Neck pain symptoms

There are many conditions that can cause neck pain. Identifying your neck pain symptoms is vital to getting effective treatment. Back in Motion looks at a few common neck pain symptoms and what might be causing them.

Stiff neck

Neck stiffness and neck pain symptoms often go hand in hand. There can be several causes of a stiff neck including:

• A herniated disc in the cervical spine
• Muscle strain or neck sprain
• Osteoarthritis
• Whiplash or other acute injury

Headache

When neck pain causes headaches, it is known as a cervicogenic headache. Usually caused by holding the head out in front of the neck in a forward position, this places tremendous strain on the muscles in the neck. This is a secondary headache which means that an underlying injury or disease of the neck causes the headaches.

These types of headaches can be limited to one side of the head and get worse in certain neck positions or movements. The root cause in the neck must be treated in conjunction with the headache for effective relief from your neck pain symptoms.

Tingling or weakness

As we get older, the spaces between vertebrae that allow the spinal nerves can become narrower. When this happens, pressure can be placed on the nerve causing a radiating feeling of numbness, tingling or weakness from the neck and down the back or arm. This is known as cervical stenosis.

Cervical stenosis can be serious if left untreated and nerve damage can become permanent.

When to seek immediate treatment

The neck is a complex and sensitive area of nerves, muscles and vertebrae. You should seek immediate medical treatment if you experience any of the following neck pain symptoms:

• Muscle weakness or instability in the neck
• Sudden traumatic injury such as an auto collision
• Pain that worsens over a few weeks’ time
• Numbness that radiates down the legs

Physical therapy for neck pain

During your first appointment with a physical therapist, he or she will evaluate your neck pain symptoms to diagnose the root cause and develop an individualized treatment plan with you. Back in Motion has skilled therapists that treat neck pain in patients of all ages. If you have recently begun experiencing neck pain, contact us today to schedule your free 15-minute screening.