Neck pain is a common condition that affects many people worldwide. It can be caused by various factors, such as poor posture, injury, stress, or underlying medical conditions. If you are experiencing neck pain, it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
The neck pain treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. In some cases, neck pain treatment at home like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be enough to alleviate symptoms.
However, if the pain is severe or persistent, you may need to seek medical attention. Neck Pain doctor may recommend physiotherapy for neck pain, which involves exercises and stretches to help alleviate pain and improve mobility. Massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic neck pain treatment are also viable options for some individuals.
In more severe cases, medications such as muscle relaxants or prescription pain relievers may be necessary. Injections, such as corticosteroids or lidocaine, can also be used to alleviate inflammation and pain.
Procedures like cervical decompression or cervical spondylosis surgery are the last resort for neck pain treatment and is typically only recommended in rare cases where other treatments have failed. Underlying medical condition, may require surgical intervention like treatment for bulging disc in neck.
In summary, neck pain treatment options include rest, pain relievers, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic adjustments, medications, injections, and surgery. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for your specific situation.
There are several structures inside the neck that may cause neck pain when they are injured, inflamed, or under pressure. These structures include:
Cervical spine: Degenerative changes or injuries to the cervical spine, including herniated discs, osteoarthritis, or spinal stenosis can be present. Most of the time such patients do not have any complaints. However, those with complaints may need treatment for cervical radiculopathy.
Joints: Injuries or inflammation of the joints in the neck, such as the atlanto-axial joint or the facet joints, can need neck pain and stiffness treatment.Muscles: Strained or sprained muscles in the neck can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the head and neck. Such patients may need neck muscle spasm treatment or neck muscle strain treatment as per case.
Nerves: Pinched or compressed nerves in the neck can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the neck, arms, or hands. Such individuals may need pinched nerve in neck treatment.
Ligaments and tendons: Strains or sprains of the ligaments and tendons that support the neck can stiff neck treatment.
Thyroid gland: Disorders of the thyroid gland, such as thyroiditis or goiter, can cause neck pain and swelling needing neck pain solution.
Lymph nodes: Enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes in the neck can cause pain and swelling may need neck sprain remedy.
Blood vessels: Inflammation or injury to the blood vessels in the neck, including the carotid artery, can cause neck pain inviting neck pain relief .
Though neck pain may be temporary and resolves on its own in most of cases, some situation may not resolve and must be investigated thoroughly. Pain radiating to arm, tingling or numbness of arm or legs, difficulty in balance or coordination, loss of control of bowel of bladder, need special attention. Neck pain distracting daily activities need investigation. Neck pain due to fall or injury needs to be treated as medical emergency. It is important to consult with a neck pain treatment doctor for neck pain if you are problems, especially if it is severe or lasts for an extended period of time, in order to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate chronic neck pain treatment.
Repetitive motion like side movements in dancing or swimming may put extra demand on neck muscles and cause pain. Holding neck in unusual position for long time, like air show, holding phone between head and shoulder, can give neck problems. Soft tissue injury or spasm of neck due to sudden backward movement of head in rear collusion of car accident causing severe neck pain may need whiplash injury treatment.
If neck pain is of three months it is labelled as chronic pain which is mostly due to facet joint or disc problems. Some causes are cervical disc degenerative disease, cervical radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis, cartilage wearing down, cervical disc rupture or other causes.
Cervical disc degenerative disease wear and tear of disc causesx it to be herniated which pinch nerves causing chronic neck and shoulder pain.Cervical disc rupture may result into leaking of nucleus pulposus irritating cervical nerve roots causing pain.
If cartilage in facet joints wears down, may result into osteoarthritis or cervical spondylosis. In such situation facet joints move with friction over bones to bone causing pain.
Compression of spinal cord due to cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal) due arthritis, can cause pain and weakness, or coordination of arms or legs called myelopathy.
Cervical radiculopathy may result due to irritation or compression of nerve roots due to herniation of disc or spur or irritation. The pain runs along course of nerve supply.
Miscellaneous causes of neck pain Ankylosing spondylitis along with progressing pain in spine may cause neck pain. Myofascial pain due to trigger point at different places can cause neck pain. Fibromyalgia can cause neck, including pain in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Spondylolisthesis process of slipping of one vertebra over other can occur in advanced arthritis, causing neck pain. Rarely spinal cancer can also be cause of neck pain.
