What is neck pain?

At some point in life, most adults experience some level of neck pain. Whether you woke up in the morning with a “crick in your neck” or you have felt the constant dull pain of a spine condition, you understand the frustration neck pain can cause.

Regardless of the cause of neck pain, the discomfort often originates in the cervical spine — the top seven vertebrae of the backbone. The cervical spine’s first vertebra is located at the base of the skull, and the seventh cervical vertebra is located at approximately shoulder level. A small pulled muscle near the spine or a more severe damaged disc within the spine can equally press against a nearby nerve root, causing your pain. Being able to identify the symptoms of your neck pain may help you determine if your pain is caused by a minute injury or a more serious spine condition.

What are some symptoms associated with neck pain?

Nearly all neck pain fades and disappears over time with rest and over-the-counter medication. However, if it is severe or continues for more than a week or two, you should consider visiting your doctor. The pain and symptoms associated with neck pain include:

• Sharp pain
• A dull ache
• Stiffness
• Radiating discomfort or tingling down the arms
• Numbness in the arms or hands
• Severe headaches

These symptoms could be the result of a number of neck pain causes, including muscle strain, ligament sprain, whiplash or even a medical emergency such as meningitis. The pain also could be caused by one or more cervical spine conditions, such as a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis (facet disease) or cervical spinal stenosis.

How can neck pain be diagnosed?

Since neck discomfort can have so many different causes — some of which are life threatening — diagnosing neck pain can be a challenge for health care providers. For instance, if your neck pain is accompanied by fever, headache and vomiting — and you are unable to touch your chin to your chest — your doctor may test you for a sometimes-fatal infection called meningitis.

Once meningitis and other dangerous conditions are ruled out, your doctor likely will ask you a variety of questions about the duration and severity of your pain in order to help develop a diagnosis. You may also undergo tests such as X-rays, MRI, blood tests and nerve tests, to name a few. These tests can help pinpoint the cause of your pain and also will help your doctor plan for neck pain treatment.

What treatment options are available for neck pain?

• Cold and Heat Therapy
• Pain Medication
• Muscle Relaxants
• Physical Therapy
• Chiropractic Treatment
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Massage Therapy
• Traction
• Steroid Injections
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

While nonsurgical treatment for neck pain can be effective, especially in the short term, sometimes surgery for neck pain is necessary. Your doctor will discuss all treatment options with you so you can decide which option you are most comfortable with. To learn more contact Total Spine & Orthopedics today. We can also provide a free MRI review*.