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Neck Pain

Neck Pain: Causes, Treatment, Surgery, Recovery —

Neck Pain Doctors in Torrance, CA at Rolling Hills Medical

Elderly man holding his neck due to pain

Neck pain can be extremely debilitating and is one of the most common reasons why people visit our Torrance neck pain doctor. When someone suffers from neck pain, they are often worried that something major could be wrong with their neck, back, or spine. It is understandable that these symptoms are worrisome and require the attention of a trained medical professional. Because there are so many potential causes of neck pain, it is important to see a neck specialist to figure out why and how the neck pain has developed. This will be an important step in making sure that the right treatment plan is developed. Depending on the exact cause of the neck pain, the treatment plan could vary.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Like many other medical symptoms, there are a handful of common causes of neck pain. Depending on the exact cause, the necessary treatment is going to vary. Some of the most common reasons why someone might see our neck pain doctors in Torrance include:

  • Muscle Strain: One of the most common reasons why people might have neck pain is a muscle strain. The spine is supported by muscles on either side called the paraspinal muscles. In some cases, these muscles might become strained, leading to neck pain.
  • Degenerative Disc Disease: Another possible cause of neck pain is called degenerative disc disease. In this disease, the disc that provides a cushion for the spinal vertebrae starts to degrade. Without this cushion, the spine becomes irritated, leading to neck pain.
  • Osteoarthritis: People can also develop osteoarthritis in their neck which could lead to pain. Osteoarthritis in the neck can impact the bony vertebrae of the spine. This could also cause stiffness and back pain.
  • Radiculopathy: A radiculopathy is a problem with one of the nerves in the spine itself. This could occur when a nerve in the spinal cord becomes pinched or compressed, causing weakness or shooting pains that could manifest as neck pain.
  • These are only a few of the common causes of neck pain. In order to sort through these conditions, it is a good idea to seek the help of a trained medical professional.

Treatments to Help with Neck Pain Relief

Female patient getting chiropractic neck adjustment.

There are a variety of treatments that Rolling Hills Medical can provide to help with neck pain. Some of these include:

  • Conservative treatment such as physical therapy, ultrasound, massage, chiropractic adjustment and neck-strengthening exercises to help control neck pain with minimal risk
  • Heat, ice, and electrical stimulation
  • Steroid injections that can reduce inflammation in the neck and relieve pain
  • Pain injections that can help someone recover from neck pain more quickly
  • If surgery is necessary, we can provide minimally invasive spine surgery that can help alleviate symptoms with minimal risk

Different causes of neck pain will require different treatment plans, which is where our doctor can help.

Torrance Neck Pain Doctor: Trust the Professionals

Without a doubt, there are multiple reasons why someone might have developed neck pain. Because of this, anyone who is looking for neck pain treatment in Torrance needs to seek the assistance of a trained and experienced Torrance neck pain doctor.

At Rolling Hills Medical, we take the time to listen to our patients and ensure that our treatment plan meets their needs. The families of Los Angeles and Orange County have been trusting us to help treat their neck pain from the first day that we opened our doors. During that time, we have expanded our treatment capabilities and now have a wide range of tools at our disposal to help those in need. Our trained professionals are always standing by to help you and your family.

So, call us today at  (424) 267-2491 to schedule an appointment. Our dedicated treatment team is standing by to help you with your neck pain.

What Causes a Stiff Neck All of a Sudden?

Many people have experienced the frustration that comes with a stiff neck. Sometimes, people notice that they cannot move their neck all of a sudden, wondering how this issue developed seemingly out of nowhere.

A stiff neck often occurs when one of the muscles in the neck are overused, stretched too far, tense or strained. A stiff neck can present with a variety of additional symptoms including jaw pain, arm pain, shoulder pain, or even a headache. These symptoms, in addition to the stiff neck, can help a doctor figure out why this medical condition developed. There are a few common causes that should be considered.

If a stick neck occurs all of a sudden, it may be due to:

  • Falling or sudden impact that pushes the head to the side, such as sporting event like swimming or car accident
  • Holding the neck in an abnormal position for a long period, such as holding a mobile phone with your neck and shoulder or looking downward at a mobile phone (called “text neck”)
  • Turning the head side to side repeatedly during an activity

The Common Causes of a Stiff Neck

When someone develops a stiff neck, there are a handful of possible causes that the doctor is going to review. Some of these include:

Young man holding his neck due to pain
  • Some people may develop a stiff neck because they slept in a slightly awkward or uncomfortable position, causing the muscles to tighten. When these muscles tighten, the neck will feel stiff.
  • Sudden impacts on the neck such as falls and contact during sports can lead to a stiff neck. In particular, falls on the shoulder that causes the neck to snap back and forth quickly will lead to a stiff neck.
  • A repeated turning of the head from side to side can also lead to a stiff neck. This may happen while swimming, particularly freestyle.
  • Those who have poor posture can also develop a stiff neck. Some jobs that involve looking at a computer or a phone for an extended period of time could cause the neck to stiffen.
  • Anxiety attacks can also cause someone to develop a stiff neck suddenly.

Without a doubt, everyone who presents with a stiff neck will have slightly different symptoms. With the help of a Torrance neck pain doctor, the right diagnosis will be made and the treatment process can start.

