Neck Pain

Many people suffer from neck pain at some point in their lives. The most common cause is muscle strain or tension resulting from daily activities. At home, some examples include sleeping in an uncomfortable position or sitting with poor posture while reading or watching television. At work, a computer monitor that is placed too high or too low may cause neck pain. Or, during exercise, a sudden twist or turn of the neck may cause pain.

Trauma, such as an accident or a fall, can cause a severe neck injury such as a fractured vertebra, whiplash, blood vessel injury and paralysis. Other serious causes of neck pain include:

• Herniated disc

• Arthritis

• Fibromyalgia

• Meningitis

Diagnosis

To diagnose your back pain, your SpineONE physician may utilize a variety of state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and procedures, including:

• X-rays - Pictures of your bones to help in finding the cause of pain

• CT scans - Detailed X-rays showing bones and soft tissues, including nerves and discs

• MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) -- Detailed images of the spine's soft tissues (nerves and discs)

• EMGs/NCS (electromyograms/nerve conduction studies) -- Electrical impulses that help detect muscle and nerve damage

• Nerve blocks -- Spinal injections that ease pain and help find its source

• Other tests such as discograms, bone scans or myelograms