Neck Pain Specialist

What causes neck pain?

Some of the main causes of neck pain include: 

• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Whiplash after an auto accident
• Cervical disc herniation
• Fractures
• Cervical radiculopathy: Pinched nerve
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Cervical disc degeneration

As with back pain, the root cause of neck pain may trigger symptoms in other areas. For example, with cervical radiculopathy, your pain may move into your arms.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

The Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians team uses a comprehensive diagnostic approach for neck pain. To treat your neck pain in the most effective way, with the lowest chance of recurrence, the team must first find the underlying problem in your body. 

This involves a symptom review and a physical exam, and you may need multiple imaging tests to precisely verify what’s causing your neck pain. 

Taking this extra time in the diagnostic process yields the best long-term outcome during treatment because it identifies the root cause of pain. This means you can eliminate the true cause of your neck pain instead of just temporarily covering up your symptoms with medication.

How is neck pain treated?

The Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians team provides an extensive list of options for neck pain relief and management. They recommend a personalized recovery plan according to your physical abilities, goals, and needs, ultimately seeking maximum symptom relief and a full return to regular activities.

 Your treatment may include:

• Osteopathic manipulation
• Physical therapy
• Lifestyle optimization
• Cortisone and anesthetic injections, like nerve blocks
• Regenerative medicine injections, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Spinal cord stimulator
• Vertebral augmentation surgery
• Radiofrequency nerve ablation

When performing injections or other minimally invasive procedures, the expert pain specialists use ultrasound and X-ray guidance to treat exactly the right area. 

In many cases, a combination of treatments, including rehabilitation exercises, injections, and minimally invasive pain management procedures, is the best path for neck pain relief. 

Injections or minimally invasive procedures can improve your comfort dramatically as your body heals. This can give you the relief you need to comfortably complete a full rehabilitation plan, which gives you both immediate relief and a long-term solution for neck pain. 

The experts at Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians treat neck pain related to sports injuries, auto accidents, chronic disease, and aging using the latest evidence-based technology and procedures. Learn how they can help you by calling the nearest office or clicking on the scheduling link now.