3 Neck Pain Treatments That Work

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.