Spine Condition
Neck Pain
From muscle strain to cervical disc disease — finding the cause.
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people see a spine specialist. Most cases are short-lived muscle strain that resolves with conservative care. The minority that don't usually trace back to a specific structural cause — a herniated cervical disc, cervical spinal stenosis, or cervical facet arthritis. Our spine team identifies the source of the pain and treats it with the least invasive option that works.
Understanding the Condition
What is Neck Pain?
The cervical spine has seven vertebrae, six discs, and a complex set of facet joints, ligaments, and muscles that allow the head to move in nearly every direction. Pain can come from any of those structures: muscles and ligaments after strain or whiplash, discs after a herniation, facet joints after arthritis or trauma, or nerve roots when they're compressed.
Neck pain is classified by location and pattern: axial (centered in the neck and upper shoulders), radicular (radiating into an arm), or myelopathic (cord compression with weakness, balance issues, or fine motor problems). Each pattern points to a different underlying cause.
Common Causes
- Muscle strain from posture, sleeping position, or sudden movement
- Cervical disc herniation
- Cervical spinal stenosis
- Cervical facet arthritis
- Whiplash from auto accidents
- Cervicogenic headaches (referred from the upper neck)
Common Symptoms
- Localized neck pain or stiffness
- Pain radiating into the shoulder blade or down the arm
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Weakness in the arms or hands
- Severe cases: balance problems, clumsiness, fine motor difficulty (myelopathy — urgent)
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
See a specialist for neck pain that has lasted more than 4–6 weeks, neck pain with arm symptoms (numbness, weakness, radiating pain), or neck pain after a significant injury. Symptoms suggesting myelopathy — balance problems, clumsy hands, fine motor changes — need prompt evaluation.
Treatment Options
How We Treat Neck Pain
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- Physical therapy with cervical-specific stabilization
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Image-guided cervical epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections and radiofrequency ablation
- Trigger point injections for myofascial pain
- Posture and ergonomic correction
Surgical Options
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) — gold standard for cervical disc disease
- Cervical disc replacement — motion-preserving alternative for select patients
- Posterior cervical decompression — for stenosis with cord compression
- Foraminotomy — for isolated nerve root compression
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
Most acute neck pain resolves in 2–6 weeks with conservative care. For surgical patients, outcomes are excellent — modern cervical surgery has high success rates for relieving arm pain and preventing progression of myelopathy.
Meet Your Team
Specialists Who Treat Neck Pain
Related Treatments
Services That Address Neck Pain
Neck Pain — Frequently Asked Questions
Related Conditions
You May Also Want to Read About
Herniated Disc
When disc material pushes out and presses on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Headache & Migraine
Cervicogenic headaches, chronic migraines, and surgical migraine treatment for medication-resistant cases.
Get Expert Help for Neck Pain
Our specialists can diagnose your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that gets you back to the life you love.