Causes of Neck Pain 

Most annular disc tears are caused by the natural aging process. Since the neck and back are responsible for bearing most of a person’s body weight, they are susceptible to a great deal of wear over time. 

Predominant symptoms of an annular tear in the neck include pain and muscle spasms in the neck. After an annular disc tear, inflammation and fluid build-up can put pressure on the nerves, causing radiating pain in the upper extremities.  

Our neck specialists at Virginia Spine Institute can quickly make a diagnosis and suggest the appropriate treatment. 

Many people with arthritic changes describe stiffness or localized aching at the affected area. Those who develop arthritis in the cervical spine (neck) may have difficulty turning or bending their neck. In severe cases, arthritic changes may place pressure on a nerve root, pinching that nerve and causing neck pain, sensation changes, or weakness in the limbs. 

With arthritis in the neck, conservative treatment is typically first-line care. Many modalities may promote optimal spine health, improve mobility and strength, and reduce pain. The neck specialists at Virginia Spine Institute will create a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

Bone spurs in the neck are simply an indication of increased forces on the joints of the spine. In response to this over time, the body remodels bone. In many cases, bone spurs and other degenerative changes may be considered a normal process of aging. Though bone spurs are a common cause of neck pain, the presence of bone spurs alone does not necessarily mean that they are the actual cause of pain. The diagnosis of bone spurs can be easily made by our neck pain doctors with X-rays.

Degenerative disc disease in the neck is a condition that involves the weakening of one or more vertebral discs, which normally act as a cushion between the vertebrae. The condition can develop as a natural part of the aging process but may also result from an injury.

When the disc degenerates, it begins to lose many of the properties that make it a good shock absorber. The process can cause considerable neck pain and spasms.

A herniated disc in the neck may occur when too much force is exerted on an otherwise healthy intervertebral disc. Heavy forces on the neck are sometimes too much for a healthy disc to absorb. A disc herniation, by definition, is the displacement of disc material beyond the normal confines of the disc space. Disc herniation is often referred to as disc protrusion, disc bulge, disc herniation, ruptured disc or slipped disc.

Treatment of a herniated disc depends on the severity of the neck pain symptoms and any nerve damage. Most disc herniations improve in six weeks to three months from the initial injury.

Cervical facet joint pain can be felt in the areas of the base of the skull, upper back and shoulders, mid-back, or neck. Some people may present with frequent headaches or even ringing in the ears. 

Facet Syndrome has several potential causes, such as a whiplash injury or abnormal posture, which overloads spinal tissues causing inflammation and neck pain symptoms. 

Our neck pain doctors usually recommend conservative treatments, such as postural correction, soft tissue massage and manipulation of affected areas, and possibly injections.

Myelopathy describes any neurologic symptoms related to the spinal cord. It is a serious condition because it can cause permanent spinal cord injury. It occurs from pressure on the spinal cord due to spinal stenosis, disc herniation, or bone spurs. Myelopathy is a very serious condition that, if untreated, can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage, including paralysis and death.

If you are experiencing symptoms of myelopathy call our neck specialists at Virginia Spine Institute for diagnosis and treatment immediately.

Myofascial pain syndrome in the neck is thought to be a form of muscle pain resulting from a single trauma to a muscle or repetitive minor trauma over time. These painful trigger points in your neck develop in susceptible muscle tissues that are overworked for long periods. Stress, poor sleep, and physical deconditioning have a significant effect on worsening symptoms. 

If you are experiencing muscle spasms in the neck interfering with your daily life, make an appointment with our neck pain doctors. With spine-specialized physical therapy, symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome typically resolve.

Stenosis refers to narrowing the spinal canal in the neck to a degree where the spinal cord or nerve roots may be compromised. Neck pain symptoms depend on whether narrowing affects the spinal nerve roots, the spinal cord, or both. If only spinal nerve roots are involved, the patient will experience radiculopathy with symptoms radiating into their arms and hands. 

Cervical spinal stenosis tends to progress with ongoing degenerative changes. That is why it is essential to visit a neck pain doctor as soon as possible if you suspect spinal stenosis as the cause of neck pain. 

Stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck to a degree where the spinal cord or nerve roots may be compromised. Neck pain symptoms depend on whether narrowing affects the spinal nerve roots, the spinal cord, or both. If only spinal nerve roots are involved, the patient will experience radiculopathy with symptoms radiating into their arms and hands. 

Cervical spinal stenosis tends to progress with ongoing degenerative changes. That is why it is essential to visit a neck pain doctor as soon as possible if you suspect spinal stenosis as the cause of neck pain. 

Spondylosis in the neck is a general term for degenerative arthritic changes of the cervical spine, or more simply, arthritis. While risks increase with age, these changes can happen at any age. 

People at increased risk of spondylosis participate in high-impact sports, heavy labor jobs, a history of previous neck injury, and a history of smoking. Genetics also plays a role. 

Neck pain symptoms often include headaches, limited range of motion, crepitus (a grinding noise with movement) during certain activities or positions.

Whiplash is a common injury to the soft tissues of the neck. It often happens when the neck suddenly moves backward and then forward. The soft tissues involved in a whiplash injury include the ligaments and the muscles of the neck that support the head. 

The most common reasons for whiplash include motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and falls. People with whiplash usually experience neck pain symptoms, stiffness, and tightness radiating from the head to the shoulders and upper back. Whiplash can range from mild to severe.