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  • I wanted to write a letter to you because I'm so grateful to you and your team at the pain management clinc. After spending over 15 years with the most horrendous headaches and seeing dozens of different doctors and therapists finally you have managed to get them under control. Thanks you for taking the time to genuinely listen to me and my problems. Much appreciated.

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    Hertfordshire

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Neck/shoulder/head Pain - Causes

There are a number of structures within the neck that are capable of causing pain when stressed or damaged including the bones, discs, muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves. Pain in the neck can move to other parts of the body ( head, shoulder, arm) due to nerve entrapment or as referred pain.

Neck / Shoulder/ Head Pain Patterns

Degenerative changes with the neck can present in a number of ways:

  • Neck pain only
  • Neck Pain with shoulder pain
  • Neck pain with arm pain
  • Neck pain with head pain

Neck/shoulder/head pain - Clues

The pattern of pain can give us clues to the likely cause of the pain symptoms.

  • Neck pain that moves to the arm or hand is typical of a nerve entrapment syndrome usually at the base of the neck due to disc prolapse or spine degeneration.
  • Neck and shoulder pain is either nerve entrapment higher in the spine or facet joint osteoarthritis. 
  • Neck and headache symptoms usually represent problems high up in the neck with entrapment of the occipital nerve (occipital neuralgia).

Neck/ shoulder/ head- Muscles and Posture

People with chronic neck/shoulder/head symptoms develop marked changes in their posture, and marked muscular changes. This can lead to chronic stiffness within the muscles, with tender points within the muscle (trigger points) which can add to the severity of the pain symptoms.

Diagnosis
  • Cervical spondylosis - is the term used spine degeneration, causing neck/shoulder/head pains

  • Cervical radiculopathy - is the term used for arm pain due to nerve entrapment with the spine.

 
  • Myofacsial pain - is the term use to describe pain originating in the muscles

  • Occipital neuralgia – headache from the back of the head that extends to the top

Investigations
  • X-rays – identifies degenerative changes within the neck
  • Ultrasound scan – can be useful if pain thought to originate from the shoulder itself.
  • MRI scan – can identify disc prolapse and degeneration in the spine
  • Nerve conduction studies – used to identify the location of nerve compression (Spine vs Arm).
Treatments
  • Physiotherapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Cervical radiofrequency denervation – treats spinal arthritis
 
  • Occipital nerve blocks – headache treatment
  • Cervical epidural

     

NEED TO SPEAK TO OUR CONSULTANT?

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CONTACT INFO

PINEHILL HOSPITAL

Benslow Lane, Hitchin

Herts, SG4 9QZ

01462 427216 / 01462 427221

SPIRE HOSPITAL HARPENDEN

Ambrose Lane, Harpenden

Hertfordshire, AL5 4BP

01582 763191

CLEMENTINE CHURCHILL HOSPITAL

Sudbury Hill, Harrow

Middlesex HA1 3RX

020 8872 3872

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