Neck Pain Specialist

What is neck pain?

Your neck is the cervical region of your spinal column that starts immediately beneath your skull and stops above your upper -- or thoracic -- spine.

This delicate part of your spine supports your head, which can weigh approximately 12 pounds in most adults, and is one of the most mobile areas of your entire spinal column. It has seven vertebrae to protect your spinal cord and also contains nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Although your cervical spine is incredibly flexible and strong, its unique structure also leaves it vulnerable to injury, inflammation, and stiffness that can trigger intense pain.

What causes neck pain?

You can have neck pain for a wide range of reasons, but muscle tension and strain are most common. This type of discomfort usually develops due to poor posture, awkward sleeping positions, prolonged time sitting at your desk, or from a sudden and forceful snapping motion of the head known as whiplash.

Additional causes of neck pain often include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Herniated discs
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Spondylosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoporosis
• Congenital irregularities

Sometimes, neck pain can indicate a medical emergency, like meningitis or a heart attack. In rare cases, it can also be a sign of spinal cancer, tumors, abscesses, or infection.

How do you diagnose and treat neck pain?

Dr. Khoury conducts a comprehensive exam to diagnose the cause of your neck pain. During your appointment at Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists, he discusses your symptoms and your personal and medical history, and he conducts a physical examination. Dr. Khoury might also request additional testing, such as X-rays, MRIs, electromyography, or nerve conduction studies.

After reaching a diagnosis, Dr. Khoury develops a treatment strategy based on the severity of your symptoms and condition. Common treatments for neck pain might include:

• Physical therapy, stretching, and exercise
• Cold and heat therapy
• Medications, like pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxants
• Cervical epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Cervical medial branch blocks
• Radiofrequency denervation

If your neck pain doesn’t respond to conservative therapies, Dr. Khoury might recommend minimally invasive surgery to relieve your discomfort.

To learn more about neck pain treatments, call Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists, or schedule an appointment online today.