Neck Pain

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can be the result of an injury or degenerative condition affecting the structures of your cervical spine or neck. While many people experience occasional neck pain from poor posture or overuse, those with chronic pain may not be able to stay physically active.

Some common causes of chronic neck pain include:

• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Infections
• Fibromyalgia
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Pinched nerve

You may also experience chronic neck pain due to spondylosis, a disorder that develops due to the wear-and-tear of the cartilage that covers the bones in your neck.

If your neck pain isn’t getting better with home care and over-the-counter medications, you should schedule a consultation with the team at South Valley Neurology.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

During your evaluation for neck pain, your South Valley Neurology provider reviews your personal and family medical history. They discuss the type of symptoms you have and examine your neck for any signs of tenderness, swelling, or bruising.

You may also need to move your neck in certain ways to allow your physician to evaluate your flexibility and range of motion.

To confirm or rule out degenerative conditions affecting your cervical spine, the team at South Valley Neurology offers onsite diagnostic technologies like MRI tests, X-rays, and other imaging tests.

How is neck pain treated?

Once your provider at South Valley Neurology understands the root cause of your neck pain, they create a treatment plan to ease your pain and increase mobility in your neck.

If you have pain from muscle sprains or a pinched nerve, you may benefit from a muscle relaxer or an over-the-counter pain medication to keep you comfortable.

When oral medications aren’t enough to treat your neck pain, you may need injectable medications, such as an anesthetic or steroid, to calm activity in your nerves and reduce inflammation.

Physical therapy can also help stretch the muscles that support your cervical spine to increase blood circulation and increase your flexibility.

There’s no reason to live with chronic neck pain. Call to schedule a consultation at South Valley Neurology today.