Most neck and back pain is mechanical and settles with the right movement, not with bed rest. Long desk hours, two-wheeler commuting and poor core strength are the common drivers in Mysuru. A small proportion, however, involves nerve compression or injury that needs prompt assessment — the aim of the consultation is to tell those apart quickly.
Symptoms checklist
- Aching pain after prolonged sitting or driving
- Stiffness in the morning that eases with movement
- Pain radiating into the arm or leg
- Pins and needles, numbness or a heavy limb
- Pain aggravated by coughing or sneezing
- Muscle spasm across the neck or lower back
When to see a doctor
- Weakness in the arm, hand, foot or leg
- Loss of bladder or bowel control — seek care immediately
- Numbness around the inner thighs or saddle area
- Pain following a fall or road traffic accident
- Unexplained weight loss or fever with back pain
Common causes
Disc prolapse
A bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root, producing sciatica or arm pain.
Postural and mechanical strain
Sustained flexed posture, weak core muscles and poor workstation setup.
Spondylosis
Age-related degenerative change of discs and facet joints causing stiffness and episodic pain.
Spine injury
Vertebral fractures after a fall or accident, requiring urgent imaging and stabilisation.
Osteoporotic collapse
Low-trauma vertebral fractures in older adults with reduced bone density.
Treatment ladder
Treatment always begins with the least invasive option that can work — surgery is considered only when simpler measures have been given a fair trial.
- 1
Step 1
Self-care and posture correction
Stay active, adjust desk and screen height, avoid prolonged sitting, and use heat for spasm.
- 2
Step 2
Physiotherapy and core rehabilitation
Graded mobility work, core and postural strengthening, plus ergonomic advice for work and commuting.
- 3
Step 3
Medication and injections
Short-term anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants; selected patients benefit from an image-guided nerve root injection.
- 4
Step 4
Imaging and specialist referral
MRI when symptoms persist or nerve signs appear, followed by a combined decision on surgical options.
- 5
Step 5
Surgical care for spine injury
Fracture stabilisation or decompression where there is instability, progressive weakness or an unstable injury.
