Neck Pain

What are the common causes of neck pain?

A wide range of injuries and conditions contribute to neck pain. For example, poor posture is a common cause of neck pain. Your poor posture may be a significant structural spinal deformity issue.

The average American spends more than five hours a day with their head tilted down to look at their phone. 

The whole weight of your head pulls on the muscles and connective tissue on the back of your neck, leading to muscle strain and pain. 

Other conditions that cause neck pain include:

• Cervical radiculopathy
  
• Herniated or bulging discs
  
• Spinal stenosis
  
• Degenerative disc disease
  
• Osteoarthritis
  
• Myelopathy
  
• Injuries like whiplash
• Deformity of your thoracic or lumbar spine
  

If you have neck pain that lasts for more than 2-4 weeks, or intensifies instead of subsiding, call McNulty Spine for an expert diagnosis. 

If you have any weakness, numbness, or tingling in your arms and/or legs in addition to neck pain, make an appointment right away.  If you have difficulty using your arms and legs in addition to neck pain, make an appointment right away.

How is the cause of neck pain diagnosed?

At McNulty Spine, Dr. McNulty offers a thorough history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing to identify the cause of your neck pain. Your neck pain may be associated with altered function of the arms and legs which may not be readily apparent.  Dr. McNulty will thoroughly evaluate these potential underlying issues.

In some cases, Dr. McNulty may need to order tests to gather more information to confirm and locate the condition causing your pain. Some of the tests he might use include:

• X-rays

• MRI

• CT scan

• Myelography
  
• Electromyography

• Bone scan

• Spinal injections
• Nerve conduction study
  

Your exam and diagnostic tests enable Dr. McNulty to create a customized treatment plan to alleviate your pain and heal the condition causing your pain.

How is neck pain treated?

Your treatment plan is custom-designed to meet your needs. Dr. McNulty combines therapies to optimize your outcomes. He usually begins with conservative or minimally invasive treatments before implementing surgical procedures to address neck pain.  Dr. McNulty is well versed in spinal pain injections to also treating your neck pain.  Dr. McNulty is able to take on and effectively treat the simplest to the most complex cervical spine issues.

Treatment plan options for neck pain may include:

• Spinal injections
  
• Physical therapy
  Nerve block injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Cervical disc replacement
  
• Cervical fusion reconstruction

If you’re living with neck pain or difficulty using your arms and/or legs that’s interfering with your life, call McNulty Spine or schedule an appointment online for an expert evaluation and personalized treatment.