Neck Pain

About 80% of people will develop neck pain during their lifetime. At North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates in Ridgewood, New Jersey, skilled neurosurgeons Amanda Carpenter, MD, and Duncan Carpenter, MD, diagnose the root cause of your neck discomfort and provide treatments that offer long-lasting relief. Schedule a neck pain evaluation at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates by phone or online today. 

What is neck pain?

Neck pain is a symptom of an injury or disease in the upper part of your spine, muscles, or other tissues in your neck. The pain you experience may range in severity from mild to severe and sometimes debilitating. 

Treating the underlying cause of your discomfort can restore musculoskeletal structure and function in your neck to dramatically improve your quality of life after an injury or disease-related complication. 

Which symptoms can neck pain cause?

Neck pain could present as:

• Ongoing, dull aching
• Burning or stabbing discomfort
• Numbness
• Tingling 
• Shooting or radiating pain
• Soreness
• Stiffness
• Weakness
• Headaches
• Reduced range of motion

The pain may be mild, short-lived, and heal on its own over time. But it could also become severe and long-lasting when left untreated. See the North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates experts at the first sign of debilitating or ongoing neck discomfort. 

What can cause neck pain?

Neck pain could be the result of:

• Age-related wear (degenerative disc disease)
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Disk herniation
• Pinched nerve
• Physical strain
• Overuse
• Repetitive strain
• Poor posture or spinal alignment
• Sitting for long periods
• Ligament or muscle injuries
• Whiplash
• Motor vehicle accident injuries
• Work-related injuries 
• Obesity
• Tumors
• Cancer
• Cysts
• Bone spurs
• Lack of exercise
• Muscle weakness
• Meningitis

Pinpointing the root cause of neck pain allows the experts at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates to determine the most effective treatment plan.

How is the cause of neck pain diagnosed?

Diagnosing the cause of neck pain involves a discussion about your symptoms and medical history, a physical exam, a vital sign check, and diagnostic testing. Your specialist may suggest you undergo lab testing, X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, other imaging procedures, nerve function testing, or other diagnostic tests.  

How is neck pain treated?

Treating neck pain at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates may involve:

• Rest, heat therapy, or ice
• Bracing
• Medications
• Injections
• Physical therapy
• Minimally invasive surgery 

Examples of surgeries available at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates include cervical fusion, discectomy and fusion, laminectomy, microdiscectomy, tumor removal, and more. 

It’s also helpful to minimize stress, get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious foods, avoid smoking, and complete exercise as directed by your provider. Use good posture and avoid carrying heavy bags on your shoulders to reduce the risk of further discomfort.

Depending on the specific type of neck pain you struggle with and its cause, healing may take a week, several weeks, or a few months. Follow up with the North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates experts to ensure effective healing and long-lasting results.

Schedule a neck pain evaluation at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.