Neck pain is a common condition characterized by neck discomfort, stiffness, or burning sensations that affect the muscles, joints, nerves, ligaments, or tendons that make up your neck and spine. At Burghealth Physical Medicine, our healthcare professionals treat neck pain using a combination of advanced care solutions and provide responsible pain management™. Ready to free yourself of neck pain? Keep reading to learn how our St. Petersburg advanced care facility can help.
Why is neck pain so common?
The neck, also called the cervical spine, contains seven small vertebrae, and begins at the base of the skull. It carries a heavy load by supporting the full weight of your head (approximately 12 pounds!) and provides the support the head needs to move in nearly every direction. Unfortunately, it is this flexibility that makes the neck extremely susceptible to pain and injury.
What are the symptoms of neck pain?
Neck pain symptoms can be either acute or chronic and range from minor discomfort to debilitating pain. The most common symptoms include:
- Muscle stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Limited range of motion
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness in the arms your hands
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Burghealth Physical Medicine. We will find the root cause of your neck pain, and based on those results, develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will restore proper neck function and provide much-needed pain relief.
What causes neck pain?
There are many causes of neck pain. However, if left untreated, long-term damage could occur. Common causes of neck pain include:
Muscle Strain: Overuse or straining of the muscles (small muscle tears) i.e., poor posture, poor sleeping habits, hunching over a computer or phone for extended periods, sports, or car accidents.
Whiplash: A sudden jerking motion that causes the neck to whip back and forth, commonly the result of a car accident.
Degenerative Disc Disease: The deterioration of cushiony discs between the neck bones.
Herniated Disc: A disc in the neck that has come out of its normal position and may press on nearby nerves causing impingement.
Arthritis: When the joints in the neck become inflamed and worn down over time.
Pinched Nerve: When a nerve in the neck gets compressed or squeezed, commonly caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or arthritis.
Poor Posture: Hunching and bad positioning of the neck can narrowing the spinal column that puts pressure on the nerves and extra strain on the surrounding muscles..
Sleeping Habits: Using a pillow that doesn’t properly support your neck or sleeping in an awkward position.
Muscle Spasms: Often caused by stress and tension manifested in the neck muscles.
Sports Injury: Wear and tear of the soft tissues in the neck or a sudden strain or sprain caused by trauma.
Unfortunately, most causes of neck pain will not heal without treatment and may worsen over time. Don’t delay. The team at Burghealth Physical Medicine has the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your neck pain.
How is neck pain treated?
Treatments for neck pain are customized to meet the individual needs of each patient and are based on the root cause as well as the severity of the pain. At Burghealth Physical Medicine, we believe in a whole-body approach to healing and use a combination of non-drug and non-surgical treatments to provide Responsible Pain Management™.
