Q: Which doctor should I visit to get my neck pain treated?
A: You should visit an orthopedic surgeon to get your neck pain treated.
Q: How can I treat neck pain at home?
A: Neck pain can be treated at home with over the counter pain killers, application of ice packs or heat, massaging the neck and gentle stretching exercises. Stress reduction could also help in some cases. Maintaining a proper posture could also help to prevent neck pain. In case the pain is severe, associated with other symptoms like numbness or does not improve, it is better to visit your doctor at the earliest to rule out any serious cause.
Q: What are the tests used to diagnose the cause of neck pain?
A: The cause of neck pain is usually diagnosed through a good examination of the patient. Radiological tests may be required in case it cannot be diagnosed or if it is a suspected emergency. These include X-ray evaluation, CT scan, bone scan, MRI scan and myelogram. Electrical tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) may be required to test nerve function.
