Your neck, also known as the cervical spine, is composed of vertebrae that begin in the upper torso and end at the base of your skull. There are bony vertebrae along with the ligaments that provide stability to your spine, and your muscles allow for support and motion. Your neck is capable of a significant amount of motion and supports the weight of your head. However, because your neck is less protected than the rest of the spine, it is vulnerable to injury and painful disorders that can also restrict motion. And while many people find neck pain a temporary situation, others will need medical diagnosis and treatment to relieve their symptoms.

Additionally, chronic, painful headaches may be caused by conditions of the neck and are known as cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches may be caused by constant tension or injury to the neck as well as problems with the facet joints.

Dr. Claire Tibiletti and Dr. James Michaels are experienced in interventional pain medicine, which is a medical specialty that focuses on treating illnesses, conditions or injuries that cause pain and limit function. They are pioneers in the development of several effective pain treatments in use by doctors today, which you will find on our procedures page.