Neck Pain Specialist

What might be causing my neck pain?

Neck pain originates in your cervical spine and can result from numerous conditions, including:

• Facet joint arthritis
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• Sprains and strains​
• Nerve compression​
• Spinal cord compression
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Whiplash

Cervical degenerative disc disease is the hardening and flattening of the discs between your vertebrae that occurs with age. These changes weaken the outer layer, allowing the softer center to push its way out and leading to bulging or herniated cervical discs.

What should I do if I have neck pain?

Usually, mild pain in your neck isn’t a serious issue and is most likely due to turning your neck awkwardly or sleeping in an odd position. These problems tend to work themselves out in a day or so.

Strained muscles or sprained ligaments in your neck are painful injuries but can heal after a short period of activity modification. If the pain is severe, it can be useful to rest, but it’s best to remain as active as you can while avoiding making the pain worse.

You should try and stretch daily. Heat can improve circulation and, in combination with stretching, increase blood flow to your neck, which should help it heal better. You can also use ice on any swollen areas for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Don’t overdo the ice, as too much can slow down the healing process.

What treatment might I need for neck pain?

If your symptoms don’t improve with self-care or you have more serious neck pain and dysfunction, consult Dr. Flanagan. Seeing him early on for an evaluation can help guide you in the right direction and prevent chronic pain from developing.

Dr. Flanagan manages most cases of neck pain using non-surgical options, including physical therapy, medication if necessary, and regenerative medicine treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell therapy.

Some patients might require other types of injectable treatments, such as:

• Epidural injections
• Facet joint injections
• Facet joint nerve blockss, followed by radiofrequency ablation

These injections contain either a steroid medication, a local anesthetic, or both. They can block pain and reduce inflammation, offering relief for patients with persistent neck pain. Dr. Flanagan uses low-dose steroids to minimize the adverse effects of these potent medications.

Radiofrequency ablation is another option for severe, nonresponsive neck pain. In this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Flanagan uses radiofrequency energy to heat the nerve endings that are transmitting pain signals. The heat temporarily destroys the nerves without damaging the surrounding tissues.

To get effective relief from your neck pain, call Naples Regenerative Institute today or book an appointment online.