Almost everyone has neck pain at some time. The pain may vary from a sudden onset of sharp pain to a persistent dull ache. The causes are many and varied, from merely pulling a muscle from stretching too vigorously or by damage caused in an accident, to bad posture or sleeping patterns.

But one major cause of neck pain that is increasing in incidence is caused by a degeneration of the disc and the spaces in between them (degenerative disc disease - DDD). If undiagnosed and untreated pain and disability from this condition can have a great effect upon your quality of life.

People who suffer from neck pain nowadays are luckier than their predecessors as diagnosis is more accurate and there are a range of treatment options available. Depending on the symptoms and cause just changing the bed pillows or mattress, or changing sleeping positions may provide relief. Medication, of course, will help reduce or eliminate pain as will a course of physiotherapy. Consulting a physical medicine specialist for advice on good posture may also prove beneficial in reducing discomfort.

But if neck pain persists to a long lasting state then a consultation with a specialist doctor is the only sensible action. The doctor will examine your neck and upper body, take x-rays, or other scans that will help to diagnose the condition, its cause and suggest suitable treatment options.

If the degenerative process is advanced and the pain is severe the only option may be corrective surgery. These days surgery is no longer a major procedure as it is possible to replace worn out discs with artificial ones by a technique called Minimal Access Spine Surgery (MASS). As its name implies the surgical incision is very small, and the discomfort is minimal too. The surgery takes less than two hours, but it is wise to stay in hospital for a day or two, after which it is possible to get on with a normal life, exercising, walking and moving without discomfort.

The BNH Hospital has a brand new spinal centre that is dedicated to treating all kinds of spinal problems including neck pain. So now there is no need to suffer a pain in the neck when a quick consultation and simple treatment will cure the problem.