Neck pain can have a severe impact on your life. In addition to the discomfort it causes, it often causes restricted movement that makes it hard to carry out everyday activities. If neck pain is affecting you this way, the team at Southwest Pain Management in Irving, Texas, can help.
We have considerable experience in helping patients recover from neck pain, so give the clinic a call today or book an appointment online.
Neck pain can develop from an acute injury such as whiplash, or degeneration of the soft tissues or cervical vertebrae in your neck. Acute injuries can also become chronic pain problems if they aren’t treated correctly at the time of the injury.
Most causes of neck pain are related to your musculoskeletal system: the muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, nerves, and bones. However, neck pain can also be an indication of serious medical conditions like meningitis, in some cases.
Some of the more common conditions that can cause neck pain include:
Cervical degenerative disc disease The discs in your spine are there to cushion and protect the vertebrae, but over time, they gradually lose hydration and their ability to cushion the vertebrae decreases. Severe disc degeneration can lead to painful irritation of the cervical nerves.
Cervical herniated discs A herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like inner layer leaks out through a tear in the disc’s protective outer layer, either because of trauma or as a result of wear and tear. Herniated discs may press against or irritate a cervical nerve.
Cervical spine joint osteoarthritis Facet joints in your spine have a layer of the protective cartilage that keeps them from rubbing together. If the cartilage in cervical facet joints wears down enough, it can lead to cervical osteoarthritis or spondylosis. Bone rubbing on bone because of the loss of this protective padding causes inflammation and may lead to bone spur growth, which in turn could cause nerve pressure.
Cervical spinal stenosis Spinal stenosis occurs when degenerative changes lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal. This can lead to pressure on the spinal cord, which may cause pain, weakness, or problems with arm and hand coordination.
Cervical foraminal stenosis The foramina are openings in the vertebrae where nerve roots exit the spinal canal. Narrowing of the foramina can irritate or compress the nerve root that runs through it, causing radiating arm or shoulder pain.
Our Expert
What conditions could be giving me neck pain?
Some of the more common conditions that can cause neck pain include:
Cervical degenerative disc disease
The discs in your spine are there to cushion and protect the vertebrae, but over time, they gradually lose hydration and their ability to cushion the vertebrae decreases. Severe disc degeneration can lead to painful irritation of a cervical nerve.
Cervical herniated disc
A herniated disc occurs when the jelly-like inner layer leaks out through a tear in the disc’s protective outer layer, either because of trauma or as a result of wear and tear. Herniated discs may press against or irritate a cervical nerve.
Cervical spine joint osteoarthritis
Facet joints in your spine have a layer of the protective cartilage that keeps them from rubbing together. If the cartilage in cervical facet joints wears down enough, it can lead to cervical osteoarthritis or spondylosis.
Bone rubbing on bone because of the loss of this protective padding causes inflammation and may lead to bone spur growth, which in turn could cause nerve pressure.
Cervical spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when degeneration leads to a narrowing of the spinal canal. This can lead to pressure on the spinal cord, which may cause pain as well as weakness or problems with arm and hand coordination.
Cervical foraminal stenosis
The foramina are openings in the vertebrae where nerve roots exit the spinal canal. Narrowing of the foramina can irritate or compress the nerve root that runs through it, causing radiating arm or shoulder pain.
Our Expert
What treatments are available for neck pain?
The treatment your provider at Southwest Pain Management recommends depends on what’s causing your neck pain, so an accurate diagnosis is essential. Your personalized treatment plan for neck pain could include:
Stretching and strengthening exercises
Physical therapy programs
Medications
Trigger point injections
Cervical steroid injections
Facet joint injections
Radiofrequency neuroablation (RFA or Rhizotomy)
Regenerative medicine
If you’re experiencing neck pain, get the treatment you need by calling Southwest Pain Management today or booking an appointment online.