Neck pain, or cervical pain, is a common condition that affects many Americans at some point in their life which can be caused by a number of problems. There are many conditions of the spine that can be responsible for neck pain. Conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and pinched nerves can commonly cause cervical symptoms. Conservative treatment methods are usually first used to help treat symptoms, however, surgery can be necessary if the underlying problem is unresponsive to non-surgical treatment. If you are experiencing cervical symptoms, contact the pain management specialists at ProMedSPINE to schedule a consultation.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck pain (also known as cervical pain) can come in a variety of forms depending on the condition that is responsible for the pain. Since there are many different disorders and diseases that can lead to this condition, symptoms can vary greatly. It is commonly characterized as an aching type of painfulness that can sometimes be exacerbated by moving the neck in certain ways. Depending on the condition, certain types may also be accompanied by:
- Tingling Feeling
- Dizziness
- Numbness
- Occasional Shooting Pains
- Swelling
- Difficulty Swallowing
If the cause of symptoms is a pinched nerve in the neck, other possible symptoms may include:
- Shoulder or Arm Pain
- Headache
- Pain in and around the Face
- Back Pain
Recognizing and identifying the severity, frequency, type, and location of the pain is very important information to be shared with the physician. Any specifics help the physician make a complete and accurate diagnosis and can help ensure proper treatment.
What Causes Cervical Pain?
Cervical pain can be due to a number of different conditions. The source can come from the structures within the neck as well as the spine, and can also be referred pain from other regions of the body. Thankfully, when a patient seeks treatment from an experienced surgeon like Dr. Gravori, the condition is often very treatable. Some of the common causes include:
- Osteoarthritis – When the joints in the neck begin to wear
- Injuries – Car accidents and sporting injuries can cause trauma to the structures in the neck. Whiplash is a well-known injury that can result from car accidents.
- Muscle Strain – Overuse or excess strain can often lead to neck muscle pain
- Infections and Diseases
Many spinal conditions can create nerve irritation. Some specific conditions of the spine that can be responsible for neck pain include:
- Spinal Stenosis – The narrowing of the spinal canal
- Herniated Disc – Protruding, Prolapsed, and Bulging discs can severe neck and back pain
- Referred Pain – Nerve and spine conditions in the back may refer pain to the neck
- Pinched Nerves – Nerves in the neck can become pinched and cause pain
- Bone spurs that have formed on the spine
To learn more about neck pain, please visit WebMD.
Treatment
Depending on the condition, there are several non-surgical treatment methods that may be utilized. Our experienced back doctors will always first attempt to treat neck pain with conservative treatment options like physical therapy programs, exercise, rest, and medications. Certain steroidal injections can also be administered in certain cases. Conservative options can often be effective for treatment.
When conservative, non-surgical treatment is ineffective in reducing suffering, there are many surgical procedures that may be performed. If symptoms are unresponsive to non-surgical treatments, it may be the result of a spinal or nerve condition that requires surgery. When pain cannot be managed, the condition must be properly treated.
Some various surgical treatment options can perform include:
- Disc Replacement Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
- Percutaneous Discectomy
- MILD Procedure
- Percutaneous Foraminotomy
- Interspinous Process Fusion
- Interspinous Process Decompression
Cervical painfulness can cause severe discomfort along with a host of other problems and limitations to daily life. You should not have to suffer through these. If you are experiencing troubling neck pain in Los Angeles, contact ProMedSPINE today. Our back doctors work with each individual case to find the best available treatment options for the highest probability of lasting success.
Contact a Los Angeles Neck Pain Specialist
Todd Gravori, MD, is the director of ProMedSPINE. Each back doctor at our spinal practice is a board-certified neurosurgeon with fellowship training in advanced spine surgery and treatment. At ProMedSPINE, we take pride in offering the most sophisticated technology and cutting-edge minimally invasive spine procedures to provide the highest quality of care for our patients. To schedule an initial consultation, please contact us today!
Next, learn about leg pain.