Neck Pain Treatment Specialist in San Antonio, TX

Neck pain can encompass any discomfort that is experienced within any of the structures of the neck, including the nerves, joints, bones, discs, and muscles, and can be predominantly localized within the neck or extend into other areas surrounding the neck such as the shoulders or arms. There are many different potential causes for neck pain, causing the pain to be either acute or chronic, lasting only a few days or enduring for multiple years, and can range quite a bit in intensity, but in many cases can quickly interfere with one’s quality of life. The medical term for neck pain is cervicalgia, as the neck is also known as the cervical spine and includes pain that is experienced around the spine just beneath the head.

There are many different possible causes for neck pain, with one of the most common causes including physical strain or muscle pain due to poor spinal alignment from bad posture, having a heavier bodyweight, or weak abdominal muscles, as well as overuse of the neck muscles from repetitive use or straining. These causes often lead to stiffness as well as pain in the neck muscles.

Neck pain can also be caused by trauma or other injuries that lead to damage of the discs, vertebral joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerve roots that extend from the spinal cord to the neck. The most common neck injury is whiplash, often being caused by car accidents.

Simply aging can lead to some neck pain as it is normal to experience some wear and tear on the neck, causing parts of the area to begin to degenerate leading to pain. Common age-related conditions that cause neck pain include osteoarthritis, weakening of the spinal discs causing pinched nerves or herniation of discs, as well as spinal stenosis.

Even mental health can cause neck pain as mental stress will often lead to the tightening of neck muscles to the point of causing significant pain and stiffness. It is also possible to develop growths on the neck, such as bone spurs, cysts, and tumors that put pressure on the nerves of the neck, causing pain. As well, there are a few health conditions that include neck pain as one of their common symptoms, including meningitis, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The duration of a stiff neck is heavily dependent on the cause of the stiffness, with causes including muscle strain or tension typically resolving within a matter of days with proper rest and care. If the stiffness of the neck is due to an injury, the discomfort may last for several weeks or even years without proper treatment that will typically include stretching, exercise, and possibly physical therapy or massage therapy. Causes of neck stiffness such as spinal misalignment due to poor posture, being overweight, or weak abdominal muscles will also vary in treatment time depending on the severity of the cause. For a more accurate treatment timeline, it is always recommended that patients experiencing any degree of neck pain consult with a specialist.

Suffering from any sort of pain can quickly interfere with your day-to-day life, especially neck pain as it leads to loss of mobility and productivity when left untreated. If you are experiencing neck pain, you should consider seeing a pain specialist to treat the pain as quickly as possible, not only to determine the cause of the pain and rule out potentially serious causes but also because you should not have to suffer through any degree of pain. Our specialist here at San Antonio Pain Consultants, Dr. Darius Zagunis M.D. has an extensive medical background in pain management and anesthesiology, making him more than qualified to provide exceptional treatment for all types of neck pain. Dr. Zagunis M.D. can provide each patient with an individualized treatment plan to diminish any pain and discomfort as much as possible through a compassionate and gentle approach.
 
Neck pain can cause the muscles in your neck to stiffen, making it difficult to move your head frequently. Neck pain treatment specialists are available at San Antonio Pain Consultants P.A. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 3903 Wiseman Blvd, Ste 117, San Antonio, TX 78251. We serve patients from San Antonio TX, Helotes TX, Alamo Ranch TX, Leon Valley TX, Shavano Park TX, Balcones Heights TX, Fair Oaks TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Castroville TX, and surrounding areas.