Which Doctor To Consult For Neck And Shoulder Pain

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Which Doctor To Consult For Neck And Shoulder Pain
Specialists Who Treat Neck Pain – A variety of clinicians may be involved in the care of people with neck pain. These include pain medicine specialists like Dr. Waldman; physiatrists; neurologists; sports medicine doctors; spine surgeons, and physical therapists. “With a good physical therapist and participation in a corrective exercise program, most people will get better,” Dr. Waldman says.

What kind of doctor should I see for neck and shoulder muscle pain?

Spine Pain Management Physician – If your pain does not get better after physical therapy or other first-line measures, you may then be referred to a spine pain management physician. A pain management specialist can be either a doctor with a specialty in anesthesiology or a physiatrist who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Epidural steroid injections Sacroiliac joint (SI) injection Trigger point injections Facet joint injection Radio frequency ablation Nerve blocks Acupuncture Spinal cord stimulator trial

Should I go to the doctor for neck and shoulder pain?

Schedule an office visit – Call your doctor if you have neck pain that:

  • Worsens in spite of self-care
  • Persists after several weeks of self-care
  • Radiates down your arms or legs
  • Is accompanied by headache, weakness, numbness or tingling

Can a neurologist help with neck and shoulder pain?

If your back and neck pain continues to worsen, even after taking pain medication, it may be time to seek help from a neurologist. Our experts specialize in back and neck pain and can help treat conditions such as pinched nerves or slipped discs.

Can neck and shoulder pain be something serious?

Overview – Neck pain is common. Poor posture — whether from leaning over a computer or hunching over a workbench — strains neck muscles. Osteoarthritis also is a common cause of neck pain. Rarely, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem. Seek medical care for neck pain with numbness or loss of strength in the arms or hands or for pain that shoots into a shoulder or down an arm.

What causes neck and shoulder pain at the same time?

Pinched nerve (cervical radiculopathy) – A pinched nerve in your neck can cause pain that radiates toward your shoulder. This is also known as cervical radiculopathy, Cervical radiculopathy most often comes from changes in your spine due to aging or injury.

  • tingling or numbness in your fingers or hand
  • weakness in the muscles of your arm, shoulder, or hand
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Which therapy is best for neck and shoulder pain?

Preventing Neck Pain –

Traction— this treatment uses weights or air bladders to gently stretch the neck. This is most commonly used when there is some kind of nerve root irritation and provides pain relief by reducing pressure on the impinged nerve. It may also be applied if the muscles in the neck are compressed. This therapy is primarily used to provide short-term relief. Physical therapy— in many circumstances, working with a physical therapist to improve posture and strengthen neck muscles is sufficient to alleviate neck pain. These sessions may also include work with ultrasound or TENS devices. Neck immobilization— a soft neck brace may be recommended for patients suffering from traumatic neck injuries. The role of neck braces is to minimize the risk of further injury to the cervical spinal cord. Luckily, very few people are at risk of spinal cord injury except those in extreme collisions that place enormous torque on the neck. That is why it is much more uncommon for a physician to recommend a neck brace, and almost always for periods less than two weeks. Steroid injections— a physician may inject steroids into the site of neck pain if there is inflammation that is contributing to the pain symptoms. In some cases, a steroid injection may also include a numbing agent like lidocaine. The injection may be placed in neck muscles or near a problematic nerve root. Surgery— if all other treatment options have failed, then surgery may be the final solution, depending on the neck pain cause. Surgery is usually only an option if there is a pinched nerve, spinal stenosis or degenerative disk disease. Surgical procedures include

Discectomy— a surgeon will remove a herniated disc and bone spurs that are compressing on a neck nerve. Any space may be filled with bone or the vertebrae may be fused.

Laminectomy— in this procedure, the laminae—bony plates in the spinal canal are removed, allowing more room for nerves.

Laminoplasty— for patients with spinal stenosis, a laminoplasty procedure relieves pressure on the spinal cord by re-sculpting the laminae.

Cervical spinal fusion— if there is abrasion between two vertebrae due to a herniated or deformed spinal disc, a surgeon may use a bone graft or metal brace to fuse the two bones together.

It is important to prevent strain or injury to your neck by minimizing risks. You may be able to avoid many kinds of neck and shoulder pain by implementing the following strategies. Article written by: Dr. Robert Moghim – CEO/Founder Colorado Pain Care

Reduce stress— limiting stress can diminish tension in your neck and shoulder muscles. Meditation, yoga or biofeedback may help you limit stress in your life. Exercise— stronger muscles in your neck and shoulders can help stabilize your head, preventing painful contortions. Added strength will also improve your posture. Sleep well— the right sleeping environment may greatly aid your health. The right pillows, mattresses and sleep position can promote neck health and alleviate pain. Ergonomic work station— neck pain is often the result of a poorly designed work environment. For many people who work at a desk, neck pain is caused by ill-fitting chairs or office equipment. Position your computer at eye level and maintain good posture. Limit driving— if you are behind the wheel a lot, learn to take breaks to ease neck strain.

