At some time during their adult years, 20%-70% of Americans struggle with neck pain that’s severe enough to keep them away from their normal daily activities. The experienced team at Interventional Spine and Pain Center performs a comprehensive examination and specialized testing to verify your diagnosis, then they provide holistic treatment to effectively relieve neck pain. To get the help you need for your neck pain, call one of the offices in Manchester and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, or schedule an appointment online.
Request an AppointmentWhat causes neck pain?
The seven vertebrae that make up your neck, called the cervical spine, are vulnerable to injuries. Whiplash is a common acute neck injury. However, poor posture, daily activities, and simply sleeping with your neck bent can lead to injuries that cause neck pain.
These are a few of the top causes of neck pain:
- Sprains and strains
- Herniated disc
- Facet joint arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve, is another frequent cause of neck pain. Nerves enter and exit the cervical spine through openings in the vertebrae. Any condition that narrows the opening or pushes against the nerves, including all those on the list above, can cause cervical radiculopathy.
What other symptoms develop along with neck pain?
It only takes minor neck pain to severely limit your ability to move your head. You may also develop headaches or dizziness, depending on the nerves that are affected. When you have cervical radiculopathy, you may also experience pain, tingling, and numbness radiating through your shoulder and down your arm.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
Diagnosing neck pain begins with a review of your medical history, then talking about the details of your symptoms. Your doctor at Interventional Spine and Pain Center needs to know about any recent accidents or injuries and body-wide symptoms such as nausea, fever, or loss of appetite.
It’s also important to talk about the qualities of your neck pain, such as whether it developed gradually or appeared suddenly, the pain’s severity and quality, and how long it lasts. Other details that help your doctor reach an accurate diagnosis include whether the pain radiates down your arm and if you have weakness or loss of feeling in your arms or legs.
The next step in diagnosing neck pain is a physical exam. Your doctor at Interventional Spine and Pain Center manually checks your neck, shoulders, and arms, putting them through their full range of motion, evaluating reflexes, and muscle strength, and probing for muscle knots or loss of sensation.
Finally, you may need to have nerve conduction studies, blood work, or diagnostic imaging so your doctor can evaluate the vertebrae and soft tissues supporting your neck. Depending on your suspected diagnosis, you may undergo:
- X-ray of the cervical vertebrae
- CT scan of your neck
- Myelogram
- MRI scan
To get an accurate diagnosis and effective relief from neck pain, call Interventional Spine and Pain Center or schedule an appointment online.