Neck Pain

Whether you sit at a desk all day or work with your hands, neck pain can interfere with your ability to live the way you want. Interventional pain specialist Isaac Michael MineHart, MD, investigates the source of your neck pain at Advanced Pain Institute in Arcadia, Encino, and Pasadena, California, to effectively treat it with spinal cord stimulation, injections, physical therapy, and many other nonsurgical techniques. Call Advanced Pain Institute today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about neck pain.

What causes neck pain?

The neck, or cervical spine, consists of seven vertebrae with discs that cushion each bone. With multiple muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the spine, the neck holds up your head and gives it the flexibility and range of motion you need. The neck plays an essential role in your overall mobility. As a result, it’s vulnerable to injury and damage.

Many conditions can cause neck pain, including:

Muscle strain

The neck has more than 20 muscles that stretch from the base of the skull down to the collarbone. Poor posture from craning your neck over your computer or sleeping in an uncomfortable position can strain the muscles that support the cervical spine. Sudden injuries, like whiplash, can also damage the muscles in your neck.

Herniated disc

Intervertebral discs sit in between each pair of vertebrae. They include a hard outer shell with a soft center. Over time, cracks can form in the discs’ exterior, causing the soft material inside to push through. A herniated disc may irritate nerves inside or outside the spinal cord, causing chronic neck pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that causes joint inflammation. The flexible cartilage that protects the outside of the joints can degrade, or the lining inside the joints can swell.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis causes the spinal canal to narrow and compress the nerves in the spinal cord, causing neck pain and reducing the cervical spine’s range of motion.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS is a complex condition that usually affects one limb, either an arm or leg. As CRPS progresses, pain can migrate toward your neck.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Diagnosing neck pain involves a complete physical exam and medical history review. Dr. MineHart evaluates the muscle strength in your neck and checks for signs of underlying disease. 

Next, he may order X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans to view the cervical spine’s underlying structures.

What are the treatments for neck pain?

Once Dr. MineHart diagnoses the cause of your neck pain, he can determine the appropriate treatment. Standard treatments for neck pain include:

• Heat and ice therapy
• Hypertonic Saline
• Traction therapy
• Physical therapy
• PRP
• Cervical epidural
• Endofluoroscopy side wires
• Therapeutic disc injection
• Cervical facet de-intervention

Spinal cord stimulation

A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that Dr. MineHart implants to disrupt pain signals from your spine to your brain. This minimally invasive procedure can reduce your reliance on medication and prevent the need for surgery. This is a last resort procedure that could be recommended, if all other measures are exhausted.

If nonsurgical interventions don’t relieve your pain, Dr. MineHart may recommend a surgical approach.

Dr. MineHart serves both lien patients and personal injury patients, and offers reasonable pricing for all. Call Advanced Pain Institute today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about neck pain.