Treatment Options for a Stiff Neck

Treatment options for a stiff neck are going to vary depending on the exact cause. In many cases, the stiff neck has developed as a result of the muscles tightening. Therefore, the treatment is going to focus on allowing these muscles to loosen. Over the counter treatment with rest, ice, and heat is often combined with medical therapy to help loosen these muscles.

At Rolling Hills Medical, we have a variety of treatment options that can help someone with their stiff neck. Our dedicated team of doctors is always standing by to evaluate and treat neck pain.

Torrance Stiff Neck Pain Doctors at Rolling Hills Medical

A stiff neck can be a frustrating medical condition that could leave someone looking for answers. That is where our trained medical professionals can come in handy. Those who are looking for neck pain treatment in Torrance should trust our experienced Torrance neck pain doctors.

Our staff at Rolling Hills Medical will take the time to listen to your concerns and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to meet your needs.

We have a wide array of treatments at our disposal that can help the families of Los Angeles and Orange County recover from their neck pain. We always have trained professionals available to help you with your neck pain and back pain.

Please call us today at (424) 267-2491 to schedule an appointment for stiff neck treatment in Torrance. We have an experienced treatment team that can help you and your family with your neck pain.

Can Neck Pain be a Sign of Something Serious?

Patients visiting a Torrance neck pain doctor are typically diagnosed with a neck strain, neck sprain or cervical subluxation (misalignment of the top four vertebrae located in the neck). In most cases, treatment for these common neck problems involve chiropractic adjustments to relieve nerve compression caused by vertebrae impinging on nerves and therapeutic massage techniques to ease neck muscle strains/sprains.

Whiplash Neck Pain

Another reason why Torrance and Orange County residents seek neck pain treatment in Torrance is whiplash. When your head is forcefully jerked back and forth during a rear-end collision, soft tissues in the neck suffer extreme strain. The ensuing tissue inflammation caused by whiplash results in a severely painful neck condition called "delayed onset muscle soreness". Neck pain, stiff neck, headaches and arm tingling/numbness are classic symptoms of whiplash.

When Neck Pain May Be More Serious Than a Simple Strain

When to worry about neck pain is If you experience pain for more than a few days or your neck pain worsens rapidly and is accompanied by fever, you should schedule an appointment with a Torrance neck pain doctor at Rolling Hills Medical. In some cases, neck pain may indicate an underlying illness requiring immediate, more intensive treatment.

Doctor pointing to nerves in the human skull model.

Bacterial or Viral Meningitis

Although rarely diagnosed in the U.S., there were still 350 total cases of meningitis reported in 2017, mostly in children or teenagers. Case numbers of meningitis usually peak between January and March. Both viral and bacterial meningitis cause inflammation of the meninges (lining) of the brain and spinal cord. People with viral meningitis generally recover without treatment. Bacterial meningitis is more severe and requires hospitalization.

Inability to flex your neck forward or not flex the neck at all, fever, nausea and migraine-like headache are symptoms of possible meningitis.

Neck Fractures

Most people don't realize they can have a neck fracture and still move their neck. Any sudden, strong twisting of the neck could fracture one or more small neck bones. Signs of a neck fracture include severe pain, swelling, muscle weakness in the legs or arms or decreased sensation in the legs or arms. Older adults with osteoporosis and athletes are prone to suffering neck fractures.

Cervical Spondylosis

Older people seeking neck pain treatment in Torrance are often diagnosed with cervical spondylosis (neck arthritis). Developing from simple wear and tear of the bones and cartilage in your neck, cervical spondylosis symptoms involve increasing neck stiffness, pain and inability to move the head without pain. Nearly nine out of 10 people over 60 have some degree of neck arthritis.

Thyroiditis

Inflammation of your thyroid gland can cause general neck pain, fatigue, lack of energy and weight gain. Swelling around the bottom of your neck is another signs of thyroiditis. Primarily affecting women between 20 and 50, thyroiditis is treated with a variety of medications that address specific types of thyroiditis.

Persistent Neck Pain with Lump or Swelling

Head or neck cancer may cause neck pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain medications or rest. Neck pain accompanied by mouth bleeding, white patches lining the tongue or gums, frequent headaches and nosebleeds should not be ignored.

Cervical Angina

Also called "pseudoangina", cervical angina emerges from cervical spine problems such as spinal stenosis, cervical spondylosis or even a herniated disc. Symptoms of cervical angina include severe pain in the neck, head and arm pain, chest pain that can be mistaken for a heart attack and nausea/vomiting.

For effective relief of neck pain, call Rolling Hills Medical today to make an appointment with a Torrance neck pain doctor who will correctly diagnose and treat your neck pain and stiffness.

Torrance Neck Pain Doctor: Rely on the Professionals

A stiff neck can be a frustrating medical condition that could leave someone looking for answers. That is where our trained medical professionals can come in handy. Those who are looking for neck pain treatment in Torrance should trust our experienced Torrance neck pain doctors. Our staff at Rolling Hills Medical will take the time to listen to your concerns and formulate a treatment plan that is specifically tailored to meet your needs. We have a wide array of treatments at our disposal that can help the families of Los Angeles and Orange County recover from their neck pain. We always have trained professionals available to help you with your neck pain and back pain. Therefore, please reach out to us today by calling 424-250-8699 to schedule an appointment. We have an experienced treatment team that can help you and your family with your neck pain.

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