Neck pain is a serious condition that is considered chronic after the patient has experienced pain for more than three months. This type of pain can lead to limited mobility, an inactive lifestyle, and even days missed from work. The neck, which is also called the cervical spine, is made up of vertebrae, intervertebral spinal discs, muscles, and tissues, which help the spine move with ease. In order to diagnose neck pain, a pain management expert may need to examine all components to find the source of the patient's pain.
As we age, our cervical spine endures natural wear and tear. Our spinal discs gradually degenerate and lose volume, which may cause pain. However, spinal conditions like a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and more may compress the spinal nerves and cause pain, neuralgia, and natural degeneration. Pain in the neck muscles may be the result of a muscle strain or tension. This can be caused by any number of incidents, including injury, poor posture, an unnatural sleeping position, heavy lifting, and more.
Neck pain symptoms vary from patient to patient depending on the underlying condition. In addition to neck pain, patients may experience limited mobility of the head and feel increased pain while twisting or bending their neck. Patients may experience frequent headaches and shoulder pain as a result of referred pain originating from the neck. Pain can also be constant or flare-up when patients move their neck or develop muscle spasms. If an underlying condition compresses the spinal nerves in the neck, patients may feel numbness, weakness, and tingling of the upper extremities or pain that shoots down the arms and hands.
If neck pain is due to an overuse injury or strain, we may advise patients to rest their neck for several days to see if the pain subsides. Patients may take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and use ice to ease their pain. If these conservative measures are not enough to treat chronic neck pain, the physicians at Tulsa Pain Consultants may employ a multi-faceted pain management plan, which may include a combination of treatments, such as medication management, steroid injections, and nerve blocks. Complementary services like massage therapy or physical therapy may also be recommended for complete pain relief. Occasionally, neck pain may need to be treated with minimally invasive surgery.
