Neck and Back Pain

Around 80% of the United States population will suffer from neck and/or back pain during their lifetime. At his offices in New Rochelle, New York, Farhad Elyaderani, MD, specializes in diagnosing neck and back pain, assessing risks, and providing effective treatments. He understands that every patient is unique and designs a tailored treatment program to reduce pain as effectively as possible. Call Dr. Elyaderani to arrange a neck and back pain assessment or request a consultation using the online booking feature today.

Why do I have neck and back pain?

Neck and back pain comes from your spine, a column of vertebrae with spongy discs between the bones, supported by ligaments and muscles. Inside your spinal column is the spinal cord, a nerve hub from which all the other nerves originate.

The complex, sensitive spinal structure could suffer an acute injury, strain from overuse, or a chronic disease that causes neck and/or back pain.

Acute neck and back pain begins suddenly and lasts several days or weeks. Common problems include injuries like whiplash from an auto accident, strains and sprains from playing sports, and pulled muscles caused by overreaching or using poor lifting techniques.

Chronic back or neck pain persists for more than three months. Conditions causing chronic back pain include:

• Herniated or ruptured discs
• Bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Vascular spine abnormalities
• Tumors
• Scoliosis
• Facet joint arthritis
• Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy arises from nerve compression in the spine. The peripheral nerves that spread through your body have their roots in the spinal canal. An injury, narrowing, or misalignment in the spine can compress the nerve roots, causing pain, numbness, weakness, and/or prickling, burning, and tingling sensations.

These symptoms typically travel along part or all of the nerve’s path. Cervical radiculopathy in the neck causes problems with your arms, and lumbar radiculopathy in your lower back causes symptoms that spread into the hip or buttock and leg (sciatica).

How is neck and back pain diagnosed?

Dr. Farhad Elyaderani uses the most advanced diagnostics to determine your pain’s cause. After a thorough physical exam, he might refer you for one or more of the following:

• X-Rays
• CAT scan
• MRI
• Myelogram
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Nerve block injection

After viewing your test results, Dr. Elyaderani designs a personalized treatment plan.

What treatment might I need for back pain?

Mild neck and back pain often improves with rest, icing, and gentle exercise. If your pain is more severe or home treatment doesn’t work, Dr. Elyaderani offers comprehensive treatment, including:

• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Minimally invasive spinal decompression
• Microdiscectomy
• Spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion stimulation

Surgical options for neck and back pain are usually a last resort but may be necessary if noninvasive treatments don’t work.

Call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani or book an appointment online today for first-class neck and back pain care.