Neck and back pain are often blamed on long hours of sitting, poor posture, or lack of exercise. But an often-overlooked factor may be playing a bigger role than many realise: smoking. Dr Jay Jagannathan, a neurosurgeon at the Michigan Neurosurgery Institute who specialises in multidisciplinary neurosurgery and pain management, recently shared an Instagram video explaining how it can contribute to persistent neck and back problems.
In the video posted on Instagram, Dr Jay broke down the multiple ways smoking affects spinal health. He explained that smoking can contribute to neck pain through several interconnected mechanisms, starting with reduced circulation. “Smoking can contribute to neck pain in a variety of factors. This includes reduced blood flow. Smoking can produce and enhance vasal constriction, which is the contraction of the blood vessels that reduces blood flow to the neck, the discs and in other areas that can lead to damage to the discs themselves.”
Dr Jay also highlighted how smoking affects the spine’s cushioning system. “It can lead to direct degeneration of the disc as well. The disc serves padding between the intervertebral so when they are damaged, their function is a shock absorber and can be affected and that a lot of time leads to more strain on the ligaments and joints in the back of the neck.” As discs lose their ability to absorb shock and distribute pressure evenly, everyday movements can start placing extra strain on the neck and back.
Inflammation is another key issue. “It can also produce inflammation. Inflammation, as we all know, can lead to pain as well,” Dr Jay noted, pointing to how smoking increases pain sensitivity while also slowing the body’s natural healing process.
Beyond daily discomfort, smoking also affects recovery. Dr Jay explained that smoking interferes with the post-surgery healing process, negatively impacting bone health.
How reduced circulation translates into chronic neck and back pain for everyday smokers
Dr P C Jagadish, orthopaedic trauma and robotic joint replacement surgeon, tells indianexpress.com, “Smoking causes persistent narrowing of blood vessels, which significantly reduces oxygen and nutrient supply to spinal muscles, ligaments, and intervertebral discs. The discs in the neck and back already have a limited direct blood supply, so any further reduction accelerates dehydration and loss of disc elasticity.”
Over time, he confirms that this leads to stiffness, micro-tears, muscle fatigue, and poor tissue repair, all of which manifest as chronic neck and back pain even in people without a prior injury.
Disc degeneration and increased inflammation
According to Dr Jagadish, disc degeneration and inflammation can begin much earlier than people expect. Structural and biochemical changes in spinal discs have been observed within a few years of regular smoking, sometimes sooner in heavy smokers. Nicotine directly impairs collagen production and increases inflammatory markers, speeding up wear and tear.
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“People who are genetically predisposed to disc degeneration, have sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, obesity, or vitamin deficiencies are significantly more vulnerable. Younger smokers are not protected; smoking can prematurely age the spine regardless of chronological age,” he notes.
Improvements to realistically expect in neck and back pain if one quits smoking
Dr Jagadish says, “Quitting smoking leads to measurable improvements in blood circulation within weeks, which allows spinal tissues to receive better oxygen and nutrients. Many patients report reduced muscle tightness and pain intensity within six to eight weeks of quitting. Disc healing is slower, but the progression of degeneration can be slowed significantly over months to a year.”
He adds that post-surgical outcomes and physiotherapy response also improve substantially after smoking cessation. “While quitting does not reverse existing damage, it plays a crucial role in pain reduction, functional recovery, and preventing further spinal deterioration.”
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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