Neck pain is a very common problem for men and women, partly because so many issues can cause discomfort and because the neck is a complex part of your anatomy. The team at Superior Pain Relief helps patients understand the cause of their symptoms while offering tailored therapies that can help neck pain.
Your neck is composed of bones (vertebrae), muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and many other structures that work together to support a wide range of movements. An issue with any of these structures can wind up causing acute or chronic pain, including these issues:
Your neck must support the weight of your head — an average of about 11 pounds. If you spend a lot of time hunched over a phone or laptop, your head can feel a lot heavier — up to 60 pounds. That’s a lot of strain on your neck muscles and joints.
Poor posture is one cause of strained muscles, but you can also cause muscle strain through repetitive movements or heavy lifting. Spending time doing activities over your head — like painting a ceiling — is another common cause of neck muscle strain.
Arthritis is a degenerative condition that causes inflammation and damage to the joint surfaces. Your neck has multiple joints, and arthritis can affect any of them.
Each pair of vertebrae is separated by a spongy disc that protects the bone and helps your cervical spine stay flexible. If a disc slips out of place, it irritates and compresses nerves, causing persistent discomfort that can be accompanied by electricity-like bursts of pain.
Herniated discs can happen from falls and other trauma, but they can also be caused by degenerative changes and wear and tear.
When you’re stressed, your muscles tighten up. With chronic stress, your muscles stay spasmed, leading to irritation, inflammation, and pain.
Whiplash causes neck pain and stiffness, occurring when your head and neck snap back and forth rapidly. Car accidents are a common cause of whiplash, but it can also occur as a result of falls, sports accidents, and other types of trauma.
Sometimes, neck pain is caused by an infection, which is one reason why you should always have our team evaluate persistent or severe neck pain as soon as possible.
If your neck is aching, our team can design a treatment plan using therapies and lifestyle changes tailored just for you. Before recommending any treatment plan, we review your symptoms, evaluate your neck, and sometimes recommend diagnostic imaging or lab tests.
Based on your results, we may recommend therapies such as:
In some instances, we recommend minimally invasive procedures to address issues affecting your discs or your nerves.
Most people also benefit from lifestyle changes, like posture exercises, hot and cold therapy, and ergonomic changes at work. Using a neck brace temporarily may help, but it’s important to only use a brace if we recommend it.
Neck pain can take a big toll on your physical health and your emotional wellness. To learn what’s causing your symptoms and how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone at Superior Pain Relief. We have locations in Spring, Houston, Baytown, Willis, and The Woodlands, Texas.
