Patients with neck pain require treatment for relief but may not know where to look for it or what type of doctor they should see. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) can diagnose and treat neck pain along with providing treatments for brain, spine, and nerve conditions. CNSO has a multi-specialty medical staff complete with neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care to patients with neck pain and other conditions in northern New Jersey. Learn more about the types of specialists patients with neck pain should see and how they can help.
Understanding Neck Pain
The neck region is an important part of the spinal column, helping to support the head, protect the spinal cord, and allow for head movement. Pain in the neck, also called cervicalgia, can be caused by a wide range of injuries and conditions. It can vary from acute to chronic and mild to severe, depending on the cause. It can also present as a stabbing pain, a persistent ache, or pain that radiates from the neck into the arms or shoulders (radiculopathy). Common causes of neck pain include:
- Overuse: Overusing the neck muscles in repetitive movements or strenuous activities can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and tension.
- Wear and tear: Natural wear and tear during aging can result in deterioration of the bones in the neck, leading to pain.
- Neck injuries: Injuries to the neck like strains, fractures, and whiplash, which often happen because of motor vehicle accidents or other trauma, can cause neck pain.
- Degenerative conditions: Conditions such as cervical stenosis and osteoarthritis can cause the bones in the neck to wear down, leading to neck pain over time.
Other causes of neck pain include tumors, bone spurs, and other conditions such as meningitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Since it can be caused by both minor and more serious conditions, neck pain requires diagnosis and treatment from a specialist.
Specialists for Neck Pain at CNSO
If a patient has chronic or severe neck pain, it’s recommended they see a specialist for a diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment. At CNSO, the comprehensive care team includes neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and more who collaborate to provide customized care for every patient. The following specialists may be involved in diagnosing and treating neck pain:
Neurosurgeons
A neurologist focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These can range from spinal cord injuries to back and neck pain, migraines, strokes, and more. Neurologists help diagnose the causes of neck pain by performing diagnostic tests, such as:
- Neurological exams
- Biopsies
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- Electroencephalograms (EEG)
- Myelograms (an imaging test using contrast material)
- Imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer-assisted tomography (CAT) scans
Once a diagnosis is made, neurosurgeons can direct the treatment of neck pain to pain management doctors who will use non-surgical treatment methods, like trigger point injections, nerve blocks, steroid injections, and more. If surgical treatment is needed because of the type of condition or the lack of adequate pain relief from the non-invasive treatment, the neurosurgeon will advance the patient’s treatment consideration to determine if there is a surgical solution.
Neurosurgeon
A neurosurgeon diagnoses and treats conditions of the brain, spine, and nervous system. Neurologists treat conditions treatable with medications whereas neurosurgeons treat conditions that require surgery to cure. Neurosurgeons have extensive training to perform surgery to treat conditions that affect both the brain and spine such as brain tumors, or spinal tumors, neck pain or lower back pain caused by arthritis or spondylosis, herniated discs, Chiari Malformations, and more. Neurosurgeons also operate to resolve any nerve related pain or condition throughout the body such as facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia.
They can use non-surgical methods to help treat patients, including those with neck pain. However, if a patient’s neck pain is caused by a condition that requires surgical treatment, neurosurgeons can perform procedures like laminectomies to remove lamina from the neck that can cause pain in the cervical spine, as well as other spine and brain surgeries.
At CNSO, the neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other specialists take a conservative approach to care. The team will offer non-surgical treatment methods like physical therapy and pain management before recommending spine surgery. However, CNSO also understands that surgery is often the best treatment option, so the specialists work together to determine what type of treatment is most appropriate for each patient.
Access Neck Pain Treatment from the Specialists at CNSO
Patients dealing with severe or chronic neck pain should make an appointment to see a neurologist or neurosurgeon and receive a tailored treatment plan. Those in northern New Jersey can access comprehensive care from the medical staff at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics. The CNSO team is experienced in providing treatments for neck pain, including both non-surgical and surgical options. To make an appointment with a neck pain specialist at one of CNSO’s locations in northern New Jersey, contact CNSO today.
