Cervicalgia in Barranquilla, Colombia

What is cervicalgia?

It is the medical term for neck pain. It is classified as acute when it lasts under six weeks and chronic when it exceeds three months. When pain travels down the arm with tingling or weakness, it is called cervical radiculopathy, which usually indicates nerve irritation.

What are the most common causes?

Muscle tension from posture or stress, wear of the cervical vertebrae and discs, herniated discs, whiplash after a car accident and, less often, inflammatory diseases.

Are X-rays or an MRI needed?

Usually not at first. They are ordered after trauma, with arm symptoms, weakness, pain that does not improve in several weeks or warning signs. The doctor decides which study is useful.

How is it treated?

With pain relievers, local heat, mobility and strengthening exercises, physical therapy and posture correction. For persistent cases, a pain specialist may offer blocks, and surgery is only considered with significant nerve compression.

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