Neck Pain
Neck Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options
A pain in the neck can be much more than simply a pain in the neck. Neck pain can limit your mobility in ways that can seriously affect your daily life, interrupt your sleep, or hamper your psychological well-being. Neck (or cervical spine) pain can be caused by a simple injury, or a wide array of other conditions. As such, symptoms of neck pain can range from mild discomfort to excruciating or debilitating pain.
Neck pain is generally treatable, and for most, a temporary affliction. Many people get that “crick in the neck” the morning after sleeping in an odd position or spending an afternoon hunched over the computer. After a few hours of discomfort or some gentle stretching, however, the pain typically subsides. However, for countless others, neck pain is a chronic condition that never fully abates. These individuals may experience neurological symptoms of numbness or tingling; pain that shoots down into the arms; or severe limitations in range of neck motion. For these individuals, medical evaluation is needed to manage pain and prevent a worsening of symptoms.
Diagnosis & Early Interventions for Neck Pain
Fortunately, neck pain is a highly treatable condition. Many patients witness progress within days of implementing a doctor-recommended exercise routine at home, accompanied by hot-and-cold therapies and rest from strenuous activity. Other patients may need to turn to nonsurgical treatments like steroid injections or manual chiropractic manipulations. Severe neck pain due to traumatic injury or extreme spinal degeneration may require a surgical procedure to correct, such as a fusion or a discectomy.
However, the first step in treating neck pain is understanding and recognizing your symptoms. Providing your doctor with a thorough account of your symptoms can help your physician determine if your pain results from any of the following common neck conditions: degenerative disc disease; a bulging, ruptured, or herniated cervical disc; cervical spinal stenosis (or narrowing of the spinal canal); a pinched nerve in the neck; or spondylolisthesis (a slipped vertebra)—among many other disorders or injuries. Failed neck surgery, for instance, can also result in chronic neck pain.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck pain is associated with so many conditions of the spine that the accompanying symptoms can be difficult to pinpoint. However, there are a handful of symptoms that are fairly consistent across the board.
Ready for an evaluation from one of our experienced doctors? We believe that our patients deserve the best, which is why we evolve with the latest technologies that modern medicine and spine health have to offer. Schedule your appointment today with of our spine experts by contacting our patient advocates at (973) 538-0900.
Determining the Cause of Your Neck Pain
Addressing your pain instead of ignoring it is important since untreated neck problems can lead to additional injuries, like muscle strain, worn joints, or nerve compression. When you see your doctor, an MRI, CT scan, and/or X-ray will be ordered to visualize the cause of your pain. These tests can reveal structural problems in the neck or the presence of abnormalities such as bone spurs or ruptured discs. In addition, your doctor may prescribe an electromyography (or nerve conduction study) to determine if you suffer from a pinched cervical nerve. Blood tests can reveal spinal infections or inflammatory conditions that could be causing your neck pain.