Neck Injury Care

Advanced Care Near You in New Jersey

Neck pain is among the most common complaints for patients of all ages. Its causes can range from poor posture to disc disorders and nerve impingement, and its symptoms can be mild or debilitating. Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical neck pain relief at locations near you in New Jersey. Patients receive a same-day diagnosis and treatment, facilitating a quick return to pain-free living.

Key Takeaways

Neck pain is pain that originates in the neck, or cervical spine.
Common symptoms of neck pain include local or spreading pain, tingling sensations, numbness, reduced range of movement, muscle tightness, and headaches.
Common causes of neck pain include poor posture, arthritis, disc issues, nerve impingement, acute and overuse injuries, and failed back surgery.
Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain with same-day treatment at locations near you in New Jersey.

What Is Neck Pain?

Neck pain is pain in or around the spine closest to the head. This area is known as the cervical spine. It is a complex structure that involves multiple distinct components, each performing a different role in the body. Components of the neck include:

Vertebrae (spinal bones), which support the skull and protect the spinal cord
Spinal discs, which absorb shock and keep the spine flexible
Cartilage, which eliminates friction in the joints between vertebrae
The spinal cord, which relays information between the brain and the body
Root nerves, which connect the spinal cord with the arms and legs
Tendons and ligaments, which hold the spine together and keep it stable
Muscles, which facilitate neck movement and provide support for the spine
Blood vessels, which supply the spine with water, oxygen, and nutrients

The cervical spine is the most flexible section of the spine. At the same time, it withstands large amounts of stress due to its role in supporting the head, which weighs up to 12 pounds. The combination of stress and flexibility can lead to issues in the neck’s many coordinating parts. If something goes wrong with any of the parts listed above, neck pain is often the result. Neck pain has many potential causes, and identifying the correct one is the first step toward relief.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Neck Pain?

Neck issues have many potential symptoms, including different types of pain in addition to other complications. Every patient experiences neck pain differently. Common complaints include:

Mild to severe neck pain
Neck pain that gets worse with physical activity
Pain that gets worse when moving the neck in certain positions
Pain that spreads or travels into the shoulders or arms
Burning, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensations in the shoulders or arms
Numbness or loss of sensation in the shoulders or arms
Muscle weakness or loss of coordination in the shoulders or arms
Stiffness or reduced range of motion in the neck
Muscle aches or tightness in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
Headaches, especially one-sided headaches

Neck pain symptoms can be acute, meaning that they occur only for a short time after an injury, tough workout, or surgery. Acute symptoms will go away by themselves or after successful treatment. Neck pain symptoms may also be chronic, meaning that they last for months at a time or repeatedly return. Chronic symptoms do not go away, but they can be managed to reduce everyday discomfort and improve the person’s quality of life.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Neck Pain?

The neck is vulnerable to many kinds of pain-causing conditions. Correctly diagnosing the condition is key to planning the most appropriate treatment. Kurdali Spine & Pain offers treatment for a wide range of neck pain causes, including:

Poor Posture

One of the most common causes of neck pain is poor posture. The head weighs 10 to 12 pounds on its own. Poor posture positions the head sub-optimally over the spine, forcing the neck to work harder to support the head. This creates a high level of strain, leading to pain. The ergonomics of your workstation may contribute to neck pain by encouraging poor posture.

Arthritis

Neck arthritis is an age-related condition caused by wear and tear to the cartilage in the spine. This causes changes in the cartilage over time, including reduced flexibility and a roughened surface. The roughened cartilage creates friction in the joint, leading to grinding sensations, stiffness, and pain. It may also encourage bone spurs to develop.

Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome is a painful irritation of the joints that connect vertebrae to one another. It is caused by degeneration, age-related wear and tear, or stress in the facet joints. Facet joint syndrome is among the most common causes of arthritis-like symptoms and neck sprains in both young and older people.

Herniated Discs

A herniated disc occurs when the outside of a spinal disc, called the annulus fibrosus, is weakened or damaged. The weak spot allows the disc’s gel-like center, called the nucleus pulposus, to bulge outward. The bulge creates pressure against nearby tissues and nerves, resulting in irritation. Herniated discs are also a common cause of nerve impingement in the spine.

Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve)

Cervical radiculopathy is the medical term for a pinched or impinged nerve in the neck. When a nerve is irritated or under pressure, it cannot send sensory and movement information as normal. The pressure interferes with normal nerve signals. This can result in pain, tingling sensations, and numbness depending on how severely the nerve is impinged.

