Pain in the neck is a common medical condition that can erupt from a number of disorders and diseases involving the tissues of the neck. The biggest sign that alarms you having pain in the neck is having a sore neck thus making the movements difficult for you. This condition is usually described as stiff neck.
Diagnosis:
Neck pain can be diagnosed by the following tests:
X-rays-x-rays can show the space between the two spinal bones, problems associated with it and the instability of the spinal column.
MRI-By this procedure the neural areas with tendons and ligaments will be shown in detail.
CT Scanning-this process is used as alternative to MRI.
Causes:
Neck Pain is felt due to the following:
- Cervical Spinal canal stenosis
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Muscle Strain
- Whiplash
Symptoms of Neck Pain:
Nerve related symptoms that can lead to chronic neck pain include:
- A burning feeling when you are touched on the skin of the arm or hand.
- A pain that feels like a shock and extends into your arm or hand.
- Leg numbness or weakness, and loss of the ability to control urination (bladder control) or bowel movements. This can occur when there is pressure on or injury to the spinal cord.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm or hand.
If not treated well, Neck pain can
- Be worse with movement.
- Cause headaches that are common and may last for months.
- Make your neck stiff or tender.
- Spread to the upper back, shoulders, or arms.
Neck Pain Treatments
Anti-inflammatory medications such as:
- Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or
- Naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn)
For pain alleviation:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended
Drugs like:
- Muscle relaxers
- Anti-depressants might be helpful
Applying heat or ice and performing exercises can also help in reducing pain.
For more information regarding Neck Pain and how it should be treated, feel free to call our office at (815) 464-6166.