Neck pain

If you’ve experienced neck pain, you’re not alone. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. endure neck pain at any given time. Sleeping on the wrong pillow, straining to stare at your computer screen or carrying a heavy purse on one shoulder can all contribute to neck pain. Over time, all these lifestyle choices can strain and even damage the bones, joints or muscles in your neck.

Advocate Health Care spine specialists offer comprehensive assessments and treatment for neck pain. Pain shouldn’t hold you back from the activities you love. We help figure out what’s causing your symptoms and offer an array of therapies to help you find relief.

What is neck pain?

Neck pain refers to stiffness or pain in the upper portion of your spine (cervical spine). Your neck comprises many complex structures, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue. Any damage or wear and tear on these structures can cause a painful or stiff neck.

Your occupation, lifestyle choices and health history can all affect your risk of developing neck pain. For many people, a few simple changes can help prevent neck pain.

Expert treatment for neck pain

Our team involves you every step of the way in diagnosing and treating neck pain. We help you understand all your options so you can make informed decisions that improve your quality of life. We offer:

• Team-based care: Our multispecialty team includes top pain management specialists and neurosurgeons. We work together to find the treatment plan that’s most effective for you.
• Minimally invasive approach: We focus on a minimally invasive approach, always choosing the least invasive treatment option that will work best for you. Our surgeons operate with innovative techniques that use small incisions so that you experience faster recovery and less pain.
• Personalized guidance: A dedicated spine navigator guides you to the right level of care. From your very first visit, this navigator works with you to help ensure you receive efficient and cost-effective care. We help you find the path to your healthiest life.

Symptoms and causes of neck pain

Neck pain can cause slightly different symptoms in different people. Sometimes, the pain lasts a few days or weeks (acute pain), or it may linger for three months or longer (chronic pain). Your symptoms may also vary depending on the underlying cause of neck pain.

Neck pain diagnosis

Our spine specialists begin getting to the root of your pain right away. At the first visit, they complete a physical exam, assess your spine and ask how your symptoms developed. They also check your range of motion, strength and reflexes.

Our providers may order imaging tests such as X-rays or an MRI to look closely at the structures inside your neck. Once they diagnose your pain, they work with you to create a treatment plan personalized to your preferences and needs.

Neck pain treatment

Sometimes, lifestyle changes and home remedies can help relieve neck pain. Your spine specialist may also recommend nonsurgical treatments, including:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Physical therapy

If none of these treatments relieves pain, your provider may recommend surgery. Advocate Health Care surgeons use the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery, which typically lead to less pain and a shorter recovery. Find out more about treatment for neck pain.