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries are neck injuries that happen in an instant. Whiplash is the most common type of acute neck injury and commonly arises from car accidents and high-impact sports. It is caused when the neck suddenly and forcefully moves forward and then backward, or backward and then forward. The sudden movement strains the muscles and tendons in the neck, causing pain.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are neck injuries that occur due to excessive repetitive movement. Each movement causes a tiny amount of trauma that, over time, accumulates into an injury. Overuse injuries may arise due to sports involvement, manual labor jobs, or any sudden increase in physical activity, such as a tough weekend of home renovations or yardwork.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) occurs when spine surgery fails to provide the relief that patients are looking for. Surgery cannot always reliably reduce a person’s pain. The patient may experience continued pain after treatment, or the pain may come back after a period of relief. In some cases, the pain may even get worse after surgery.

When to Seek Care

Not all neck pain is serious. Some conditions cause only mild symptoms that get better by themselves or with rest. When the pain is more than a temporary ache, however, then Kurdali Spine & Pain may be able to reduce the discomfort. The following are signs that it may be time to seek medical care:

Kurdali Spine & Pain offers modern, non-surgical solutions to neck and spine pain. When symptoms do not improve, when home care is ineffective, and when pain gets in the way of everyday life, Dr. Basil Kurdali helps patients find lasting relief.

How Is Neck Pain Diagnosed?

The first step to neck pain treatment is diagnosis. When patients visit Kurdali Spine & Pain, they receive same-day testing. Diagnosis begins with a physical examination in which Dr. Kurdali will evaluate the neck, observe its range of motion, and interview the patient about their symptoms. He will also check the patient’s medical history for previous injuries or surgeries.

When necessary, Dr. Kurdali requests same-day medical imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses strong magnets to create images of internal body structures. These images are invaluable for identifying soft tissue disorders, such as herniated discs or a ruptured ligament. Dr. Kurdali also performs nerve evaluations to check for nerve impingement. These tests help him provide a prompt and accurate diagnosis that will form the foundation for his care plan.

Neck Pain Relief Options at Kurdali Spine & Pain

As soon as the patient’s pain has been diagnosed, Dr. Kurdali provides and implements a treatment plan. Patients do not need to wait for weeks or months for effective care. Instead, they receive same-day treatment and go home with their pain addressed. Kurdali Spine & Pain offers a variety of proven non-surgical treatment options for neck pain, including:

Home Care

For mild to severe forms of neck pain, Dr. Kurdali provides guidance on providing relief at home. This may include activity modifications to allow the neck to recover. He may also recommend heat or cold therapy, improved workplace ergonomics, supportive pillows, or a neck brace.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy uses targeted exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the neck. This approach helps to restore range of movement, stabilize the neck, and protect against future injury, providing both short and long-term benefits to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Medications

Dr. Kurdali helps patients understand the medication options available to them. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide fast-acting relief for pain. He may also prescribe steroid medications for short-term symptom management.

Neck Injections

When appropriate, Dr. Kurdali performs joint injections that deliver corticosteroid medication directly into the painful joint. Injections provide potent pain relief within a few days. The relief lasts for weeks to months, allowing patients to live with reduced or zero symptoms.

Why Choose Kurdali Spine & Pain?

Patients looking for fast and effective pain relief can find it at Kurdali Spine & Pain. Care is provided by Dr. Basil Kurdali, a board-certified specialist in pain management. His certification and fellowship training signify his expertise, enabling him to identify and address pain with exceptional precision. He is proficient in a full range of non-surgical treatments, emphasizing personalized solutions and same-day care to help patients find immediate relief.

Kurdali Spine & Pain is the premier choice for patients who are in pain but wish to avoid surgery. Dr. Kurdali provides a full range of non-surgical treatments with an emphasis on keeping patients out of surgery for as long as possible. When surgery is unavoidable, he also has a network of trusted specialists to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care

Find Neck Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

Don’t let neck pain get between you and your ideal lifestyle. Find neck pain relief today at Kurdali Spine & Pain. Dr. Kurdali provides a full range of non-surgical relief options for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain. Contact us today to learn more about the treatments available or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Neck Pain FAQ

When is imaging recommended for neck pain?

Medical imaging for neck pain is recommended after four to six weeks of persistent pain, or immediately if “red flag” symptoms are present.

What neck pain symptoms are considered red flags?

Red flag symptoms include pain that travels into the shoulders and arms, burning or tingling sensations, numbness, and loss of coordination. These symptoms may indicate a pinched nerve or radiculopathy.

What insurance does Kurdali Spine & Pain accept?

Kurdali Spine & Pain works with all insurance carriers, including Medicare, and will help patients understand their benefits and the coverage options available to them.