Neck pain is common and not always a serious health concern. But if your neck pain affects the movement of your head or makes it impossible to sleep, it’s time to see the skilled team at Texas Orthopaedic Associates in Dallas, Fort Worth, Keller, Plano, and Weatherford, Texas. With their advanced training and decades of experience, the team will find the cause of your neck pain and create an effective treatment plan. Call the office nearest you today or schedule an appointment online.
NECK PAIN Q&A
Why do I have neck pain?
Neck pain has several causes, including poor posture, an acute injury, and degenerative changes in your spine that happen as you age.
Your neck (cervical spine) has more flexibility than any other part of your spine, supporting the weight of your head and allowing you to move it in many directions. The structure and function of your neck make it more vulnerable to injury and pain conditions.
The common causes of neck pain include:
- Sprains and strains
- Whiplash
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- Arthritis
How you hold your head can also cause neck pain. Spending hours of your day looking down at your laptop or smartphone places extra strain on the cervical spine, causing muscle aches and stiffness. Your poor head posture can even speed up degenerative changes.
When should I get medical help for neck pain?
Not all causes of neck pain need medical attention. But you should schedule a consultation at Texas Orthopaedic Associates if your neck pain follows an accident or the pain is severe.
The team also recommends that you come in for a consultation if you suffer from chronic (ongoing) neck pain or pain radiating into your arms, shoulder, and/or upper back.
What happens during a neck pain evaluation?
The specifics of your neck pain evaluation at Texas Orthopaedic Associates will depend on your unique situation. The team asks detailed questions about your pain, including when it started and the activities that make it worse or better.
They complete a physical exam and order X-rays to confirm or rule out a diagnosis to explain your discomfort. Texas Orthopaedic Associates does their own X-rays and MRIs, so you don’t have to go to another clinic for these imaging procedures.
What are some standard treatments for neck pain?
The Texas Orthopaedic Associates team personalizes your neck pain treatment plan based on its cause and the severity of your symptoms. Initially, the team recommends conservative care likes:
- Posture therapy
- Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Spinal injections
- Regenerative medicine
If medical treatments fail to relieve your neck pain, the team could recommend a spine surgery like disc replacement or spinal fusion.
Don’t let neck pain keep you from living your life. Call Texas Orthopaedic Associates today or schedule an appointment online for a personalized plan that provides long-term relief.