Neck pain is as common as back pain, and can be just as uncomfortable and limiting. If you're looking for an effective treatment plan, Bart Gatz, MD, and the team at American Interventional Pain Institute in Greenacres, Florida, can help. Call 561-641-0089 to request a consultation.
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain has many possible causes, including:
- A herniated disc
- Whiplash from an auto accident
- Arthritis
- Compressed nerves
- Bone spurs
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle tension from stress
- Swollen lymph nodes, usually from a virus
- Fibromyalgia or polymyalgia rheumatica
In rare cases, infections such as tuberculosis, septic discitis or meningitis can cause neck pain.
Most neck pain comes from an injury and clears up within a few days. If your pain is severe, lasts more than a few days, or you also feel unwell, call us at 561-641-0089.
Symptoms of neck pain
Neck pain can range from mild to severe enough to disrupt daily life. Most cases improve after a few days, but some are severe and long-lasting.
The pain may be sharp and stabbing or an ache throughout the neck, and it may be hard to turn your head in one or more directions. You may also have:
- Headaches
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Pain when swallowing
Less commonly, neck pain comes with nausea or vomiting.
How neck pain is treated
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Minor and moderate injuries often heal within a few days with help from:
- Mild pain medication
- Rest
- Ice and heat
- Muscle relaxants
- Regular exercise and stretching
- A neck brace
More severe injuries may need physical therapy, longer periods of immobilization, a short course of steroid medication, facet joint injections or radiofrequency ablation. Neck pain caused by an infection may need antibiotics.
Our team focuses on finding where your neck pain starts, then builds a treatment plan around it. Call 561-641-0089 to schedule a consultation.