pain down the leg.
• Numbness, burning or tingling sensation in the leg or foot.
• Pain increases with coughing, sneezing or straining and with bending backward and with prolonged sitting or standing.
Treatment : Rest, bracing and physical therapy is needed. When weakness or bladder involvement is present, urgent Surgery (Discectomy & Decompression) is a must.