Neck pain, also referred to as cervical pain, is an extremely common condition – one that can originate from a number of pre-existing injuries or illnesses. Neck pain can be caused by common viral infections, leading to a painful swelling of the lymph nodes. It can also be caused by rare infections, such as septic discitis, meningitis, or tuberculosis. Most commonly, however, neck pain is caused by neck strain or neck injury, such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or whiplash. Finally, neck pain can be caused by medical conditions that directly affect the muscles within the neck, such as polymyalgia rheumatica or fibromyalgia. You may be at a greater risk of experiencing neck pain if you have recently been involved in an accident (such as a motor-vehicle accident), or if you are involved in contact sports (such as football or wrestling). In many instances, neck pain that is caused by a minor injury will resolve on its own over a short period of time. However, in some cases, more intensive treatment will be necessary.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
The symptoms of neck pain can range widely; they can either provide mild and temporary discomfort, or greatly interfere with the demands of day-to-day life. In the majority of cases, neck pain is isolated, and will begin to dissipate on its own after several days. In some cases, however, neck pain symptoms are severe and lasting, and will require intensive medical intervention. Those experiencing neck pain will often suffer from one or several of the following symptoms:
- Stiff neck (difficulty moving the neck in one or both directions)
- Soreness (an achy pain throughout the neck region)
- Sharp pain (stabbing pain in the lower levels of the neck)
- Headaches
- Numbness or weakness (sometimes radiating to other parts of the body, such as the back or arms)
- Tingling sensation (“pins-and-needles” felt in the arm or hand)
- Pain with swallowing
- Nausea or vomiting (usually in extreme cases)
Fortunately, severe cases of neck pain are often still treatable. If you have been experiencing symptoms of neck pain for an extended period of time, it is wise to seek advice from a medical professional.
Treatment for Neck Pain
Treatment for neck pain will vary significantly based on the cause and severity of the pain. If the pain is caused by a minor or moderate injury, the pain should resolve on its own within a few days. If this is the case, treatment may include mild pain medications, increased bed rest, ice and heat therapy, muscle relaxants, regular exercise/stretching, and/or the use of a neck brace. If neck pain is more severe, but is still the result of an injury, more intensive and long-term treatment methods may be necessary. These methods may include physical therapy, increased periods of neck immobilization, and short doses of steroids. If neck pain is caused by an infection, antibiotics may be necessary. In order to adequately treat neck pain, the root cause of the symptoms must first be discovered. Our team of experienced professionals will focus on uncovering the origin of your neck pain before developing an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan.
How Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches Heals Neck Pain
The first step to healing neck pain is properly diagnosing the root cause. Those who experience mild to moderate neck injuries will undergo a shorter recovery time – assuming they develop and adhere to a strict treatment plan. Those who have sustained more serious neck injuries may require more intensive treatment; however, recovery time will be significantly lessened by an effective and individualized treatment plan. Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches works to heal neck pain by formulating unique and detailed plans of recovery for each individual patient.
If you are suffering from neck pain, we can help. Call (561) 434-7577 and let the caring staff at Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches get you on the path to healing.