Cervical pain treatment at home like rest, fomentation, neck pain treatment massage, correcting posture by neck pain treatment exercises and correcting life style, can relive many cases of neck pain. Over the counter medicines like acetaminophen can be great help in neck muscle pain relief. Neck pain treatment devices like cervical soft collar support are available but have little value in neck and back pain relief.
Identify the underlying cause of the neck pain: Before starting any treatment, it is important to identify the underlying cause of the neck pain. Following guidelines can be followed.
Treat the symptoms: Treatment for neck pain typically involves first managing the symptoms. It includes home remedies for cervical pain like exercise stretching and massage. Home remedy for stiff neck is useful. This can also include the use of over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or prescription medications such as muscle relaxants or opioids. Home remedies for shoulder and neck pain like hot or cold compresses can also be helpful in reducing pain and inflammation.Physical therapy: Exercise and physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles in the neck and improve flexibility. This can help to reduce the risk of future injuries and alleviate pain. Physical therapy for cervical radiculopathy like traction gives temporary relief.
Improve posture: Poor posture can contribute to cervical pain treatment. Correcting posture can be achieved through exercises and stretches that help to strengthen the muscles in the neck and shoulders.
Use neck support: A neck support, such as a pillow or brace, can help to relieve neck pain by providing support to the neck muscles and reducing pressure on the cervical spine. Cervical collar traction for neck is also sometimes used.
Steroids are given as neck pain treatment injections in spine under guidance of fluoroscopy. It reduces inflammation and pain to some extent. It has its own limitation. Manipulation of neck to relive neck pain can be of some help in some cases.
Yoga treatment for neck pain, especially due to spondylosis can be effective. Yoga involving flexion, extension or rotation of neck can irritate nerve and exacerbate complaints. Tai Chi treatment for neck pain is effective. Qigong treatment for neck pain needs special training and can be useful tool of management. When doing exercises, they must be slowly progressive. Sudden load on muscles or must be avoided.
Patients report having taken ayurvedic treatment for reported some relief. Similarly, homeopathic treatment for neck pain has also have some satisfied patients. Acupressure treatment for neck pain has limited scope.
Acupuncture is the best option as non-surgical treatment of neck pain. Acupuncture treatment to relive pain can be used in multiple way. Acupuncture at trigger points if present, can give instant neck pain relief. Acupuncture of other specific body points takes care of most of cases of neck pain effectively.
Indications for surgery for neck pain can be used to stabilize neck spine; remove damaged tissue irritating nerve roots and manage narrowed spinal canal.
Surgical procedures for neck pain anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, called ACDF, when done from anterior side, is removal of diseased disc followed by fusion of spine for stability. If done from posterior side no fusion is necessary.
Cervical disc can be replaced by surgery with artificial disc. It allows more mobility. Spinal decompression are different methods to increase space in spinal canal and relive myelopathy. It may be done for spinal Stenosis with removal of vertebral body and disc and putting bone graft for fusion.
Posterior cervical laminectomy is removal of lamina retaining the body of vertebra. It has advantage of better flexibility.
Posterior laminoplasty involves cutting and restructuring lamina to increase space. Posterior forminotomy is removal of small part of foramen may be along removal of disc or spur.
Spondylosis medicine such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants can be used to reduce pain and inflammation. Treatment of spondylosis physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles in the neck and improve flexibility, while lifestyle changes such as maintaining good posture and avoiding repetitive motions can help to prevent further damage to the cervical spine.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve nerve compression or to stabilize the cervical spine. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you are experiencing neck pain or other symptoms of cervical spondylosis.
Many times, X ray may show changes of cervical spondylosis or lumbar spondylosis, bony spur, prolapsed disc and degeneration spondylosis yet patient may not have any complaint. This means in case of pain in neck or back, evidence of ‘bony abnormality’ does NOT necessary mean that it is the cause of pain.
