Neck Pain

Neck pain is the second most common musculoskeletal problem today, only outranked by back pain. At Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Colleyville, Texas, pain medicine specialist Don Enty, MD, offers complete neck pain care on-site. Dr. Enty uses high-tech diagnostic tools to find the source of your neck pain and recommends treatments that can give you long-term pain relief. Schedule your appointment online or call the office for help now.

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can occur for many reasons, such as:

Trauma
Trauma to the tissues and bones in the neck is a common reason for neck pain. The most common example of neck trauma is whiplash: strain in the soft tissues of the neck that often occurs in an auto accident. 

Whiplash happens because the head briefly hyperextends (forcefully snaps forward and backward) at the point of impact. The hyperextension strains the soft tissues in the neck, and the cervical spine may not perfectly realign, causing additional issues. 

Aging
Aging causes natural changes in your spine, sometimes leading to neck pain. Osteoarthritis, when the cartilage covering your bones breaks down, is common with age. More than 85% of people over 60 have arthritis in the neck.

Other conditions, like cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal space in the neck), can also cause neck pain in middle age or later.

Additional causes of neck pain include tumors, infections, stress, poor posture, and overuse. Dr. Enty can determine the underlying issue and find a treatment plan that effectively solves your pain problem.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Neck pain diagnosis includes a comprehensive physical exam, medical history, and usually imaging tests. You may need X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or other tests so Dr. Enty can best visualize the source of your issues. 

If Dr. Enty suspects a cervical disc as the source of your neck pain, he may recommend a minimally invasive procedure, a discogram, to find the exact spot where the pain originates. 

How is neck pain treated?

Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine offers the complete range of pain management options, from conservative care to surgery. 

Dr. Enty recommends noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, providing long-lasting results without a long period of downtime. Your specific treatment depends on the cause of your neck pain, your response to past treatments, and other factors.

Treatment options include: 

• Steroid injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Neuroablation
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Human tissue allograft (HTA)

In rare cases, patients need minimally invasive disc surgery to resolve their pain long-term. 

To enjoy long-lasting relief from neck pain, call Genesis Pain and Regenerative Medicine or book your appointment using the online scheduling feature today.