Neck Pain

What is Neck Pain?

Your neck, which helps you look up, down, and side-to-side, needs to be very flexible to allow you to see from a wide range of angles. Your bones and soft tissues make this enhanced mobility possible. The cervical spine, which refers to the bones of the neck, are very responsive, but they can also be more vulnerable to damage, disorders, and other concerns that can cause pain and limit movement. In most cases, neck pain is a temporary issue that will subside over time. However, more serious issues require evaluation and treatment to alleviate the symptoms.

Common Causes:

• • Strain
  • Injury
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated disc
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

In most severe cases:

• • Tumor
  • Viral infection
  • Fracture

Symptoms you should look for:

• • Stiffness
  • Pain that is persistent and continuous
  • Radiating pain in the extremities
  • Tingling or numbness in extremities
  • Limited range of motion

When you arrive for your initial consultation, one of our experienced Spine Team Specialists will evaluate your areas of concern, discuss your symptoms, and develop a customized and comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This evaluation is a necessary part of diagnosing your condition and providing the best possible care.

 

When diagnosing neck pain, The OPA Spine Team:

• • Obtain a complete medical history
  • Perform a physical examination
  • Order and analyze X-ray, MRI, CT Scan, Myelogram

Once an official diagnosis is made, a customized treatment plan is prescribed. Treatment plans decrease your symptoms to help you live an active lifestyle.

Common Treatments:

Most incidences of neck pain can be successfully treated with one or more non-surgical techniques:

Surgical intervention is necessary for neck pain only when other treatments have not provided adequate pain relief or if the condition is severe enough to warrant an operation.

Some instances where this may occur include: when a herniated disc pinches a nerve or the spinal cord; if a bony abnormality narrows the spinal canal opening; or if you suffered a serious injury that could cause lead to partial paralysis. In cases of trauma, surgery can help to stabilize the neck to prevent additional damage.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately:

• Incontinence
• Loss of function in lower extremities
• Weakness
• Unexplained weight loss