The causes of neck pain can come from multiple sources. In many cases, the causes of neck pain can be muscle-related conditions, compression of nerves, herniated discs, osteoarthritis, pain after surgery, and others. At MVM Health, our highly trained specialists focus on identifying your neck pain’s primary and secondary causes. After precise identification of your pain source, our specialist recommends treatment options that provide maximum relief with minimum risk.
Conditions
- Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Herniated Disc
- Muscle Strain of the Upper Back
- Osteoarthritis of the Spine
- Spinal Stenosis
- Whiplash
Treatments
- Conservative measures (Physical Therapy)
- Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) in the Cervical Spine
- Facet Joint Injections
- Medial Branch Block
- PRP Therapy for Whiplash
- Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Cervical Facets
- Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Thoracic Facets
- Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB) in the Cervical Spine
- Stellate Ganglion Block
Neck Pain Symptoms
If your neck is in pain, you know it. Still, additional symptoms can help pinpoint the root cause of the discomfort and help in its treatment. The most common neck pain symptoms include:
- Pain in the middle or either side of the neck
- Radiating pain to the shoulders or upper chest
- Pain or weakness in your arms
- Tension headaches
- Restricted movement of the head
- numbness or tingling
- Clicking or grinding noise
- Dizziness
- Muscles spasms
- Fainting/Losing Consciousness
Pain, Stiffness & Weakness
Depending on the cause, neck pain can radiate to other parts of the body. In some cases, neck conditions can affect the chest, shoulders, and arms. You may feel tingling sensations, discomfort, restriction of movement, and even pain in your head.
Neck pain can also come on suddenly or over time. Sudden pain can be the result of trauma to the area or inflammatory conditions such as polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) or whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip, and is a common condition after rear-end car accidents, sports accidents, physical abuse, and other types of traumas, such as a fall.
Alternatively, small discomfort may gradually become a major nuisance causing daily struggles to operate normally. Osteoarthritis of the Spine is a common condition that gradually becomes worse over time. Management of pain and discomfort through physical therapy, medication, and direct intervention can provide lasting relief.
Numbness or Tingling
Most people have felt numbness and tingling throughout their bodies at some point. Commonly, a nerve can become pinched as the muscles, bones, or other tissues surrounding the nerve apply too much pressure. In most cases, tingling is not life-threatening and the problem will resolve itself. However, when tingling is persistent & chronic, it can be a symptom of more severe conditions that need medical intervention.
Clicking & Grinding
Clicking and grinding as you move your head is called crepitus and is caused by air bubbles being released or tissue and bones moving over each other. It is similar to the sound one hears when at the chiropractor. In most cases, these sounds are natural and may happen regularly as your body moves. However, when caused by trauma or if the sounds are getting worse, an MVM specialist should be consulted.
Dizziness & Losing Consciousness
Feeling dizzy when turning your head may be due to a pinched artery along your spine. If vertebrae in your spine have shifted, it can cause areas of pressure that cause a reduction in blood flow, leading to dizziness and potentially loss of consciousness. It goes without saying that even if there is no pain involved, losing consciousness is a sign to see an MVM Health specialist right away.
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms, or muscle cramps, are when a muscle or group of muscles involuntarily and forcibly contract uncontrollably and cannot relax. When it occurs in your neck or spine, it can be especially painful and make it difficult to move. Most spasms last only a few minutes and can be soothed with stretching and applying heat to the area.
Muscle spasms can occur for a variety of reasons from insufficient nutrients to debilitating disorders. When cramps last longer than a few minutes or are recurring, it is time to consult a medical professional. In severe cases, a spasm can last hours or even days.
Treatments for Neck Pain
Neck pain treatments will vary depending on the specific condition and severity. With many years of experience, our team of physicians can recommend the treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle. At MVM Health, we treat multiple neck conditions.
Depending on the cause & severity of the condition, your doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following treatments:
Neuromodulation Treatments
Neuromodulation treatments are a modern pain solution that interacts directly with your nervous system through wireless signals. As a solution for pain medications, this process involves placing a wire micro receiver into affected areas of the back. The receiver will be sent transmitting waves from an external device where you can control the strength and duration of the process through an easy-to-use monitoring device. This puts pain relief in the palm of your hands. Examples of this treatment include Wireless Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Interventional Pain Procedures
A range of interventional procedures for pain can be useful in patients with chronic pain who have not achieved adequate relief with conservative treatments. Most procedures for pain relief involve injecting a local anesthetic or radiofrequency transmitter for instant and long-lasting relief such as:
- Facet Joint Injections
- Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB) in the Cervical Spine
- Stellate Ganglion Block
- Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Cervical Facets
- Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Thoracic Facets
- Medial Branch Block
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Minimally invasive procedures allow patients to receive care and return home with minimal restrictions. MVM Health physicians continue to lead the industry in modern techniques that allow proven pain relief methods to be applied with little to no recovery time. Some of the services for neck and back pain include:
- Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) in the Cervical Spine
- PRP Therapy for Whiplash
Ketamine Infusion Therapy
Ketamine infusions have had great success in treating treatment-resistant chronic pain and depression. During treatment, a ketamine solution is administered intravenously during a 1-2 hour appointment. This treatment option is often a secondary treatment option when other traditional treatments have proven unsuccessful. Talk to our specialist to see if ketamine infusion therapy is right for you.
Neck Pain at MVM Health
All of the physicians at MVM Health – Pain, Vein & Wellness are committed to providing treatment options to help grant patients the opportunity at achieving a greater quality of life. We maintain a patient-centered approach and treat every patient like they are a family or friend. With our wide variety of pain management and regenerative therapies, living pain-free is simply one call away. Call (570) 445-2200 to schedule your appointment and find neck and back pain relief today.
