The exact cause of a patient's lower back pain is often difficult for physicians to pinpoint because of the complex composition of the human spine. Bone, discs, muscles, ligaments, tendons and various other tissues are arranged like a three-dimensional puzzle to make up the spine. The complex make up can easily mask the exact cause of lower back pain. It can originate from identified muscle trauma, or an unknown non-traumatic event. Lower back pain can also begin in other regions of the body, such as the nerves or nervous system, and eventually attack the muscles or other structures in the lower back. Other causes of lower back pain include post-neural difficulties, congenital disorders, trauma, infections, degenerative disorders, inflammatory diseases, circulatory disorders, or a wide range of other causes.

Neck pain and symptoms caused by a cervical (neck) spinal disorder are a common problem for many adult Americans. The cervical spine is composed of many different anatomic structures, including muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints. Each of these structures has nerve endings that can detect painful problems when they occur. The different parts of the cervical spine are normally well balanced and able to handle all the movements, stresses, and strains of the body gracefully. However, when the different parts of the cervical spine are injured or start to wear out, the neck can become a significant source of pain and discomfort.