Neck pain is a common condition that affects many American adults at some point in their lives. For many people, neck pain is a temporary discomfort caused by sleeping in the wrong position, poor posture, stress and other issues. Injury, trauma and underlying health conditions are other common causes of neck pain. It might feel like a subtle, minor discomfort or a relentless throbbing that radiates through the upper back and shoulders. Understanding the type of neck pain you have is the first step toward finding lasting relief and comfort.
At Summit Orthopedics, we offer a comprehensive approach to neck care for people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Our specialists are experts at diagnosing neck issues and creating tailored treatment plans.
Neck Pain Symptoms
The cervical spine, the upper part of the spinal column, is the central region of the body involved in neck pain. Problems affecting the bony structures, joints, discs, nerves or surrounding soft tissues can cause pain and other symptoms in the neck. Neck pain can even radiate to other parts of the upper body, especially if the pain is caused by a pinched nerve.
Sometimes it is easy to determine what is causing your neck to hurt, and other times it can be hard to identify. Pain might last a day or two or several months, and the symptoms can vary, affecting your physical, cognitive and psychological well-being.
Physical Symptoms
- Burning or stinging pain
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the upper extremities
- Stiff neck muscles
Cognitive Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
Psychological Symptoms
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Sleep problems
Diagnosing Your Neck Pain
Understanding the “why” behind your neck pain will help your orthopedic team develop a treatment plan that works for you. Your provider will ask about your medical history, do a physical exam and likely recommend additional diagnostic tests.
Medical History
A thorough review of your medical history is the initial step in diagnosing neck pain. Understanding your past health conditions, any previous injuries or illnesses, the onset and progression of your current symptoms, lifestyle choices, and other factors will give your provider important clues about your neck pain and guide additional diagnostic steps and treatment. A history of arthritis, a recent fall or what you do at work, for example, can provide valuable information about the possible cause of your neck pain.
Physical Exam
A comprehensive physical exam can help narrow down the likely source of your pain. During this exam, your provider will assess various factors, including your muscle strength and range of motion in your neck while moving your head and shoulders. They will palpate (feel) the muscles and bones in your neck and upper back. Specific movements and tests can help identify which structures are involved and guide the need for further testing.
Diagnostic Imaging
Your provider will determine whether you need imaging and, if so, which type based on the findings from your medical history and physical exam.
Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, MRI and CT scans, allows your provider to visualize the structures inside your neck and identify any abnormalities contributing to your pain. X-rays are useful for identifying fractures, instability or signs of arthritis.
Nonsurgical Neck Pain Treatment
Fortunately, the path to relief for most people with neck pain does not involve surgery. At Summit Orthopedics, we offer many nonsurgical treatment options to address the underlying causes of your discomfort, ease the pain and ultimately restore function.
Injections
Targeted injections can successfully manage neck pain for many people. Therapeutic injections, such as epidural steroid injections, nerve root blocks or facet joint injections, deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area. Injections can provide significant pain relief, reduce inflammation and improve function.
Medication
Your provider may recommend medication to help manage the different aspects of your neck pain. Some of the medications used to address neck pain include:
- Antidepressants. Certain antidepressants, particularly tricyclic antidepressants, can be effective in managing chronic neck pain by helping to modulate pain.
- Muscle relaxants. These medications can help alleviate muscle spasms and tension that often accompany neck pain, providing short-term relief.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for neck pain. They may also help ease the pain of acute flare-ups.
- Pain medications. Prescription pain medications may be considered for more severe acute pain or significant discomfort if other options do not provide sufficient relief. However, providers typically prescribe a limited supply of some of these medications because of their risk of dependence and other side effects.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is considered a cornerstone of nonsurgical neck pain management. To begin, a physical therapist will assess your specific condition and create a personalized exercise program to help you develop good posture, strengthen your neck and upper back muscles, increase flexibility and range of motion, and learn proper body mechanics.
Self-care
Self-care strategies, an important part of your treatment plan, can be done at home to manage neck pain. Some of the techniques often recommended include:
- Gentle movement. Maintaining some level of gentle neck and shoulder movement, without causing significant pain, may help manage pain.
- Heat or ice. Applying heat with warm compresses and showers can help relax tight muscles and increase blood flow, and using ice packs can reduce inflammation and numb the area for pain relief. The choice between heat and ice often depends on the stage and type of pain you experience, so your provider will help you choose the best approach.
- Massage. Gentle massage may help relieve muscle tension and stress and may reduce pain in the neck and surrounding areas. Massage therapy can be done by a professional, or you can learn self-massage techniques that you can perform anytime you need relief.
Surgical Neck Pain Treatment
If conservative measures fail to bring relief, your provider may recommend a surgical procedure, such as spinal cord stimulation or another technique.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
The ACDF procedure treats neck pain caused by conditions like herniated discs or degenerative disc disease. It involves removing the damaged disc through an incision in the front of the neck and fusing the vertebrae to stabilize the spine and reduce pressure on the nerves.
Cervical Disc Replacement
Disc replacement treats neck pain by removing a damaged or degenerated disc and replacing it with an artificial disc. Unlike fusion, this approach preserves mobility in the affected spinal segment while relieving nerve compression and stabilizing the spine.
Laminectomy
Laminectomy relieves neck pain by removing part or all of the lamina, the bony structure covering the spinal canal, to decompress nerves and alleviate pressure. It is commonly performed to treat conditions like spinal stenosis or herniated discs when conservative treatments fail.
Spinal Fusion
During this surgical procedure, the surgeon fuses a damaged vertebra to an adjacent vertebra so a bone graft will eventually connect the bones, making one larger bone that prevents movement at the joint.
Find Neck Pain Relief at Summit Orthopedics
Summit Orthopedics is dedicated to alleviating neck pain and improving functional outcomes. By focusing on individualized care plans, collaborative strategies and state-of-the-art techniques, you receive the highest quality treatment aimed at restoring your quality of life and enabling you to return to your daily activities pain-free.
Summit Orthopedics has nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics spine expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
