Dr. Lanman is widely regarded among the world’s most foremost spine surgeons, Artificial Disc Replacement innovators, and leading doctors providing treatment for neck pain in Los Angeles. He works with patients with a broad variety of conditions to help them understand the root cause of their neck pain and the possible treatments to relieve it.
Neck pain, also known as cervical pain, is a condition that has multiple causes and levels of severity. You may experience a dull pain that is caused by looking down at your phone throughout the day or feel sharp, stinging pains caused by whiplash after a car accident.
While neck pain may pass in a few days, there are some cases where you should consult a doctor about your condition. If your neck pain is severe or persistent then you may want to meet with a neck pain specialist in Los Angeles. Get help for your neck pain and schedule a consultation.
Your neck is made of multiple vertebrae that connect your skull to your torso. These vertebrae are padded by cervical discs that work as shock absorbers when you move your head. Your neck also has several muscles, ligaments, and bones that help you turn your head and move around comfortably.
Because the neck is one of the more complex areas of the body, it isn’t always easy to secure a neck pain diagnosis. When you meet with a neck pain specialist, they will look at a variety of lifestyle factors and habits to see if there are chronic reasons for your neck pain. They will also ask about any accidents or life events that might have brought on pain suddenly.
Before you meet with a neck pain doctor, consider if there are specific reasons you are aware of for why you are experiencing neck pain. Here are a few causes of neck pain that can cause ongoing pain or discomfort.
It can be difficult to accurately diagnose neck pain because it isn’t always clear where it comes from. For example, whiplash can be immediate, but neck pain from a car accident can also form a few days after the crash. Some people report lingering neck pain weeks after they experience an accident.
Neck pain can also be chronic. Researchers have found that neck pain is found in 42% to 63% of office workers, which is much higher than neck pain rates for other occupations. Poor posture and time spent looking down at a computer screen can contribute to a dull ache and limited mobility of the neck.
Each case of neck pain is unique. Your doctor will be able to help identify the cause of your pain and guide you to the best possible treatment options.
There are multiple treatments for neck pain depending on the severity and type of injury. Some people can treat neck pain on their own if it is a minor injury. For example, if you sleep in an uncomfortable position, your neck pain may go away naturally in a few days. You can ease your neck pain with ice or heat therapy, pain medication, and targeted exercise and stretching. However, if you have chronic or unexplained neck pain, you may want to meet with a Los Angeles neck pain specialist.
When you meet with a neck pain doctor, they will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Be prepared to answer these questions in detail and mention any recent accidents or injuries – even if they seem unrelated to your neck problems. Your doctor wants to learn about all potential neck pain causes so they can create an accurate diagnosis.
Your doctor may recommend some additional tests to identify the source of your neck pain. These may include blood tests, CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs. These tests will determine if there are any serious issues with your neck that need to be addressed immediately.
Once your doctor understands your neck pain, they will prescribe a course of treatments. These may include:
Your doctor will do everything they can to avoid surgery to treat your neck pain. However, for many patients, artificial disc replacement is the best course of treatment and can help patients regain movement in their necks without pain. Your doctor will decide if this option is right for you based on your neck pain and spinal injuries.
If you experience chronic neck pain that is caused by lifestyle factors like poor posture or sleeping habits, your doctor may recommend some steps to prevent neck pain and reduce the frequency with which you experience it. A few ways to prevent neck pain include:
These seemingly small steps can affect the number of days you experience neck pain each month. They can also alleviate the effects of chronic neck pain which can leave you feeling stiff and uncomfortable.
Dr. Todd Lanman understands what it is like to live with neck pain and has personally undergone multiple spinal surgeries to regain his mobility and reduce pain. This firsthand experience gives him the knowledge and compassion to help patients who experience neck and spinal pain. Dr. Lanman has over 30 years of experience treating neck pain in Los Angeles. Dr. Lanman serves patients in the Greater Los Angeles area with a clinic based in Beverly Hills.
If you are struggling with neck pain, reach out to us at frontdesk@spine.md to schedule a comprehensive consultation to determine the best plan for your unique case.