Chronic Neck or Back Pain
What is chronic neck or back pain?
Chronic pain in the neck and back is pain associated with the spine that lasts 6 months or longer. This pain in the neck and back can be constant or recurring, range from mild to debilitating and persist for months or even years. Depending on the severity and duration of the issue, chronic pain in the neck or back can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, level of activity, ability to sleep, productivity at work and overall quality of life.
How is chronic neck or back pain diagnosed?
Your physician will talk with you to better understand your symptoms and possible causes of your back or neck pain, followed by an examination to rule out other conditions. This might be followed by imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan that can see inside the bones, discs and other structures of the back and neck to determine the cause of the pain.
What are the risk factors for chronic neck or back pain?
Risk factors for chronic back and neck pain can include accidents, falls, lack of physical activity, obesity, age, poor posture, a job that requires frequent looking down, frequent lifting of heavy objects and bulging or ruptured discs between the vertebrae. Certain medical conditions can also cause chronic neck or back pain, including scoliosis, arthritis, sciatica and osteoporosis.
I’ve been diagnosed with chronic neck or back pain. Now What do I do?
When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for chronic neck or back pain?
Treatment for chronic pain in the neck and back depends on the severity and cause of the issue. In many cases, pain in the back and neck can be greatly relieved or resolved through non-surgical approaches like rest, pain medication, gentle stretching, improved posture, weight loss, exercise or physical therapy. In some cases, your doctor may give you steroid injections near the spine to reduce pain and inflammation. In those cases where an underlying injury or disorder prevents recovery or where more conservative approaches don’t improve or alleviate pain, surgery may be required.
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.
What is chronic neck or back pain?
Chronic pain in the neck and back is pain associated with the spine that lasts 6 months or longer. This pain in the neck and back can be constant or recurring, range from mild to debilitating and persist for months or even years. Depending on the severity and duration of the issue, chronic pain in the neck or back can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, level of activity, ability to sleep, productivity at work and overall quality of life.
How is chronic neck or back pain diagnosed?
Your physician will talk with you to better understand your symptoms and possible causes of your back or neck pain, followed by an examination to rule out other conditions. This might be followed by imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan that can see inside the bones, discs and other structures of the back and neck to determine the cause of the pain.
What are the risk factors for chronic neck or back pain?
Risk factors for chronic back and neck pain can include accidents, falls, lack of physical activity, obesity, age, poor posture, a job that requires frequent looking down, frequent lifting of heavy objects and bulging or ruptured discs between the vertebrae. Certain medical conditions can also cause chronic neck or back pain, including scoliosis, arthritis, sciatica and osteoporosis.
I’ve been diagnosed with chronic neck or back pain. Now What do I do?
When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for chronic neck or back pain?
Treatment for chronic pain in the neck and back depends on the severity and cause of the issue. In many cases, pain in the back and neck can be greatly relieved or resolved through non-surgical approaches like rest, pain medication, gentle stretching, improved posture, weight loss, exercise or physical therapy. In some cases, your doctor may give you steroid injections near the spine to reduce pain and inflammation. In those cases where an underlying injury or disorder prevents recovery or where more conservative approaches don’t improve or alleviate pain, surgery may be required.
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.