Neck Pain
Pain the neck can occur because of an injury, a mechanical or muscular problem, a trapped nerve caused by a bulge in one of the discs between the vertebrae or from arthritis of the neck. Neck Pain is also commonly referred to as cervical pain and can range form very mild discomfort to severe and burning pain. At times, the pain also might radiate into the arm, hand, up into the head, shoulder or
What it is
Cervical facet joints, discs, nerve roots, muscle and ligament can all generate neck pain. Cervical radiculopathy refers pain down the arm in a specific nerve distribution. Cervicogenic headache is neck-driven head pain. Red-flag presentations (myelopathy, infection, fracture, malignancy) are screened at every visit.
Symptoms and signs
- Mid-line or one-sided neck pain worse with extension or rotation.
- Pain radiating down one arm with numbness or weakness (cervical radiculopathy).
- Headaches arising from the upper neck (cervicogenic).
- Stiffness, reduced range of movement, "locked" neck after sleep or unaccustomed activity.
- Red flags — bilateral arm symptoms, hand clumsiness, gait disturbance (myelopathy), fever, unexplained weight loss — needs urgent assessment.
How we investigate
Structured pain history, full neurological examination. Same-week MRI cervical spine where indicated. Nerve conduction studies where peripheral entrapment is in the differential.
Treatment options at The Vesey
- Physiotherapy first-line for mechanical neck pain.
- Image-guided cervical facet and medial branch blocks for diagnostic and therapeutic use.
- Cervical radiofrequency denervation for proven facet-mediated pain.
- Cervical epidural and transforaminal injections for radicular pain.
- Occipital nerve injections for cervicogenic headache.
- Cervical spine surgery referral for myelopathy or progressive radiculopathy.
What is cervical radiculopathy? +
Cervical radiculopathy is pain, numbness or weakness radiating down the arm in the distribution of a compressed or irritated cervical nerve root. Common causes are disc herniation in younger patients and foraminal narrowing from cervical spondylosis in older patients. MRI confirms the level.
Are cervical nerve block injections available at The Vesey? +
Yes. Dr Arul James performs image-guided cervical transforaminal injections, cervical medial branch blocks and occipital nerve injections on site. Fluoroscopic guidance ensures accurate needle placement for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
When does neck pain need an MRI? +
MRI is indicated if there are arm symptoms (radiculopathy), signs of spinal cord compression (myelopathy), red flags (fever, unexplained weight loss, trauma, prior cancer), or pain that has not improved after 6 weeks of treatment. Same-week MRI is available at our partner imaging centre.
What is the difference between cervicogenic headache and migraine? +
Cervicogenic headache originates from the upper cervical spine and is typically unilateral, non-throbbing, triggered by neck movement, and associated with ipsilateral neck pain. Migraine features throbbing, nausea, photophobia and phonophobia. Occipital nerve injections help cervicogenic headache but not migraine.
Pricing at a glance
Initial pain medicine consultation £260. MRI cervical spine from £450. Image-guided cervical injections from £750. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to see a specialist
Book if neck pain has persisted beyond 4 weeks, you have arm symptoms not explained by your GP, or you have features suggestive of myelopathy (clumsy hands, balance change).
Cost and pathway
Initial pain medicine consultation £260. MRI cervical spine from £450. Image-guided cervical injections from £750.
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our pain medicine team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.88/5 on Doctify from 700+ verified reviews
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Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · 0121 387 3727