Chronic pain is often a sign of an underlying neck condition that is creating changes in the spinal muscles, vertebrae, discs or nerves. Recurrent neck pain may also stem from an old injury. Whatever the cause, treatments for chronic neck pain are usually aimed at physical stress reduction and pain relief.
Rest From Muscular Stress
Supporting the weight of the head places continual stress on the neck muscles, vertebrae, ligaments and discs. Following a strain that sets off chronic symptoms, this simple muscular stress can become excessive. Removing it, however, affords instantaneous pain relief. When chronic pain flares, MayoClinic.com suggests taking several breaks per day to lie down and rest the neck from muscular stress.
Cold and Heat Applications
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, low bone density or other spinal degeneration can produce deep, aching neck pain that comes and goes. During a flare-up, inflammation may occur in the local area. The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, advises using cold or heat applications for pain relief.
If there is swelling, 20-minute cold pack applications are most effective. Otherwise, hot packs, heating pads or hot showers are appropriate for ongoing relief. Twenty-minute treatments of hot or cold can be alternated as well.
Alternative Medicine
Non-medicinal treatments are safest for chronic pain. Chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy all address neck pain and function issues, although MayoClinic.com notes that these may need to be augmented with medical care. While not scientifically proven to cure neck conditions, alternative medicine disciplines do represent drug-free treatment options.
Physical Therapy
Exercise therapy is another choice that can benefit patients with substantial loss of range of motion. This active treatment may mitigate damage from old injuries or conditions such as arthritis that are the source of chronic neck pain. The American Physical Therapy Association reports that a professional evaluation will provide an individualized treatment plan that can restore function and prevent future injuries.
Surgical Options
Chronic pain that develops from spinal nerve impingement, disc damage or vertebral fractures may require surgical repair. Surgery relieves compression on the components of the spine that are affected by degeneration or bone growths.
UMMC calls the need for neck surgeries rare. Pain relief may come from surgeries that address cervical spinal stenosis, herniated discs or stress fractures, including laminectomy, discectomy and spinal fusion.
