Neck Pain

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can develop because of injury or deterioration to the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cervical discs, or nerves in your neck. The conditions that most commonly cause neck pain include:

• Muscle strains
• Herniated cervical discs
• Whiplash
• Osteoarthritis
• Facet joint arthrosis
• Radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
• Bone spurs
• Osteoporosis 
• Degenerative disc disease
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Tension and stress
• Rheumatoid arthritis

In rare cases, neck pain might be a symptom of an acute infectious condition, such as meningitis, so it’s important not to ignore your neck pain.

How are the causes of neck pain diagnosed?

Your provider at Integrated Spine and Pain Services begins by performing a physical exam. They visually examine and feel the structures in your neck and assess how well you can move your neck. They also review your medical history and discuss your current symptoms with you.

If needed to confirm or rule out possible diagnoses, your provider might use diagnostic testing. These tests could include X-rays, a CT (computed tomography) scan, or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.

If your provider at Integrated Spine and Pain Services suspects a problem with the nerves in your neck, they can also conduct electromyography (EMG) and nerve function studies to measure your nerve responses.

If the cause of your neck pain isn’t clear, your provider can use diagnostic injections to help find out which structure in your neck is causing your pain. These injections contain a local anesthetic that numbs specific areas, enabling your provider to locate the point where your pain originates.

What treatments are there for neck pain?

Potential treatments for neck pain include:

• Physical therapy 
• Transforaminal epidural steroid injections
• Selective nerve root blocks
• Medial branch blocks
• Medial branch neurotomy (radiofrequency ablation)

The team at Integrated Spine and Pain Services has specialist expertise in performing these types of treatments. They use advanced X-ray imaging called fluoroscopy to ensure the injected medication goes into exactly the right place. Fluoroscopy can also guide the delivery of the radiofrequency energy used to deactivate the nerves in medial branch neurotomy.

How can I look after my neck?

Many causes of neck pain are self-inflicted, through poor posture. Sleeping with your neck at an awkward angle, holding a phone by wedging it between your ear and shoulder, and working or gaming without having your neck comfortably in alignment are all common causes of neck pain.

By avoiding these bad habits, you can often prevent neck pain. The Integrated Spine and Pain Services team can give you sensible advice on how you can look after your neck and what habits to avoid.

If you’re experiencing neck pain that’s severe or isn’t improving after a few days of rest, call Integrated Spine and Pain Services today, or request an appointment online.