Neck Pain

Many people experience neck pain and discomfort throughout their lifetime. This pain may be correlated to a recent injury or strain, or it may be a chronic condition that has affected you everyday. Whatever the cause, there are treatment options available from Mid State Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center to help relieve your neck pain.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Most cases of neck pain are mild in nature, and will resolve themselves with adequate rest and minor at-home treatments like regularly applying ice to the affected area.

Muscle Strain

We often push our bodies beyond their regular physical activity levels, which can often result in pulled muscles. It is also possible for these types of strains to develop from chronic habits such as poor posture while sitting at a computer or even while looking down at a book you are reading.

Spondylosis

Over time it is only natural that our bodies experience some wear and tear, which often affects the joints, including those of the neck. When the cartilage between the cervical vertebrae begin to break down, it is expected for the neck to become more stiff and difficult to move.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of any joint throughout the body. When this condition occurs in the neck, individuals typically experience issues with pain, limited mobility, and decreased function of the neck.

A similar condition called fibromyalgia can also lead to neck pain as it often causes muscle pains within the upper body.

Serious Causes of Neck Pain

In some instances, neck pain can be an indicator of a severe condition of the neck that requires early intervention and treatment.

A Compressed Nerve

If a cervical disk becomes herniated, ruptured, or has slipped, it is very possible for this protruding disk to begin pressing on a nearby nerve. This pressure is often extremely painful and may also weaken nearby muscles of the neck, and cause pain to radiate into the shoulders and arms.

Whiplash Injury

Common in automobile accidents, whiplash is a condition that occurs when the neck has been overextended through rapid back-and-forth motion. It is necessary for this injury to be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, who will be able to prescribe an appropriate method of treatment that should resolve the issue, most of the time, in a matter of weeks.

Spinal Stenosis

Often the result of another condition such as chronic arthritis or scoliosis, spinal stenosis describes the narrowing of the spinal column. When this occurs, it is common for the reduction in space to put increased amounts of pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, which results in significant amounts of pain all along the spine.

Symptoms That Should Send You to Mid State Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center

It is important to remember that your neck pain is probably not the result of some serious condition, but if it becomes a recurring issue it is advised that you see a specialist to accurately diagnose the condition. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms in addition to your neck pain, please contact Mid State Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center immediately for a consultation:

Loss of control over the bowels or bladder
Numbness
Tingling
Recurrent headaches
Inability to touch the chin to the chest
Severe pain that is brought on by an unknown cause
Radiating pain down your arms or legs
Sudden inability to move your arms or hands

Diagnosis and Treatment

Depending on the underlying cause of your neck pain, your physiatric specialist will advise a course of treatment based upon your unique needs and symptoms. Most cases can be treated using simple preventative measures and at-home treatments, though severe cases will likely require additional diagnostic testing to reveal which solution is ideal.

Sometimes the solution is ergonomics and posture which our experts can evaluate and make appropriate workplace accommodation recommendations.

If you have any questions or concerns about your own neck pain or additional symptoms, please contact Mid State Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center today to schedule an appointment with our specialists. Give us a call at (318) 473-9556 to get started, or book an appointment online.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/herniated-disk-exercises

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-20378921

https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-pain#when-to-seek-help