Neck Pain Specialist

International Spine, Pain & Performance Center

Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine located in Washington, DC & Arlington, VA

You may experience neck pain after sitting hunched over at your computer all day or following a rear-end auto accident. Whatever the cause, neck pain can impact your quality of life, especially if it doesn’t resolve on its own. The pain management specialists at International Spine Pain & Performance Center take an individualized approach to care and offer some of the most cutting-edge methodologies to help you get relief from your neck pain. If you’re suffering from neck pain, call the ISPP Center offices in Washington, D.C. or Arlington, Virginia, or schedule an appointment online today.

Neck Pain

What is neck pain?

Neck pain refers to any discomfort that occurs in the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or joints that make up your neck. Your neck is very susceptible to injury and pain due to its flexibility and the stress it endures supporting the weight of your head.

Common symptoms of neck pain include:

  • Dull ache
  • Sharp sensation
  • Radiating pain

Neck pain can also include any pain or discomfort that travels through your shoulder, down your arm, and into your hands and fingers.

What causes neck pain?

Your neck pain may be due to any number of causes. Common causes of neck pain include:

  • Strain or sprain
  • Herniated disc
  • Cervical stenosis
  • Injury

During a rear-end auto accident you may experience whiplash, which forces your head in a quick back and forth motion. This type of injury usually not only affects the soft tissue in your neck, but can also cause lingering pain.

You should seek help from the experts at International Spine Pain & Performance Center if your neck pain doesn’t improve with at-home care or you’re experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling that travels down your arms.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

The team at ISPP Center conduct thorough examinations to determine the cause of your neck pain so they can develop a customized treatment plan. In addition to a physical exam that includes special tests to assess the strength and mobility of your neck, shoulders, and arms, the team may also recommend diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray or MRI.

To assist in the diagnosis, it’s important to be as detailed as possible when describing your pain and other symptoms and any underlying injury that may have precipitated the pain.

How is neck pain treated?

International Spine Pain & Performance Center is a multispecialty practice that offers the most cutting-edge treatments for managing your pain. The team usually recommends conservative treatments first, and they may include:

  • Over-the-counter pain medication
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Physical therapy

If you continue to experience neck pain after trying conservative measures, they may recommend additional treatments, such as:

  • Epidural
  • Radiofrequency ablation

For chronic pain that doesn’t respond well to other treatments, the team may suggest a spinal cord stimulator. This device helps control chronic pain using electrical stimulation and can decrease your reliance on oral pain medication.

To get help for your neck pain, call International Spine Pain & Performance Center or schedule an appointment online today.