Are you feeling pain in your neck or tingling and weakness in your arms? If you’ve had neck pain for a week and it isn’t getting better, it’s time to contact Apollo Pain Management in Sun City Center, Florida. As an interventional pain management specialist, R. James Warren, MD, diagnoses the cause of your neck pain so you can receive effective care. If you’re ready for relief from neck pain, call today or schedule a consultation online.

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What causes neck pain?

Your neck is known as the cervical spine. The cervical spine is composed of seven bones called vertebrae and a framework of muscles, discs, nerves, and other tissue. The complexity of your neck makes it vulnerable to injuries.

Injuries and aging are among the most common causes of neck pain. The two most common types of these conditions are:

Cervical stenosis

Brought on by a narrowing of the spinal canal, which compresses your spinal cord. Cervical stenosis is most frequently due to aging.

Neck trauma

Car accidents and sports injuries often cause neck pain. These traumatic events can produce joint injuries, torn muscles, ruptured ligaments, and damaged discs.

When should I see a doctor about neck pain?

It’s a good idea to contact Dr. Warren at Apollo Pain Management immediately for neck pain occurring after a blow to the head or with any one of these symptoms:

  • Neck pain accompanied by a headache or fever
  • Stiff neck
  • Shooting pain down one arm
  • Tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hands or arms

You also should contact Dr. Warren if your neck pain doesn’t get better after a week or isn’t eased by over-the-counter pain medication.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Dr. Warren takes a complete medical history. He performs a physical exam and assesses your symptoms. You’ll want to tell him when the pain started and why.

You might need diagnostic tests to narrow down the reason for your neck pain. These tests include:

  • A computed tomography scan (CT scan)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • A myelogram (uses dye along with X-rays or a CT scan to spot problems)
  • Discography (a more invasive procedure usually done when other tests fail)
  • Electromyography
  • Nerve conduction studies
  • Selective nerve root block

Dr. Warren recommends other diagnostic tests when necessary.

How is neck pain treated?

Once Dr. Warren identifies the site and cause for your neck pain, he creates a treatment plan to minimize your symptoms. Your treatment can include:

  • Medications to minimize pain or inflammation
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Epidural steroid injections
  • Trigger point injections
  • Radiofrequency ablation

If you’re ready to be free of neck pain, find out if you might be a candidate for one of these treatments or others. Call today or schedule a consultation online with Apollo Pain Management