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M.D. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal views of Robert Moghim, M.D. and do not necessarily represent and are not intended to represent the views of the company or its employees. The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice, nor does reading or accessing this information create a patient-provider relationship.

When should I get an MRI for neck and shoulder pain?

Reasons for Undergoing a Cervical MRI Scan – The most common reasons for a cervical MRI scan are to identify the causes of severe that has not been resolved by conservative treatment, or when the neck pain is accompanied with leg weakness or numbness – often an indication of a nerve condition.

Why do I have neck pain everyday?

Common causes include physical strain, poor posture, mental stress, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated disk, pinched nerve, tumors and other health conditions.

What kind of Dr do you see for neck issues?

What kind of doctor should you see? – “There are two types of doctors that typically treat neck pain: neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons,” Chun said. “Neurosurgeons diagnose and treat disorders affecting the nervous system — the delicate and complex command, control and communication network in the body that’s made up of the brain, spine and neurovascular system.

What kinds of minimally invasive procedures do you offer?How many neck surgeries have you performed?What is the range of cervical care you provide?What if there is a neurovascular issue?Do you use the latest technologies such as image guidance, computer modeling and navigation?Do you treat the spinal cord itself?Do you collect data on patient outcomes and participate in the national registry that tracks results by procedure?

“Choosing the right doctor for you and your neck pain shouldn’t be a pain in the neck,” Chun said. “But, be sure to do your due diligence. You — and your neck — are way too important.”

Why do the muscles around my neck and shoulder hurt?

Workplace changes – Repetitive activities can put stress on your neck and shoulders. Sometimes these activities aren’t avoidable, so seek help to minimize the stress. Follow workplace ergonomic tips to break out of bad habits:

  • If you’re on the phone a lot, get a headset. Don’t use your neck and shoulders to support the phone.
  • Sit in a chair that supports you properly.
  • Take frequent breaks.
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Neck and shoulder pain is usually the result of strains and sprains from overexertion or bad posture. Sometimes this pain will go away on its own. Stretching and strengthening exercises can also treat the pain. Sometimes neck and shoulder pain is due to a fracture in the bones of your shoulder.

What causes neck and shoulder pain at the same time?

Summary – Shoulder and neck pain often go together because the areas are so interconnected. Pain in these areas can be caused by many things, including a rotator cuff injury, shoulder bursitis, or poor posture. While icing, stretching, and resting the area may help, a healthcare provider can recommend formal treatment if pain persists. In more extreme cases, surgery may be recommended.

Why do my neck and shoulder muscles hurt all the time?

Causes of neck and shoulder pain Poor posture, muscle imbalances, weakness and misalignments. Muscle strains. Rotator cuff strains. Osteoarthritis.

What is the best doctor for shoulder muscle pain?

When to See an Orthopedic Doctor for Shoulder & Elbow Pain Shoulder and are some of the most common aches and pains people experience. Since the shoulder and elbow joints are also some of the most frequently used in your body, pain and injuries in these joints can significantly impact your daily life.

  1. However, many people aren’t sure what doctor to see for these types of pain or even when to see a doctor.
  2. Orthopedic doctors are specialists who treat shoulder and elbow pain.
  3. An orthopedic specialist can examine your shoulder or elbow and order imaging studies like,, or ultrasounds.
  4. He or she will identify what kind of pain you are experiencing, as well as what treatments will help.

Our orthopedic specialists at University of Utah Health can diagnose and treat your elbow and as well as your injuries. Our physicians offer surgical and non-surgical treatments to get you back to your normal activities. Shoulder and can either be the result of a sudden fall or injury or come on slowly from wear and tear on the joints.

Limited range of motion; for example, you cannot lift your arm above your head or cannot bend or straighten your elbow Dull or achy pain when you move your elbow or shoulder Pain when using your elbow or shoulder Pain in the elbow or shoulder when you are at rest Difficulty sleeping because of shoulder or elbow pain Numbness or tingling in your arm or shoulder Weakness that gets increasingly worse Ongoing or worsening pain that develops over time

For many injuries, early treatment and intervention will help avoid more extensive damage. It could also improve the trajectory for healing.