Neck Pain Treatments Near Me

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FAQs:

What is Neck Pain?

Neck pain, sometimes called cervicalgia, is a pain in or around the spine beneath the head. The neck is also known as the cervical spine. Neck pain is a common symptom of many different injuries and medical conditions. You might have axial neck pain (felt mostly in your neck) or radicular neck pain (pain that shoots into other areas, such as your shoulders or arms). It can be acute (lasting from days to six weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than three months). If left untreated, neck pain can interfere with daily activities and reduce quality of life. Fortunately, most causes of neck pain aren’t serious and can be improved with conservative treatments, such as pain medicine, exercise, and stress management.

Is Neck Pain Due to Stress?

Stress can manifest itself in many ways, including tight muscles or headaches. When we experience long-term stress, our bodies can hold tension in our neck and shoulder muscles, which can lead to pain. Neck pain is a common symptom caused by persistent stress. The more stressed we are, the more tense our muscles become, causing more pain and discomfort. You may also develop tension headaches.

Can Neck Pain Be a Sign of Something Serious?

Most of the time, neck pain doesn't signal a serious medical problem. But it's worth learning about one of the rare exceptions: a tear in one of the arteries of the neck, known as a cervical artery dissection. Although these occur in only about two in 100,000 people per year, they are one of the most common causes of stroke in people under age 50.

What is the Best Treatment for Shoulder and Neck Pain?

Most neck and shoulder injuries are treated conservatively, at least at first. Common treatments include:

- Rest

- Ice and/or heat

- Immobilization, such as with a splint or brace

- Pain medications

- Corticosteroid injections

- Physical therapy

Can Neck Pain Be a Sign of Cancer?

While neck pain can sometimes be a symptom of cancer, it is typically not cancer-related. Most neck pain arises from other causes, and cancer-related neck pain often accompanies other symptoms, such as a lump, growth in the neck, or unusual mouth changes. Though neck pain can be concerning, it is usually unrelated to cancer. However, sudden, severe neck pain may indicate other serious conditions like blood vessel injury or infection, warranting prompt medical evaluation.

How Long Does Neck Pain Last from Sleeping Wrong?

While a stiff neck may start improving after stretching, many times it can take a day or more before you notice relief. Typically, a stiff neck will resolve itself within a week. If you find that your neck pain is lasting longer than a couple of days, it may be time to see your physical therapist for an evaluation.

Is Neck Pain a Sign of Stroke?

Neck pain is not a classic stroke symptom like sudden numbness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking. However, research shows it can sometimes serve as an early warning sign of stroke.

One key mechanism is arterial dissection in the neck area. This involves a tear in the inner layer of an artery that supplies blood to the brain.  Dissection allows blood to enter the arterial wall, causing pain and the formation of clots that can block blood flow. Dissection of either the carotid artery or vertebral artery in the neck is a leading cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Neck pain is often the first symptom.

So in some cases, acute neck pain or headache can signal the arterial dissection that leads to a stroke. Recognizing this pain and getting rapid medical treatment at the first signs allows doctors to provide clot-busting drugs or other interventions that can halt damage to the brain.

Can Neck Pain Cause Nausea?

Nausea from neck pain is caused by neck pain related to cervical (aka cervicogenic) headaches. These types of headaches are usually dull, and constant, and can be just on one side of your head or both sides. With cervical headaches, you might also feel a gripping sensation in your head, or feel like there’s a band around your head squeezing your skull. There is often tenderness at the base of your skull with these types of headaches, and they are caused by various abnormalities in your neck.

What’s happening with cervical headaches is that more likely than not a nerve is being compressed, and/or muscles that attach to the base of your skull are being irritated. This can cause strange sensations such as feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous. It may even explain mood swings, an inability to concentrate, and balance issues. The reason that you feel nauseous (or any of these symptoms) when your neck hurts therefore, is because these nerve roots and/or muscles connect to much more than just your neck, including your stomach. The phrenic nerve originates from your 3rd cervical vertebrae in your neck and innervates your diaphragm. This may explain how some neck pain causes nausea.

Can a Sinus Infection Cause Neck Pain?

