Axial Neck Pain in Vacaville

Axial neck pain in Vacaville is known as the pain that runs along the posterior neck. This pain remains localized to the neck and its immediate surrounding structures. It does not involve dysfunction of the arms, hands, fingers, or other body regions. It would be best if you can distinguish the difference between axial neck pain and the two other common neck conditions like cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy.

Cervical radiculopathy refers to the compression or irritation of the nerve as it leaves the spinal cord. The nerves that are branching off the spinal cord are called peripheral nerves and they deliver signals to and from the brain to a specific location in the arm or hand. The signals transmitted to the brain allow sensation, while the signals transmitted from the brain are for muscle movement. When a peripheral nerve is irritated, it causes burning, numbness, tingling, weakness, muscle pain, or other unpleasant sensation in the arm, hand, or fingers.

As for cervical myelopathy, this one involves the compression of the spinal cord. While peripheral nerves transmit information to a specific body part, the spinal cord carries information to many places in the body. If this happens, it can inflict a wide array of symptoms. Apart from the symptoms brought upon by radiculopathy, patients with myelopathy can also show signs of balance and coordination problems, bowel or bladder incontinence, and loss of fine motor skills.

What are the symptoms of axial neck pain in Vacaville?

Posterior neck pain is the main symptom of axial neck pain. The pain can sometimes radiate to the base of the skull, shoulder, or shoulder blade. As for the other symptoms, it can come with depression, headache, and localized areas of muscle pain, tingling, or warmth.

What are the causes of axial neck pain?

There are several anatomical structures that causes axial neck pain. When the ligaments and muscles supporting the skull and cervical spine becomes injured, then pain is sure to happen. This can also be precipitated by poor posture, ergonomics, or trauma. As we age, arthritis and degeneration can affect the facet joints, vertebral bodies, or vertebral discs, and can cause neck pain.

Axial neck pain can also be mimicked by other conditions like shoulder arthritis or rotator cuff tears. There are also rare cases that axial neck pain can be caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction or blood vessels of the neck. In most cases, the exact origin of the pain is not identified. If axial pain is self-limiting, and the first-line treatment is similar regardless of the irritated anatomic structure, this should not be cause for concern.

Key points to know about axial neck pain:

• Axial neck pain is common and there is no need for surgery unless otherwise.
• Axial neck pain is characterized by localized pain to the cervical spine without motor or sensory dysfunction in the hands or lower extremities.
• Optimizing ergonomics, posture, and muscle strength can prevent the onset and can lessen axial neck pain symptoms.

If you need more help on your axial neck pain, then you can head on to our clinic here at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. Just dial (707) 474-5688 and set up an appointment today.