Conditions Evaluated
Neck Pain
Evaluation.
Neck pain is a common complaint that can arise from multiple cervical spine structures. Dr. Dardashti evaluates neck pain in the context of the patient's symptoms, physical examination, imaging when available, prior treatment response, and functional goals.
In Brief
Multiple Possible Sources
Neck pain can arise from cervical discs, facet joints, muscles, spinal nerve roots, or other structures. Identifying the likely contributor is central to evaluation.
Neurologic Symptoms
When nerve involvement is present, symptoms may include radiating arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in addition to neck pain.
Individualized Evaluation
Evaluation includes a detailed history, physical and neurologic examination, and review of imaging when available — interpreted in the context of the patient's symptoms.
Overview
What Is Neck Pain?
Neck pain refers to pain in the cervical spine region, which includes the seven vertebrae of the neck, the intervertebral discs, facet joints, spinal nerve roots, muscles, and ligaments. Pain in this region is common and can vary widely in character, severity, and duration.
Neck pain may be localized to the neck and shoulder region, or it may be accompanied by radiating symptoms into the arm when nerve root involvement is present. Pain arising from cervical facet joints may radiate into the head, shoulder, or upper back without following a specific nerve root pattern. Understanding the likely source of pain helps guide appropriate evaluation and treatment planning.
Evaluation
Common Reasons for Evaluation.
Patients commonly present for evaluation due to:
- Neck pain that has not improved with initial or conservative treatment
- Neck pain associated with radiating arm pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Neck pain following an injury, accident, or significant change in activity
- Neck pain that limits daily function, activity, or range of motion
- Neck pain with imaging findings that have not been correlated to a treatment plan
- Persistent neck pain after prior procedures or treatments
Approach
How Dr. Dardashti Evaluates Neck Pain.
Evaluation begins with a detailed clinical history — including the character, location, radiation pattern, and duration of pain — along with a review of aggravating and relieving factors, prior treatments and their responses, and the patient's functional limitations and goals.
A physical and neurologic examination assesses range of motion, tenderness, reflexes, sensation, and motor strength to identify likely pain generators and detect signs of nerve root involvement. When cervical imaging is available — such as MRI or CT — findings are reviewed in the context of the patient's symptoms. Imaging findings do not always correlate directly with the source of pain or determine the appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Treatment Options That May Be Considered.
Treatment is individualized based on the clinical evaluation and likely pain source. Options that may be considered include:
- Physical therapy coordination
- Medication management when clinically appropriate
- Cervical epidural steroid injections for nerve-related or radicular symptoms
- Cervical medial branch blocks for suspected facet-mediated pain
- Radiofrequency ablation for selected patients who respond to diagnostic blocks
- Occipital nerve blocks when appropriate
- Other options based on the overall clinical context
Not every patient requires a procedure. Treatment recommendations are based on the individual patient's diagnosis, examination, prior treatment history, and goals.
Limitations
Important Limitations.
Neck pain evaluation and treatment is complex. Not all neck pain has a clearly identifiable structural source, and response to treatment varies among patients. A formal clinical evaluation is required to determine appropriate treatment for any individual patient. This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or create a physician-patient relationship.
Dr. Dardashti sees patients in Mission Hills, California, serving patients from the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and surrounding Los Angeles communities.
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