As with the lower back, neck pain may result from abnormalities in the muscles, ligaments, and nerves, as well as the joints and bones. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cervical degeneration are common causes of pain in this area. Within the complex cluster of bones that form the wrist, a collection of ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves crowd a narrow passage between the arm and the hand. If repeated stress causes swelling within this tunnel, the main nerve will be squeezed against nearby ligaments and tendons. Whiplash injuries, falls, and contact sports can also do real damage to the neck.
Careful diagnosis is essential to determine the correct treatment and rehabilitation program.
Treatment usually consists of rest, medication, immobilization, exercise, neck braces, and physical therapy. Scoliosis Return to top The spine's normal curves produce the rounding of the shoulders and the inward curve of the lower back. Usually first noticed in the teen years, and more prevalent among girls, scoliosis often causes one shoulder blade to protrude and one shoulder to be higher than the other. Hips and ribs can also become misaligned. The treatment of scoliosis is determined by the severity of the deformity and may include exercise, a brace, surgery, or any combination of these measures.