The spine part around your neck consists of cervical vertebrae separated by discs to enhance neck movement and flexibility. Experiencing pain in your neck and on your upper body parts may indicate a problem within your cervical part of the spine. Jeff Pan, MD is a neurosurgery practice providing extensive and advanced spinal care to patients of all ages. The Edison cervical conditions specialist, Jeff Pan, MD, excels in providing exclusive diagnosis and treatments to help alleviate pain and restore your body part’s function. Contact their office today by calling or booking online to schedule your consultation.

Here is what you should know about cervical conditions.

What are cervical conditions?

Cervical conditions involve problems in your cervical spine, limiting neck and head movement and stability. The issues affect the flexibility of your cervical spine, causing pain.

Cervical conditions affecting the neck include:

Cervical strains and sprains

Cervical strains and sprains are frequent and result from lifestyle behaviors such as poor posture or whiplash after an accident or sports injuries, causing neck pain and affecting your daily activities. However, with simple treatments, you can recover from your strain and sprains.

Cervical stenosis

Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord. The condition results in the cervical discs drying out, hence being unable to act as shock absorbers. The bones and ligaments along the spine also thicken, narrowing the spinal canal.

Cervical stenosis may occur due to aging, injuries, poor posture, and diseases such as arthritis. Treatments may involve conservative treatments or surgery when the condition is severe.

Cervical degenerative disc disease

The cervical discs that separate the vertebrae on your cervical spine usually wear down as you grow older. It may result in difficulty in moving around your neck, causing neck pain and sharp arm pain.

Craniocervical instability

Craniocervical is the part where your skull joins your cervical spine. The condition occurs when the ligaments on this part loosen, causing instability. The problem leads to painful headaches, neck pain, dizziness, among other symptoms.

Cervical disc herniation

Cervical disc herniation is a condition that develops when a cervical disc bulges out, pressing the spinal cord or the nerves. It is a common cause of neck pain and may result in other symptoms such as numbness in your shoulder and arm.

Cervical radiculopathy

This problem occurs from irritation or damage of a spinal nerve function. It causes a sharp radiating pain from your neck to your arm.

Spinal tumors

Spinal tumors are growths that occur along your spinal canal, affecting your spinal cord, nerve roots, and blood vessels. They cause back pain, numbness, loss of sensation, among others.

In conclusion, cervical conditions cause pain affecting your movement and disrupting your life quality. Hence it is advisable to seek a medical condition as soon as you experience your first symptom to prevent severe cases.

Dr. Pan offers thorough diagnosis through symptoms evaluation, physical exams, X-rays, among other tests, to determine the cause of your symptoms and offer customized treatments. If you are experiencing neck pain or radiating pain on your arm or shoulder, consult Dr. Pan for help. Call today or book online to schedule your appointment.

Sheri gill