While whiplash is a commonly recognized neck injury, persistent neck pain often stems from less sudden causes, such as gradual wear and tear. As we age, neck pain can become a frequent symptom linked to arthritis or degenerative cervical disc diseases. These conditions arise when the protective discs in your cervical spine begin to deteriorate over time. It’s important to remember that your neck is a complex area containing muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves, all of which are susceptible to injury or irritation. Furthermore, the constant strain of supporting the head’s weight puts significant pressure on the neck, contributing to pain and inflammation. If you’re experiencing discomfort, consulting a specialized Neck Doctor can be the first step towards finding relief.
Is It Time to See a Neck Doctor? Recognizing the Signs
Your symptoms are important indicators of your condition, whether they appear suddenly or develop gradually. If you notice any of these sensations, physical issues, or limitations in your neck’s movement, it’s advisable to schedule an evaluation with a neck doctor to get a proper diagnosis:
- Sleep disturbances due to neck pain
- Painful neck movement, limiting your ability to turn your head
- Joint pain or swelling in the neck and shoulder area
- Neck stiffness or a twisted neck position
- Sharp pain from quick neck movements
- Pain that travels from the neck into the head, causing headaches
- Pain radiating down from the neck to the shoulder
- Discomfort when nodding or shaking your head
- Recurring or persistent headaches
- Symptoms of pinched nerves in the neck
- Changes in sensation or increased sensitivity in your arms and legs
- Neck and shoulder stiffness, particularly noticeable in the morning
- Weakness, numbness, or dizziness
If you are currently experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you might be suffering from an injury or condition that can be effectively treated by a skilled neck doctor or surgeon. After a thorough diagnosis, these specialists can offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments for conditions such as:
- Arthritis in the neck joints
- Damage to cartilage in the neck
- Cervical spondylosis (age-related wear and tear of the spinal discs in the neck)
- Cervical stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck)
- Compressed nerves in the neck
- Degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine
- Neck fractures and dislocations
- Herniated discs in the neck
- Osteoarthritis affecting the neck
- Various other cervical spine problems
- Whiplash injuries
Southern California Orthopedic Institute: Your Destination for Neck Pain Relief
Choosing the right medical professional to address your neck pain is a crucial decision. When seeking a neck doctor, it’s important to consider their expertise and specialization in back, neck, and spine care.
At Southern California Orthopedic Institute, our neck doctors are fellowship-trained and specialty-trained, ensuring they possess in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in treating a wide range of neck and spine issues. This advanced training and focused expertise allow them to provide the highest level of care for your specific condition.
Through our dedicated Spine Center, our team of neck doctors collaborates to provide comprehensive care, from initial assessment and diagnosis to treatment. Our specialists include pain management experts, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists), and highly skilled spine surgeons. We offer a full spectrum of neck treatments, procedures, and surgical options tailored to various neck and spine conditions and injuries. Our approach prioritizes conservative treatments, exploring surgical options only when necessary and creating personalized surgical plans.
To discover more about our Spine Center, our internationally recognized neck doctors, and the diverse conditions we treat at Southern California Orthopedic Institute, we encourage you to explore our patient education resources or use the quick links provided on our website.
If you are ready to get a professional opinion and discuss your treatment options, both non-surgical and surgical, with one of our experienced neck doctors or surgeons at our Spine Center, please schedule your appointment online or contact us by phone at (818) 901-6600 or (661) 328-5565 for our Bakersfield location. We offer convenient locations in Van Nuys, Bakersfield, Valencia, Simi Valley, Westlake, Beverly Hills, and Porter Ranch. Utilize our My Choice tool to assist you in selecting the most suitable specialist for your needs.
