What are the common causes of neck pain?
You could be experiencing neck pain for any number of reasons, even something as small as straining your muscles while you read in bed or grinding your teeth as you sleep at night.
Common causes of neck pain include:
- Joint pain from osteoarthritis
- Herniated disc causing nerve compression
- Muscle strain
- Diseases such as meningitis and cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
Injuries can also cause neck pain. Whiplash, for example, is caused by the sudden rapid movement of your head and can lead to neck sprain or strain. Car accidents and sports injuries are common causes of whiplash.
When should I see a doctor for neck pain?
After an injury, your neck pain could resolve on its own with rest, specialized stretching and exercise, and care at home. But if your neck pain persists despite your home-care efforts or the pain is severe enough that it’s affecting your ability to do your usual activities, it’s time to call Pain Medicine Inc to schedule a consultation with Dr. Khan.
Other symptoms that warrant a call to Dr. Khan for expert management of neck pain include:
- Tingling or numbness in your arms or hands
- Pain that travels down your arms or legs
- Headaches that coincide with your neck pain
If you’re not sure of the cause of your neck pain, Dr. Khan can recommend diagnostic testing to determine the reason you are experiencing discomfort.
How is neck pain treated?
Treatment for your neck pain depends on the cause. Dr. Khan develops an individualized treatment plan to help reduce your discomfort and improve your overall function.
Dr. Khan likely firsts recommend conservative therapies to relieve your neck pain, such as physical therapy to improve strength and function, and oral pain relievers and/or anti-inflammatories.
If conservative treatments fail to relieve your pain, Dr. Khan recommends more invasive therapies such as:
Facet joint injections
A facet joint injection is an outpatient procedure. During this type of treatment, Dr. Khan administers an injection of anti-inflammatory medication directly into one or several facet joints in your spine. Once the medication enters your body, it relieves swelling, pain, and general discomfort.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
PRP injections use your body’s growth factors or platelets to encourage the natural healing process. This type of treatment uses your blood, so there’s virtually no risk of infection or related side-effects.
Cervical epidural injections
For a cervical epidural injection, Dr. Khan administers an injection of anti-inflammatory medication into your cervical epidural space. Once the medication enters the epidural space, it provides instant relief.
Spinal cord stimulation
A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that emits low levels of electricity to relieve pain. If you’ve tried various treatments to ease your neck pain and nothing else works, spinal cord stimulation is worth considering.
Dr. Khan may also recommend an intrathecal pain pump if you have severe chronic pain that other methods of treatment do not resolve. Although rarely needed, if Dr. Khan can’t relieve your pain with any treatment, he recommends a surgical consult.
For the relief of neck pain, call Pain Medicine Inc today, or use the online booking button to schedule an appointment.
