Neck Pain

Have you experienced a neck injury?  Maybe it resulted from lifting something heavy or started after an auto accident.  Whether it’s an injury or pain you woke up with without explanation there are many ways we can experience neck related pain.  Neck pain commonly affects adults but with more screen time and poor posture associated with remote work and school, teens are also commonly experiencing neck pain.  With many muscles, vertebra, ligaments, discs, and nerves, there are plenty of possible causes of neck pain.  Did you know neck pain is a common reason for someone to seek medical care.  Neck pain can also play a role in causing headaches and contribute to shoulder pain.   Chronic neck pain can also be a common reason to undergo surgery.  

Did you know common symptoms of neck pain include

• Stiffness
• Arm pain including numbness and tingling
• Limitations of motion such as looking left and right

When you see a sports medicine doctor for your neck pain, he/she will check for signs of

• Radiating pain to the arms
• Arm weakness
• Muscle spasm
• Muscle tenderness

Your sports medicine doctor may order

• X-rays or mri
• Lab work
• Special tests
• Physical therapy
• Referrals to other subspecialists

Your sports physician can help coordinate care and work towards helping you achieve your goals for recovery. 

There are many complications that can occur if neck pain is not treated properly and the diagnosis delayed including

• Muscle weakness
• Sensory changes
• Work difficulty
• Chronic pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Hand and grip weakness

We understand that neck pain can be frustrating.  Whether it is acute from a recent injury, or has been going on for months, neck pain can be distressing and keep you from being able to work, exercise and play sports, and even from enjoying your family life.  At Sports Health Northwest, we want to help you recover from your neck pain and resume activities you enjoy.  Whether those activities are work related, being able to sleep comfortably, exercising, or engaging in a hobby, we are committed to providing you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment options to help you feel better, and get back to life.