Leading Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can really put a damper on your day. The good news? Whether your neck pain is intermittent or a constant companion that affects your entire day, you don’t have to live with it.

Patrick Doherty, MD is a board-certified neurosurgeon who leads an expert team of medical professionals at Yale Neurosurgery New London in New London, Connecticut. Dr. Doherty is highly respected throughout the medical profession as a leading pioneer in providing the least invasive and most effective treatments available today for issues like neck and back pain.

Dr. Doherty recognizes that truly effective treatment starts with identifying the cause of your discomfort and then developing a plan that addresses the underlying issue as well as your symptoms. His goal is to provide the individualized care you need to get you living pain-free again.

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain is a common condition that’s caused by a variety of issues, including:

• Whiplash and other injuries that affect soft tissue structures in your neck
• Muscular strain, often due to poor posture when using a phone, computer, or tablet
• Irritated and inflamed nerves within the cervical spine (neck)
• Joint issues related to wear-and-tear changes or degenerative disease (osteoarthritis)
• Rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic conditions that affect the health of your joints
• Herniated cervical discs

Very often, characterizing the symptoms you’re experiencing can help narrow the possible cause of your pain.

Understanding your symptoms

Neck pain is a broad term that can include a variety of more specific symptoms, including:

• Neck stiffness that’s worse first thing in the morning and loosens as you get moving
• Pain that increases as you hold your head in one position, such as when driving or working at your desk
• Difficulty turning your head from side to side or tilting your chin downward
• Numbness, tingling, and pain in your shoulders and arms
• Frequent and persistent pain that’s often mistaken for migraine or tension headaches

Taking note of the timing, frequency, and severity of your symptoms can help identify the underlying cause.

For instance, headaches or tingling, numbness, and pain that travel into your shoulders and arms may indicate nerve inflammation and irritation. Muscular strain related to poor posture often worsens with activities such as computer work or driving.

Treating neck pain

Although he’s a gifted surgeon, Dr. Doherty prefers nonsurgical treatments whenever possible.  Depending on the underlying cause of your neck pain, his treatment recommendations may include:

• Physical therapy to ease muscle strain
• Injections to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated nerves
• Guided exercises to correct posture
• Oral medication

If these measures aren’t effective or your condition requires surgery, Dr. Doherty specializes in minimally invasive, robotic neck surgeries that offer better results and faster healing time than traditional surgical approaches.

For an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for persistent neck pain, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Doherty at Yale Neurosurgery New London today. Call our office or request an appointment online.