Cervical Pain: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
May 17, 2024
Some of the most extensive pain that anyone can experience over time is cervical pain, which refers to the pain in your neck. This pain can happen all of a sudden or even develop over time. If you believe you are suffering from cervical pain, keep reading for more information on what this looks like and how you can get relief.
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Pain
The cervical pain that develops in the neck is related to a larger network that includes muscles, bones, joints, and nerves together. The source of the pain could be coming from one of these affected areas, but the pain and symptoms could affect all of them. Below are signs and symptoms indicating you are currently experiencing cervical pain.
- Sharp pains in one or both sides of the neck
- Pain when moving your body and turning your neck
- Having a stiff neck
- Regular headaches
- Numbness in your pain and throughout your head
These are the most common cervical pain symptoms, and they must be addressed. In many cases, one or more of these symptoms appear; if they are not treated regularly, others can develop, and the pain can worsen.
Eventually, the pain will go from being uncomfortable to being hard to focus or even live a normal life for some. Before it gets to the point of your life quality being impacted, you should seek out treatment.
How is Cervical Pain Treated?
When it comes time to get treatment for your cervical pain, you must have your neck examined with the appropriate tests to find the root of the pain.
Testing
The most common exams used for cervical pain include:
Exams like X-rays and CT scans are ideal because they allow healthcare professionals to determine what may have happened. Other exams include a blood test and a lumbar puncture if the source appears in the spine. If the pain is in the muscles, an MRI or electromyography test may be required to help with a solution.
Treatments
Once the available testing has determined the source of the pain, healthcare professionals can begin moving forward with treatments to reduce the pain. I
- Pain Medication
- Physical Therapy
- Injections
- Muscle relaxers
- Heat and ice therapy
Depending on the severity of the injury, many of these treatments will be enough to reverse the damage and help the neck heal. This will eliminate cervical pain in these cases. If there is an activity you are doing that causes these pains, such as how you are sitting, exercising, or even sleeping, you will need to make modifications to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
These may reduce pain for more severe injuries but will not reach the issue’s root. You may need surgery or more in-depth treatments to correct the damage.
Do You Need Further Assistance?
If you would like more information about cervical pain and desire the expertise of a healthcare professional, fill out the form below. Our experts at Non-Surgical Orthopaedics want to provide you with the resources and information necessary.
