Neck Pain Treatment

At LivingCare, your care starts with a consultant-led assessment at Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds or Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield. The aim is to understand how your pain is affecting you, explore what may be causing it and agree the most appropriate next step. Cervical injections and nerve blocks cost from £1,100.

What Is Neck Pain?

Neck pain is pain or stiffness in the neck, sometimes spreading into the shoulders. It is very common: NICE says "up to 70% of the population will suffer neck pain at some point in their lives" [1]. It peaks between the ages of 45 and 54 and is more common in women [1]. Most neck pain only lasts a few weeks, but see a GP if it does not go away [2].

Symptoms and Causes of Neck Pain

Common Symptoms of Neck Pain

• Pain or stiffness in the neck [2]
• Pain that is worse when you move your neck [3]
• Pain spreading into the shoulders [3]
• Finding it hard to move your neck [2]
• Pins and needles or a cold feeling in an arm [2]

Common Causes of Neck Pain

The NHS lists the most common causes as [2]:

• Your neck becoming locked in an awkward position while you sleep
• Bad posture, for example sitting at a desk for a long time
• A pinched nerve
• An injury, for example whiplash from a traffic accident or fall

Cervical spondylosis is a common condition that can cause neck and shoulder pain, often in people over 40 [3].

When to Seek Neck Pain Treatment

When neck pain flares up, it can be hard to get comfortable, and nights of broken sleep can leave you exhausted. At its worst, the pain can stop you doing the things you enjoy, which can add to feelings of low mood. It can also affect you at work, and pain that keeps going can build up a frustration that touches every part of your life.

The NHS advises seeing a GP if [2]:

• neck pain or stiffness does not go away after a few weeks
• painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen have not worked
• you're worried about the pain
• you have other symptoms, like pins and needles or a cold arm - this could be something more serious

For neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis, the NHS gives this advice [3]:

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have:

• severe neck pain that starts suddenly, or pain that is getting worse quickly
• heaviness or weakness in your arms or legs
• pins and needles in an arm, as well as pain in your neck or arm
• pain between your shoulder blades

Call 999 if you have any of these:

• new problems walking
• loss of bladder or bowel control
• sudden lack of co-ordination - for example, with tasks like buttoning a shirt
• somebody's face droops on 1 side (the mouth or eye may have drooped)
• a person cannot lift up both arms and keep them there
• a person has difficulty speaking (speech may be slurred or garbled)

These can be signs of a medical emergency [3].

Neck Pain Treatment at LivingCare

The right option depends on what is causing your pain, and your consultant will explain what may suit you. Cervical epidurals, nerve root blocks, medial branch blocks and facet joint injections are part of our Spinal and Thoracic Injections.

Cervical Epidural Injection

Epidural injections target the space around the spinal cord. A cervical epidural does this at the level of the neck, and your consultant may discuss whether it is suitable for you.

Cervical Nerve Root Block

Your consultant may discuss a nerve root block, which targets a specific nerve root where it exits the spine.

Diagnostic Medial Branch Block

How your pain responds to a diagnostic medial branch block helps your consultant decide whether radiofrequency denervation may help.

Cervical Facet Joint Injection

Facet joint injections treat the small joints between the vertebrae.

Cervical Radiofrequency Denervation

Your consultant may suggest radiofrequency denervation where a diagnostic medial branch block has helped. It is available at Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds. See Radiofrequency Treatments.

Trigger Point Injections for Neck and Shoulder Muscle Pain

Where tight, tender muscles in the neck and shoulders are part of the problem, a consultant may discuss trigger point injections of botulinum toxin type A, a prescription-only medicine, at our Leeds clinic. See Botox Trigger Point Injections for Muscle Pain.

Recovery and Expected Outcomes

Recovery depends on the treatment you have. Your consultant will explain what to expect beforehand, including any aftercare and whether you need a follow-up. Results vary from person to person, and some treatments are diagnostic first, helping your consultant plan the next step. The NHS advises keeping your neck moving rather than wearing a neck collar, unless a doctor tells you otherwise [2].

Reducing the Risk of Chronic Neck Pain

There is no guaranteed way to stop neck pain coming back, but the NHS suggests some simple steps to ease it [2]:

• Use a low, firm pillow
• Put heat or cold packs on your neck
• Try neck flexibility exercises
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen, or use ibuprofen gel on your neck

If pain does not settle after a few weeks, getting it assessed early means you know what you are dealing with.

Accessing Neck Pain Treatment in Sheffield and Leeds

LivingCare offers neck pain treatment in Sheffield and Leeds, self-pay or with private medical insurance, at Thorpe Park Clinic, Leeds and Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield. Cervical injections and nerve blocks cost from £1,100, and cervical radiofrequency denervation costs £1,800. If needed, we can also arrange a private GP consultation and referral to support your care pathway.

To talk your options through first, book a Pain Management Consultation, or see everything our Pain Management team offers. If your pain is not limited to your neck, see Spine Pain Treatment or Lower Back Pain Treatment.

References

1. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries - Neck pain - non-specific: Prevalence: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/neck-pain-non-specific/background-information/prevalence/
2. NHS - Neck pain: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/neck-pain-and-stiff-neck/
3. NHS - Cervical spondylosis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/