Neck Pain

What is neck pain?

Many people experience pain in their neck area, also called the cervical spine. In most cases, the pain develops from poor posture that causes strain on the muscles and resolves quickly with at-home care.

Though neck pain rarely develops from a serious medical condition, the underlying cause may lead to chronic neck pain that affects your daily life. 

Symptoms of neck pain may include:

• Pain that worsens over time
• Headaches
• Muscle spasms or tightness
• Decrease in range of motion of your head

Depending on the cause, neck pain may also cause numbness, burning, or tingling sensations that travel to your arms or upper back. 

What causes neck pain?

Your neck is the most flexible part of your spine and is responsible for supporting most of the weight of your head. The structure and function of your neck makes it vulnerable to injury that results in pain. 

Common causes of neck pain include:

• Strains and sprains
• Osteoarthritis
• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Cervical stenosis
• Fractures
• Tumors

You may develop neck pain from an acute injury, such as whiplash, following a motor vehicle accident. However, chronic neck pain usually develops from the degenerative changes that occur in your spine as you get older.

What happens during a neck pain evaluation?

When you visit Apex Spine and Neurosurgery for a neck pain evaluation, you can expect a thorough clinical exam. The goal of the exam is to find the root cause of your neck pain so you get the most effective treatment plan.

During your evaluation, the experienced neurosurgeon asks detailed questions about your pain, including the type of pain you feel, when it started, and the activities that worsen or alleviate your discomfort.

Your provider also conducts a physical exam, paying close attention to the structure and function of your cervical spine. Diagnostic imaging may also be requested to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis. 

How is neck pain treated?

The team at Apex Spine and Neurosurgery develops a personalized treatment plan for the management of your neck pain based on the underlying cause, severity of your symptoms, and your medical history. 

In most cases, neck pain can be eliminated with conservative medical care, which includes pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medication, activity modification, and physical therapy.

However, if conservative measures fail to alleviate your neck pain, the team at Apex Spine and Neurosurgery may recommend spine surgery. However, they only perform surgery for neck pain caused by conditions that compress or irritate the nerves.

Types of surgical procedures include:

• Cervical discectomy and fusion
• Microdiscectomy
• Disc replacement
• Spinal decompression

The skilled neurosurgeons use traditional methods to perform spine surgery, as well as minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. 

To schedule a consultation with the experts at Apex Spine and Neurosurgery, call the office closest to you, or book an appointment online today.