Neck Pain Treatment Specialists Near Me

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Neck Pain

A literal pain in the neck is a lot more serious than your intrusive boss. It can signal anything from a serious medical condition to trauma that you might not have realized happened. Leaving this health condition untreated can lead to a host of complications. When you begin your search for a “neck pain doctor near me”, the first step is to choose the best pain management clinic.

Diagnosis is simple when you rely on the experts at Redefine Healthcare. They treat pain daily, and they have the latest tools and techniques needed for proper treatment. Call today to talk to a compassionate sports injury doctor who takes into consideration your lifestyle and goals. Treatment is right near you in NJ and diagnosis is easier than ever.

Neck Pain Your neck is composed of muscles, ligaments, and the upper spinal vertebrae. Due to its range of motion and lack of protection, it’s vulnerable to strains and other injuries at all stages of life. Discomfort can range from intermittent and subtle to chronic and debilitating.

Neck ailment is common and often a result of poor posture since so many jobs require leaning in front of a computer screen or hovering over a workbench. In rare cases, your ache can be a symptom of something more serious.

If your aches coincide with numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, you need to seek immediate medical treatment.

Pain in the neck can come from several different sources. By middle age, nearly one-half of the population reports experiencing this health condition. Typically, from two to 11 percent of people are suffering from some discomfort in their neck at any given moment. You don’t have to suffer when you visit doctors who excel in interventional pain management techniques, like those at the center for pain management in NJ of Redefine Healthcare.

Types of Neck Pain

Due to the complex and delicate nature of the neck, discomfort can manifest in several different ways. The most commonly reported types are:

Muscular. The muscles can become achy and sore after strenuous activity or psychological stress. Muscle spasms in the neck can cause painful tightening and stiffness.
Headache. Typically appearing at the back of the head or the top of the neck. Headaches result from muscle tension or spasms.
Vertebral. Arthritis in the vertebral facet joints can cause both 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.

Neck Pain Causes

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

Neck or back injury 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, either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, often occurs after years of wear and tear or from an immune disorder.
Congenital bone defects
Meningitis
Cancer
Tumors

Only a specialist can determine the cause of the problem and prepare the appropriate neck pain treatment plan.

When To See a Neck Injury Specialist in NJ?

This type of pain can be annoying and may limit your overall quality of life. However, how do you know when it is time to see a doctor? If your discomfort persists for over a month without improving, it is time to see a neck injury doctor. If your spine begins to hurt, you have chills, or a strong headache to go along with your aches, do not hesitate to see a Redefine Healthcare specialist in NJ because these may be signs of more serious spinal problems. Our doctor will be able to tell you whether the cause of the problem is serious and help you get neck pain relief.

Neck Pain Diagnosis

If the discomfort doesn’t go away on its own, visit the treatment center at Redefine Healthcare. A specialist can diagnose your specific condition through a physical examination, imaging tests, blood tests and if necessary, electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies.

Whether you’re suffering from occasional or chronic discomfort, you’ve likely asked yourself how to get rid of or relieve neck pain. Searching for a “neck specialist near me” doesn’t have to be a frightening prospect! One of the most common reasons why people are afraid is from fear that surgery is the only option. Fortunately, your Redefine Healthcare pain management specialist can put together a personalized program to manage your issue with the least possible disruption in your life and routines.

What Types of Pain Treatment Can a Neck Specialist Offer?

At Redefine Healthcare, our experts always try the least invasive forms of treatment first. Conservative treatment options 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

When neck discomfort persists, and none of the conservative treatments seem to work, you may be guided to more aggressive forms of minimally-invasive medical treatments, such as:

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

If these techniques haven’t provided any significant relief after six to eight weeks, you may require surgery. While it’s rarely necessary, surgery is effective at relieving pressure on the nerve root or alleviating spinal cord compression.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to relieve neck pain?

Treatment highly depends on the root cause of the problem. However, for common, minor neck pain causes, you can make use of the following recommendations:

Apply heat or ice to the area
Use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Avoid jerking or strenuous activities
Practice slow range-of-motions exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear

If your pain is severe and it does not disappear after a few days of treatment, your best bet would be to consult a doctor.

How to sleep properly with neck pain?

A lot of people who suffer from this health condition cannot sleep properly. However, there are two best sleeping positions for neck pain that will not cause more discomfort: on your side or on your back. If you sleep on your back, it is advised to choose a rounded pillow to support the natural curve of your neck. You can always consult a specialist who will advise you on the best pillow for neck pain.

How do I know if my neck pain is serious?

In very rare cases neck aches can be a sign of a more serious issue. Although, you should seek medical care immediately if your pain is accompanied by numbness or loss of strength in your hands or arms. Additionally, it is recommended to consult a specialist if you have a severe ache in your shoulder or down your arm.

How long does neck pain last from sleeping wrong?

Neck pain from sleeping wrong is a common situation for a lot of people across the globe. The ache may also be caused by a pillow being too firm or too high. This strain causes stiffening and minor pain in the ligaments, muscles of the neck, and tendons. Generally, it can take anywhere from one to three days to heal.

When should I look for medical assistance?

Typically, you will need to seek a doctor’s attention if symptoms persist for more than a week. Other reasons for consulting neck pain doctors in NJ are as follows:

Severe neck pain without apparent causes
Fever
Headache
Lump in your neck
Swollen glands
Weakness
Vomiting
Trouble breathing or swallowing
Numbness
Inability to move your hands or arms
Inability to touch your chest with your chin

Moreover, if you have been in an accident or fall and your neck hurts, do not wait any longer and seek medical care immediately.

What Is the Cost of a Neck Pain Diagnosis?

Our clinic offers a complex diagnosis for sudden or chronic neck pain. You may need one or several testings to determine the root cause of the problem. The cost of an EMG evaluation ranges from $80 to $350. The price for a standard blood test starts from $100 and goes up to $3,000 for more complex tests. The average price of computed tomography or CT scanning is $500. Radiography, such as X-rays is around $55, and magnetic resonance imaging can be $165.

Can Exercises Help My Back and Neck Problems?

Some minor aches can be solved by physical therapy. Your doctor can prescribe an exercise regimen that strengthens the muscles in your back and neck. It will help alleviate the pain and improve your posture. The most common preventive neck pain exercises are:

Side Rotation
Chair stand
Heel raise
Single leg raise
Staggered chair stand
Standing side leg lift
Front plank on table

Your doctor can instruct on how to perform these exercises correctly. Massages and regular stretches for neck pain can also improve your recovery.

What Is the Relation Between Neck Pain and Headache?

The common headache causes are often related to neck issues. Headache can be a result of muscle tension and trigger points. The suboccipital muscles are located at the base of the skull. Their contraction can result in recurring migraines. The contraction of these muscles can be due to stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety. These muscle spasms can happen at any age but are more commonly seen in adults and teenagers.

When searching for a “neck specialist near me”, your results will provide a ton of options. Keep looking until you find a pain doctor that uses the latest minimally-invasive treatments. Don’t wait to get professional neck pain treatment. Prevent serious complications that may reduce your mobility and cause permanent damage. Contact the best sports injury doctor in NJ of Redefine Healthcare or visit one of the convenient locations in Union, Paterson, Clifton, and Edison, New Jersey.