Neck Pain Treatment Services
At Spine Art, we recognise the profound impact that neck pain, often stemming from issues in the cervical spine, can have on daily life. Our team of skilled spine surgeons specialises in providing comprehensive treatment options tailored to address your specific needs. Whether your condition requires conservative measures or surgical intervention, we are committed to delivering personalised care aimed at restoring your comfort and mobility. Don’t let neck pain limit your life any longer. Take the first step towards relief by scheduling a consultation with our expert team.
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Common Neck Conditions & Disorders
Neck conditions and disorders can significantly impact daily life, causing pain and restricting movement. According to our expert team, here are three common neck conditions:
- Cervical Spondylosis – Also known as neck arthritis, this condition involves the degeneration of the cervical spine’s vertebrae and discs, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and potential nerve compression (cervical radiculopathy).
- Cervical Herniated Disc – When the protein-like centre of a spinal disc protrudes through its fibrous outer layer in the cervical spine, it can compress nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, shoulders, and arms or hands.
- Cervical Radiculopathy – This condition occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes irritated or compressed, often due to a herniated disc or bone spur, resulting in symptoms such as neck pain, tingling, and weakness that radiate down the arm.
Causes & Risk Factors
Neck pain can stem from a variety of causes and risk factors, impacting individuals of all ages and lifestyles. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Muscle Strain – Sudden movements can strain the muscles in the neck, leading to stiffness and discomfort. Whilst this is painful it is usually self-limiting and responds well to physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments.
- Cervical Disc Herniation – When the cushioning discs between the vertebrae in the neck rupture or bulge, they can press on nearby nerves, causing pain and other symptoms.
- Degenerative Disc Disease – As the discs in the cervical spine wear down over time due to loss of water content in the disc nucleus glycoproteins, they can lose their cushioning properties and contribute to neck pain and stiffness.
- Spinal Stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck can compress the spinal cord and nerve roots, resulting in pain, numbness, weakness or difficulty with balance or walking.
- Cervical Spine Arthritis – Wear and tear on the joints of the cervical spine can lead to inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the neck. This can particularly affect the small facet joints in the back of the cervical column.
- Shoulder problems – Such as rotator cuff tendonitis or tear, supraspinatus bursitis (inflammation) or arthritis can present very much like a cervical disc protrusion or trapped nerve. Our surgeon will make the diagnosis and recommend alternative treatment for you.
Neck Pain Symptoms
Neck pain can manifest through various symptoms, indicating underlying issues affecting the cervical spine and surrounding structures. Common symptoms of neck pain include:
- Stiffness – A sensation of tightness or reduced flexibility in the neck muscles, making it challenging to move the head comfortably.
- Soreness – Persistent discomfort or muscle tenderness in the neck area, often exacerbated by movement or pressure.
- Limited Range of Motion – Difficulty moving the neck fully in all directions, leading to decreased flexibility and mobility.
- Radiating Pain – Pain that extends from the neck into the shoulders, shoulder blade, arms, or upper back (Interscapular area), indicating potential nerve compression or irritation. Pain can also radiate into and over the head causing cervicogenic headaches, which can be very disabling.
- Numbness – A loss of sensation or tingling sensation in the shoulders, arms, or hands, suggesting nerve involvement.
- Tingling – A sensation of pins and needles or “electric” tingling in the neck or upper extremities, often associated with nerve irritation or compression. This can sometimes take on a burning or stinging quality.
Diagnosing Neck Pain
The diagnostic process for evaluating neck pain typically begins with a comprehensive medical history assessment, where our surgeon gathers information about the onset, duration, and characteristics of the symptoms, as well as any relevant medical history or previous injuries. A thorough physical examination follows, focusing on assessing range of motion, muscle strength and sensation in the arms and legs, along with vital reflexes. Imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), or CT scans may be ordered to visualise the structures of the cervical spine in detail, helping identify potential causes of neck pain such as herniated discs (disc protrusions), spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes. In some cases, diagnostic injections, such as facet joint injections or nerve root blocks, may be used to confirm the source of pain by temporarily numbing specific joints. Nerve root blocks also have a therapeutic value with up to 70% of patients obtaining permanent relief of symptoms and avoiding surgery!
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatment options for neck pain offer a variety of conservative approaches aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving overall function. These modalities include:
- Rest – Taking a break from activities that aggravate neck pain can help reduce strain on the muscles and promote healing. This is really important and is often undervalued in peoples’ busy lives. This can also be combined with a 2 week course of regular NSAIDS.
- Physical Therapy – Targeted exercises and stretches prescribed by a physical therapist can strengthen neck muscles, improve posture, and enhance flexibility. Generally, improvement should be seen in 6 weeks. If not, an underlying trapped nerve or disc protrusion needs to be considered.
- Chiropractic Care – Spinal adjustments performed by a chiropractor can help realign the joints and motion segments in the neck and reduce pain. This should not be used in proven cases of cervical disc protrusion, however.
- Trigger point therapy – Practitioners can target these specific points within muscles and dry needle them to obtain good pain relief from spasm. This can be very effective in certain individuals.
- Massage Therapy – Professional massage can help relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, and promote relaxation in the neck and shoulder area.
- Medications – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants may be prescribed to alleviate pain, spasm and inflammation associated with neck pain.
- Therapeutic Exercises – Specific exercises designed to improve posture, spinal balance, range of motion, and muscle strength can aid in the rehabilitation process.
Surgical Interventions
When conservative treatments fail to alleviate persistent or severe neck, shoulder and arm pain, surgical interventions may be necessary to address underlying issues and improve symptoms. Surgical options for neck pain and cervical radiculopathy include:
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) —This procedure involves removing a damaged or herniated disc from the cervical spine and fusing adjacent vertebrae together to stabilise the spine, decompress the nerve roots and stop pain. It is done through a small cosmetic incision and patients go home the following day. This is a very reliable and successful “go to” or gold standard operation.
- Cervical Laminectomy – A surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves by removing the lamina (back part of the vertebrae) and other structures causing compression.
- Artificial Disc Replacement – This procedure involves replacing a damaged or degenerated disc in the cervical spine with a highly engineered artificial implant to maintain motion and stability. This is offered in a selected group of patients where motion preservation is beneficial to prevent adjacent level wear (degeneration of discs above and below the disc protrusion). The approach is very similar to that of the ACDF.
- Cervical Spine Decompression Surgery – Various techniques, such as foraminotomy or laminoplasty, may be performed to widen the spinal canal, alleviate nerve compression, and reduce symptoms. These are less commonly performed.
Contact Spine Art to Manage Your Neck Pain
Experience the difference personalised care can make in managing your neck pain at Spine Art. Our dedicated team of spine specialists is here to provide compassionate support and effective treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Don’t let neck pain hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. Take control of your health and schedule a consultation with us. Together, we’ll work towards restoring your comfort and improving your quality of life. Your journey to a pain-free neck starts now.
What is the cost of the procedure?
SpineArt fees due at the point of booking
Cervical Disc Replacement
A procedure that removes the worn and herniated disc that is irritating a nerve, resulting in direct pain relief.
Unlike the lower back or lumbar spine, the whole disc is removed and an implant put in it’s place.
View full price list£6,950*
*Prices correct as of July 2022. Please note these are fees due to SpineArt, hospital fees will be charged separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If your still unsure and have any questions, contact our receptionist Bev on 07539 330360 to arrange a consultation with Dan Fagan or email us at secretary@spineart.org.
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