While neck pain and stiffness are not classic symptoms of a sinus infection, they can occasionally accompany this condition. Sinus infections can lead to headaches and facial pain, which might result in muscle tension around the head and neck region. This tension can then lead to stiffness and pain in the neck. Lymph nodes, which are part of the body's immune system, can become swollen when fighting off an infection like sinusitis. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be painful and may contribute to the feeling of neck stiffness.

How to Massage Neck Pain Away?

Neck pain is often caused by overuse and poor posture. This can happen from everyday activities, like hunching over a laptop or phone or reading in bed without adequate neck support. If your neck feels tight and painful, try this therapeutic self-massage technique. It may also be helpful if you have a knot in your neck.

Steps to follow:

1. Lower your shoulders away from your ears. Straighten your neck and back.

2. Locate the painful areas on your neck. Press firmly with your fingers.

3. Gently move your fingers in circular motions. Repeat in the opposite direction.

4. Continue for 3 to 5 minutes.

7 Types of Neck Pain

Neck pain is widespread, with around 70% of people likely to experience it at some point. Symptoms vary significantly, so each person’s experience can differ greatly. To aid diagnosis and treatment, it’s important to describe your neck pain symptoms clearly to your doctor. This helps them identify the cause and determine the best treatment. Here are the most common types of neck pain.

1. Muscle pain. Aching or sore neck and shoulder muscles may occur in response to overexertion or prolonged physical or emotional stress. The neck muscles may develop hard knots that are tender to the touch, sometimes called trigger points.

2. Muscle spasm. This is a sudden, powerful tightening of neck muscles. Your neck may hurt and feel tight or knotted, and it may be impossible to turn your head. When you wake up with a painful, stiff neck, that's likely a muscle spasm. Muscle spasms can result from a muscle injury, but they may also occur in response to a spinal disc or nerve problem, or even emotional stress. However, there is often no clear cause.

3. Headache. Neck-related headache is most often felt in the back of the head and upper neck and is usually the result of muscle tension or spasm. Neck-related headache pain is usually dull or aching, rather than sharp; the neck might also feel stiff or tender. Moving your neck makes it worse.

4. Facet joint pain. Often described as deep, sharp, or aching, pain in the facet joints (part of the vertebrae of the neck) typically worsens if you lean your head toward the affected side, and may radiate to your shoulder or upper back. Arthritis in the facet joints, as in other locations, may feel worse in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

5. Nerve pain. Irritation or pinching of the roots of the spinal nerves causes pain that may be sharp, fleeting, severe, or accompanied by pins and needles. Depending on the nerve involved, the pain may shoot down the arm or even into the hand.

6. Referred pain. Referred pain is pain in one part of the body that is triggered by a problem in another part of the body. For example, neck pain that worsens with exertion may indicate a heart problem, while neck pain that occurs when you eat may stem from a problem in the esophagus.

7. Bone pain. Pain and tenderness in the cervical vertebrae are far less common than neck pain from the soft tissues. Bone pain needs medical attention because it may signal a more serious health problem.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

The most common symptoms are:

1. Pain and stiffness

- You may feel pain in the middle or on either side of your neck, but it may also extend to the shoulder or the upper chest.

- You may have pain or weakness in your arms.

- You may have tension headaches, where the pain can travel to the back of your head and sometimes into your ear or behind your eye.

- It may be painful to move your neck and your muscles may feel tight, especially if you’ve been sitting or sleeping in one position for a long time.

- You may notice that your neck won’t turn as far as it normally does, for example when you try to look over your shoulder while reversing the car.

If you have pain and stiffness in the neck that came on quickly, possibly overnight, and you have difficulty lifting both arms over your head, this could be a sign of a condition called polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). This is an inflammatory condition of the muscles. It’s more common in people over the age of 65. If you think you have this condition, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

2. Numbness or tingling

A nerve can become pinched when the muscles, bones, or tissues surrounding it apply too much pressure. As a result, you may feel numbness, pins, and needles or a tingling sensation that can be felt down your arm, sometimes right down to your fingers. You’ll find that numbness and tingling will go away once the problem resolves itself. However, if your symptoms are severe, talk to your doctor; they may be able to prescribe drugs that target the pinched nerve, such as gabapentin or pregabalin.

