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Neck Pain Treatment in Reisterstown, MD

Neck Pain Treatment in Reisterstown, MD

Cervical spine diagnostics and image-guided interventions from a board-certified physiatrist.

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Common In:Adults 30 to 65, desk workers, post-whiplash patients
First-Line Treatment:Activity modification, physical therapy, targeted injections
Recovery Window:Acute episodes 2 to 6 weeks, chronic cases 3 to 6 months
Imaging Used:MRI cervical spine, X-ray, EMG/NCS when radicular signs present
Understanding Neck Pain
Overview

Understanding Neck Pain

Neck pain refers to discomfort, stiffness, or radiating symptoms originating from the cervical spine, the seven vertebrae and associated discs, facet joints, nerves, and muscles that support the head. Pain may stay local to the neck or travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand depending on which structure is involved.

At Pain Treatment Center of Maryland, Dr. Tatyana Reznikov evaluates neck pain using a structured clinical examination and, when indicated, MRI, X-ray, or electrodiagnostic testing to identify whether symptoms come from a disc, a facet joint, a nerve root, or surrounding soft tissue. Accurate localization guides the right treatment, whether that is targeted therapy, an image-guided injection, or radiofrequency ablation.

Common Causes of Neck Pain
Causes

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Most cervical pain reflects one of a few mechanical patterns. Degenerative disc disease causes loss of disc height and segmental stiffness. Cervical facet arthropathy, especially after whiplash, produces deep, axial pain that often refers into the upper shoulder and base of the skull. Cervical radiculopathy occurs when a herniated disc or bone spur compresses a nerve root, causing arm pain, numbness, or weakness in a specific dermatomal pattern. Postural strain and prolonged screen use overload the deep cervical stabilizers and trigger myofascial pain.

Occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headache overlap with upper cervical dysfunction and are evaluated when neck pain spreads into the back of the head. Identifying the dominant pain generator is the foundation of every treatment plan.

When Neck Pain Requires Emergency Care
Important Information

When Neck Pain Requires Emergency Care

Most neck pain is mechanical and responds to conservative or interventional pain management. However, certain symptoms point to conditions that require emergency evaluation, not outpatient pain care.

Seek emergency care immediately if you experience progressive arm or leg weakness, new bowel or bladder dysfunction, loss of balance or coordination, high fever with neck stiffness, or severe pain following major trauma. These signs may indicate spinal cord compression, infection, or unstable injury and need urgent imaging in an ER setting. Once these red flags are excluded, outpatient pain management can address the underlying mechanical or neuropathic source.

What Causes Cervical Pain?
Pain Generators

What Causes Cervical Pain?

01

Cervical Disc Disease

Age-related wear of cervical discs reduces height and shock absorption, causing axial neck pain and stiffness.

02

Cervical Radiculopathy

A herniated disc or bone spur compresses a nerve root, producing arm pain, numbness, or weakness in a dermatomal pattern.

03

Facet Joint Pain (Whiplash)

Small posterior joints become painful after rear-end collisions or sustained extension, often referring pain to the upper shoulder.

04

Cervicogenic Headache

Upper cervical joint or muscle dysfunction refers pain into the back of the head, temples, or behind the eye.

05

Occipital Neuralgia

Irritation of the greater or lesser occipital nerve causes sharp, shooting pain from the base of the skull upward.

06

Postural and Myofascial Strain

Prolonged forward-head posture and screen time overload the upper trapezius and deep cervical stabilizers.

Why Choose Pain Treatment Center of Maryland
Why PTCOFMD

Why Choose Pain Treatment Center of Maryland

  • Diagnostic Precision First
  • Image-Guided Cervical Procedures
  • Dual Fellowship Training
  • Honest, Stepwise Care

Cervical Treatment Comparison

Treatment Best For Session Time Results Timeline Maintenance
Epidural Steroid Injection Cervical radiculopathy and disc-related arm pain 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 7 days for onset Up to 3 injections per year if needed
Medial Branch Block Diagnostic test for cervical facet-mediated pain 15 to 25 minutes Immediate diagnostic response Repeated once to confirm before RFA
Radiofrequency Ablation Confirmed cervical facet joint pain after positive blocks 30 to 45 minutes 2 to 3 weeks for full effect Relief commonly lasts 6 to 12 months
Trigger Point Injections Myofascial neck and upper trapezius pain 10 to 20 minutes Within days As needed every few months
Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG/NCS) Evaluating nerve root compression or peripheral nerve injury 30 to 60 minutes Same-day diagnostic findings Repeat only if symptoms change
Signs You May Benefit From an Evaluation
Is This You?

