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Medical Author: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
What is neck pain?
What are the structures of the neck?
How is neck pain diagnosed?
How is neck pain treated?
What is neck pain?
Pain located in the neck is a common medical condition. Neck pain can come from a number of disorders and diseases of any structure in the neck. Neck pain is also referred to as cervical pain.
What are the structures of the neck?
There are seven vertebrae that are the bony building blocks of the spine in the neck (the cervical vertebrae) that surround the spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs, and nearby pass the nerves of the neck. Within the neck, structures include the neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
In diagnosing the cause of neck pain, it is important to review the history of the symptoms. In reviewing the history, the doctor will note the location, intensity, duration, and radiation of the pain. Any past injury to the neck is noted. Aggravating and/or relieving positions or motions are also recorded. The neck is examined at rest and in motion. Tenderness is detected. An examination of the nervous system is performed.
Further testing of undiagnosed neck pain can include x-ray evaluation, CAT scan, bone scan, MRI scan , myelogram, and electrical tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity test (NCV).
How is neck pain treated?
The treatment of neck pain depends on its precise cause. Treatment options include rest, heat/ice applications, traction, soft collar, traction, physical therapy (ultrasound, massage, manipulation), local injections of cortisone or anesthetics, topical anesthetic creams, topical pain patches, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and surgical procedures.
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