Neck Injuries and Pain

A disc works like a shock absorber for your body. Your cervical discs allow you to turn your head and stabilize it. Over time, discs can become worn or damaged. Symptoms of disc injury can include: 

• Loss of mobility
• Numbness radiating down your shoulder, arm and hand
• Pain or stiffness
• Weakness

Treatment for your disc injury can include traction or physical therapy on your muscles and joints to reduce your pain and stiffness. Exercises can help increase your range of motion while correcting your posture can improve neck pain.

Nerves in the neck carry information to and from the arms and brain. They transmit sensations like hot, cold and pain. They also activate the muscles in your arms. A pinched nerve occurs when a nerve in the neck – the part connected to the spinal cord – is injured or inflamed. This can happen from a sudden motion, repetitive action or degenerative changes to the bones or discs in the neck. Symptoms of a pinched nerve include: 

• Limited range of motion
• Numbness
• Sharp pain
• Weakness in the upper extremity

Your treatment may include pain management with heat or ice, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), physical therapy, posture education, range of motion and strengthening exercises to reduce stress on your neck while doing daily activities.

Neck strain is an injury to the muscles and tendons that support and move your head and neck. Symptoms of repetitive neck strain can include:

• Limited range of motion
• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness
• Pain
• Weakness

Your treatment may include pain management with heat or ice, posture education, massage, exercise to improve your flexibility, strength and endurance. In addition, at-home exercise will help reduce neck pain.

Whiplash is the result of a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement in your neck. It often occurs during a rear-end auto accident, but can also result from a sports accident or trauma. Symptoms of whiplash can include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Limited range of motion
• Pain or stiffness
• Tenderness or pain in your shoulder, upper back or arms
• Tingling or numbness in your arms

Treatment may include pain management with heat, ice or electrical stimulation, posture education, massage and stretching and movement exercises to help restore range of motion and get you back to your daily activities.