It is quite likely that, at some point in your life, you will have to deal with neck pain. This issue is very common and can affect people of all ages. But where exactly is the pain coming from? Often, it is the result of an issue like a pinched nerve or pulled muscle. How can you tell the difference between these two common types of neck pain? This blog post aims to help.
Key Symptoms of Nerve Pain
If you have a pinched or compressed nerve, it means that nearby tissues are pressing on a nerve, causing it to send unpleasant signals to your brain. Here are some examples of what nerve pain might feel like:
- You may notice sharp or burning sensations that radiate from your neck into your shoulder, arm, or hand.
- Numbness and tingling might develop along the path of the affected nerve.
- At times, you could feel weakness in your arm or hand, making it difficult to perform simple tasks.
- Certain neck movements, such as turning or tilting the head, may worsen the pain.
Identifying Signs of Muscle Pain
A pulled or strained neck muscle can be quite painful, but in a different way than a pinched nerve. Here is an overview of what this type of pain typically feels like:
- Muscle pain in the neck typically feels dull and aching, and it tends to remain concentrated in the neck muscles themselves.
- You could experience stiffness that limits your range of motion.
- The muscles might spasm or feel tight, particularly after physical activity or holding your head in an awkward position.
- The affected area may be tender to the touch.
- Mild swelling or bruising may develop.
- Activities that require you to hold your head up for long periods may intensify the discomfort.
Seeking a Professional Diagnosis
You may find it difficult to determine the exact source of your neck pain on your own. A medical professional can use advanced diagnostic tools to identify the root cause. For example, ultrasound imaging can reveal what happens in your neck as you move. After collecting your medical history and performing a physical examination, a doctor may pinpoint whether your pain is muscular, nerve-related, or a combination of both.
Exploring Treatment Options
Your doctor can offer many options to address neck pain, depending on the diagnosis. You might benefit from simple at-home strategies, such as applying ice or heat, performing gentle stretches, or changing your posture. In some cases, you could qualify for advanced regenerative therapies like stem cell injections or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, which support healing in damaged tissues. If a pinched nerve is the cause, your provider may recommend a minimally invasive procedure called nerve hydrodissection that provides targeted relief.
Do not ignore ongoing or severe neck pain! Instead, seek timely care from a qualified orthopedic physician.
Meet the Practice
At Valley Sports Physicians & Orthopedic Medicine, Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, leads a team dedicated to helping you recover from various types of pains and injuries. We often enable patients to find relief from neck pain via minimally invasive therapies, such as regenerative medicine, therapeutic ultrasound, nerve hydrodissection, and more. If you are interested in learning about the services we provide, contact our Glastonbury office at 860-430-9690.