Neck Pain Treatment Specialists in New Jersey

Because of the complex and delicate structure of the neck, discomfort can manifest in a variety of ways. The following are the most often reported types:

• Muscular. Your neck muscles can become achy and sore after strenuous activity or psychological stress. Muscle spasms in the neck can cause painful tightness and stiffness.
• Headache. Headaches are caused by muscle tension or spasms and often appear at the back of the head or the top of the neck.
• Vertebral. Arthritis in the vertebral facet joints can cause sharp and dull aches when you move your head from side to side.
• Nerve-related. A pinched nerve can cause various levels of discomfort. Depending on the nerve, the numbness may even extend through the arm and down to your hands.

Common neck pain symptoms include:

• Pins and needles sensations or numbness in the arms
• Soreness and stiffness in the neck when turning the head side to side
• Confusion, fever, and headaches
• Sharp shooting pains or dull aches in your neck or shoulder

You can experience pain because of trauma, poor posture, or disease. Some of the common triggers include:

• Neck or back injuries from an automobile accident or sports injury are some of the most common types of injuries that lead to discomfort;
• Herniated discs in the upper back can place enough pressure on the area to cause a pinched nerve in the neck;
• Arthritis in the neck. Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis often occurs after years of wear and tear or from an immune disorder;
• Congenital bone defects;
• Meningitis;
• Cancer;
• Tumors.

Neck pain specialists in New Jersey can determine the source of the pain and develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.

At Redefine Healthcare, our experts always begin with the least invasive forms of treatment. Options for conservative treatment include:

• Rest;
• Physical therapy and exercise;
• Weight loss, if necessary;
• Smoking cessation, if required;
• Alternating ice and heat;
• Chiropractic alignment;
• Posture improvement;
• Therapeutic massage;
• Anti-inflammatory medicine.

If your neck pain persists and none of the conservative treatments seem to be working, your doctor may guide you to more aggressive forms of minimally invasive medical treatment, such as:

• Muscle relaxants;
• Tricyclic antidepressants;
• Cervical neck brace;
• Topical steroids;
• Trigger point injections;
• Corticosteroid injections;
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS);
• Traction.

If these treatments haven’t provided significant relief after six to eight weeks, surgery may be necessary. While surgery is rarely required, it effectively relieves pressure on the nerve root or relieves spinal cord compression.

Although completely eliminating the risk of neck pain is impossible, there are steps you can take to lower it significantly and preserve your spine health. These steps are as follows:

• Maintain proper posture
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight level
• Set up an ergonomic workstation
• Properly position your spine when sleeping
• Stay physically active
• Follow a healthy diet