What is neck pain?
Neck, or cervical, pain is a common medical condition involving any of the bones, muscles, or tissues in your neck. The pain may manifest as a dull aching or sharp shooting pain. The pain may get worse if you move your neck or turn your head in a certain direction.
Other signs and symptoms of neck pain include:
- Numbness or tingling
- Tenderness and swelling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stiffness
It’s common to feel neck pain at the same time as other conditions, such as:
- Headache
- Shoulder pain
- Facial pain
- Upper arm numbness or tingling
What causes neck pain?
Sometimes, the cause of your neck pain is an acute injury, such as whiplash from a car collision, an accident at work, or a sports injury from physical activity. If this isn't the case, your neck pain may be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
A host of different diseases and disorders may create neck pain, including:
- Degenerative disk disease
- Herniated disk
- Pinched nerve
- Infection
- Meningitis
- Fibromyalgia
What is back pain?
Back pain is a crippling condition that ranks among the most common reasons people see a doctor or miss work. This pain can keep you from moving around, completing everyday activities, and doing what you love.
The common signs and symptoms of back pain include:
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Muscle aches
- Decreased range of motion in your back
- Pain that radiates down your leg
What causes back pain?
Acute back pain, which may come on suddenly after a fall or heavy lifting and last less than six weeks, is the most common type. Chronic back pain, lasting more than three months, is less prevalent.
Medical conditions related to back pain include:
- Muscle or ligament strain
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Herniated disks
- Spinal stenosis
- Sciatica
How do you treat back and neck pain?
First, Dr. Navarkal carefully evaluates your symptoms with a physical exam. He may need to use diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI, CT scan, or electromyography (EMG).
Once Dr. Navarkal diagnoses the cause of your back or neck pain, he discusses the best treatment options based on your individual needs. Dr. Navarkal believes in a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and may recommend one of the following treatments for your back or neck pain:
- Physical therapy
- Medication management
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Interventional Pain Management
- Advance Regenerative Medicine options
If you’re looking for relief from back or neck pain, call Rocky Mountain Spine & Sports Medicine or book an appointment online today.