3. Clicking and grating noises

You may hear or feel clicking or grating as you move your head. This is called crepitus, and it can be caused by air bubbles popping, or tissues and bones moving over each other, in the joint. Other joints often do this too, but noises from your neck usually seem louder because they’re happening closer to your ears. You may also find they’re more noticeable at night. While this is a common symptom and can sound alarming, it’s not serious.

4. Dizziness and blackouts

If you feel dizzy when looking up or turning your head, this may be due to pinching of the arteries that run alongside the spine, otherwise known as vertebral arteries. This can sometimes happen as a result of changes in the vertebrae. Pinching of these vertebral arteries can occasionally cause blackouts as the blood flow is temporarily reduced. However, blackouts can have other causes so it’s important to seek medical advice if this is happening to you.

5. Muscle spasms

Muscle spasms are the sudden stiffening of a muscle or groups of muscles in your body. Often there is no known cause and they can be very unpleasant. When it occurs in the neck it usually causes pain and stiffness down one side, which can make it difficult to turn your head. It usually only lasts a few hours or days, although rarely it may continue for several weeks. You can try to ease the pain at home with gentle stretches, over-the-counter painkillers as well as heat or ice packs. People with muscle spasms report that applying heat is particularly soothing.

Possible Causes of Neck Pain

Because the neck supports the weight of the head, it can be at risk of injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

1. Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over a computer or a smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed, can strain neck muscles.

2. Worn joints. As with other joints in the body, neck joints tend to wear with age. In response to this wear and tear, the body often forms bone spurs that can affect joint motion and cause pain.

3. Nerve compression. Herniated disks or bone spurs in the vertebrae of the neck can press on the nerves branching out from the spinal cord.

4. Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury. This occurs when the head jerks backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.

5. Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer, can cause neck pain.

How to Know When Neck Pain is Serious

Neck pain typically starts in the neck and can radiate down one or both arms. Several diseases and disorders can affect the tissues in the neck, which include muscles, nerves, bones, joints, and ligaments. Pain can be subjective, but a person may consider neck pain serious if:

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications do not help improve it

2. There is no improvement after 1 week

3. The pain occurs after a blow to the head or injury

4. A person experiences numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or hands

5. It comes with severe stiffness

6. The pain shoots down one arm

7. A fever or a headache accompanies the neck pain

8. The pain comes on with weakness in the legs or loss of coordination in the legs or arms

Severe neck pain could indicate an underlying condition or injury.

Common Neck Pain Treatments Near Me

Simple self-help treatments and a day or two’s rest are often enough to clear up a spell of neck pain. But if you have a more complex or continuing neck problem, a healthcare professional will be able to recommend other treatments and therapies that should help. If your pain isn’t settling, your doctor may also be able to prescribe stronger painkillers, although these aren’t suitable for everyone.

1. Physical treatments

Physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths are all trained to treat neck problems. Treatment carried out by one of these therapists, along with home exercises, is often all that’s needed. They can suggest general or specific stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck. It’s important to make sure that any physical treatments are given by qualified practitioners who are registered with the relevant body.

2. Manipulation

Manipulation is a form of manual therapy used to relieve stiffness by adjusting parts of the body. Though it can cause temporary discomfort, discussing symptoms with a therapist beforehand allows them to tailor the treatment to individual needs. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential, as manipulation may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with conditions like osteoporosis, which could limit certain therapeutic options.

3. The Alexander Technique

The Alexander technique is a method of teaching bodily awareness and reducing unwanted muscle tension. A qualified teacher will advise you on your standing and sitting posture and your patterns of movement. Some physiotherapists are trained in this technique, but it’s not always available on the NHS. If you have spinal problems, such as a slipped disc, this technique might not be suitable for you.

4. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

A TENS machine is a small battery-driven machine that may help to reduce pain. Small pads are placed over the painful area and low-voltage electrical stimulation produces a pleasant tingling sensation. It’s suggested that this can interfere with pain signals from the nerves to the brain. You can buy TENS machines from pharmacies, but your physiotherapist may be able to let you borrow one to try first.

