OVERVIEW

The cervical spine is more commonly known as the neck region, beginning at the base of the skull and connecting to the thoracic region of the spine.

It consists of the C1-C7 cervical vertebrae, and it includes the surrounding nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The first cervical vertebrae is known as the atlas and is different from the next six because it is ring-shaped. It rotates on the second vertebrae, the axis, allowing it to have a 180° rotation movement. Another commonly used name for upper (cervical) back pain is Cervicalgia.

Treatment Options

Treatment options may include:

Acupuncture
Anti-inflammatory medications
Artificial disc replacement
Cervical fusion
Pain medications
Physical or Chiropractic Therapy
Steroid Injections
Surgery (discectomy)
Therapeutic Message

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Decreasing muscle tone in the arms and/or hands
Decreasing dexterity of the hands
Muscle spasms in the legs
Numbness and or weakness in the upper extremities
Severe headaches
Sharp neck or arm pain
Shooting pain or tingling in the arms and/or hands
Stiff neck

Diagnosis/Tests

Diagnostic tests include:

Bone scan
CAT scan
Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG/NCS)
Medical history (helps assess severity in condition of pain)
MRI
Myelogram
Neurological exam
Physical examination

Types

Common forms include:

Cervical Spondylosis (Arthritis of the Neck)
Cervical degenerative disc disease
Cervical Stenosis
Fractures
Herniated disc
Spinal alignment

Causes

Causes & contributing factors may include:

Aging
Arthritis
Cervical disc degeneration
Cancer or Meningitis (rare)
Injuries
Poor posture
Spinal cord compression
Stress from bending, twisting, turning, or lifting

Facts

Most people (nearly 2/3) will experience some kind of neck pain during their lifetime.
Although very rare, cervical back pain can be a sign of infection, cancer, disease, injury, or blood vessel issue.
A stiff neck is rarely serious and will usually fade or disappear without treatment.

Neck pain is usually unexplained, with pain sometimes lingering and sometimes quickly disappearing.
Neck pain accompanied by no other obvious problems is usually temporary and minor.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

The Pain Experts of Arizona was founded to bring the highest level of care in a state-of-the-art setting that emphasizes the belief of treating our patients with the same respect, compassion, and dedication we would treat our own friends and family.

Contact our office to schedule an appointment and let us help you get back on your way to an active life without the limitations of chronic pain. From our Phoenix office, The Pain Experts of Arizona, serves pain management patients in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, and the entire Phoenix area.

Upper Back Pain Treatment in Gilbert, AZ