Neck Pain Q & A
What is neck pain?
Neck pain is a common occurrence and is rarely a symptom of a more serious problem.
Your neck is composed of a series of bones that are stacked from your upper torso up to your skull. These bones are called vertebrae. In between your vertebrae are cervical discs that cushion the vertebrae and absorb the shock and stress of moving your head. A number of muscles and ligaments surround that column of vertebrae and discs in order to support the weight of your head and enable its motion.
When something goes wrong with any of these components, it can lead to neck pain.
Call Prism Pain Management at (720) 307-7246 today to stop the pain.
What are the symptoms of neck pain?
Neck pain can take on a number of forms, such as:
- Headache
- Muscle spasms
- Tightness
- Difficulty moving your head
- Pain that gets worse when you hold your head in one position for too long
If you’re experiencing pain that’s shooting into your shoulder or down your arm, or if your arms or hands are numb or weak, seek medical attention immediately.
What causes neck pain?
There are many medical conditions that can lead to neck pain, such as:
- Muscle strain, due to poor posture, overuse, or sudden awkward movements
- Injury, such as whiplash or a fall
- Worn-down joints, osteoarthritis, or bone spurs
- Herniated discs or compressed nerves
- Diseases, such as meningitis or rheumatoid arthritis
In rare cases, neck pain and stiffness might be caused by:
- Cancer of the spine
- Tumors
- Infections
- Abscesses
- Congenital abnormalities
Your neck does a lot of work in supporting your head, which, combined with its flexibility, makes it incredibly susceptible to a number of conditions and injuries that can restrict motion and cause pain.
How is neck pain treated?
Neck pain typically improves on its own or with home treatment. If your neck pain has persisted for longer than a week, you should see a doctor. The dedicated team of providers at Prism Pain Management in Thornton and Aurora, Colorado frequently treats neck pain with physical therapy, injections, or a combination of the two. Call (720) 307-7246 to schedule.
Some of the treatment options we offer at Prism Pain Management are:
Physical Therapy:
Physical therapy can teach you neck-strengthening exercises and train you to have better posture, which can help improve your alignment and decrease the compression and inflammation in your neck that leads to pain.
Steroid injections:
Steroid injections can also help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain symptoms. For neck pain, injections of corticosteroids are administered near the aggravated nerve root, into the facet joints of the cervical spine, or into your neck muscles.
