pain tendon neck

by Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR

Nathan Wei is a nationally known board-certified rheumatologist and author of the Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit. It's available exclusively at this website... not available in stores.

Click here: Second Opinion Arthritis Treatment Kit

There are many different causes of neck pain. Treatment for any neck condition is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made to help minimize the danger of further deterioration. Some problems that may cause neck pain are:

• Radiculopathy – This is a “pinched nerve”, often from a herniated, or slipped, disk. This causes pain down the arm that's often described as an electric shock feeling. Weakness of the arm may also be present.

• Myofascial Pain - Generally an aching pain in muscles that tends to be associated with poor posture, sitting at a computer or other job-related tasks. Patients can become sore in different parts of the body such as the neck and arms, and often patients report they have difficulty sleeping or wake up feeling exhausted.

• Spinal Stenosis - A narrowing of the nerve openings either around the spinal cord or nerve roots that can cause symptoms similar to a pinched nerve. The pain is described either as an aching or an electric shock feeling down the arm. Weakness of the arm can be present.

• Tendon, Ligament and Soft Tissue Pain - Localized pain when an area is stretched or its muscles are overused. This results in tenderness, spasm, and restricted range of motion in the neck.

• Spinal Instability - Increased abnormal motion between the vertebrae, usually resulting from an injury. The pain is associated with numbness and tingling in the neck or arms.

• Non-Spinal Causes of Neck Pain - Pain that seems to originate in the neck but is from another cause. Shoulder and elbow injuries and gall bladder disease are examples of problems that can refer pain to the neck area.

• Repetitive Strain - An injury that occurs from a chronically repetitive motion. This is known as repetitive stress injury. These problems are often found in people who sit at desks or work at computers.

Diagnosis is established by clinical history and examination. The diagnosis is confirmed by imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CAT scanning). Electrical studies (Electromyography) are also helpful.

Once the diagnosis is established, treatment can be initiated. The rehabilitation of neck injuries occurs in three phases. During the first phase, called the acute phase, physicians treat pain and inflammation. After they make a specific diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, physicians prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or analgesics. They also send patients to physical therapists for treatment options like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, mobilization, medication, and ice. A physician may also consider specialized injections.

In the second, or recovery, phase of treatment, flexibility and strength are developed to get the body parts into their proper positions. The goal of this phase is to get the patient back to their usual work, sports and leisure activities. This goal is achieved through specially designed exercises that rebuild the body.

The main goal of the third phase of treatment, the maintenance phase, is to minimize recurrence of the problem and to prevent further injury. This often consists of a total body fitness program, designed to maintain body mechanics and increase endurance after the original symptoms have resolved.

Pain tendon neck