5. Collars

Some people find a special collar helpful to support the neck in cases of more serious or complex health problems. They are not routinely required.

6. Acupuncture

During a session of acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted, virtually painlessly, at several sites on the skin. These are not necessarily the painful areas. Acupuncture seems to relieve pain in the short term by interfering with the signals to your brain and by causing the release of natural painkillers, known as endorphins.

7. Injections

In a very small minority of cases, especially if you have continuing pain in the back of your head or arm, a long-acting local anesthetic or a steroid injection may help. The injection is usually given into the small facet joints of your neck. These injections tend to be given in an X-ray department so that the specialist can position the needle precisely.

8. Surgery

Surgery is only rarely needed. It may be helpful if a nerve or the spinal cord is being squeezed and is causing weakness in the arm or severe pain that won’t go away. The surgeon will ask for a scan to look at the nerves and bones before discussing the pros and cons of surgery with you and whether to go ahead with an operation.

9. Radiofrequency denervation

Radiofrequency denervation may help with long-term neck pain that originates from your facet joints. The procedure uses electrical currents produced by radio waves to heat the tip of a needle. This is then used to stop nerve endings from sending pain signals to your brain. Radiofrequency denervation is only considered after other treatments have failed and steroid injections have successfully reduced your neck pain for a short period. It‘s aimed at being a longer-term solution to persistent pain as regular steroid injections are no longer advised.

How to Get Rid of Neck Pain at Home

In addition to taking pain relief medications, you can take steps at home to relieve neck pain, including:

1. Hot therapy: Take a hot shower or place a hot towel or heating pad (on the lowest setting) on the site of your pain for 15 minutes every few hours. The heat loosens your muscles and promotes blood flow.

2. Cold therapy: Place a cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables (wrapped in a thin towel to protect your skin) for 15 minutes every few hours. The cold narrows your blood vessels, reducing inflammation and swelling. Use cold instead of heat immediately after an injury.

3. Exercise: Follow your healthcare provider’s guidance on neck exercises you can try to relieve neck pain and improve your range of motion. Don’t attempt exercises if you have a serious neck injury or a pinched nerve.

4. Stress reduction techniques: Mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga can help relieve tension in your body that may contribute to neck pain.

5. Quit smoking: Smoking damages a bone structure, accelerates degenerative disk disease, and slows healing.

How to Prevent Neck Pain

Most neck pain is associated with poor posture combined with age-related wear and tear. To help prevent neck pain, keep your head centered over your spine. Some simple changes in your daily routine may help. Consider trying to:

1. Use good posture. When standing and sitting, be sure your shoulders are in a straight line over your hips and your ears are directly over your shoulders. When using cell phones, tablets, and other small screens, keep your head up and hold the device straight out rather than bending your neck to look down at the device.

2. Take frequent breaks. If you travel long distances or work long hours at your computer, get up, move around, and stretch your neck and shoulders.

3. Adjust your desk, chair, and computer so that the monitor is at eye level. Knees should be slightly lower than hips. Use your chair's armrests.

4. If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase the risk of developing neck pain.

5. Avoid carrying heavy bags with straps over your shoulder. The weight can strain your neck.

6. Sleep in a healthy position. Your head and neck should be aligned with your body. Use a small pillow under your neck. Try sleeping on your back with your thighs elevated on pillows, which will flatten your spinal muscles.

7. Stay active. If you don't move much, increase your activity level.

How to Sleep with Neck Pain

Two sleeping positions are easiest on the neck: on your side or your back. If you sleep on your back, choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck, with a flatter pillow cushioning your head. This can be achieved by tucking a small neck roll into the pillowcase of a flatter, softer pillow, or by using a special pillow that has a built-in neck support with an indentation for the head to rest in. Here are some additional tips for side- and back-sleepers:

1. Try using a feather pillow, which easily conforms to the shape of the neck. Feather pillows will collapse over time, however, and should be replaced every year or so.

