Neck Pain Specialist in San Ramon, CA
Neck pain can significantly impact your daily life, often caused by factors like poor posture, injury, or degenerative conditions. At Golden State Medical Center, Dr. Basem R. Farag, M.D., a dedicated specialist in neck pain treatment, offers professional care to alleviate your discomfort and restore your mobility. Our personalized treatment plans are designed to help you recover quickly and effectively. Visit us at 2551 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 108, San Ramon, CA 94583. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us online.
Table of Contents:
How do you know if neck pain is serious?
When should I be concerned about neck pain?
What is the most common reason for neck pain?
Why does my neck hurt on one side?
Neck pain is a painful condition that occurs when the neck muscles are strained or become damaged. Neck pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp or dull throb, depending on the cause. There are many types of neck pain, including those caused by strains, sprains, muscle tears, arthritis, or trauma, including car accidents, slips, and falls. Fortunately, there are some safe and effective treatments for neck pain that, when provided by an experienced pain management specialist, provide propitious prognoses. Regenerative medicine is the most exciting branch of medicine that holds hope for many neck pain sufferers. Current research suggests that HCTP and PRP can help decrease inflammation and increase tissue regeneration. HCTP and PRP are both naturally occurring and have no known side effects. Neck pain can be quite debilitating.
In most cases, neck pain is mild and goes away within a few days or even hours, but there are some signs and symptoms to be aware of that indicate a more serious problem, including:
• Sharp Pain — This pain usually affects the lower cervical vertebrae, which sit just above the shoulder blades. Depending on the number of vertebrae involved, this pain may be localized to one spot, or it may radiate to the shoulders.
• Stiff Neck — Stiffness of the neck is a common symptom of a wide number of conditions, including meningitis, and inflammation of the brain. Meningitis, which can cause stiffness in the neck muscles, soreness, and difficulty moving the neck, is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
• Cervical Radiculopathy — Associated with reflex problems in the arm due to nerve root compression, cervical radiculopathy is another serious neck problem that causes pain in the neck. This condition can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms; it should be treated early to prevent complications from developing.
• The trouble with Lifting Objects or Gripping — A loose grip or trouble lifting objects accompanied by neck pain can indicate a serious problem, most commonly associated with nerve compression or damage. Nerves in the neck can become compressed due to direct trauma, gradual wear and tear, and poor posture.
• Headaches / Migraines — Certain neck conditions and injuries cause irritation of the nerves connected to the brain, which can result in headaches and migraine symptoms, as well as occipital neuralgia.
• Problems with Balance or Coordination — This is another red flag accompanied by neck pain. People who have problems with balance or coordination may be experiencing these issues due to nerve compression in the neck, cervical herniation, or a slipped disc.
Not all neck pain is concerning, but it might be if it
• Worsens despite self-care
• Persists after several weeks of self-care
• Radiates down the arms or legs
More severe cases of neck pain include:
• Pain associated with a traumatic injury
• Muscle weakness
• High fever
The most common reasons for neck pain include:
• Muscle Strains
• Pinched Nerve
• Age
• Poor posture (including during sleep)
• Osteoarthritis
• Repetitive Motion
• Serious Illness
Neck pain can affect any area of the neck, and in some cases, only one side is painful. This may occur because of:
• Degeneration or Wear and Tear — Gradual wear and tear may cause pain on the right side of the neck. The vertebrae and discs in the neckwear down with age; this degeneration can cause chronic or persistent pain in the neck.
• Bad Sleeping Position — It is not uncommon to wake up feeling stiffness or pain in the shoulders or neck. Falling asleep with either the neck out of alignment or a lack of support for the head increases the likelihood of waking up with a sore neck.
• Non-Specific Neck Pain — In some cases, it is difficult to identify the exact cause of neck pain, especially if it results from a minor sprain or tear to the muscle tissue. This is the most common type of neck pain.
• Stress and Anxiety — Stress may cause the muscles to tighten; it is common to hold tension in the neck and back, which may cause pain from the excess strain.
• Sudden-onset or Acute Torticollis — Torticollis is a medical condition in which the head persistently becomes twisted to one side; this can make it very painful to try to straighten out the head.
Other causes of one-sided neck pain include:
• Brachial plexus injury
• Cervical radiculopathy
Don’t let neck pain control your life. At Golden State Medical Center, our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized care and effective treatments. Visit us at 2551 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 108, San Ramon, CA 94583, or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Let us help you find relief and regain your comfort. We proudly serve patients from San Ramon CA, Dublin CA, Blackhawk CA, Danville CA, Alamo CA, Diablo CA, Dougherty CA, Tassajara CA, Livermore CA, Pleasanton CA, and the surrounding areas.
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