Neck Pain Treatment in St. Clair Shores, MI
Neck Pain
Neck pain usually comes from strained muscles, worn discs, arthritis in the small joints of the neck or a pinched nerve, and it can spread into the shoulders, arms and head. At Advanced Physical Medicine in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, we find the cause and treat it with injections, physical therapy, MLS laser and acupuncture.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
Neck problems can show up in more places than the neck itself. Watch for:
- Stiffness and trouble turning your head, for example when checking a blind spot
- Aching across the top of the shoulders and between the shoulder blades
- Pain, numbness or tingling that travels down the arm into the hand
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Muscle spasms and tender knots
Arm symptoms tell us a lot. Pain or tingling that follows a line down the arm into certain fingers points to a pinched nerve root, while a deep ache across the shoulders is more often muscular or from the facet joints.
What Causes Neck Pain?
Common causes include:
- Poor posture at a computer or looking down at a phone for long periods
- Muscle strain from sleeping in an awkward position or a sudden movement
- Whiplash from a car accident, which often injures the facet joints
- Degenerative or herniated discs that pinch a nerve root
- Arthritis of the cervical spine
- Tight muscles with trigger points (see myofascial pain)
Neck problems are also a common source of headaches and shoulder pain.
How We Treat Neck Pain
Dr. Stephen Wilson, MD, is double board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine and has more than 25 years of experience treating pain. We examine your neck, shoulders and nerves, and use nerve testing when arm symptoms suggest a pinched nerve. Treatment may include:
Nerve Blocks, Epidural and Facet Injections
Cervical epidural steroid injections calm an irritated nerve root, and facet injections treat arthritic or whiplash-injured joints. They are among our interventional procedures.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections release tight knots in the neck and upper back muscles that cause pain and headaches.
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapy team works on posture, neck strength and range of motion, and may use traction to take pressure off the nerves.
MLS Laser, Massage and Acupuncture
MLS laser therapy, medical massage and medical acupuncture, part of our holistic pain relief care, ease pain and muscle tension without medication.
When to See a Doctor for Neck Pain
Book a visit if neck pain lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, follows a car accident, or spreads into your arm with numbness or weakness. Pain after a car accident is worth checking even if it seems mild at first.
Seek emergency care for neck pain with a high fever and headache, weakness in both arms or legs, trouble walking, or after a serious fall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Pain
What could be causing pain on the right side of my neck at the base of my skull?
Pain at the base of the skull is often from tight neck muscles, irritated joints in the upper neck or an irritated occipital nerve. It can also bring on headaches. An exam can tell which one is involved.
What are the causes of chronic neck pain?
Long-lasting neck pain is often caused by disc wear, arthritis of the facet joints, an old whiplash injury or ongoing posture strain. Each one is treated differently, so the diagnosis comes first.
How do I fix a stiff neck?
Gentle stretching, heat, short breaks from screens and a supportive pillow help most stiff necks within a few days. If it lasts longer or keeps coming back, see a doctor.
How can I relieve back and neck pain at the same time?
Good posture, regular movement and core and upper back strengthening help both. Our physical therapists build a program that covers the whole spine.
Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause numbness in my hand?
Yes. A disc or bone spur pressing on a nerve root in the neck can cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the arm and hand. A nerve conduction study helps tell this apart from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Do you accept insurance?
Advanced Physical Medicine accepts most major insurance plans. Some treatments, such as regenerative injections, may be self-pay, and our staff will go over coverage and costs with you before you start.
Get Help for Neck Pain in St. Clair Shores
Book a visit with Advanced Physical Medicine at 24345 Harper Ave, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, or call us at (586) 563-3300. We will find out what is behind your neck pain and talk you through every option before anything is decided.
