Neck Pain

Neck Pain

Neck pain is a common medical complaint that can be caused by a variety of conditions. It can be described as sharp or dull, constant or intermittent pain. In some cases, it is associated with radiating arm pain. Neck pain can be caused by degenerative changes in the cervical spine involving the discs and joints. This degenerative change can lead to nerve root or spinal canal compression. Additionally, whiplash injury after a motor vehicle accident or sports contact injury is another common cause of neck pain. A diagnosis of the underlying cause can be made by performing a history and physical examination. Imaging such as X-rays, CT or MRI can help establish a diagnosis.

Neck Pain Treatments

The treatment can involve conservative measures such as a home exercise program, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, patients may need prescription medications like gabapentin or lyrica. If pain continues to be an issue, then procedures like trigger point injections, cervical epidural steroid injections or radio frequency ablations can be performed based on the cause of pain.