Neck Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options
Most times neck pain can be self limited and mild. Overtime, 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 the pain typically subsides. However, for countless others, neck pain is a chronic condition that never fully abates. Some 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
If your pain persists after a few days of rest and oral over-the counter medications or remedies, sometimes your doctor will request studies after a thorough evaluation.
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 medications or manipulations by a professional. Severe neck pain due to traumatic injury or extreme spinal degeneration may require a surgical procedure to correct.
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.
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.
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Determining the Cause of Your Neck Pain
Addressing your pain instead of ignoring it is important since untreated neck problems can lead to additional symptoms and associated conditions, like muscle strain, worn joints, or nerve and spinal cord 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 some occasions blood test can aid to diagnose associated conditions.
If You Or Someone You Know Is Experiencing Neck Pain, The Following Symptoms May Emerge:
- Dull, aching pain that ranges from an annoying pressure or discomfort to chronic and severe pain
- Stabbing or shooting pain that radiates into the arms, hands, or fingertips
- Pain that worsens after remaining seated for too long
- Discomfort that leads to headaches or migraines
- Pain that makes falling asleep at night extremely difficult
- Neck stiffness
- Limited mobility when lifting the chin upward or downward or when rotating the head
- Neck spasms or cramps from pinched spinal nerves
- Progressive weakening of the arms or hands
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Neck Pain Symptoms & Treatment Options
Neck pain can be treated by Dr. Martin, give us a call to schedule an appointment.
We will provide different options of treatment.
Exercise, and Bracing.
Fortunately, most patients find relief from their symptoms with simple stretching and a medically prescribed exercise routine. Massage, and bracing can also be extremely effective in providing symptom relief and allowing the neck to heal.
Pain Management
Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers and pain medications may be prescribed to help the patient more easily tolerate physical therapy and improve daily activities. Completion of a supervised or targeted exercise program may relief symptoms in a number of patients.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy
This minimally invasive procedure might sometimes be necessary if it is determined that your neck pain results from a herniated cervical disc. During this procedure, your surgeon will extract herniated disc material to decompress pinched nerves.
Artificial Disc Replacement
An artificial disc replacement is an outpatient procedure in which your surgeon removes a degenerated cervical disc and replaces it with an artificial implant which mimics the most of the functions of a normal human cervical disc.
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We understand that when you suffer from pain in your neck, mid or low back, you need the best possible treatment.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Matin today for pain relief tomorrow!
Juan J. Martin, M.D. FAANS
Board Certified Neurosurgeon
2600 North Loop West, Suite: 310, Houston, TX 77092
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/X68dXNRZRQWMpPJq5
Office: (281) 653-2686
Fax: (346) 319-3959
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm
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