# Neck Pain

- Link: https://carolinaona.com/neck-pain/
- Published: 2019-02-06T14:31:30-05:00
- Author: Dallas Clifton

# Neck Pain

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### Neck Pain Overview

Neck pain is a common orthopedic issue. The neck muscles can be strained from poor
posture, pulled from physical activity, or other health conditions may affect it,
such as osteoarthritis.

Neck pain is a common type of pain that nearly everyone experiences at some point
in their life. A spine specialist should see neck pain that lasts more than a few
days. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates (CONA) spine specialists
make accurate diagnoses and prescribe neck pain-reducing treatment plans.

## **Neck Pain Symptoms & Causes**

Neck pain symptoms include:

 * Headaches
 * Muscle spasms
 * Muscle tightness
 * Pain that is worse when the head is held still for prolonged periods
 * Stiffness

Common neck pain causes are:

 * Osteoarthritis
 * Poor posture
 * Weak neck muscles

Rarely, neck pain is a symptom of a more serious problem. However, there are some
cases in which neck pain may point to a more serious issue; in this case, such as
after a motor vehicle accident, it is vital to see your doctor. 

## **Common Treatments for Neck Pain**

The most common types of mild to moderate neck pain typically respond well to self-
care and exercises within two or three weeks. However, some may need some intervention
with your doctor. 

Nonsurgical treatment options treat neck pain. After a thorough evaluation, a CONA
spine specialist may recommend:

 * **Physical Therapy – **A therapist can help teach you proper posture, alignment,
   and neck strengthening exercises. Heat, ice, stimulation, and others can help
   ease the pain and allow room for improvement. 

 * **Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – **Electrodes are placed
   on the skin near the affected area and administers tiny electrical impulses to
   help relieve pain.

 * **Short-term Immobilization – **A soft collar to help support the neck may relieve
   pain by taking pressure off the structures in the neck. 

 * **Steroid Injections – **Your doctor may inject corticosteroid medications into
   the neck in different locations to help relieve pain.

 * **Surgery – **Rarely needed for neck pain; however, surgery might be an option
   for someone suffering neck pain due to nerve root or spinal cord compression.

Surgery is not recommended for general neck pain. In some cases, a corticosteroid
injection may be offered instead for fast-acting pain relief.