Understanding neck pain
The cervical spine — the seven vertebrae in your neck — supports your head and protects the nerves that travel to your shoulders, arms, and hands. Because it's both mobile and delicate, the neck is a common source of pain. Most neck pain is short-lived and mechanical, but pain that lingers or radiates into an arm can signal a nerve being pinched and deserves evaluation by a spine specialist.
Symptoms to watch for
- Aching or stiffness in the neck that limits turning your head.
- Radiating pain into the shoulder, arm, or hand (cervical radiculopathy).
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand.
- Headaches originating at the base of the skull.
Seek emergency care for neck pain after significant trauma, or neck pain with loss of coordination, difficulty walking, or changes in bladder or bowel control.
Common causes
Neck pain can come from muscle strain and poor posture, but persistent or radiating pain often traces to the discs and joints of the cervical spine — including a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, or cervical stenosis narrowing the space around the nerves.
How we diagnose and treat neck pain
We start with a history and a focused exam of your strength, reflexes, and sensation, using MRI or other imaging when it will change the plan. Treatment almost always begins conservatively:
- Physical therapy and posture retraining to relieve strain and strengthen supporting muscles.
- Medications for pain and inflammation.
- Cervical injections through our pain management team to calm an irritated nerve.
- Minimally invasive or reconstructive spine surgery — including disc replacement — reserved for cases that don't respond to conservative care.
Request an appointment or call (717) 358-0800 to have your neck pain evaluated by our spine team.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What causes neck pain that radiates into the arm?
Arm pain, numbness, or tingling that starts in the neck is often caused by a pinched nerve in the cervical spine — commonly from a herniated disc, bone spurs, or cervical stenosis. This is called cervical radiculopathy, and identifying the affected nerve is key to targeted treatment.
When should I see a doctor for neck pain?
See a specialist if neck pain is severe, lasts more than a few weeks, follows an injury, or comes with arm numbness, weakness, or radiating pain. Seek emergency care for neck pain after major trauma, or with loss of coordination, bladder or bowel changes, or weakness in the arms or legs.
Can neck pain be treated without surgery?
Yes. Most neck pain improves with conservative care such as physical therapy, activity modification, medications, and sometimes injections. Surgery is considered only when symptoms are severe or don't respond to non-surgical treatment.
Don't let neck pain limit your day
Our spine team will pinpoint what's causing your neck or arm pain and build a plan to relieve it. Schedule a consultation or second opinion today.
Request an Appointment Call (717) 358-0800