Neck aches are generally caused because of muscle strains or tension and can often be treated conservatively with a bit of self-care. While anything from sleeping in an awkward position to turning your head too quickly can cause neck pain and stiffness, modern work and personal technology and recreational habits have made Americans of all ages more vulnerable to neck aches and injuries.
At Specialty Care Clinics, our pain management doctors and specialists offer a range of therapeutic services for neck pain from nine convenient locations in Texas.
4 CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS FOR NECK ACHES AND PAINS
There are many causes to develop neck aches and pain. If you sit at a desk working on a computer for a long time every day, the simple act of keeping your head in the same position can result in soreness and stiffness.
Similar to your lower back (lumbar spine), discs in your neck (cervical spine) can press on a nerve and slip. Joint problems, muscle strain, and trauma caused by an accident or fall are also common causes of neck pain.
In a lot of cases, neck pain can be controlled and treated conservatively and with self-care, depending on the severity and cause, as well as your medical history and underlying health conditions. Following a comprehensive consultation and physical examination, our pain management specialists will prepare a customized pain management plan for your requirements and circumstances.
1. Rest/activity modification :
If the cause of your neck ache is temporary muscle strain, a couple of days or weeks of rest and modified physical activity are generally enough for the pain and soreness to go away on their own.
Depending on the kind of work you do and how much time you spend sitting in the same position at a desk or working on a computer, poor posture could also increase your risk of back, neck, and head pain. Even after a few hours of hunching over your phone can result in neck aches and strains (also known as “text neck”).
Make sure that your desk and chair are set up to support good posture, take breaks frequently, and stand up and stretch from time to time throughout the day to protect your neck and spine.
2. Medication :
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are common treatments for mild to moderate neck pain and inflammation. If these don’t work, prescription medications are also available depending on your condition.
3. Physical therapy :
Physical therapy includes a combination of pain management and strength training techniques to help you recover from injuries and decrease your risk of more injuries in the future. For neck pain, physical therapy might include neck strengthening exercises, working on your posture and alignment, and modifications to your current routine.
4. Injections :
We also offer injections to relieve neck pain, depending on the underlying cause, severity, and duration of your neck pain including :
- Cervical epidural injection
- Trigger point injection
- Facet injection
If you’ve been in an accident or suffering from additional symptoms along with a neck ache, seek emergency treatment right away to rule out a serious injury.
To know more about what you can do to prevent and manage neck aches and pain, call us at (469) 545-9983 to book an appointment with one of our pain management specialists in Texas.