Chronic neck pain causes and treatment approaches

Chronic Neck Pain – Causes and Treatment Approaches Neck pain occurs due to different reasons like poor or incorrect posture, muscle strain, ruptured disc, diseases or disorders of the tissues in the neck, including whiplash and neck strain.

Neck pain is a common condition that creates discomfort in any of the structures in the neck. As per the American Pain Foundation, neck pain is the third most common type of pain in the United States. It is estimated that around 70% of people will experience this type of pain at some point in their lives.

People experience neck pain due to a wide range of reasons. This type of chronic pain is often associated with –

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Poor or incorrect posture

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Rheumatoid arthritis

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Pinched nerve

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Muscle strain

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Meningitis

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Ruptured or herniated disc

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Diseases or disorders of the tissues in the neck, including whiplash and neck strain

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Degenerative disc disease

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Bone spurs

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Spinal stenosis

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Small fractures to the spine from osteoporosis

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Sprains or infection of the spine

The type of pain can normally range from a dull ache to an electric - shock type of sensation. The extent of pain can be mild or severe depending on the specific cause and symptoms. Most neck pain lasts for a very short time – either a few hours or days. On the other hand, if it continues longer than several weeks it is considered as chronic. The signs and symptoms that accompany this type of acute pain include tenderness, muscle spasm, and stiffness in the neck. Chronic conditions may be indicated by swelling, skin redness, fever, and headaches.

Treatment Options for Neck Pain Relief

The treatment options for neck pain depend on the underlying cause. Whatever be the reasons, it is extremely important to identify the root cause to ensure quick pain relief. It is important to understand the entire aspect of pain such as severity, frequency and other prominent factors and design a specific treatment plan that suits individual needs. Reliable healthcare centers offer the services of pain management specialists and physical therapists for correct diagnosis through a complete physical examination and radiological evaluation.

Often, sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased prevalence of neck pain. On the other hand, those who remain physically active during leisure time are associated with almost twice the chance of not having neck pain.

The different treatment approaches include –

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Physical therapy - An ideal option for effective pain management, physical therapy restores function and mobility. It involves exercise programs to strengthen the muscles and joints and improve flexibility. Massage and myofascial release, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Ultrasound are some of the main physical therapy treatment methods.

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Steroid injections – It comprises corticosteroid injections (commonly called steroids) to lower inflammation.

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Exercise – Exercises can help improve a patient’s strength, mobility and range of motion. These include gentle strengthening, stretching, aerobic and isometric exercises. Regular exercise has been associated with a decreased risk of musculoskeletal injury and a reduction in chronic pain.

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Chiropractic

care

–

This

treatment

modality

depends

on

spinal

manual

manipulation that offers quick relief from pain and restores maximum body movement. It also strengthens the body, prevents injury and increases flexibility.

Apart from this, prescription medications including anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or oral steroids are used to reduce neck pain and inflammation. Massage therapy is also done to improve blood circulation and relax tight muscles by using deep pressure application or gentle manipulation. Even though neck pain is a common condition, it is important to select the correct treatment option to prevent reoccurrence.