If you have neck pain, you might need to see a neurologist. A neurologist is trained to treat diseases in the spinal cord, brain, muscles, and peripheral nerves. Your neurologist can diagnose your condition and provide the proper treatment. Find out when you should see a neurologist for neck pain.
Chronic Pain
If you injure your neck, you expect to recover within a specific amount of time. For instance, if you have a strain or sprain, you should be better in a few days or weeks. However, sometimes, the pain doesn’t go away. If you have chronic neck pain, see a neurologist. This could be a sign of a serious condition that requires specialized treatment.
Neck Pain That Gets Worse
If your neck pain continues to get worse even if you rest the muscles, you need treatment. Without proper treatment from a neurologist, your pain could continue to worsen to the unbearable point.
Pain, Numbness, and Tingling
Sometimes, neck pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling. You might have a spinal issue if you experience these symptoms. Go to a neurologist to find out if you have a compressed disc or another problem. With the right treatment, you can leave your pain behind.
Pain Caused by Trauma
If you’ve been in a car accident, slip and fall, workers comp injury, or experienced some other type of trauma, be mindful of your symptoms. Pain after a trauma needs to be treated. Trauma can cause a variety of issues, including fractures. Fast action is needed to treat trauma-related pain. Your neurologist has the skills necessary to find and treat the source of the pain.
Pain Wakes You up When Sleeping
Neck pain is bad enough during the day but just imagine not being able to sleep through the night. If your neck pain is worse when you lie down and wakes you up, it’s time to seek treatment. Your body will thank you once you’re finally free from pain and able to get a good night’s sleep.
Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing
Neck pain can make it difficult to enjoy daily activities, but it should not make it hard to breathe or swallow. This could be due to cervical instability or another issue. You need to get treatment soon because this condition can be debilitating.
Incontinence
If you have issues with your nerves, you could develop neck pain and incontinence. This could be due to a ruptured disc or another issue. Your neurologist is trained to diagnose and treat this problem. Once you complete treatment, you will enjoy relief from pain and also have control of your bowels and bladder once again.
Do You Need to See a Neurologist for Neck Pain?
Everyone experiences neck pain from time to time, and often, the pain goes away on its own. Sometimes, though, you need medical care from an experienced New York neurologist. If you have any of these red flags, schedule an appointment with your neurologist. That is the first step to finally living free of pain.
FAQs
Schedule an office visit
Call your doctor if you have neck pain that: Worsens in spite of self-care. Persists after several weeks of self-care. Radiates down your arms or legs.
When should you get a neck injury checked out? ›
Your neck pain was caused by a fall, blow, or injury -- if you cannot move your arm or hand, have someone call 911 or the local emergency number. You have swollen glands or a lump in your neck. Your pain does not go away with regular doses of over-the-counter pain medicine.
When is neck injury an emergency? ›
When to Go to the ER for a Neck Injury. You should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for a neck injury with these symptoms: Paralysis. Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness, even for a brief period of time.
How do I know if my neck nerves are damaged? ›
This causes symptoms such as sharp pain in your neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or back. You may also have tingling or numbness. Sometimes it makes your arm weaker. The symptoms may get worse when you turn your head, cough, or sneeze.
What will neurologist do for neck pain? ›
Some neurologists are trained in neuroimaging and can thoroughly explain your imaging studies (X-Rays and MRIs) results to you. By using EMG testing to assess your nerve injury, your neurologist can identify whether your injury is reversible in the short and long term.
At what point is neck pain serious? ›
Contact a health care provider if neck pain: Is severe. Persists for several days without relief. Spreads down arms or legs.
What are 5 key symptoms of a neck injury? ›
Neck injury symptoms include neck stiffness, shoulder or arm pain, headache, facial pain and dizziness.
How do I know if my neck pain is muscular or spinal? ›
One key factor to note is how long the pain has lasted. Most neck strains start to feel much better within a few days or a couple of weeks. Underlying cervical spine disorders tend to cause pain that lasts longer than a few weeks, comes and goes, and may gradually become worse.
What are red flags for neck pain? ›
What are Red Flags for Neck Pain? Seek immediate medical care if neck pain is associated with the following symptoms: Severe pain. Tingling, numbness or weakness in arm, shoulder or hands.
What is the most serious neck injury? ›
Some neck injuries may take weeks or months to heal up, with others causing symptoms for years. Among the most serious are: Herniated, ruptured, or slipped discs. Just like shock absorbers on a car, the discs in between your cervical vertebrae act as cushions.
Penetrating Injuries - Assessment
| Hard signs | Soft signs |
|---|
| Vascular | Active bleeding Large (expanding) haematoma Bruit / thrill Reduced GCS Shock | Minor bleeding Small haematoma |
| Aerodigestive | Haemoptysis Haematemesis Air / Bubbles in wound | Dysphagia Dysphonia Subcutaneous air |
If left untreated, neck pain can progress and cause secondary conditions such as headaches, migraines and shoulder pain that radiates into other areas of the body.
What is a neurological problem with the neck? ›
Cervical radiculopathy (also known as “pinched nerve”) is a condition that results in neurological dysfunction caused by compression and inflammation of any of the nerve roots of your cervical spine (neck). Neurological dysfunction can include radiating pain, muscle weakness and/or numbness.
Will an MRI show nerve damage in the neck? ›
The MRI scan can show the soft tissue structures in your body and if there is damage to the spinal nerve. It may also detect metal fragments in the spine that are causing pressure on a nerve, as well as a herniated disc, where part of an intervertebral disc has broken through its outer covering.
How do you release a trapped nerve in your neck? ›
6 Exercises to Help With a Pinched Nerve in Your Neck
- Chair Stand. This exercise helps work the core by standing up and sitting back down in slow, controlled motions: ...
- Single Leg Raise. ...
- Staggered Chair Stand. ...
- Heel Raise. ...
- Standing Side Leg Lift. ...
- Front Plank on Table.
Specific Red Flags Symptoms for Neck Pain:
Sudden weight loss without dieting. Unexplained fever and chills. The pounding on the spine is painful. A chronic headache that abruptly appears.
What neurological disorder affects the neck? ›
Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a rare neurological disorder that originates in the brain. It is the most common form of focal dystonia in an office setting.
Can neck problems cause neurological problems? ›
Advanced cervical spondylosis can cause both neurological decline and severe pain, leading to significant disability and impairment of activities of daily living.
What is the best doctor to see for neck pain? ›
A variety of clinicians may be involved in the care of people with neck pain. These include pain medicine specialists like Dr. Waldman; physiatrists; neurologists; sports medicine doctors; spine surgeons, and physical therapists.
