Cervical spine pain, or neck pain, and back pain are two of the most common reasons adults seek medical treatment each year. About 50% to 80% of American adults will suffer from neck or back pain at some time in their lives. The pain can feel like a dull ache or be sudden and sharp. A study conducted by the University of Washington found that more U.S. health care dollars are spent on these problems than almost any other medical condition. Only cancer, heart disease, and stroke consume more medical dollars. The pain can also have an impact on the patient’s quality of life.

1. Help My Neck Hurts
Cervical spine pain and back pain: a
major problem today

2. Cervical Spine Pain and Back Pain: A
Major Problem
• Cervical spine pain, or neck pain, and back pain are two of
the most common reasons adults seek medical treatment
each year.
• About 50% to 80% of American adults will suffer from neck
or back pain at some time in their lives.
• The pain can feel like a dull ache or be sudden and sharp.
• A study conducted by the University of Washington found
that more U.S. health care dollars are spent on these
problems than almost any other medical condition.
• Only cancer, heart disease, and stroke consume more
medical dollars. The pain can also have an impact on the
patient’s quality of life.

3. What are the Costs to Treat Back and
Neck Pain?
• While most causes of back or neck pain are not serious,
testing, treatment, and lost productivity drive up the
overall medical expenditures.
• Brook I. Martin, MPH, a lead researcher in the University of
Washington study, found that improvements in pain relief
have not kept pace with the costs of treatment.
• Testing, including the use of diagnostic imaging, has driven
costs higher.
• Overuse of narcotics for pain relief, injections of steroids,
and surgery are also responsible for medical costs of neck
and back pain accounting for more than $86 billion dollars
per year.

4. What are the Costs to Treat Back and
Neck Pain?
• University of North Carolina researchers have estimated the
costs of treating low back pain at $100 billion.
• In his studies Martin found that costs for pharmaceuticals
for pain increased by 188% between 1997 and 2005.
• Prescription narcotics are frequently being used to treat the
pain.
• Surgery is being used more often as a treatment.
• Spinal fusion and disc replacement are becoming more
commonplace.
• The evidence of the benefits of surgery are controversial.
• Pharmaceutical advertising and patient demands also
contribute to the rise in surgery and prescription
medications.

5. Why is Cervical Spine Pain and Back
Pain so Prevalent Now?
• There are many explanations for back and neck pain.
• Some researchers believe that the rise of obesity is
responsible for many cases of low back pain.
• Other possible causes include
 Arthritis
 Sprains and strains
 Fractures
 Herniated discs, and
 Sitting too long at computers and desks.

6. Why is Cervical Spine Pain and Back
Pain so Prevalent Now?
• Neck pain can be a result of
 Poor posture
 Long hours sitting at a computer or television
 A computer monitor that is too high or too low
 Sleeping in an uncomfortable position
 Whiplash injuries
 Injuries from contact sports.

7. • You can find many other articles on
http://helpmyneckhurts.com/ helping you with
suggestions on treatment, therapies, and ways to
deal with your pain.
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