Signs You May Benefit From an Evaluation

  • Persistent Axial Neck Pain
  • Arm Pain or Tingling
  • Headaches From the Base of the Skull
  • Post-Whiplash Stiffness
  • Pain With Looking Up or Overhead Work
  • Weakness or Grip Changes
FAQ

Neck Pain Frequently Asked Questions

01 When should I worry about my neck pain?

Most neck pain is mechanical and improves with conservative care. Seek emergency care if you develop progressive arm or leg weakness, new bowel or bladder problems, high fever with neck stiffness, loss of coordination, or severe pain after major trauma. These symptoms can indicate spinal cord compression or infection and require urgent imaging.

02 How is the source of neck pain diagnosed?

Dr. Reznikov starts with a focused history and physical exam, including range of motion, neurologic testing, and provocative maneuvers. MRI or X-ray is ordered when structural imaging is needed, and EMG/NCS is added if there are signs of nerve root compression. The goal is to identify whether the pain comes from a disc, a facet joint, a nerve, or muscle tissue.

03 What is a cervical epidural steroid injection?

A cervical epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication into the epidural space around an irritated cervical nerve root. It is performed under fluoroscopic guidance and is most effective for arm pain caused by a herniated disc or foraminal narrowing.

04 How do medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation work together?

Medial branch blocks are diagnostic injections that numb the small nerves supplying suspected facet joints. If two blocks produce clear, repeatable pain relief, radiofrequency ablation can then be performed to deactivate those nerves for a longer-lasting effect, typically 6 to 12 months.

05 Can whiplash cause long-term neck pain?

Yes. Whiplash from rear-end collisions commonly injures the cervical facet joints, which can become a chronic pain generator. When conservative care has not resolved post-whiplash neck pain, medial branch blocks can identify the involved levels and guide whether radiofrequency ablation is appropriate.

06 Do I need surgery for neck pain?

The majority of patients with neck pain do not need surgery. Interventional pain management, physical therapy, and targeted injections resolve or significantly reduce symptoms in most cases. Surgical referral is reserved for progressive neurologic deficits or instability that does not respond to nonoperative care.

Recommended Add-Ons

Complementary Non-Invasive Therapies

Rebuilding strength in the deep postural muscles that support your cervical spine can ease tension and prevent recurring neck pain. The following non-invasive therapies are a natural complement to our neck pain treatments.

Location116 Westminster Pike, Suite 106
Reisterstown, MD, 21136
Emailzalina@ptcofmd.com
Phone(410) 833-1011
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Scientific References

  1. Manchikanti L, et al. Cervical interlaminar epidural injections in managing chronic neck and upper extremity pain: a randomized controlled trial (Pain Physician 2012). PubMed (PMID: 22270742).
  2. Engel A, et al. The effectiveness and risks of fluoroscopically-guided cervical medial branch thermal radiofrequency neurotomy: a systematic review (Pain Medicine 2016). PubMed (PMID: 26814258).
  3. Lord SM, et al. Percutaneous radio-frequency neurotomy for chronic cervical zygapophyseal-joint pain (New England Journal of Medicine 1996). PubMed (PMID: 8929262).
  4. Manchikanti L, et al. A randomized, double-blind, active-control trial of fluoroscopic cervical interlaminar epidural injections in chronic pain of cervical disc herniation: results of 2-year follow-up (Pain Physician 2013). PubMed (PMID: 24284841).
  5. MacVicar J, et al. Cervical medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy in New Zealand (Pain Medicine 2012). PubMed (PMID: 22568663).