Neck Pain Specialist

What is neck pain?

Neck pain is discomfort, often with stiffness, that starts in your neck. It may also branch into other areas like your arms or upper back. The cervical spine is the portion of your spine in your neck, and it includes a network of discs, spinal nerves, and supporting muscles and ligaments. Any of these structures can be the source of the pain you feel in your neck. 

In many cases, neck pain develops because a structure in the cervical spine compresses one of the nerve roots in the area. This isn’t the only cause of neck pain, but it may explain other neurological symptoms such as tingling, numbness, referred pain, and weakness. 

The team at Johnston Pain Management, P.A., evaluates you using advanced tests to rule out possible causes and identify the condition leading to your discomfort.

What causes neck pain?

There are plenty of possible reasons for neck pain, some of which are injuries and others degenerative or chronic conditions. Certain lifestyle factors and circumstances can also contribute to your neck pain or make it worse, including stress and excess body weight. 

Conditions and injuries that commonly cause neck pain include:

• Whiplash injuries (neck strain)
• Nerve compression from herniated discs
• Nerve compression from spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Vertebral fractures

You’re most likely to experience neck pain during middle age; like other conditions and symptoms, your risk for neck pain gets higher as you get older. Your risk is also higher than average if you smoke, lead a sedentary lifestyle, or have depression and anxiety.

How can I manage my neck pain?

Managing neck pain requires individualized care that considers any identifiable causes and contributing factors to your neck pain. The treatments at Johnston Pain Management, P.A., are advanced and well-researched individually but often work best in a treatment plan among other conservative therapies. 

Your individualized treatment plan for neck pain at Johnston Pain Management, P.A., might include:

• Oral medications (e.g., pain relievers, antidepressants)
• Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Corticosteroid injections at nerve roots
• Physical therapy

Treatments for neck pain may also help with any stiffness or loss of mobility. The need for spine surgery in the neck is rare, but it may be an option if nonsurgical treatments don’t offer improvement. 

If you’re interested in learning more about neck pain and the available treatments, call Johnston Pain Management, P.A., or book an appointment online today.