NECK PAIN
Neck pain is so common that it has entered our everyday language to describe any kind of neck-related annoyance. However, for those suffering from neck pain, it can be much worse than an inconvenience.
At Re Innovative Neuroscience Institute the expert team of physicians and neurosurgeons can help you find long-term relief.
If neck pain is hindering your normal life, call the office at (941) 893-2688 to schedule an appointment.
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WHAT CAUSES IT?
While poor posture can be corrected to help you prevent pain, there are a number of other possible causes of your neck pain.
These may include:
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Muscle strain (either from overuse, gritting your teeth, or hunching over a computer)
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Compressed nerves such as those from herniated discs or spinal stenosis
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Joint wear (often from aging and osteoporosis)
Car accidents resulting in whiplash may be responsible for your neck pain. Less commonly, certain diseases like meningitis or cancer can also cause neck pain.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR?
Usually, neck pain gradually improves with at-home care. If your pain has not improved over several days, it may be time to give our office a visit.
Symptoms that require a doctor’s attention include:
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Severe pain or pain that does not fade
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Pain that radiates down one or both arms or legs
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Weak, numb, or tingling arms or legs
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Headache
If you feel these symptoms may be caused by a recent traumatic injury brought on by incidents such as tripping, a car accident, or a diving accident, seek immediate care.
HOW CAN IT BE TREATED?
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The Re physicians perform a physical examination of your neck. They check for tingling, sensitivity, numbness or weakness and assess your ability to move your head forward, backward, and side to side. Further examination may require imaging, blood, or muscle tests for accurate and precise diagnosis.
Treatment can come in several forms.
MEDICATION
If the pain is acute, our providers may recommend a regimen of over-the-counter pain medication, heat pads, and rest. In more chronic cases, prescription medication, physical therapy to correct posture and relieve pain, or electrical stimulation to alleviate pain may be suggested.
IMMOBILIZATION
Our providers may also recommend short-term immobilization with a soft collar worn a few hours a day for 1-2 weeks or physical therapy sessions with traction, which involve weights and pulleys being used to gently stretch your neck and reduce pressure on your nerves.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES
In more extreme cases where there is unrelenting pain, obstruction of nerves, or structural problems, minimally invasive procedures such as injection therapies and neuromodulatory treatments may be recommended. Surgery may also be recommended.
Injection therapies include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy, which both concentrate your body’s natural healing process on your neck. Other injection therapies include the usage of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain.
Neuromodulatory treatments consist of spinal cord stimulation, which uses low-level electrical signals to alter pain signaling from the back to the brain.
If home care efforts are not successful in lessening neck pain or if the pain recurs, call the office at (941) 893-2688 to schedule a consultation session.