Managing Neck and Lower Back Pain

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Article featured on Cone Health
According to Dahari Brooks, MD, neck and lower back pain is often caused by muscle strain, degenerative disc disease or arthritis.
“If the pain comes on suddenly and out of the blue, you may have pulled a muscle and can begin with at home treatments,” shares Dr. Brooks.
If you suspect a pulled muscle, Dr. Brooks suggests resting for a day. You can treat pain with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. In the first 24 hours or so, cold therapy can help minimize pain and swelling. Place an ice pack on the painful area for 10 minutes followed by 20-minute breaks. Later, you can consider cold and/or heat therapy for relief. Ease back into exercising with walking and stretching.
“On the other hand, if your chronic pain has worsened over time or you experience a sudden onset of arm or leg weakness, pain or numbness, it is time to make an appointment,” adds Dr. Brooks. “A comprehensive physical examination will help determine the cause of your problem.”
During office visit, you will be examined for issues such as a pinched nerve. You may need to take an x-ray to rule out structural issues. Often, physical therapy or steroid injections can offer improvement. If not, soft tissue imaging can reveal bone spurs or discs that have herniated, degenerated or broken down over time.
“If you are experiencing horrific or radiating pain, weakness or numbness in the neck or limbs or lack of balance, make an appointment to be seen right away,” concludes Dr. Brooks. “These types of symptoms can signal a more serious issue and require more immediate attention.”

New Mexico Orthopaedics is a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic clinic located in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have multiple physical therapy clinics located throughout the Albuquerque metro area.
New Mexico Orthopaedics offers a full spectrum of services related to orthopaedic care and our expertise ranges from acute conditions such as sports injuries and fractures to prolonged, chronic care diagnoses, including total joint replacement and spinal disorders.
Because our team of highly-trained physicians specialize in various aspects of the musculoskeletal system, our practice has the capacity to treat any orthopaedic condition, and offer related support services, such as physical therapy, WorkLink and much more.
If you need orthopedic care in Albuquerque New Mexico contact New Mexico Orthopaedics at 505-724-4300.