Cervical spondylosis is a condition that is caused by degenerative changes in the cervical spine (neck) over time. Some of the common spondylosis causes include:
Wear and tear: As we age, the discs in the cervical spine can start to degenerate, and the bones and ligaments in the neck can become weaker, leading to cervical spondylosis. The process also causes inter-vertebral disc to give way and get ruptured into spinal column, causing inflammatory reaction which in turn also causes above symptoms. As result of cervical spondylosis disc may also protrude and press upon nerve roots causing cervical spondylosis or lumbar spondylosis and complaints of cervical or neck pain. The neck pain, back pain or spinal pain can also be due chemical irritation and physical pressure of nerve roots. Spinal stenosis may lead into compression of spinal cord and nerve roots resulting into spondylosis pain. Repetitive stress on the cervical spine due to poor posture, heavy lifting, or other activities can cause the spinal discs to wear down and the vertebrae to develop bone spurs.Lack of exercise: Lack of regular exercise can lead to weaker muscles and poor posture, which can contribute to the development of cervical spondylosis.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese can put extra stress on the cervical spine, leading to degeneration and the development of cervical spondylosis.
Injury: Trauma to the neck, such as a car accident or a fall, can cause damage to the spinal discs or vertebrae, leading to cervical spondylosis.
Smoking: Smoking can contribute to the development of cervical spondylosis by reducing blood flow to the cervical spine and causing damage to the spinal discs.
Genetics: Some people may be more prone to developing cervical spondylosis due to their genetic makeup.
Diagnosis of cervical spondylosis can be made by doctors by history and examination. Sometimes, You may need MRI / CT scan to establish diagnosis. Delaying diagnosis or absence of proper care may result into bladder dysfunction or similar serious disability, requiring emergency spondylosis surgery or intervention. Timely preventive care is essential to avoid emergency treatment of cervical spondylosis or lumbar spondylosis.
Non-surgical Treatment of Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis home remedies including massage and physiotherapy which may help to spondylosis treatment to certain extent. Cervical spondylosis treatment may strengthen muscles to maintain spinal balance. Home remedy for neck pain due to spondylosis include hot fomentations, ice fomentation, stretching exercises and yoga.Steroid injection in pathological area may give some relief. Long standing cervical and lumbar spondylosis may result into spinal stenosis. There is no permanent spondylosis cure. Manipulation in certain condition can be dangerous as spinal injury may result with serious complication.
Complaints of slipped disc depend upon extent of pinched nerve, whether it is in cervical disc herniation or lumbar disc herniation. Common form of radiculopathy includes pain that runs with path of the affected nerve. If you have complaints of pain in neck or lumbar region, feeling of tingling and numbness in the fingertips or toes, sensation of small sharp piercing pain or development of muscle weakness or loss of reflexes; you may be suffering from spinal disc herniation.
Reasons for ankylosing spondylitis are unknown but it may be related genetic factor. Inflammation of joints due to ankylosing spondylitis cause bony growth and fusion of vertebral joints. This causes restriction of movements and restricted breathing. It may also cause inflammation of tendons like Achilles tendon at ankle. Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is by MRI /CAT scan.
Ankylosing Spondylitis TreatmentAim cervical spondylitis treatment remains to reduce pain, stiffness and disability. Properly treated patients can live almost normal life. Early treatment of ankylosing spondylitis can minimize the deformity. Physiotherapy for neck spondylitis treatment: Main features of treatment of ankylosing spondylitis remains remaining active, exercises and physiotherapy. Acupuncture treatment for ankylosing spondylitis fairly effective.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercises
Exercises are important in treating spondylitis specially neck ankylosing spondylitis. Swimming helps symptoms in treatment of ankylosing spondylosis to great extent.
Yoga, Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Treatments
Patients report having taken Ayurvedic treatment for spondylitis and have reported some relief also. Since Ayurvedic medicine being well accepted by Indian patients, cervical spondylitis ayurvedic treatment is quite common. Similarly, with homeopathic treatment for spondylitis pain has also have some satisfied patients. Acupressure treatment for spondylitis pain has limited scope.
Yoga treatment for spondylitis pain, especially before permanent deformity and can be effective. Yoga for ankylosing spondylitis is important addition in therapy must be considered in every case. Incorrect yoga involving pressure on joints or stretching or rotation of arm can irritate nerve around and exacerbate complaints. Similarly Tai Chi treatment for spondylitis pain is effective. Qigong treatment for spondylitis pain needs special training and can be useful tool of management. Exercises must be slowly progressive. Sudden load on muscles or must be avoided. Warning signal of pain from body when doing exercises must be attended to. Ankylosing spondylitis medicines provides some relief in cervical ankylosing spondylitis treatment.
