The neck supports the head and is like
a connection between the head and the backbone. Since it is less protected than
the rest of the spine, it is more vulnerable to injury and disorders that cause
pain and restrict motion. Acute neck pain is temporary and is often caused due
to injury. It would go away on its own or with medication and hot and cold
therapy. But chronic neck pain is a different story altogether.
Chronic neck pain may result from
abnormalities in the soft tissues and in bones and joints of the spine. Most
common causes of neck pain are soft tissue trauma or wear and tear. Neck pain
can even cause pain in the upper back, shoulders or arms. Here are the leading
causes and treatments for chronic neck pain.
Degenerative Disease
Degenerative diseases such as
osteoarthritis can cause neck pain. Osteoarthritis affects older people. It is
often a result of wear of the joints between the bones in the neck. Rheumatoid
arthritis can cause destruction of the joints of the neck. Both of these major
types of arthritis can cause stiffness and pain.
Cervical disc degeneration also can
cause neck pain. The intervertebral discs act as a shock absorber between the
bones in the neck. In older people, the center of the disk degenerates and the
space between the vertebrae narrows. As the disk space narrows, the joints of
the spine experience stress and get worn out and degenerate.
The cervical discs may protrude out and
cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Also known as a herniated
cervical disc, this can cause severe pain.
Injury
The neck is quite flexible and that makes it susceptible to injury. Accidents, contact sports, and falls can lead to neck injury. Most common injuries occur in the soft tissues, i.e., muscles and ligaments.
Other
Causes
Other,
less common causes of neck pain include tumors, infections, or congenital
abnormalities of the vertebrae.
Neck
Pain Treatment
Neck
pain is treated based on the underlying cause of pain. Conservative treatments
are usually the first course of action. Medication management and physical
therapy may be advised. For patients who do not get any relief with
conventional treatments, minimally invasive interventional pain treatments are
recommended. These can include –
Nerve
Blocks
Nerve
Blocks are used to block pain signals to the brain, form a pain causing nerve.
Facet
Injections
Facet
injections are used to relieve pain caused by degenerating facet joints between
the vertebrae. As joints wear out and the cushioning cartilage degenerates, the
vertebrae grind against each other causing pain.
Radiofrequency
Ablation
This
technique uses heated radio waves to block the pain transmitters in the damaged
nerve. It can offer relief of pain symptoms for up to 2 years.
To
know more about neck pain treatment or schedule an appointment, call Colorado
Clinic in Loveland and Boulder, CO at 877-535-9359 and visit coloradoclinic.com.
