Overview:
- Neck pain from an injury, overuse, or natural wear and tear can cause discomfort that lasts several hours, days, or weeks.
- Regardless of the cause, chronic neck pain that’s left to fester for an extended period of time can produce a number of serious health concerns.
- The pain management specialists at Tulsa Pain Consultants educate readers about when treatment for chronic neck pain should be sought.
The vertebrae in your neck act as shock absorbers. They also protect nerves surrounding the spine (nerve roots) and your spinal cord. When a vertebral disc, muscle, ligament, or tendon in your neck is damaged, pain can develop and travel to other parts of the body. As a result, you may experience long-lasting, debilitating pain that affects your neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and low back. If pain is present for more than a few days or weeks and lasts several hours a day, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment with a pain management specialist.
Additionally, if you’re experiencing some of the following symptoms, it may be time to seek treatment for your chronic neck pain:
- Long lasting pain (lasting more than 6-12 weeks)
- Weakness or numbness in the shoulders or arms
- Stiffness in the neck with limited range of motion
- Coordination and balance issues
- Reduction or loss of fine motor skills in the hands, making it difficult to hold a cup or button a button.
Most of the above-mentioned symptoms indicate a disc-related problem. Causes of neck pain that may be muscle related generally produce muscle cramps, tension in the neck and shoulders, and limited mobility. It’s important to see a physician to not only diagnose the cause of your neck pain, but to receive treatment as well.
Treatment for chronic neck pain varies depending on the cause. Patients may be treated with a combination of therapies and techniques, some of which include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
- Prescription pain medication
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Minimally invasive spine surgery (herniated discs)
Learn more about the different treatment options for chronic neck pain at Tulsa Pain Consultants! Please visit the Pain Treatment section, then call 855-918-PAIN today to schedule an appointment with our highly skilled team of pain management physicians.
Tulsa Pain Consultants is a multi-location pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 855-918-PAIN or click on our “Request An Appointment” tab to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.