Have you ever woken up with a stiff neck after sleeping awkwardly? Knowing you won’t be able to turn your head for the next week is one of the worst feelings ever.
Pain relievers, stretching, or ice can help most of the time. But what if the pain keeps getting worse? How do you know when to see a spine surgeon for neck pain in New Jersey?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, around 132,000 people in the United States undergo Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery for chronic neck pain each year. Could your sore neck require surgery or will it heal with conservative treatment?
In this blog post, you’ll learn when to see a specialist, what treatment options are available, and how Grigory Goldberg, MD, and his team can make the surgical process as smooth and pain-free as possible.
Warning Signs That Indicate You Should See a Spine Surgeon
If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible. Ignoring them may lead to more serious conditions.
1. Pain That Won’t Go Away
If your sore neck lasts longer than six weeks, it’s time to see a specialist. If the soreness doesn’t respond to treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections, surgery may be your next step.
2. Nerve Compression or Spinal Damage
Radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms and legs can be scary. While it’s not always serious, stiffness or loss of mobility in conjunction with these symptoms could mean that you have compressed nerves.
If you’re struggling with coordination problems, damage from an injury may have affected your spinal cord. In that case, it’s important to see a specialist as soon as possible.
3. Trauma and Infections
Did your sore neck start after a traumatic injury like a fall or car accident? Chronic neck pain after incidents like this may mean you have an unresolved injury that needs medical attention.
Neck pain accompanied by a fever indicates that you could have an infection like meningococcal meningitis, according to the CDC. This is an extremely serious situation, and you should go to the emergency room right away.
The same goes for lumps or abnormal growths in your neck. If you notice anything unusual, see a specialist right away.
Three Common Diseases and Conditions That Cause Neck Pain
Chronic neck pain can stem from several underlying conditions that affect the spine, nerves, and muscles. Understanding which one you have will help you find the best treatment options.
1. Age-Related Changes
According to the Mayo Clinic, cervical spondylosis is a common condition that affects more than 85% of people over 60. It refers to the gradual erosion of the discs in the neck that happens naturally as you age.
Degenerative disc disease is a similar condition that leads to neck stiffness. While aging is the primary cause, factors like smoking and repetitive motions can accelerate the degeneration.
2. Spinal Structure Problems
A herniated disc is an excruciating condition that occurs when a damaged disc presses on nearby nerves. This pressure can cause pain that radiates through the neck, shoulders, and arms.
Spinal stenosis is another painful condition that can sometimes result from a herniated disc. It occurs when the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the nerves.
3. Chronic Pain Disorders
Fibromyalgia is one of the most painful chronic conditions and affects four million people across the U.S., or 2% of the adult population, per the CDC. Doctors don’t fully understand what causes it, but research suggests a genetic link. It comes with unique symptoms like:
- Widespread musculoskeletal pain
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory loss
- Mood disorders
Myofascial pain syndrome causes muscle soreness in areas unrelated to the point of pressure. It typically develops from repeated injuries or overuse.
How To Treat Chronic Neck Pain Yourself
Ask a medical professional how to treat chronic neck pain at home and they’ll tell you to start with a conservative approach. If your soreness begins after an injury, applying a warm compress to the affected area can help relax the muscles and improve blood flow.
Stretching can also be an effective way to relieve neck pain, but it’s important not to overdo it. Practicing good posture is another simple yet effective method for relieving neck and back pain. Keeping your shoulders back and your head aligned with your spine can alleviate neck pain.
Visit the Spine Surgeon New Jersey Residents Trust for Chronic Neck Pain Treatment
Today’s advanced treatments, like minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, use smaller incisions to reduce tissue damage and speed up healing. Dr. Grigory Goldberg’s expertise in MISS and endoscopic spine surgery allows him to perform precise procedures that stabilize the spine and relieve nerve pressure without causing his patients any unnecessary trauma.
If you’ve tried everything and your chronic neck pain persists, Dr. Goldberg can help. His advanced surgical methods offer a safe, effective solution for lasting relief.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Submit our online contact form or call one of our six office locations to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about chronic neck pain treatment from a trusted spine surgeon in New Jersey.
How Much Does Herniated Discs Treatment Cost?
The cost of herniated discs treatment depends on your insurance, but minimally invasive spinal surgery is usually cheaper because it leads to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and fewer complications, according to JAMA Surgery.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Spinal Surgery?
It can take almost a full year to recover from traditional spinal surgery, but it only takes a few weeks or months to recover from a minimally invasive procedure.
When Should I Go to the Emergency Room for Neck Pain?
You should seek emergency medical treatment if your chronic neck pain worsens over time, spreads to your arms or legs, causes numbness or weakness, or follows an injury or illness.
