Neck Pain

Consider this: Your neck is responsible for supporting your head, which can weigh up to 15 pounds, and possesses an incredible range of motion. Given all its responsibilities, it’s no wonder that neck pain can have a debilitating effect on your life. At FIX Medical Group in San Diego, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona, the pain management specialists have extensive experience successfully treating neck ailments. If you’re hampered by neck pain, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.

What is the anatomy of the neck? 

In order to better understand neck pain, it’s helpful to review the different components that make up your neck, specifically:

• Your cervical spine, which is comprised of seven vertebrae
• Discs
• Joints
• Tendons
• Muscles
• Ligaments
• Nerves

In an ideal world, all of these components work together seamlessly, supporting and allowing movement of your head. In the real world, however, any number of things can cause a breakdown in your neck’s ability to function properly.

What causes neck pain?

There are two main causes of neck pain:

Injury

The most common neck injury is whiplash, which describes the whipping motion of your head back and forth, putting enormous strain on every component of your neck. Other injuries include overextending your neck or twisting it beyond its limits.

Nerve compression

Nerve compression is a broad diagnosis that encompasses an array of conditions, including:

• Degenerative joint disease, or arthritis
• Stenosis
• Ruptured or herniated cervical discs
• Slipped discs

The end result of these conditions or diseases is irritation of the nerves in your neck, which can cause localized pain, or radiating pain, which can extend to your arms, back, and shoulders.

How is neck pain treated?

The first step in treating your neck pain is to diagnose the underlying problem, as each condition may respond better to one treatment than another. To do this, the team at FIX Medical Group performs a thorough examination of your neck and reviews your symptoms. Advanced imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, is critical in pinpointing your problem.

With the diagnosis in hand, the team can hone in on the best treatment option for your individual case. This may include:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Dry needling
• Cupping
• ARPwave®
• K-Laser®
• Chiropractic care
• Ozone therapy
• Massage therapy
• Physical therapy
• Spinal decompression therapy
• Active release technique (ART®)

Whatever the treatment, rest assured that the team at FIX Medical Group works diligently to relieve your pain.

If you’re experiencing chronic neck pain, call FIX Medical Group or use the online booking feature to schedule a visit.