One who is younger with acute (recent) onset of neck pain which is usually in a specific area on one side of the neck and in the area between the shoulder blades may be experiencing Degenerative Disc Disease. Symptoms may be spontaneous or may be caused by an accident. Moving your head can increase the pain. One with Degenerative Disc Disease will experience increased neck pain in the morning and may also have a headache involving the back of the head.
Neck motion is limited because of pain. There can be muscle spasms in the back of the neck and they may be tender. Although the neck is stiff and there are spasms present, you will not experience any pain or numbness running down your arms. Pain modalities and exercises to reduce spasms and restore range of motion help to relieve this neck pain.
I’m Steve Taylor, Physical Therapist, of Southern Physical and Occupational Therapy Services
Moving You To A Pain-Free Lifestyle
