Learning Resources

Spinal Pain & Treatment Strategies

Cervical Spine: Pain Types & Treatment Strategies

Pain Type Likely Cause Mechanism Example Treatment Strategy Treatment Side
Localised neck pain Facet irritation, ligament sprain Compression/stretch Right neck pain with extension Manual therapy, posture work, isometrics Ipsilateral
Radicular pain C6/C7 disc herniation Compression Radial arm/forearm pain Neural mobilisation, traction Ipsilateral
Referred pain Disc or facet irritation Chemical/inflammatory Scapular discomfort Education, pacing, mobilisation Ipsilateral
Neural tension Sensitised nerve root Stretch Symptoms with contralateral Spurling’s Neural glides, graded exposure Contralateral
Central sensitisation Persistent nociception Central processing Diffuse non-dermatomal pain Pain ed, activity grading, relaxation Bilateral/Systemic
Muscle strain Overuse, poor ergonomics Overload/stretch Trapezius ache post-desk work Soft tissue release, strengthening Ipsilateral
Ligamentous pain Whiplash, hypermobility Stretch Pain at end-range flexion Motor control, proprioception Ipsilateral

Lumbar Spine: Pain Types & Treatment Strategies

Pain Type Likely Cause Mechanism Example Treatment Strategy Treatment Side
Localised low back pain Facet joint load, ligament strain Compression/stretch Pain on right lumbar extension Mobilisation, lumbar control, positioning advice Ipsilateral
Radicular pain L5/S1 disc herniation Compression Sciatic-type pain to calf or foot Traction, offloading, nerve glides Ipsilateral
Referred pain Disc or SIJ irritation Chemical/inflammatory Gluteal or posterior thigh ache Mobility work, pacing, education Ipsilateral
Neural tension Inflamed nerve root (e.g. sciatic) Stretch Pain with crossed SLR Neural sliders, gradual exposure Contralateral