Neck Pain

Debilitating neck pain can prevent you from staying active, working, or completing normal everyday tasks. If you have severe or long-lasting neck discomfort, Francis Pecoraro, MD, DAPMR, SAAPMR, at Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC, in Wilmington, North Carolina, offers advanced, holistic solutions. Schedule an appointment over the phone or request one online today to learn more about neck pain treatment options.

What is neck pain?

Neck pain is a feeling of discomfort that might present as:

• Stiffness
• Headaches
• Swelling
• Redness
• Muscle tension
• Pain when you move your head
• Muscles spasms or tightness
• Decreased range of motion
• Pain while working at a computer or driving

Neck pain might be mild, moderate, severe, or long-lasting. It may affect your shoulders, arms, or hands and lead to numbness and tingling.

If neck pain doesn’t go away after a few days, is severe, or prevents you from working or staying active, visit Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC for an evaluation. 

What causes neck pain?

You might experience neck pain after a sports injury or being in an automobile accident. Other causes of neck pain include:

• Muscle strains
• Arthritis
• Whiplash
• Osteoporosis
• Nerve compression
• Degenerative disc disease
• Bulging or herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis

Determining the cause of neck pain helps Dr. Pecoraro establish which treatment best suits your needs. 

How is neck pain diagnosed?

To diagnose neck pain and its cause, Dr. Pecoraro discusses your symptoms and reviews your medical history. He completes a physical exam and may use blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, or nerve conduction tests to discover more details about what’s causing neck pain.

What is the treatment for neck pain?

Your neck pain treatment plan might include:

Heat, ice, or bracing

Try alternating heat with ice packs, or wearing a neck brace to relieve pain and inflammation while an injury heals.

Physical therapy

Dr. Pecoraro may recommend physical therapy to help you improve posture, stretch, and strengthen tissues in your neck to accelerate healing and relieve pain.

Injections

Steroid or numbing injections can alleviate neck pain and get you on the road to recovery quickly.

Electrical nerve stimulation

Dr. Pecoraro can place electrodes on your skin to deliver electrical impulses and reduce pain signals to your brain. 

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency energy can also block pain signals to your brain to alleviate neck discomfort naturally.

Alternative medicine

Dr. Pecoraro may refer you to a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, or a massage therapist to alleviate neck pain without pain medicine or surgery. 

Neck pain can be debilitating, but you don’t have to live with it. Schedule an appointment with Coastal Spine & Sports Medicine, PLLC over the phone or request one online today for relief.