8 Treatable Causes of Chronic Neck Pain

If you're experiencing a persistent ache or discomfort in your neck around the clock, you've been living with chronic pain. Any form of pain that persists for three months or longer is regarded as chronic. 

Many people with chronic neck pain have lived with the discomfort so long they may not remember its onset. But chronic neck pain could be an indication that you have more chronic underlying health issues that need medical attention. 

The reasons for chronic neck pain range from poor lifestyle habits to muscle disorders. Fortunately, many of these causes are treatable. 

At SEPA Pain & Spine, with six locations in southeastern Pennsylvania, our team is trained to skillfully identify the root cause of your pain and map out the most effective treatment for you. 

Here, we break down eight of the most common and treatable causes of chronic neck pain. 

Muscle strains

Muscle strain is one of the most common yet overlooked causes of chronic neck pain. You can strain the muscles in your neck doing everyday activities like hunching over a desk, craning your neck to look at your phone, or even sleeping in an awkward position. 

Our team addresses the tension and pain in your neck muscles with targeted physical therapy and ergonomic recommendations to improve your posture.

Herniated discs

When the gel-like center of a spinal disc in your neck pushes through its outer lining, it can press on nerves, leading to sharp, radiating pain. A herniated disc isn't just painful; it can also cause numbness or weakness that limits your quality of life. 

We offer herniated disc treatments that range from conservative measures like physical therapy to more advanced treatments like surgery, depending on the severity of the herniation and your symptoms.

Degenerative disc disease

With age, spinal discs can lose their ability to cushion the bones in your spine, leading to degenerative disc disease. This loss of cushioning can trigger chronic neck pain as your vertebrae start to rub against each other. 

We treat this condition with physical therapy, medication, and sometimes surgical procedures to ease pain and improve the function of your neck and spine.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in the neck, or cervical spondylosis, occurs due to the wear-and-tear of cartilage and bones. It can lead to stiffness and pain, making moving your neck difficult. But osteoarthritis is treatable, and it's possible to regain movement in your neck and reduce your discomfort with the right therapy. 

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is when your spinal canal narrows, compressing the nerves in your neck. It results in significant pain and neurological symptoms like numbness. 

Treatment options typically include physical therapy to strengthen and support your spine and medications to reduce pain. Sometimes, we may recommend surgery to relieve the compression on the nerves.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is marked by general body pain, which can include your neck. Managing fibromyalgia-related neck pain often requires lifestyle changes to manage your stress levels and improve your sleep.

Poor posture

The average person spends half of their day sitting hunched over a desk or peering at their phone for long periods in uncomfortable positions. This poor posture is a growing cause of neck pain. 

We can't overstress the importance of correcting posture by making ergonomic adjustments to your workspace and doing recommended exercises to relieve the strain on your neck muscles and joints.

Trauma or injury

Accidents, falls, or sports injuries can trigger chronic neck pain if you don’t address them promptly and effectively. Whiplash is a typical example, when a sudden jerk causes rapid neck movement and injury. 

Chronic neck pain doesn't simply go away with time, but many of its causes are treatable when caught early and attended to effectively. 

At SEPA Pain & Spine, we specialize in identifying the source of your neck pain and finding long-term solutions to ease your discomfort and improve your quality of life. 

Book a consultation at any of our offices in Horsham, Langhorne, Meadowbrook, Chalfont, East Norriton, or Limerick, Pennsylvania, by calling 855-235-7246. You can also request one online here.