Neck Pain

What is neck pain?

Neck pain occurs in the cervical region of your spine. This area starts directly beneath your skull and stops at your shoulders. This area has seven vertebrae, or bones, that work to protect your spine. It also contains tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves.

While your neck is incredibly strong and flexible, it’s also susceptible to stiffness, inflammation, and injury. At times, you can develop neck pain so intense that it becomes debilitating.

What causes neck pain?

Muscle strain and tension are the most common causes of acute neck pain. These types of injuries often occur because of sleeping in a strange position, practicing poor posture, spending long periods at your desk, or carrying heavy objects. You can also develop acute neck pain because of sudden and traumatic snapping movements of your head, like whiplash from a motor vehicle accident or sports injury.

When you have chronic neck pain, it’s generally due to one of the following:

• Herniated or degenerating discs
• Pinched or damaged nerves
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Fibromyalgia

In some cases, you can have neck pain because of congenital abnormalities, tumors, or spinal cancers. Neck pain may also indicate a medical emergency, like a heart attack or meningitis.

How is neck pain diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Chekemian diagnoses the cause of your neck pain by performing a full physical exam, reviewing your personal and medical history, and discussing your symptoms. Based on this evaluation, she might recommend additional diagnostic testing, like digital imaging, nerve conduction studies, or electromyography (EMG).

As an experienced pain management expert, Dr. Chekemian offers the most advanced, nonsurgical techniques available to treat the source of your pain. Common pain management techniques for conditions affecting your neck include:

• Hot and cold compress therapy
• Medication
• Nerve blocks
• Massage therapy or adjustments
• Physical therapy

For more information on available treatments if you’re suffering from neck pain, call Academic Pain & Spine or schedule an appointment online.