Diagnosing Neck Pain in New Jersey

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eck pain can be caused by various injuries and conditions, which can affect its severity and frequency. Patients with ongoing neck pain should see a spine specialist like those at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) in New Jersey for diagnosis and treatment. CNSO is a multi-specialty provider of non-surgical and surgical treatments for a range of brain, spine, and nerve conditions and related pain, including pain in the neck. Learn more about neck pain diagnosis and treatment from CNSO.

Understanding Neck Pain

The neck is part of the spinal column, and this portion of the spine is referred to as the cervical spine, which consists of the first seven vertebrae. The neck helps protect the spinal cord, support the head, and allow for head movement. Neck pain, or cervicalgia, is pain in or around the cervical spine. It can be axial, occurring mainly in the neck, or radicular, which affects other areas like the arms. Neck pain can be short-term or chronic, depending on its cause. The symptoms a patient experiences will depend on what causes their neck pain, but they can include:

• Persistent aches
• Stabbing or burning pain
• Stiffness in the neck or shoulders
• Difficulty moving the head or neck
• Numbness or tingling in arms or shoulders
• Pain that radiates down the arms or shoulders (radiculopathy)
• Headache

A patient with chronic neck pain needs to see a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon, for a diagnosis.

Causes of Neck Pain 

Neck pain has multiple causes, ranging from common issues to serious spine conditions. These include:

Overuse

One common cause of neck pain is overuse or over-straining. This can occur from repetitive activities like working at a computer, looking at a phone, or driving. Poor posture can also cause neck pain. Overusing the neck muscles can cause tension, stiffness, and pain, which can turn into an ongoing problem if not treated. Sometimes, repeated movements can lead to herniated discs or pinched nerves, which often cause neck pain.

Wear and Tear

Another common cause of neck pain is the natural wear and tear from aging. This wear and tear can cause deterioration of the cervical spine, which leads to pain when the bones start to rub together. Wear and tear over time can lead to the development of degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis and cervical stenosis.

Neck Injuries

Another cause of neck pain is neck injuries or trauma, including:

• Whiplash, which often occurs after motor vehicle accidents
• Fractures, which can be caused by falls, work accidents, or impact to the head
• Strains, which can occur from sudden movements, poor posture, or overuse

Depending on the severity of the injury, neck pain can be acute or chronic. Patients with neck injuries should seek prompt treatment.

Neck pain can also be caused by bone spurs, spinal tumors, either cancerous tumors or non-cancerous tumors such as schwannomas, and other conditions such as meningitis, arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Seeing a specialist for a neck pain diagnosis can help patients find a suitable treatment. At CNSO, the comprehensive medical staff of neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and more collaborate to provide high-quality, customized care for every patient, from diagnosis to treatment.

Treatments for Neck Pain at CNSO

If neck pain is mild or acute, treatment often involves at-home care like rest, over-the-counter medications, and stretching. If a patient has ongoing neck pain or was diagnosed with a specific spine condition, they will need further treatment from a neurosurgeon, orthopedic spine surgeon, or similar specialist. Treatment options for patients with neck pain from CNSO include:

• Physical therapy: Physical therapists help strengthen and stretch the neck muscles, improve the patient’s range of motion, and use other techniques to decrease neck pain.
• Pain management: Specialists use many techniques such as steroid injections, nerve blocks, medications, physiatry, and more to provide relief from discomfort and pain.
• Surgery: For patients with severe neck pain, surgical procedures may be necessary to fix the underlying cause. For instance, a laminectomy helps treat cervical stenosis while a discectomy can treat a disc disorder.

At CNSO, the team takes a conservative approach to treatment, beginning with non-surgical options before moving to surgical measures when applicable. However, in many cases, surgery is a patient’s best treatment option. CNSO’s team determines the most suitable treatment for each patient.

Access Neck Pain Diagnoses and Treatments at CNSO

Patients with neck pain can access high-quality medical care from the specialists at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics, from diagnosis through treatment. The CNSO comprehensive care team is experienced in providing various treatments, from pain management and physical therapy to spine surgery if necessary. With multiple locations in northern New Jersey, CNSO is accessible to patients throughout the area, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties. To learn more about neck pain diagnosis and treatment, contact CNSO today.