How neck pain is treated depends on what the diagnosis reveals. Most patients are treated successfully with rest, medication, immobilization, physical therapy, exercise, activity modifications or some combination of these methods.

For example, if the pain is caused by inflammation as a result of stretching muscles and ligaments beyond their limits, your spinal surgeon may prescribe rest and an anti-inflammatory medication for a set period of time. If medication is prescribed to reduce pain, it should be used only as directed and should not be taken for extended periods of time. In addition, remember that your spinal surgeon knows the most vital details of spinal anatomy and makes recommendations based on them. Please try to carefully follow the instructions given to you and take the medications as prescribed.

When neck pain or arm symptoms persist despite basic conservative treatments like medications and rest, x-rays and an MRI (magnetic resonance image) may be ordered. Based upon the findings, we may order an intensive rehabilitation program that includes an exercise program and various types of physical therapy to help you relieve your pain and prevent it from coming back. Compression of the nerves going to the arms or compression of the spinal cord may cause difficulty with the strength and sensation in the arms or legs such as grip and walking) and may cause problems with normal bladder function in certain patients.

Some patients will require surgery to relieve neck pain or to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or cervical nerve roots. For the vast majority of patients, a combination of rest, medication, and physical therapy will relieve neck pain. Surgery may include removal of a ruptured (herniated) disc or removal of bone spurs and ligaments which are causing the pressure. Surgery may also be required to stabilize the neck and prevent paralysis following an injury from a fall or motor vehicle accident.

Your spinal surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive training in the diagnosis and nonsurgical and surgical treatment of the spinal system, including the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves related to the spine. The Virginia Spine Institute uses both spinal neurosurgeons and orthopaedic spinal surgeons to treat every possible spinal disorder, from head to tail.