Neck Pain

Cervical Facet Injection

Cervical facet injections are performed to diagnose and treat pain that is thought to be coming from a facet joint. This pain can be due to a variety of causes including:

• Arthritis 
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Whiplash

Benefits of cervical facet injections include:

• Pain relief: Cervical facet injections can provide significant pain relief for many people. The relief may last for several weeks or months. 
• Improved function: By reducing pain, cervical facet injections can help people to improve their function and participate in activities of daily living that they may have had to give up due to pain. 
• Reduced need for other medications: Cervical facet injections can help to reduce the need for medications, such a opioids. 
• Avoided surgery: In some cases, cervical facet injections can help to avoid the need for surgery. 

What causes neck pain?

Neck pain can be the result of several factors, including poor posture, muscle strains, and traumatic injuries. You can also develop chronic neck pain as a result of an underlying medical condition, such as osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of neck pain?

In addition to a persistent pain in your neck, you could experience a worsening of pain when you move your head in certain directions. You could also experience:

• Headaches
• Muscle spasms
• Limited range of motion in your neck

If neck pain doesn’t resolve with treatment at home, or your pain worsens or spreads into your arms or legs, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Mendoza.

What causes neck pain?

Because your neck is responsible for supporting your head, it bears a lot of weight and is susceptible to pain from wear and tear. Neck pain could be the result of:

• Disease
• Muscle strains
• Injury or trauma
• Joint degeneration
• Nerve compression

Your day-to-day activities, such as sitting at a desk for long periods of time, talking on the phone, or having poor posture, can also contribute to frequent episodes of neck pain.

How is neck pain diagnosed?

Dr. Mendoza reviews your medical history and asks you to describe your usual activities. He performs a physical exam to check for limited range of motion in your neck muscles and to identify specific areas of your neck that are tender or painful.

To get a better view of your neck muscles and vertebrae, Dr. Mendoza can request imaging tests, including X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. If Dr. Mendoza suspects that inflammation or infection could be the cause of your neck pain, he might also order blood work.

What treatment options are available for neck pain?

To strengthen the muscles in your neck and alleviate pain, Dr. Mendoza can recommend starting with physical therapy. He can also suggest the temporary use of a neck brace to take the pressure off of your nerves and give your muscles time to rest.

If you need help managing chronic neck pain, Dr. Mendoza can prescribe muscle relaxers or pain relievers. He can also administer steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve nerve pain.

You don’t have to limit your activities due to chronic neck pain. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Mendoza online or by phone.