Neck pain is a frequent condition almost everyone has at some point in their lives. Neck discomfort can be subtle or acute, sudden or progressive, transient or persistent, and the causes can range from benign to life-threatening. The majority of neck pain is caused by degenerative changes in the neck. The general quality of the cervical spine usually impacts how quickly you recover from an injury and whether or not your neck pain becomes chronic.
Common Causes of Neck Pain
The neck has a dense concentration of vital muscles, blood arteries, bones, and nerves. As a result, any illness or injury that affects any of these systems can result in a painful neck. Some of the most common causes of neck pain are:
- Muscle pain as a result of hauling large weights
- Holding the head at an awkward angle, particularly while working, sleeping, or talking on the phone
- Pinched nerves caused by cervical spondylosis, a herniated disc, or spinal stenosis
- Trauma from a fall or an injury
- Fibromyalgia
- Whiplash
When to See a Neck Pain Specialist
Many occurrences of neck discomfort improve on their own very rapidly. It is often a good idea to see a neck pain expert if:
- Pain lasts more than two weeks
- Peck pain is severe and does not respond to initial therapies like over-the-counter drugs or heat application
- Shooting, numbness, sharp pain, and tingling spread to other parts of your body like the neck to the shoulder or arm.
- Neck pain impairs fundamental mobility such as standing, turning the head, or walking to the point that daily activities become difficult.
How is Neck Pain Diagnosed?
If you have neck pain, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor for a neck pain diagnosis. In order to create a comprehensive neck pain treatment for your individual needs, they may also perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-rays on the damaged areas. The MRI also captures images of soft tissues like tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. The MRI could reveal an infection, inflammation, tumor, or pressure on a neck nerve. In some cases, a blood test can also aid in the diagnosis of a disorder that causes neck pain.
The Complications of Neck Pain
- Nerve damage:If your neck pain is caused by a herniated disc, the strain on the spinal nerves can produce weakness, numbness, or intense pain that spreads from the neck to the leg.
- Weight gain: Inability to exercise or loss of mobility might result in muscle weakness and weight gain.
- Depression:Neck pain can interfere with all elements of a person’s life, including physical activity, employment, sleep, and social activities. Stress and anxiety induced by mobility and neck pain might add to depression.
At Wellspine PA, we are the most experienced pain treatment healthcare provider in Odessa, with one of the most extensive networks of pain experts specializing in neck pain relief therapies. Contact us today to make an appointment for a free initial consultation with a neck pain doctor Odessa today.
