Neck Pain Specialist
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South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine
Seth Kaufman, D.O.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Specialist located in Davenport, FL & Miami, FL
Your neck is less supported than other parts of your spine, leaving it open to injuries like whiplash. Whether you suffer an acute injury or you struggle with chronic neck pain, double board-certified Seth Kaufman, DO, of South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine, can help. At the practice’s offices in Davenport and Miami, Florida, Dr. Kaufman uses advanced treatments like epidural steroid injections to reduce even the most stubborn neck pain. To find out how you can get relief from neck pain, call South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine today or book an appointment online.
Neck Pain Q & A
What causes neck pain?
Neck pain is most likely caused by damage to the vertebrae (bones), ligaments, muscles, tendons, and discs that make up your cervical spine. The damage can be acute, resulting from an accident or other trauma. Or you could develop an overuse or wear-and-tear condition.
Among the problems that often result in neck pain are:
- Muscle tension from stress
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Whiplash injuries
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Bone spurs
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Fractured vertebrae
- Pinched nerves (cervical radiculopathy)
In addition to pain, conditions that affect the nerves in your neck can cause numbness, weakness, and uncomfortable tingling and prickling sensations. These symptoms can spread into your shoulders, down your arms, even into your hands. Neck problems can also cause headaches.
How is neck pain diagnosed?
When you visit South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine, Dr. Kaufman reviews your medical history and talks with you about your symptoms. He completes a physical exam, looking for any swelling, heat, skin discoloration, or abnormalities in your spine. Dr. Kaufman also asks you to move your head around to see if there’s any loss of function.
After making this initial investigation, Dr. Kaufman might need to see your neck in more detail. In that case, he’ll order diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. These images provide detailed information concerning the extent of the damage to your neck.
How is neck pain treated?
The treatment Dr. Kaufman recommends for your neck pain will differ to some degree according to what’s causing your pain and how severe it is. Minor injuries might heal naturally if you avoid the activities that cause your neck pain. This is even more likely if you use hot and cold treatments, mild pain medications, and physical therapy.
More severe neck injuries often require additional treatments. These can include:
- Neck collar
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Nerve blocks
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal cord stimulation
Dr. Kaufman has considerable experience in treating neck pain without surgery. But if you’re one of the few for whom surgery is the best treatment choice, he’ll refer you to a spine surgeon.
If you have neck pain, act now to stop it from getting worse. Call South Florida Interventional Orthopedics and Spine today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
