Who gets them:

Under Neck and lumbar pain

Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal injury. About 80% of people will experience at least one episode of low back pain in their lifetime. People aged 18 to 35 are most likely to experience a primary disc injury, while people in the 45+ year old age group are more likely to experience pain due to arthritis and degenerative changes in the low back.

Neck pain is a very common musculoskeletal condition. Neck pain is more prevalent in females and occurs more frequently in people employed in sedentary roles such as office workers and administration staff. Acute sprains occur more frequently in younger individuals (usually before the age of 25) and chronic neck pain generally affects those in the 45+ age group. This is because osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition affecting joints and cartilage, can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck.

What causes low back pain?

Acute low back pain is usually caused by a strain or sprain of one of the intervertebral discs (most commonly the L4/5 or L5/S1 discs), the lumbar zygapophyseal joints (otherwise known as lumbar z-joints or lumbar facet joints) or the supporting muscles and ligaments.

Radiculopathic Pain: Nerve tissue irritation occurs when lumbar disc herniations or bulges cause increased pressure on the nerves in the lower back (commonly referred to as sciatica).

Many people with acute low back pain experience a sudden onset of pain after a significant loading event. This can be from lifting too much weight with incorrect technique, repetitive lifting or working in awkward or confined postures. Often, the pain can be so severe that the person finds it very difficult to bend, move the back and, in some cases, get out of a chair.

Chronic low back pain can be caused by many factors. Instability of the lumbar spine, reduced muscle strength and support and inflexibility of the muscles of the hips and thighs can contribute to chronic low back pain. Pain sensitization (sensitization of the nerve tissue involved in signalling and processing pain) also plays a big part in maintaining chronic low back pain.