If you’re like most people, you probably pay little attention to your neck. That’s unless and until neck pain develops, after which you may be able to focus on little else. Rizwan Khan, MD, of Bluegrass Bone & Joint, LLC, in Louisville, Kentucky, offers excellent interventional pain treatments for neck pain. Learn more during your one-on-one consultation, which can be booked online or over the phone today.
The human neck is a complex structure that houses your spinal cord, cervical vertebrae, thyroid glands, trachea, esophagus, lymph nodes, and numerous other components. A problem with any of these structures can lead to serious neck pain.
Neck pain can result in headache, muscle tightness, stiffness, or limited joint mobility. The pain can be dull and throbbing or sharp and stabbing. It can come and go or persist for long periods.
Some people only experience occasional neck tension that resolves after a day or two of rest and over-the-counter pain medications. For others, neck pain is severe and can be debilitating.
Many things can cause or contribute to neck pain. Muscle strain is common and occurs when the muscles that support your spine and head are overtaxed or suffer minor tearing.
Something as simple as holding your phone between your chin and shoulder or reading in bed in an awkward position can cause muscle strain.
Additional causes of neck pain can include:
X-ray imaging might play a role in the diagnostic process, and lab work can also reveal more about how well your body is functioning.
Cervical facet joint injections are a good option for treating some forms of neck pain. The treatment delivers an injection of steroid medication into inflamed spinal joints. A fluoroscopic X-ray guides the needle placement.
Epidural steroid injections can also improve neck pain. These injections place steroid medication into the space adjacent to your spinal cord to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
A course of physical therapy is also a great way to treat neck pain. Physical therapy not only can strengthen the muscles in your neck and shoulders, but also help improve your posture.
While not every source of neck pain can be prevented, taking some basic steps can reduce your risk of many types of neck pain. If you play sports or engage in fitness activities, using the proper protective gear is a great way to protect against neck injury.
It’s also important to avoid participating in activities you’re not adequately prepared for. Ramp up your fitness training intensity gradually to avoid injury.
Poor posture and bad habits are among the most common causes of neck pain. Try elevating your computer monitor to prevent spending hours looking down, and think about how you hold your phone or tablet.
If you encounter significant neck pain, call Bluegrass Bone & Joint to schedule a diagnostic work-up. Online booking is also an option, and can be done in just moments.