Shamloo Elite Spine & Pain Institute
CONDITIONS / SPINE

Cervical Spine Pain & Neck Pain

Neck pain can be far more than an occasional ache or stiffness. When pain persists, radiates into the shoulders or arms, causes numbness or weakness, or interferes with sleep, work, or driving, it may signal an underlying cervical spine condition that requires specialized evaluation.

What causes cervical spine pain?

The cervical spine — the seven vertebrae that make up the neck — supports the head while allowing a remarkable range of movement. Because of this mobility and the stress placed on the neck every day, it can be affected by injury, degeneration, inflammation, and nerve compression.

Common causes of neck and cervical spine pain include:

— Herniated or bulging cervical discs
— Cervical spinal stenosis
— Degenerative disc disease
— Arthritis and facet joint degeneration
— Bone spurs
— Nerve compression or cervical radiculopathy
— Muscle strain and spasms
— Whiplash and automobile injuries
— Sports and other traumatic injuries

In some patients, cervical spine problems can cause symptoms beyond the neck itself, including pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

When should you see a cervical spine specialist?

Occasional neck discomfort may improve with rest and conservative care. However, persistent or worsening symptoms deserve attention — particularly when neck pain begins to interfere with your quality of life. Consider an evaluation if you experience:

— Neck pain that persists or repeatedly returns
— Pain that radiates into the shoulder, arm, or hand
— Numbness or tingling
— Muscle weakness
— Reduced range of motion
— Pain that worsens with certain positions or activities
— Difficulty sleeping because of neck pain
— Symptoms following an accident or injury
— Pain that has not improved with conservative treatment

Finding the source of your neck pain

Effective treatment begins with understanding why you are experiencing pain. During your evaluation, Dr. Shamloo reviews your medical history and symptoms and performs a detailed physical examination. When appropriate, diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI may be used to better understand the condition of the cervical spine.

This comprehensive evaluation helps distinguish between different sources of neck pain and allows treatment to be tailored to the individual patient rather than simply treating the symptom.

Advanced treatment options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, and your individual goals. Dr. Shamloo offers a range of advanced interventional and minimally invasive treatments, allowing patients to explore options beyond simply managing pain with medication.

01
Minimally invasive spine procedures
For appropriately selected patients with structural problems or nerve compression, minimally invasive procedures may provide an alternative to more extensive traditional surgery — treating the underlying source while minimizing tissue disruption and recovery time.
02
Regenerative medicine
Therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are designed to harness the body’s own healing mechanisms, and may be considered for select musculoskeletal and spine-related conditions.
03
Targeted interventional treatments
Depending on the source of pain, targeted injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency procedures may help reduce pain and inflammation or interrupt abnormal pain signaling.

The goal is not to offer every patient the same procedure. Dr. Shamloo evaluates the individual condition first, then recommends the strategy that best fits the diagnosis, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.

Advanced neck pain care in Los Angeles

Dr. Ben Shamloo, MD, FIPP brings extensive experience in interventional pain medicine and advanced minimally invasive spine procedures to patients throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Studio City.

At Elite Spine & Pain Institute, the focus is on providing sophisticated, individualized care designed to help patients reduce pain, restore function, and get back to the activities that matter most.