Neck pain can develop from a variety of sources, from a past injury to muscular strain to chronic issues, such as arthritis. Some types of neck issues seem to arise from nowhere and can cause you a limited range of motion, interrupted sleep and problems completing daily tasks like cleaning and exercising. If you have unexplained neck pain, there are several techniques physicians might use to diagnose it.
1. Imaging Tests
If neck pain disrupts your everyday life, you may want to ask your physician or chiropractor to perform imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI, to discover the source. You may need prior approval from your general practitioner if you decide to see a specialist, especially if you are concerned about insurance coverage. These tests may uncover a variety of problems, including nerve and spinal damage.
2. Blood Tests
In the course of treatment, you may be sent for blood tests. While this might seem an unusual avenue for diagnosis, these tests can uncover problems or illnesses that may be contributing to or causing neck pain. Untreated or asymptomatic infections or inflammation can cause serious pain or cause the lymph nodes in the neck to swell and blood tests may reveal these problems, as well as a path for treatment.
3. Chiropractic Examination
A chiropractor can examine your spine and neck to determine the underlying cause of your neck pain. Adjustments and other treatments may ease this pain, and discussing your medical history with a chiropractor can also help him or her discover the source of the pain. In some cases, poor posture or stress might contribute, but a comprehensive exam is usually revealing. Your general practitioner may refer you to a chiropractor to help you treat neck pain.
4. Myelogram
Nerve damage can be a significant source of neck pain, but discovering the affected groups can be difficult with standard tests. One diagnostic test, known as a myelogram, may pin down the source. This exam, generally performed by a radiologist, Before the exam, a contrast dye is injected into the spinal column, which allows the radiologist to examine the area, including the nerves and canal, in stark detail. Your doctor may order this test if standard X-rays do not reveal the source of your neck pain.Severe neck discomfort can begin without warning and interrupt your life, but you do not have to suffer in silence. Contact a neck pain doctor in Frederick, MD, like from Pain & Spine Specialists of Maryland, LLC, today to make an appointment or for further information and assistance.
