Neck Pain Treatment

Living with persistent neck pain is uncomfortable. The neck is an anatomically complex, mobile part of the body, and it is unfortunately susceptible to injury. Neck pain is any discomfort or suffering in the shoulders and/or cervical region of the spine. Sometimes the pain can radiate into the arms or hands. It is important to identify the underlying cause of your neck pain. Neck pain is a broad category, and many causes can be treated by a wide variety of treatments, from doctor-prescribed physical therapy to minimally invasive surgery.

What are common causes of neck pain?

Common causes of neck pain include:

• Muscle strains
• Cervical degeneration (arthritis)
• Herniated cervical disks resulting in nerve or spinal cord compression (radiculopathy/myelopathy)
• Trauma from sports, motor vehicle accidents
• Non-specific

Symptoms of neck pain include:

• Headaches
• Tightness / Spasm
• Limited range of motion / stiffness
• Poor Posture

Diagnosing Neck Pain

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, expect a personalized treatment plan designed for your specific type of neck pain. Our approach to neck pain therapy focuses on detailed evaluations and advanced diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of a patient’s pain and the most effective neck injury treatment. Your physician will take a complete medical history and perform a detailed physical and neurologic evaluation. This will help identify the source of your pain. To better understand your condition state-of-the-art diagnostic tests may be ordered.

• X-rays: Cervical x-rays to evaluate the bony structures and alignment of your neck
• MRI: Cervical MRI to evaluate your spinal cord, discs, and ligaments.
• CT: CT scan may pre-ordered to further evaluate the bony structures. This is more commonly a preoperative study.
• EMG: Nerve conduction velocity/EMG may be used in patients who also have radiating pain or weakness in their arms or legs. EMG can help to determine whether the pain in your arms or legs is secondary to compression of your cervical nerve root. Sometimes the nerve pain is the result of the nerve being pinched as is seen in your extremity. Nerve pain may be caused by diseases such as vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and alcoholism. This study helps sort that out.

Specialized Neck Pain Treatment

Living with persistent neck pain is unpleasant and debilitating. The neck is an anatomically complex, mobile part of the body. Causes of neck pain are many. It can be treated with a variety of treatments depending on the underlying condition causing the neck pain. Some examples are:

• Physical Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
• Spinal injections - steroids
• Muscle relaxants - short term
• Short term immobilization with a soft collar neck brace

Surgery is rarely necessary but is an option for relieving nerve root pain or spinal cord compression. If surgery is considered, your neck surgeon may recommend a cervical discectomy, cervical fusion or cervical disc replacement depending on the severity of the condition and other factors such as lifestyle and your general health.

What to Expect During Neck Pain Treatment

What to expect during neck pain treatment depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, and pain level. Our spine and neck doctors have extensive experience in treating a wide range of conditions affecting the cervical spine. Feel confident that you are in the very best of hands. Feel free to ask any questions, as it is critical that patients understand the nature of their neck pain and all treatments.
Our goal is always to help patients regain mobility and engage in activities they enjoy.

Find a Neck Pain Specialist

Our renowned orthopedic doctors for neck pain provide specialized care for neck injuries, strains, and more. Contact us at Hoag Orthopedic Institute to find a spine and neck pain specialist today!

To consult with one of our board-certified cervical spine surgeons at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, please call us at (949) 705-6493 to request an appointment.

Find a Neck Surgeon