Modern life isn’t easy on the human neck. Sitting at desks, looking at screens, and poor posture often lead to overuse, while car accidents might spark acute neck pain caused by whiplash. Regardless of what type of neck pain you’re experiencing, it’s worth seeing a specialist. Neck pain can be an indication of a deeper issue, and it might cause other problems like headaches and stiffness.
The spine care specialists at Tarpon Interventional Pain & Spine Care in West Plano, North Plano, and Addison, Texas, provide convenient, efficient diagnostic testing for and treatment of neck pain.
Taking neck pain seriously
At first, neck pain might just be a bit inconvenient. A little stiff, you might rub your neck uncomfortably throughout the day and wince while turning to look in another direction. A single day of neck pain isn’t something worth worrying about.
When a single day turns into weeks of chronic stiffness, headaches, and persistent pain, it might be time to take your neck pain seriously. It can make it difficult to get dressed, drive to work, find a comfortable position to sleep, or even just sit at your desk to type.
Neck pain doesn’t always remain isolated in your neck. Although pain can start in your neck, it can radiate. When this happens, aching and tingling pain can shoot through your shoulders, arms, and even your hands.
Pinched nerves and whiplash can both cause radiating pain that makes your entire upper body sore, leaving you uncomfortable day after day. Osteoarthritis, poor posture, and herniated discs in your neck can cause cervicogenic headaches, which can become so painful that they mimic migraines.
If your pain is radiating to other parts of your body, take it seriously. Our specialists can help diagnose your problem and find a treatment that works for you.
Diagnosing neck pain
The first step to treating neck pain is determining the cause. Acute neck pain might occur because you slept wrong or had a long day, but chronic or severe pain is often a symptom of another condition.
Common causes of neck pain include:
- Overuse, often caused by long hours at a desk or on the road
- Cervical disc herniation
- Whiplash, caused by car accidents or sports collisions
- Poor posture while standing, sitting, and walking
- Cervical spondylosis, or degenerative damage to the neck area of the spine
- Pinched nerves
You can expect a thorough examination and tests while we diagnose the cause of your neck pain. Once we’ve identified the problem, we can move on to find a solution.
Treating neck pain
Your treatment might vary depending on what kind of neck pain you’re experiencing and why. Depending on your symptoms and lifestyle, you might benefit from:
- PRP therapy
- Pain-relieving injections
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrical stimulation therapy
- Heat therapy
- Physical therapy
Suffering from chronic or severe neck pain? Diagnose the cause and learn more about your treatment options by consulting with our team at Tarpon Interventional Pain & Spine Care. You can schedule an appointment by calling to schedule an appointment at the location closest to you.