Neck pain can be very unpleasant to deal with, and there are many possible causes of this kind of pain. Some cases of neck pain are relatively mild, with the pain fading away on its own relatively quickly, but other cases can be quite severe, demanding professional neck pain relief and expert care at a treatment center near you in Tampa. This article will look at some of the big red flags and warning signs that can be associated with serious neck pain.

9 Signs You Should Seek Professional Neck Pain Relief in Tampa

1. A Serious Injury or Accident

Let’s begin with one of the most obvious signs that you may require professional neck pain treatment: you’ve been in an accident recently or suffered a serious injury to the head, neck, or back. Auto accidents, falls, sporting injuries, and other types of accidents can all lead to serious damages to the neck and spinal cord.

Therefore, if you’ve had an accident in recent days or weeks and have been feeling pain, stiffness, or discomfort in your neck since the incident, it’s important to seek expert care and assistance right away. Even if the pain is relatively mild and doesn’t seem to be affecting you too seriously, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying issue with your neck, and you won’t know the full story until you speak with a specialist.

2. Severe Pain

Neck pain can vary in intensity. In some cases, it only appears as a mild level of soreness or discomfort, but in other cases, it can be a very sharp, stinging pain. Some people even experience a kind of burning or searing pain in their necks, preventing them from sleeping and damaging their quality of life in a wide range of ways.

If your neck pain is very severe, it may be a sign of nerve damage, cartilage problems, herniated disks, or even diseases, like arthritis and meningitis. This level of pain can also take a toll on your mental health and dramatically impact your overall health and happiness, so the best thing to do is seek professional treatment as soon as possible to start feeling better.

3. Pain That Won’t Go Away

Sometimes, neck pain will come and go on its own, often fading within a matter of days, without the need for any kind of physical therapy or medical treatment. However, there are some situations in which the pain can persist for several weeks, or even months, and if you have persistent neck pain that just won’t go away, the best thing to do is speak with the professionals.

Even if the pain is relatively bearable and doesn’t impact your life too much, you’ll still need to seek help if it lasts for several days or longer. There are various possible explanations for this kind of persistent pain, but the only way to get answers is to visit a trusted pain specialist clinic for scans and tests.

4. Stiffness of the Head and Neck

Another warning sign to watch out for is when your head and neck feel very stiff. You may find it very hard to move your head forwards and backwards or to bend your neck in any direction. This may be more pronounced in the mornings after you wake up, or you may experience it at all times throughout the day and night.

Head and neck stiffness can be very uncomfortable to experience, and even the simplest of activities can become far more difficult when you’re unable to move your head correctly. Physical therapy, massage therapy, or neuromuscular therapy techniques may be able to assist with this and restore some movement and flexibility to your neck.

5. Fevers and Sweating

In some cases, patients with neck pain may also start to experience other symptoms, including fevers, night sweats, and chills. These symptoms are often linked with meningitis but can have other explanations, too.

In any case, if you experience high temperatures, sweating, or other fever-like symptoms, while also experiencing consistent or recurring neck pain, you’ll need to seek professional medical help immediately.

6. Pain in the Shoulders and Arms

Some patients with neck pain also experience aches and discomfort in their shoulders and arms. It can almost feel as if the pain is radiating out from your neck, across the shoulders, and down along the arms. Again, this can have a serious impact on your quality of life, and it may make even simple tasks like writing or driving much more difficult and uncomfortable.

The intensity of the pain in your arms and shoulders may vary. It could only appear as a minor tingling sensation, or it might feel much more intense, like a burning or stinging pain. In either case, there’s no need to suffer in silence or simply hope that the pain will go away on its own. Neck pain management specialists should be able to help, so make sure to book an appointment or consultation at your earliest convenience.

7. Consistent Headaches

Many people with severe neck pain often complain of headaches. This is because irritations and injuries in the neck can have a direct effect on the nerves and muscles in the head, leading to the likes of tension headaches or thunderclap headaches, which can arrive very suddenly and are usually intensely painful.

In some cases, it may feel like the pain in your neck is extending up to the back and sides of your head, and there are many possible causes of this. Neck pain specialists can help you find out exactly what’s wrong and develop a plan of treatment to help you get the relief you need.

8. Weakness in the Arms and Hands

In some cases, people with neck pain also begin to notice general weakness in their arms and hands. You might experience difficulties gripping objects or lifting things, for example, and even simple tasks like writing or typing might leave your hands feeling tired, stiff, or worn out.
This lack of strength can be directly linked to nerve damage in the neck and spinal cord. Neck pain specialists can conduct tests to find out why you’re suffering from this weakness and devise a plan of treatment to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

9. Numbness

Another serious sign that you shouldn’t ignore when it comes to neck pain is a sense of numbness, particularly in the shoulders, arms, and hands. In some rare cases, patients may even experience numbness in the legs and feet, and this can be linked to nerve conditions or diseases affecting the neck and spinal cord.

So, if you’re experiencing neck pain in conjunction with numbness or lack of feeling in your limbs, you may have a serious condition that requires urgent care. The sooner you speak with a specialist, the better.

If you experience any of the symptoms or signs listed above, don’t delay. Contact a trusted pain specialist center near you and get the care you need as soon as possible. At B3 Medical, we offer a range of non-surgical pain treatments, with a top-quality team of chiropractors, physical therapists, pain specialists, and other experts. Call B3 Medical today to schedule a consultation and get the help you need for your neck pain.