Neck Pain

Severe head and neck pain are often debilitating. Targeting the source of pain in the head and neck requires careful examination. If a patient has developed whiplash as the result of a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident, a thorough physical examination would be done to determine the probable source of their pain and to rule out any other causes.

There are seven bones that make up the cervical vertebrae. Between and surrounding the spinal column are important stabilizing tissues such as discs, muscles, and ligaments. Disease and conditions can affect any of these tissues triggering pain. By reviewing the history of the symptoms, along with further examination our physiatry specialists will develop a treatment plan to provide pain relief.

Head and neck pain

Neck pain often results from damage to the muscles, ligaments, joints, or vertebrae in the upper spine and is a common symptom of back pain. Severe neck and back pain is one the leading reasons why people visit their primary care doctor each year. Many people visit their doctor after accidents or injuries; work-related injuries, unruly sports contact, and car accidents can all cause whiplash, a condition in which the head whips back and forth, causing the cervical (upper) spine to be hyperextended beyond its normal range of motion and resulting in severe pain. In general, back pain treatments such as medication, physical therapy, blocks, and injections are applied to reduce or alleviate severe neck pain caused by whiplash.

Chronic Neck Pain

In addition to whiplash, other types of spinal cord injuries and conditions may also cause chronic pain in the head and neck. Some of these conditions, such as strained muscles and arthritis, are due to the everyday wear and tear due to age. As people get older, the outer wall of the spinal cord can weaken, sometimes resulting in stiffened or herniated discs. Herniated discs in the upper spine, which can also occur as a result of injury or trauma, cause back pain that often extends into a patient's shoulders, neck, or arms. Pain down the leg and lower back pain, on the other hand, may be a symptom of herniated discs in the lumbar, or lower, spine. There are many treatment options available to patients who are experiencing neck pain as a result of herniated discs including anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, physical therapy, and/or epidural steroid injections, among others. Before you can receive treatment, it is important to see a back pain specialist for a correct diagnosis, as there can be many causes of neck pain that result in similar symptoms.

Cervical radiculopathy and cervical spinal stenosis are other spinal cord injuries that can cause people to experience head and neck pain. Cervical radiculopathy occurs as a result of the irritation of a root nerve in the neck. In addition to experiencing neck pain, patients suffering from radiculopathy may also feel severe arm pain. Cervical spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the upper spinal canal, can result in similar feelings of neck pain shooting into the arms and hands. While cervical radiculopathy and spinal stenosis lead to sharp pains in the neck and arms, post-laminectomy syndrome can cause more of an achy, dull feeling of discomfort. If you experience any of these pains or are wondering "Do I need back surgery?" it is important that you see a physiatrist who specializes in neck pain, back pain, physical medicine, and rehabilitation to help address your concerns.