The neck is an integral part of your body which is an area between your skull base and clavicles (collarbones). It acts as an essential passage for nerves and blood vessels between the head and the trunk. Any discomfort in the neck can be distressing which can impair your routine activities due to limited mobility. 

Las Vegas neck pain management is offered by a highly qualified and award-winning orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist who provides a comprehensive diagnosis and personalized treatments for the causes of your neck pain.

Understanding neck pain

Neck pain, known as cervicalgia in medical terms, is defined as any pain or discomfort in and around your spine beneath your head. Your neck is known as the cervical spine, and neck pain is a common symptom of several medical conditions and injuries. 

Neck pain can be categorized as:

  • According to the location
    • Axial neck pain: Pain mostly felt in your neck
    • Radicular neck pain: Pain that radiates into other parts such as your shoulders or arms
  • According to how long the symptoms last
    • Acute: Pain lasts from days to 6 weeks
    • Chronic: Pain lasting longer than 3 months 

Possible causes of neck pain

A wide range of medical conditions and injuries may contribute to neck pain. These include:

  • Muscle tension and strain due to poor posture
  • Injury due to falls, accidents, or sports
  • Cervical radiculopathy
  • Herniated disk
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative disk disease 
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Myelopathy
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Congenital deformity of your lumbar or thoracic spine 
  • Infections 
  • Tumors in the neck
  • Cancer of the spine

Symptoms that require medical attention

Mild neck pain can be managed with proper rest and posture correction. However, if you notice the following symptoms, seek immediate medical help:

  • Migraine headaches
  • Neck stiffness
  • Muscle weakness and numbness
  • Tingling sensation 
  • Limited mobility 

Diagnostic criteria for neck pain

Your healthcare provider will thoroughly evaluate the underlying causes of your neck pain through the following:

  • Reviewing your symptoms
  • Recording your medical history and past injuries 
  • Physical examination
  • Diagnostic tests 
    • X-rays
    • CT scans
    • MRI
    • Myelography
    • Electromyography 
    • Bone scans
    • Spinal injections
    • Nerve conduction study 

Neck pain management 

Your doctor will execute a tailored treatment plan for you based on your diagnostic findings. Treatment options include:

  • Conservative approaches like rest, hot and cold packs, and pain relief medications
  • Spinal injections
  • Physical therapy
  • Nerve block injections
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Cervical disk replacements 
  • Cervical fusion reconstruction 

Summary 

Neck pain is a common symptom, but you do not have to live with it. Take proper care and rest to manage neck pain and other conservative approaches. However, if neck pain persists even after rest, impairing your routine activities, it is time to seek help.