Can neck problems cause headaches?

Yes. Cervicogenic headache arises from the upper cervical joints, typically starts at the base of the skull, is often one-sided, and is provoked by neck position. When the upper cervical facets are the source, diagnostic blocks confirm it and radiofrequency ablation can provide durable relief.

Is my arm pain coming from my neck?

Often. A compressed cervical nerve root refers pain, numbness, or tingling into the arm in a pattern that maps to the level involved. Shoulder pathology can mimic it closely, which is why the exam and, where needed, a selective injection matter.

Do I need surgery for a cervical disc herniation?

Most patients do not. Many cervical herniations improve over months, and a targeted epidural injection can control symptoms while that happens. Progressive weakness or signs of cord involvement change that calculation, and we refer promptly when they appear.

Is cervical radiofrequency ablation safe?

It is a well-established procedure performed under live fluoroscopic guidance with local anesthetic and light sedation, targeting small sensory nerves. We explain the specific risks in plain language at your consultation and again on the day.

How long will I be off work?

Most patients return to desk work the next day after an ablation and to physical work within 2 to 3 days, depending on the area treated. We give you guidance specific to your job.

What if my neck pain started with a car accident?

Whiplash injuries commonly involve the cervical facet joints and are frequently under-diagnosed. We assess them the same way as any facet pain, and we provide the documentation an injury claim requires.

Will I need a driver on the day of my procedure?

If you receive sedation or a spinal injection, yes. Only minor, local-anesthetic-only procedures may allow you to drive yourself, and only per your provider's guidance. We confirm transportation when we schedule, so it is not a surprise.

Pain Center

Neck Pain

Precision care for the cervical spine — without rushing to surgery.

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Neck pain treatment at HTx Pain Institute in Houston

Overview

Understanding neck pain.

The cervical spine carries a heavy head on a small, mobile column, and it is unforgiving — modest changes produce disproportionate symptoms. The neck also refers pain in ways that confuse the picture. Cervical facet joints refer into the shoulder blade and the back of the head; a compressed cervical nerve root refers into the arm and hand in a pattern that maps to the level involved.

Our job is to separate muscular pain from joint-mediated pain from nerve-mediated pain, because the treatments diverge sharply. That distinction comes from the pattern of your symptoms, a focused exam, and — where facet pain is suspected — a pair of diagnostic blocks that have to confirm it before anything further is done.

Common Symptoms

Aching or sharp neck pain
Headaches that originate from the neck
Pain or tingling radiating to the shoulder, arm, or hand
Stiffness with rotation or extension

Common Causes

Cervical facet arthropathy
Cervical disc herniation
Whiplash-associated disorders
Cervicogenic headache

Treatments at HTx Pain

How we approach neck pain.

Cervical Medial Branch Blocks & RFA

Lasting relief for cervical facet pain.

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Cervical Epidural Injections

Targeted relief for cervical radiculopathy.

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Diagnosis & workup

History focused on the pattern — midline neck ache, referred pain into the shoulder blade or head, or radiating arm symptoms.
Physical exam with range of motion, Spurling's test, and a neurologic screen of the upper limbs.
Review of existing imaging; MRI of the cervical spine when radicular or myelopathic features are present.
Cervical medial branch blocks when facet-mediated pain is suspected — two separate blocks are required before radiofrequency ablation.
Selective nerve root injection when the level of a radiculopathy is unclear on imaging.

When to see a specialist

Neck pain past 6 weeks despite physical therapy and oral medication.
Pain, numbness, or tingling radiating into the arm or hand.
Headaches that start at the base of the skull and are provoked by neck movement.
Weakness, clumsiness of the hands, or changes in balance — arrange assessment promptly.
Persistent symptoms after a motor vehicle collision or other whiplash injury.

Recovery & outlook

What to expect over time.

Cervical facet pain confirmed on two diagnostic blocks generally responds well to radiofrequency ablation. The procedure itself takes about 15 minutes, mild soreness settles over a few days, most patients return to light activity the next day, and full benefit is reached at about the 6-week mark — commonly lasting 6 to 18 months and repeatable as the nerve regenerates. Cervical radiculopathy treated with an epidural steroid injection often improves over weeks, which is frequently long enough for an irritated nerve root to settle. Cervicogenic headache tends to track with the neck pain driving it, so we measure headache days and function rather than a pain score alone.

Common Questions

Direct answers — no jargon.

If your question isn’t here, ask us at your consultation.

Yes. Cervicogenic headache arises from the upper cervical joints, typically starts at the base of the skull, is often one-sided, and is provoked by neck position. When the upper cervical facets are the source, diagnostic blocks confirm it and radiofrequency ablation can provide durable relief.

Why HTx Pain Institute

How we treat neck pain, differently.

The cervical spine rewards precision and punishes assumption. Every cervical procedure here is performed under live fluoroscopic guidance, and facet pain is confirmed on two separate diagnostic blocks before any ablation — not one, and not none. That standard is the reason our cervical ablations tend to work when we do them.

Other conditions we treat.

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Reviewed by Edward Baumgartner Jr., MD · Last reviewed September 10, 2026. Information on this page is not medical advice. Always consult your physician.

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