What is neck pain?
Neck pain refers to any discomfort that affects your neck or cervical spine. Symptoms may include:
- Muscle aches and pains
- Headaches
- Difficulty moving your head
- Muscle spasms
- Pain that radiates into the arms or upper back
The pain may develop from any of the structures that make up your neck, including the spine, intervertebral discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In most cases, neck pain isn’t a serious issue and responds well to at-home care. However, ongoing neck pain or severe neck pain may be signs of an underlying condition that benefits from a visit with the experts at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute.
What causes neck pain?
Your neck is the most flexible part of your spine and supports the weight and movement of your head. Given the structure and function of your neck, it’s more susceptible to injuries and diseases that cause pain. Common causes of neck pain include:
- Sprains and strains
- Whiplash
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Spinal tumors
- >Fractures
Neck pain may occur after a car accident or sports injury or develop over time because of the degenerative changes that affect your spine as you get older.
What happens during a neck pain evaluation?
When you visit Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute for a neck pain evaluation, you can expect a comprehensive exam. Your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started, the type of pain you feel, and activities that worsen your discomfort. They examine your neck and spine and may request imaging tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. For patient convenience, Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute has an on-site MRI.
How is neck pain treated?
The team at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute customizes your neck pain treatment plan based on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. The multi-specialty practice offers many services to help you get the relief you need, including medical and surgical options. Treatment options for neck pain include:
- Activity modification
- On-site physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Epidural steroid injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Cervical discectomy and fusion
- Cervical corpectomy
- Cervical laminectomy
- Cervical foraminotomy
The Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute team works closely with you to design a plan that provides the best relief from your neck pain. To schedule your neck pain consultation at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute, call the office or request an appointment online today.
