People can have chronic pain which responds to some form of treatment, but only for a short time. Others can be locked into regular treatment programs for that pain relief to be maintained.
The challenge with back and neck pain is finding the root of the problem. If the problem lies in the membranes underlying the vertebrae and an exclusively bone-oriented treatment is applied, the problem will only be resolved temporarily.
Many back problems are caused by restriction patterns formed years previously. These have slowly contracted the surrounding tissue to the point of nerve inhibition. Unresolved neck or back pain is incredibly stressful to live with and many people seek surgical intervention to remedy the problem.
From a Craniosacral perspective this complicates the problem by layering one trauma on another. Because of the reciprocal nature of the Craniosacral system, the cause of lower back pain or neck pain may not actually be originating far from that area. For example, falling down the stairs and landing hard on the coccyx, can manifest years later as chronic neck pain.
Any invasion of the membrane surrounding the brain or spinal cord, including lumbar puncture and epidurals, can leave patterns of restriction. If the sacrum is compressed up into the spine it can cause sciatica. This can be the result of a fall but can also happen because of damage to the legs. This affects walking and over the years affects the sacrum.
The neck is particularly sensitive to physical trauma, acting like a shock absorber for head injuries and whiplash. Whiplash is a classic example of multiple patterns of restriction in the membranes. The neck is also an area where people accumulate stress which can lead to headaches and digestive disturbances.
Restrictions in the neck can also manifest as strange sensations in the arms and hands. Patterns of restriction in the neck and shoulders can develop into frozen shoulder. Uneven growth of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord, particularly in teenagers, can result in spinal curvatures such as scoliosis. Spinal curvatures can also result from trauma to the back and legs.