2. Another option is a traditionally shaped pillow with "memory foam" that conforms to the contour of your head and neck. Some cervical pillows are also made with memory foam. Manufacturers of memory foam pillows claim they help foster proper spinal alignment.

3. Avoid using too high or stiff a pillow, which keeps the neck flexed overnight and can result in morning pain and stiffness.

4. If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head.

5. When you are riding in a plane, train, or car, or even just reclining to watch TV, a horseshoe-shaped pillow can support your neck and prevent your head from dropping to one side if you doze. If the pillow is too large behind the neck, however, it will force your head forward.

When to Call a Neck Pain Specialist

Contact a healthcare provider if you have neck pain that interferes with work or other daily activities. In rare cases, neck pain can be a sign of a medical emergency. Seek urgent medical care if your neck pain:

1. Develop after an accident.

2. Involves a loss of bowel or bladder control.

3. Persists whether you’re moving or staying still.

4. Involves a headache, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

5. Occurs with chills, fever, or unexplained weight loss.

6. Occurs with numbness or tingling in your arms, shoulders, or legs.

7. Occurs with weakness in your legs or loss of coordination in your arms or legs.

8. Doesn’t get better with over-the-counter medications.

9. Doesn’t improve after one week.

What to Expect at Your First Neck Pain Specialist Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your neck pain, including how often it occurs and how much it hurts.

Your provider will probably not order any tests during the first visit. Tests are only done if you have symptoms or a medical history that suggests a tumor, infection, fracture, or serious nerve disorder. In that case, the following tests may be done:

- X-rays of the neck

- CT scan of the neck or head

- Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC)

- MRI of the neck

If the pain is due to muscle spasms or a pinched nerve, your provider may prescribe a muscle relaxant or a more powerful pain reliever. Over-the-counter medicines often work as well as prescription drugs. At times, your provider may give you steroids to reduce swelling. If there is nerve damage, your provider may refer you to a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or orthopedic surgeon for consultation.

How to Choose the Best Neck Pain Specialist Near You

Choosing a pain specialist for your Neck is an important decision. With so many Neck doctors, how can you decide which one is right for you? Here are 5 key points to consider when selecting a neck pain specialist.

1. Board Certification and Training

When looking for a neck pain specialist, it is important to select a specialist who is qualified and has the appropriate background training. Board Certification in Pain Medicine is a key qualification to look for. Board Certification requires extensive specialty-specific training and ongoing education to stay current on the most recent advances in pain medicine. Choose a neck pain specialist who has completed advanced fellowship training to learn the safest, most effective, and most sophisticated techniques to target pain.

2. Treatment Options and Comprehensive care.

Neck pain is complex and requires a personalized treatment plan. A skilled neck pain specialist will consider various therapies, such as physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, nutrition, and medical procedures, often combining these approaches for the best results. Open communication is essential: the physician should present different treatment options, respect your preferences, and align with your personal goals. If their approach does not meet your needs, seek a specialist whose methods align better with your values.

3. Physician Availability and Responsiveness.

You must have access to your neck pain physician! Pain can often flare up unexpectedly. You must communicate with your neck pain physician during those times and make an urgent appointment if necessary. 

4. Patient-Physician Relationship.

It’s essential to choose a neck pain specialist who listens to you and understands your concerns. Your specialist should take the time to listen to how you’re feeling and be receptive to your thoughts about your treatment plan. Only you can assess how your pain is responding. Your neck pain specialist must make adjustments to your treatment plan based on the feedback you provide. If they don’t, seek out someone who will take the time to listen to you.

5. Evaluate the Entire Practice Environment

Choosing the right neck pain specialist to treat your neck pain is essential, but choosing a staff that is professional, respectful, and knowledgeable is also important. Office staff members are a fundamental part of the care team and can influence your overall experience at a neck pain center. Similarly, selecting a neck pain specialist who works in an office environment that is clean, spacious, with modern equipment is also key. This is especially important given the current coronavirus situation. Choose a pain clinic that is concerned for your overall health and takes the appropriate precautions to keep you safe.

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Cleveland Clinic

Mayo Clinic

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Pain Treatments Specialists

WPH Physio