Diagnosis of Cervical Pain
By
What is Cervical Pain?
Cervical pain, more commonly referred to as neck pain, is very prevalent and usually can be treated easily. Neck pain is discomfort that starts in the neck. Additionally, it can be associated with pain going down one or both arms. Neck pain can originate from a number of disorders, diseases, and injuries. The pain can originate from any of the nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, or muscles of the neck.
Cervical Pain Diagnosis
Axial cervical pain is felt mostly in the neck and radicular neck pain is felt down the arms. Neck pain can be acute pain, lasting a couple days to six weeks or chronic pain which lasts more than three months. Often, tense neck muscles are to blame for neck pain but a lot of times there’s no clear explanation. Another common cause is poor posture or forward head posture.
How is Cervical Pain Diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will make a diagnosis based on your medical history, the symptoms you are experiencing and a physical examination. Sometimes it may be necessary to undergo imaging tests that can include:
X-rays
X-rays can show areas in the neck where the nerves or spinal cord might be getting compressed by bone spurs, arthritic changes or other changes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of bone and soft tissues. The soft tissues include the disks, the spinal cord and the nerves coming out of the spinal cord.
Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT scan)
CT scans combine x-rays images taken from many different directions to produce detailed cross-sectional views of the structures inside of the neck
Electromyography (EMG)
An EMG involves inserting fine needles into a muscle to measure the speed of nerve conduction to determine if the nerves are working properly. This can help tell whether the neck pain is related to a pinched nerve.
What does Neck Pain feel Like?
Common complaints of neck pain are a constant ache, a stabbing or burning sensation. It also can be a sharp, shooting pain that travels from their neck down to their shoulder, arms or hands. Other symptoms of neck pain can include headache, stiffness in your neck, shoulder and upper back, being unable to rotate or tilt head and neck, numbness and weakness in the arms, hands and fingers.
Cervical Posture
5 Most Likely causes of Neck Pain
Common causes of neck pain include:
1. Poor posture
Extended periods of time spent slouching or hunched over a computer screen or cell phone can lead to forward head posture, which puts added stress on the neck
2. Aging
Natural wear and tear as you age can cause parts of your cervical spine to degenerate. These degenerative changes narrow the joint space in your cervical spine. Over time, stress and repeated movements can cause the disks in your spine to weaken, resulting in a herniated disk or pinched nerve.
3. Injury
Damage to the muscles, ligaments, disks, vertebral joints and nerve in your neck caused by trauma, for example whiplash during an automobile accident, is a common injury that causes neck pain.
4. Sleeping in an awkward position
If your head is positioned at a bad angle or twists wrong during the night, you may wake up with a stiff, painful neck in the morning
5. Physical strain
During strenuous or repetitive activities sometimes your neck muscles will get overused that can lead to stiffness and pain
For more Common Neck Injuries and Preventative Exercises read here!
Physical Therapy for Cervical Pain
Physical therapy can help to reduce pain and other symptoms. A physical therapist will work with you to develop a specific treatment program that will accelerate your recovery. Your physical therapist will educate you on how to avoid or modify the activities that caused the injury to allow for healing. To reduce your pain, your therapist may use manual therapy techniques, specific neck movements, electrical stimulation or traction. The goals of your individualized physical therapy program can include:
- Improving posture
- Improving motion
- Improving strength
- Improving endurance
- Learning a home exercise program
- Returning to activities safely
Written By: Joe Stubits PTA
Related Articles:
Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
New to JOI, you can now schedule your follow up appointments and cancel appointments on the JOI Portal.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.