Neck Pain

What causes neck pain?

As there are many different causes of neck pain, it is vital to properly diagnose the pain to create an appropriate plan of care. Some common causes of neck pain include:

• Poor posture
• Trauma
• Muscle strain
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Radiculopathy

Sometimes the pain may be contained just in the neck, and other times it can radiate to the arms or hands.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc is a relatively common medical condition where the soft, cushion-like substance in between the vertebrae of your spine becomes displaced. This leads to excess pressure being placed on the nerves in the area, causing pain in your neck and upper back. It can also cause numbness and weakness in your back, arms, and legs. While it can be a serious condition, there are effective treatments available. These include:

• Rest
• Medications
• Stretching
• Surgery

Dr. Shah and the team at SamWell Institute for Pain Management have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating their patients with a herniated disc, helping them get back to the activities that they love.

What is spinal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is another common cause of neck pain. This condition is characterized by a narrowing of the spaces occupied by the nerves in your spine. This narrowing can put undue pressure on the nerves, causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling. While it can happen in the lower back, it is also common in the neck. When it occurs in the neck, you may even notice numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hands, arms, feet, or legs. Treatment for spinal stenosis can include medications and surgery.

What is a muscle strain?

Neck strain, which is often called whiplash, is neck pain caused by trauma. It occurs when your head has been jerked forward or backward rapidly, such as in a car accident. This sudden motion causes damage to the muscles and tendons in your neck, causing pain, reduced range of motion, stiffness, and even headaches. Treatment for muscle strains includes rest, ice, pain-relieving medications, and a neck brace to reduce movement of your neck.

What is radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy, called cervical radiculopathy if it occurs in the portion of your spine in your neck, is a medical condition where changes in the surrounding structures compress the nerve root. This compression damages the nerve and can cause symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. These symptoms can manifest in your neck and upper back, but can also radiate down your arms as well. Treatments include medications to reduce inflammation and pain, treatments, or surgery.

Call or go online today to schedule your appointment, and learn how you can get the relief that you need.