A cervical disc bulge can cause a range of symptoms depending on the location of the affected disc, with a c3 c4 disc bulge, c4 c5 disc bulge, and c5 c6 disc bulge being common areas of occurrence. Some common symptoms of a cervical disc bulge include neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain. In addition, a cervical disc bulge can cause tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms, hands, or fingers. In some cases, a cervical disc bulge can also lead to difficulty with coordination or balance, as well as changes in bladder or bowel function.
Treatment options for a cervical disc bulge will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the location of the affected disc, with a c3 c4 disc bulge, c4 c5 disc bulge, c5 c6 disc bulge, and c6 c7 disc bulge being common areas of occurrence. Conservative treatment options for a cervical disc bulge may include rest, ice or heat therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers, and physical therapy exercises that focus on strengthening the neck muscles and improving flexibility. In some cases, medication or steroid injections may be recommended to help manage pain and reduce inflammation. If conservative treatment options are not effective, a more invasive treatment approach such as surgery may be considered.
Acupuncture is very effective in neck pain treatment. We at Dr. Pardeshi Acupuncture center are treating such case routinely with very good results.
“Dominik Irnich, MD, tells WebMD that, "acupuncture is widespread in the world. Western medicine is wonderful and successful, but in many, many chronic conditions ... there is a lack of success, and Eastern medicine methods may be the right choice. ... [Our] study shows that acupuncture is more effective than one of the most customary treatments for chronic neck pain [that is, massage]." Irnich is an anaesthesiologist specializing in pain therapy at the University of Munich and the German Medical Acupuncture Association.”
“Acupuncture relieves neck pain and improves range of motion. Chen et al. find acupuncture effective in alleviating cervical spondylosis, a painful disorder caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Zeng et al. conclude that acupuncture alleviates cervical spondylosis and radiculopathy. The data demonstrates that acupuncture is more effective than NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Zhou et al. find acupuncture effective for the alleviation of pain after surgery to the cervical spine. Li et al. conclude that acupuncture plus herbal medicine is effective for the relief of spasmodic torticollis, a disorder wherein the head becomes turned to one side, often due to painful muscle spasms. Liu et al. find acupuncture plus herbs effective for the relief of neck and shoulder pain.”
Acupuncture is considered to be safe and beneficial medical treatment says Spine Health “Acupuncture is considered a safe medical treatment. For this reason, many physicians and practitioners believe that acupuncture is a beneficial treatment as an adjunct to other medical treatments, and/or as an alternative to medical treatments. In certain situations, acupuncture may be used in combination with conventional painkillers, or to replace them all together.”
“The authors treated cervical spondylosis related to the nerve root with special acupuncture and regular acupuncture and compared the results. The results showed that the total effective rate of special acupuncture group is 93.3% and that of the regular acupuncture group is 90% with no statistical significance (P> 0.05) but there was a statistical difference with the cured rate (P < 0.05).”
“Acupuncture, acupressure, and massage may work to relieve your herniated disc pain.”
“Herein, we present the successful application of AA (auricular acupuncture) in a patient with LDH resistant to conservative treatment. AA for LDH (lumbar disc herniation) may be considered as a possible treatment in selected patients.”
“I was suffering from pain due to Slipped Disc for last ten years. I could not get pain relief by any treatment which I had taken so far. I am completely cured of my pain due to Dr Pardeshi acupuncture pain therapy.”
“acupuncture gives excellent results in the treatment of cervical spondylosis and this evidence-based research is a proof that it is generally safe and effective treatment in treating of cervical spondylosis.”
“Acupuncture a highly effective and flexible method for the treatment of cervical spondylosis and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (neck spinal and soft tissue degeneration causing nerve impingement and subsequent pain or numbness). One study from Xindu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine found long needle acupuncture to be highly effective for the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Another from Tianjin University of TCM determined that electroacupuncture treatment in combination with Xiaoxingnao acupuncture produces significant patient outcomes.”
Needle pricking (acupuncture) has significant effect on ankylosing spondylosis concludes
Some people have found that acupuncture is good for Ankylosing spondylitis reports
"Some people have found that acupuncture is particularly good at helping with flare ups of their AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis).”
Acupuncture because it releases opiod like substance in body, can reduce pain says
Studies show that acupuncture can reduce pain. It’s likely because the brain releases opioid- or opium-like molecules during the practice.
Acupuncture and cupping relives pain of ankylosing spondylitis concludes report in
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