Six Medical Conditions That May Be Causing Your Neck Pain

Neck pain is a more common condition than you may realize, affecting people of all ages and genders. When you feel pain in your neck, it typically originates from your cervical spine, the part of your spine located in your neck. 

For some people, neck pain is temporary, the result of sleeping in an uncomfortable position or straining the neck muscles. For others, neck pain can be chronic and debilitating, triggered by an underlying condition.

At SEPA Pain and Spine, with six locations in southeastern Pennsylvania, we understand how debilitating living with chronic neck pain can be. We are a team of seven physicians board certified in pain medicine and two advanced practice providers.

For more than 30 years, our team of experts have offered comprehensive and personalized treatments for a wide range of painful conditions, including neck pain.

Conditions that cause neck pain

Here are six of the most common conditions associated with neck pain and what to do when you have chronic neck pain. 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. It typically affects the joints in your wrists, knees, and hands, but it can also affect the joints in your neck. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and tenderness. 

Herniated disc

The bones in your spine are cushioned by small soft, pillow-like materials called discs. When you have a herniated disc, a part of this disc between your spinal bones bulges out, causing significant pain in your neck, hands, and arms.

Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is an umbrella term for the natural wear-and-tear that occurs in your cervical spine. As you age, the discs between your spinal vertebrae may shrink, causing the bones to rub against each other. This results in pain and stiffness in your neck. 

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis develops when the spaces in your spine narrow, putting pressure on your spinal cord and its nerve roots. The narrowing gradually occurs over time until it causes symptoms such as neck pain, numbness or tingling in your hands, and weakness in your arms. 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder that causes pain and tenderness in many parts of your body, including your neck. While this condition can affect anyone, it's more likely to occur in women than men. In addition to neck pain, fibromyalgia can cause muscle stiffness and tingling in your arms. 

Pinched nerve

As the name implies, a pinched nerve is simply a compressed nerve in your neck causing pain and numbness. Other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes can cause a pinched nerve. 

What to do when you have recurring neck pain

If you are living with chronic neck pain, see one of our experts at SEPA Pain and Spine. If you are experiencing excruciating pain, taking over-the-counter painkillers can provide temporary relief until we discover your pain's underlying cause. 

Treatment for neck pain depends on the root cause of your pain. But in many cases, we use a combination of medication and physical therapy to treat your pain. In severe cases, we might recommend surgery to provide you with a more long-term solution. 

If you've been living with chronic neck pain, you should know that it's not typical to do so. Make an appointment with us at SEPA Pain and Spine, where we can determine the underlying cause of your pain and formulate a suitable treatment plan. 

Request an appointment with us online today or call 855-235-7246. Our offices are located in Horsham, Langhorne, Chalfont, East Norriton, Meadowbrook, and Limerick, Pennsylvania.