Treating Neck Pain in New Jersey
Your neck is simultaneously the most flexible part of your spine and the least protected. This makes it vulnerable to serious injury and disease. Most Americans will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Luckily, most cases of neck pain are treatable. Patients with non-chronic pain can fully recover if their condition is addressed promptly.
NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute is a New Jersey clinic specializing in neck/cervical conditions and other spine conditions. At locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, and Holmdel, we provide non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments to help restore your quality of life.
What Causes Neck Pain?
With neck pain, there may be many possible causes. Delicate structures in the neck can easily be damaged by direct trauma, whiplash movements, or failure to exercise sufficiently. Pain may also be due to other conditions that affect the spinal cord, vertebrae, or surrounding tissue. Here are just a few common causes of neck pain:
- Muscle strain due to incorrect posture, long periods of sitting, or poor sleeping habits
- Improper exercise techniques
- Sports or workplace stress
- Whiplash injury
- Degenerative joint or disc disease
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Fractured vertebrae
- A slipped or herniated disc
- Osteoporosis
- Scoliosis
- Stenosis
- Kyphosis, or military neck
- Degenerative joint disease
Because there are so many possible causes, identifying the source of your pain correctly is important. NU-Spine recommends pursuing a professional diagnosis with a licensed neurosurgeon. With an accurate diagnosis, spine specialists can develop a treatment plan that addresses your pain effectively.
What Are the Symptoms of Neck Pain?
Most cases of neck pain feel dull and achy, rather than sharp. You may also experience discomfort when you suddenly jerk your head or turn it a certain way. Sometimes, neck pain comes with other symptoms depending on the underlying cause. If you are experiencing neck pain, pay attention to your body and check for the following:
- Dull and achy pain
- Stiffness in the neck or shoulders
- Sharp pain in one or both arms
- Tingling or numbness in the arms and hands
- Loss of limb coordination
- Muscle weakness in the arms or legs
- Loss of limb control
- Headaches or fevers
In some cases, pain can be alleviated with rest and over-the-counter relief medication. If your pain does not go away after a week, however, it is time to speak with a spine specialist. Persistent symptoms may be an indication of a serious underlying condition. Expert diagnosis and treatment can help you get back to your active, pain-free lifestyle.
How Do Spine Specialists Diagnose Neck Pain?
If your condition requires professional care, an accurate diagnosis is essential. Correctly identifying the root cause of your pain is the first step toward effective treatment. At NU-Spine, Dr. Branko Skovrlj begins the diagnostic process with a physical exam. He’ll ask about your symptoms, test your range of movement, and check your medical history for factors that might influence your condition. He may also use advanced technology to conduct tests such as:
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Blood tests
Dr. Skovrlj’s goal is to understand your condition completely, including its impact on your body and its root cause. This understanding will help the NU-Spine team develop a treatment plan to effectively restore your quality of life.
What Back Pain Treatments Are Available?
Once we have a diagnosis, the NU-Spine team will devise a treatment plan. We use a multi-disciplinary approach that takes all factors into account to ensure the best possible outcome. Each plan is unique to a patient, though we typically begin with a conservative approach. Our early recommendations may include:
- Massages
- Exercises that target your neck and shoulders or more regimented physical therapy
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain relief medication
- Sleeping with a low, firm pillow
- Anti-inflammatory steroid injections
If non-invasive treatments fail to provide long-term improvement, our team may recommend neck surgery. NU-Spine specializes in minimally invasive surgeries, including:
- Cervical disc replacement
- Discectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Laminectomy
- Spinal fusion surgery
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
- Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF)
- Corpectomy
Minimally invasive spine surgery procedures use small incisions and specialized tools to reduce the overall stress on your body. Through these methods, we can reduce the risk of infection and ensure a faster recovery to help you get back to your active lifestyle.
Find Back Pain Treatment at NU-Spine
If you want relief from your neck pain, don’t wait to transform your life with a touch of care. Experience the cutting edge in minimally invasive spine treatments at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. Don’t wait for relief; schedule your appointment with our spine experts today and take the first step toward a pain-free future. Contact us today for an initial consultation, or to visit one of our New Jersey locations in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, or Holmdel.