1. Medications Are First Line of Defense Against Neck Pain
Neck pain is extremely common and caused by various injuries, strains and medical conditions. Treatment will depend on the cause of the pain. The least invasive types of treatments are usually tried initially. Medications are often prescribed as one of the first types of treatment for neck pain. Non-sterodial anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen are often effective especially with mild to moderate pain. Muscle relaxants may help. Prescription pain medication can be addictive and are usually prescribed with caution.
2. Block Out Neck Pain
There are several different types of blocks that can be injected into the body to relieve neck pain. Nerve blocks are commonly used. They desensitize the sensory pathways and reduce pain. Trigger point injections may help neck pain caused by muscle spasms. Steroid injections are given to alleviate pain caused by inflammation in the neck. See a doctor who specializes in pain management to determine the most effective type of block for your condition.
3. Physical Therapy May Help
Your doctor may prescribe certain exercises to do or recommend you start physical therapy. Therapy can help you learn proper body mechanics, better posture and increase strength in your neck muscles. Physical therapists often use hydrotherapy or heat and ice therapy to reduce pain. Traction may also be used during physical therapy. A therapist will stretch the neck with a traction device. This procedure may help with nerve root compression or neck pain caused by muscle spasms.
4. The Power of Touch
Some people with neck pain get relief from regular massages. They can help the muscles relax and improve blood flow to the neck. This can speed up healing and reduce spasms. Acupuncture which involves inserting needles into specific pressure points on the body may reduce pain. Nerve stimulation therapy is an option to consider. Small electrical shocks are delivered through electrodes placed on your neck.
5. A Surgical Approach to Reduce Neck Pain
Most people are able to be treated for neck pain successfully without needing surgery. However if less invasive methods of treatment do not work and neck pain is chronic, surgery may be an option. If symptoms get progressively worse or if you have spinal cord compression or degenerative disk disease surgery may be the best treatment to relieve pain. A common surgical procedure done for neck pain caused by nerve root compression is a cervical spine fusion. A disk is removed and replaced with a graft from a bone.
