Neck Pain
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California Spine & Pain Institute
Pain Management located in Tarzana, CA & West Hills, CA
Neck pain is responsible for about 15% of all cases of chronic pain in adults, leading to lost time from work and an ongoing struggle to find relief. Magued Fadly, MD, QME, at California Spine & Pain Institute in West Hills & Encino, California, specializes in treatments that can alleviate your neck pain and get you back to enjoying life. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking feature.
Neck Pain Q & A
What causes neck pain?
The seven vertebrae in your neck are responsible for supporting your head and providing a full range of motion. This combination of pressure and movement makes your neck vulnerable to injury, overuse, and degenerative disease. The most common causes of neck pain include:
- Sprains and strains
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Cervical disc degeneration
- Osteoarthritis
- Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
- Cervical stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Many patients who spend time using digital devices, like smartphones and laptops, end up with a type of neck strain referred to as tech neck. This problem develops when you look down at your computer screen and hold your neck in that position for an extended time.
Will I have other symptoms in addition to pain?
In addition to limited head movement due to pain and stiffness, you may develop a headache or ringing in your ears. If you have a pinched nerve, you may also experience pain, tingling, and numbness that travels down your arm.
How is neck pain treated?
Dr. Fadly will customize your treatment based on the underlying cause of your pain. Nonsurgical treatments that successfully treat neck pain include anti-inflammatory medications and short-term immobilization with a cervical collar or brace. Physical therapy can also help strengthen and stabilize your neck. For persistent neck pain, Dr. Fadly provides treatment options, such as:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Cervical medial branch nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
When your neck pain doesn’t respond to conservative or interventional treatments, you may need surgical treatment. Dr. Fadly may recommend a procedure to remove pressure from the affected nerve, such as a decompressive laminectomy, a discectomy, or a foraminotomy.
Some patients may be candidates for artificial disc replacement, which can relieve your pain while preserving neck motion. Most neck surgeries are performed using minimally invasive surgery, which means you’ll have less postoperative pain, a quicker recovery, and minimal scarring.
When should I see a doctor for neck pain?
It’s important to see Dr. Fadly if your neck pain persists for several weeks, worsens, radiates down your arms, or is accompanied by a headache, numbness, or tingling.
Neck pain requires emergency attention if you also have a fever, develop muscle weakness, or if pain develops after an injury.
To learn more, schedule an appointment at California Spine & Pain Institute by calling the office or using the online booking feature.
