Cervicalgia, also known as neck pain, can be mild for some and debilitating for others. Most of the time, neck pain can be remedied with conservative treatments. In rare cases, cervicalgia is a symptom of a more serious issue.
Continue reading to learn more about neck pain and when you should contact a doctor.
Neck pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Poor posture tends to be the main cause of cervicalgia. Slouching over your computer at work or craning your neck over your phone with a forward head posture puts strain on your neck, commonly referred to as “tech neck.” Repetitive motion, carrying heavy bags and even gritting your teeth could cause or worsen cervicalgia. Neck pain could be caused by different conditions including osteoarthritis, pinched or compressed nerves, muscle strain or an injury.
Neck pain can also be a symptom of a more serious condition such as meningitis, osteoporosis, spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal stenosis, heart attack, fibromyalgia, a herniated disc or an infection.
While pain is the most typical symptom of cervicalgia, the type of neck pain and additional symptoms you endure may vary. Some patients experience headaches, sore muscles, muscle spasms, stiffness or pain when they shift into a specific position.The pain may feel sore, sharp or create a tingling sensation. You may have chronic neck pain or feel pain intermittently.
Taking your symptoms and lifestyle choices into account can help you and your doctor pinpoint the cause and create a proper treatment plan. While treatment plans vary person to person, there are a wide range of options.
Most of the time, you can find relief from mild cervicalgia with conservative remedies.
For advanced cervicalgia, medical treatments may be necessary.
In most cases, cervicalgia will dissipate with at-home treatment. If your neck pain is severe, persists for over a week or if you have specific questions you’d like answered in a personalized consultation, contact a medical professional. Seek immediate medical attention for your neck pain if you’ve sustained an injury from a fall or car accident.
Neck pain accompanied by any of these additional symptoms could indicate a serious condition that requires proper, prompt medical attention.
Our specialists at Citrus Spine Institute will work with you to choose the right treatment plan. Schedule a consultation to get the conversation started.
If you are experiencing cervicalgia symptoms, you should never ignore or try to suffer through the pain. Always consult your doctor. If you are not satisfied with your doctor or require specialized care, it is recommended to get a second opinion from a cervicalgia specialist.
Dr. Toumbis is a board certified, fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic and lumbar surgery. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from New York University in 1987, then continued on to receive his Masters in Natural Sciences as well as a PhD in Experimental Pathology from State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine with a distinction in Biomedical Research. After moving to Florida to complete his internship and residency in orthopedics at the University of Florida Shands Hospital, he went on to pursue a fellowship at Cleveland Clinic's Florida Spine Institute. He moved to Citrus County and has been in private practice since 2005.
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