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Neck pain can stem from several things, like a herniated disc or muscle strain due to poor posture when seated or sleeping. Your trusted neck spine surgeon, Casey Leong MD can evaluate your neck and recommend neck spine surgery if the pain does not disappear after conservative treatments.
Causes
Considering that your neck has a lot of responsibilities, like supporting the weight of your head, it is susceptible to many injuries. From how you carry objects on your shoulder to how you sleep, your actions can cause neck pain.
The following are common causes of neck pain:
- Poor posture or sleeping habits
- Infection
- A herniated disk
- Pinched nerves
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)
- Sports injuries
- Trauma from an accident
Symptoms
The primary symptom you will experience is pain that worsens with certain movements. You might also experience headaches and muscle tightness or spasms. Whatever type of symptoms you experience, note them down and discuss them with your specialist during a consultation visit.
Treatment options
Your doctor will advise on a treatment plan based on your unique treatment needs. If the problem stems from poor posture or muscle strains, your specialist might recommend conservative treatments like pain medications and physical therapy. Therapy will help relax your neck muscles.
If you have an underlying disease like arthritis or fibromyalgia, your healthcare provider might suggest treatment for the problem. The treatment of the condition might alleviate the symptoms that you experience.
In very severe cases, your specialist might recommend neck-spine surgery. The surgery can solve problems like a herniated disk, spinal stenosis, and sports injuries. The following are common neck spine surgeries you can undergo:
Anterior cervical discectomy
Your surgeon performs the anterior cervical discectomy on the front of your neck. The surgery addresses issues like a herniated disk or a degenerated disk. They remove the damaged disk relieving you of pain because the disk no longer compresses your nerves. Also, they can remove bone spurs.
Posterior cervical laminectomy
Performed on the back of your neck, the posterior cervical laminectomy treats a condition called spinal stenosis, whose effect is pinched nerves. The surgery involves the removal of the lamina and other structures like thickened ligaments or bone spurs that compress the nerves.
How to minimize the risk of neck pain
You can prevent neck pain by practicing healthy habits. Try to have proper posture when seated or working. Your spine needs to be neutral. For you to achieve that, you must sit straight. When working on your computer, avoid leaning forward or hunching over.
If you wake up with a stiff neck, your pillow might be the problem. Change your pillow or try different sleeping positions until you find one that relaxes your neck and neck muscles. Buy a pillow with built-in neck support.
Avoid carrying heavy bags with shoulder straps. The pressure will strain your neck and associated muscles. If possible, carry heavy things close to your chest. If an object is too heavy, ask for help to avoid injuries.
If you experience neck pain, visit Spine Center Atlanta for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment. You will meet friendly and qualified staff ready to offer personalized treatment. Call or book an appointment online today.
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