Neck pain maybe mild, or it could be so excruciating that a person avoids any and all movement. Oftentimes neck pain is located in one spot and goes away on its own within a few days or weeks. Unfortunately, in some cases the pain becomes constant or radiates into other body parts, such as the shoulder and arms. Common symptoms associated with neck pain usually involves one or more of the following:
- Stiff neck. Soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head from side to side.
- Sharp pain. This symptom can be pain localized to one spot and might feel like it’s stabbing or stinging. Soreness. The pain can be described as tender or achy, as opposed to sharp.
- Radiating pain. The pain can travel along a nerve from the neck into the shoulders and arms and may be described as a burning sensation.
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness . These symptoms can travel beyond the neck and radiate into the shoulder, arm or finger. Often times a sensation of “pins-and-needles” is described. This may occur in a single arm or both arms simultaneously.
- Trouble with gripping or lifting objects. This is a troubling symptom suggesting weakness and can be a sign that surgical intervention is imminent.
- Headaches. Sometimes an irritation in the neck can also affect muscles and nerves connected to the head. This could be a tension headache, such as from neck muscles tightening; or occipital neuralgia, where a pinched occipital nerve in the neck causes pain to radiate up into the head’s sides and scalp.
If neck pain symptoms progress, it can become difficult to sleep. This type of pain may also interfere with other activities of daily living such as dressing, working, and driving.
Typical treatments may include but are not limited to Facet blocks, Medial Branch Blocks, Selective Nerve Blocks, Epidural Steroid Injections, and Radiofrequency Nerve Ablations.