Mechanical back or neck pain refers to pain originating from the joints of the spine, which are referred to as facet joints. It can also include pain arising from the sacroiliac joint, the joint in the pelvis. These joints have many nerve endings that transmit pain signals when injured or damaged from a specific injury or even arthritis. The joints can also transmit pain signals if there is abnormal biomechanical function or malalignment. These problems are most often corrected by chiropractors who can mobilize or manipulate the facet joints to improve function and decrease pain. If these treatments do not help, a referral to an interventional pain management physician for facet blocks and or ablation can often help as well.
