What is Neck Pain?
Neck pain has become one of the most common spinal complaints among both men and women, regardless of age. It generally stems from one of two sources: muscular problems — often related to posture, sleeping position, or strain — or problems arising from the cervical vertebrae and the discs between them.
Over time cervical discs can deteriorate and dry out, and patients lose their much-needed shock absorbers, feeling the pain of bone-on-bone contact in the spine. Dr. Varma distinguishes muscular pain from structural problems with a careful exam and imaging, and reserves procedures such as ACDF or disc replacement for cases where damaged discs are truly the cause.
When to see a specialist
Why it happens
Most neck pain is muscular — posture at screens, sleeping position, stress-related muscle tension. Structural causes include disc degeneration, facet arthritis, and whiplash injury. Distinguishing the two determines everything about treatment.
How it is diagnosed
A careful history separates axial muscular pain from structural pain with radiating symptoms. X-rays evaluate alignment and disc height; MRI is used when arm symptoms, weakness, or persistent pain suggest disc or nerve involvement.
Treatment options
Muscular neck pain responds to posture correction, ergonomic changes, targeted strengthening, and manual therapy. Structural sources are treated on their merits — from injections for facet arthritis to ACDF or disc replacement when a damaged disc is truly the cause.
