Neck & Arm Pain

A common complaint is neck pain as the cervical spine is quite mobile, supporting the weight of the head above the immobile thorax.

NECK PAIN CAUSES:

• Osteoarthritis, Facet joint pain

• Injury to soft tissue, muscles, bones and nerves

• Spondylosis and bone spur

• Disc degeneration, bulge or herniated disc

As in the low back the nerves supplying both arms can be irritated by the disc diseases such as degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, pinched nerve, bone spur, etc. Symptoms of pain are not only in the neck, radicular pain is seen towards the face and top of the head, one or both arms and up to the fingers.

Whiplash injury caused by abrupt movement of the neck from indirect force as In a car accident can irritate and give constant neck pain.

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Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

The disease presents itself with variable sensory, motor, trophic and autonomic changes.

RSD can be defined as a syndrome of continuous lil~b pain often burning in nature and usually consequent to injury or a noxious stimulus.

WHAT CAUSES RSD?

• Accidental Injury
• Sprain
• Dislocation
• Fracture - usually of hands, feet or wrists
• Traumatic amputation of fingers

Treatment of RSD...

• Nerve Blocks
• Medications
• Physical Therapy
• TENS Unit