Neck pain can make everyday movements extremely uncomfortable, but because of all the stress our neck endures while supporting our head, it’s not always easy to tell if discomfort is just from a minor problem that will go away with some simple conservative techniques or if you’re dealing with an issue that would be best treated by a specialist. In today’s blog, we share three signs that suggest you should set up an appointment with a specialist to treat your neck issues.
Signs Of A Major Neck Problem
Neck problems should never be taken lightly, so if there’s even a small possibility that you’re dealing with a major issue, you should be evaluated by a medical expert. Even if you believe you’re fine after a car crash or a traumatic athletic collision, it’s a good idea to be seen by an expert who can provide you with some individualized advice after viewing the site in person.
If you don’t have reason to suspect that a major injury occurred, but you’re still not sure whether or not to see a doctor, you can monitor your symptoms and see how they respond to conservative care techniques like rest, physical therapy and gentle stretching. That said, if any of these three factors are present, it’s best to see a specialist for your neck pain.
Pain Has Become Chronic
Even if pain is relatively minor, if it’s been persisting for more than six weeks, it’s time to undergo an evaluation by a specialist. Chronic pain is never normal, and this type of perpetual discomfort can be a real pain in the neck! Chronic pain is unlikely to resolve on its own, because odds are your daily life is contributing to its existence, so you want to connect with a professional, get to the bottom of your pain and get set up with a specific treatment plan. Whether that involves posture improvements or a targeted physical therapy plan, we’re confident that we can reduce or eliminate your chronic neck pain.
Pain Is Steady Or Gets Worse
Most acute injuries are most painful at the moment of injury, and then pain slowly starts to fade over the course of hours, days or weeks. That’s not to say that your neck pain will be completely healed after a couple of days, but it shouldn’t be as painful as the first few moments after the injury. If pain levels have remained constant, or if pain has actually gotten worse after a day or two, it’s an indication that there’s more going on than meets the eye, and you’ll want to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation by a neck specialist.
You Have One Or More Major Symptoms
Pain is not the only symptom that can indicate an injury’s severity. If you are dealing with other significant symptoms, you should consult with your primary care physician or a spine specialist. But what types of red flag symptoms should you be on the lookout for? If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, consult with a specialist like Dr. Jackman:
- Fever
- Incontinence/Bowel control issues
- Numbness in the extremities or face
- Balance/Coordination problems
- Significant range of motion loss
- Inhibited gait
- Severe headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These are just some of the main symptoms to be on the lookout for, but this is far from a comprehensive list, and as always we advise you to use your best judgment. If you’re at all concerned about the severity of your neck issue, please don’t put off treatment and hope it gets better on its own. Contact a spine specialist in your area and have our neck examined so that you can get started with the right treatments. For help in the greater Twin Cities area, contact Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
