Neck Pain

What Is Neck Pain?

Neck pain — whether acute or chronic — can make it difficult to sleep, work, and perform your usual daily activities. Return to normal with care from the pain management specialists at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center. With locations in Olney, Rosedale, Hyattsville, Lanham, Gaithersburg, Dundalk, and Baltimore, Maryland, you can get care close to work or home and start feeling better sooner.

Get Relief from All Types of Pain

Discover our full spectrum of treatments from joint and back pain to neuropathy and fibromyalgia designed to restore your comfort and mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my neck hurt?

The most common causes of neck pain are soft tissue injuries and mechanical issues with the joints in your neck. These injuries, and others, may be caused by:

Whiplash
Uncomfortable sleeping positions
Poor posture
Prolonged sitting or standing
Improper desk ergonomics
Quick or sudden head and neck movements
Trauma

Long-term wear and tear may also cause chronic, low-grade pain that can flare-up when you change your daily routine. To better understand your symptoms, see the specialists at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation.

What conditions cause neck pain?

Neck pain can begin in different regions of your neck and may spread to other areas depending on which joints, muscles, and nerves are affected. Conditions that cause neck pain include:

Whiplash, or sprains and strains
Facet joint dysfunction
Arthritis
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative joint or disc disease
Cervicogenic headaches
Cervical nerve injuries
Herniated discs

You may notice an increase in pain or discomfort with certain movements or when holding your head in a specific position. These symptoms can help the team at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center pinpoint the location and cause of your pain when combined with your exam.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

To obtain the correct diagnosis of your neck pain, the team begins with a comprehensive evaluation and exam. They ask about your medical history, any past trauma to your neck, and any prior treatments you’ve tried for your neck pain.

During your exam, they move your neck in different directions, measure your range of motion, and apply pressure to areas of your neck to check for tenderness, tension, and swelling. They also assess the function of your joints, muscles, and nerves to rule out more complex conditions. If necessary, they may recommend imaging tests such as X-rays or an MRI.

Based on their findings, the team explains your diagnosis and outlines a treatment program to address your pain and resolve your condition.

What types of treatments are available for neck pain?

As a multidisciplinary clinic, the team takes an integrated approach to neck pain treatment that combines noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures as needed to relieve your pain. Your treatment plan may include: