Your neck, by design, supports the weight of your head and allows you to move in many directions. Unfortunately, this stress and flexibility make your neck vulnerable to injury and pain. Depending on the cause, neck pain can lead to radiating pain into your arm. The health care team at reNu Medical & Injury Center in Newark, Delaware, offers innovative treatments to alleviate neck pain and arm pain. For comprehensive, holistic care, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment today.
Neck Pain and Arm Pain Q & A
What is neck pain and arm pain?
Your neck, also called the cervical spine, begins at the base of your skull and contains seven small vertebrae. The design of your cervical spine allows you to move your head in all directions. But the flexibility of your neck makes it open to injury and pain.
The type of pain you experience depends on the underlying cause. Neck pain may result in muscle aches and pains, headaches, or radiating symptoms that travel into your arms, and even hands, causing numbness or tingling sensations.
What causes neck pain and arm pain?
You can develop neck pain and arm pain from a number of causes. Common causes include:
Injuries and accidents
Auto injuries and accidents can cause whiplash, which occurs from the sudden forced movement of your head or neck in any direction.
Aging
Aging affects the structures of your cervical spine and places you at risk of developing pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or degenerative disc disease.
Daily life
Poor posture, obesity, and weak abdominal muscles often disrupt spinal balance, causing the neck to bend forward to compensate. Stress and emotional tension may cause muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain and stiffness.
Postural stress contributes to chronic neck pain with symptoms extending into the upper back and arms.
What happens during a neck and arm pain consultation?
When you come in for a consultation at reNu Medical & Injury Center for your neck and arm pain, the team conducts a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms. During your exam, they ask detailed questions about your symptoms, occupation, lifestyle habits, and medical history.
The team then conducts a physical exam and may request diagnostic imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to diagnose the cause of your neck and arm pain.
How is neck pain and arm pain treated?
The team at reNu Medical & Injury Center develops personalized treatment plans for neck and arm pain aimed at alleviating your pain, as well as relieving the numbing and tingling sensations you feel down your arms.
For many patients, neck adjustments alleviate neck and arm pain. These spinal adjustments focus on the cervical spine to improve mobility and range of motion, as well as increase movement in the adjoining muscles.
Your treatment plan may also include:
- Posture therapy
- Mobilization
- Neck brace
- Cold laser therapy
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Massage therapy
For relief from your neck pain and arm pain, contact reNu Medical & Injury Center by calling the office or using the online scheduling tool.